Enterprise Agreement follows pilot projects including $125 million renovation program at Kansas City International Airport; Walton cites outstanding customer support, high Return on Investment

Alpharetta, Ga., and Kansas City, Mo., February 11, 2004: Walton Construction, recently ranked 165 among the nation's Top 400 Contractors by ENR Magazine, has signed an Enterprise Agreement with Constructware that standardizes use of Constructware's Internet-based project management tool on all its projects.

Lee G. Turner, director of Controls/Project Manager for Walton, cited three reasons for the company's decision:

Accessibility. "On all our projects, Walton seeks to encourage a collaborative environment within the construction and design teams. Through our pilot tests, we determined that Constructware's Internet-based product is as easily accessible to design and trade contractor team members as it is to members of the construction team. It proved very effective in speeding up communications and encouraging accountability with the project teams."

Value. "We have found that Constructware's implementation costs are far outweighed by its value as a cost control tool once a project is underway."

Customer Service. "In addition to using Constructware since 2000, several controls-oriented employees at Walton have attended Constructware's train-the-trainer course and user conferences. As a result, we have had extended interaction with Constructware's support and product development personnel and have been very pleased with the company's ongoing commitment to customer service. They listen to us and implement improvements based on client suggestions and the needs of the changing construction industry."

Walton selected Constructware after comprehensive review and extensive practical testing of project management applications in the field. Constructware was pilot-tested on one of Walton's larger and more complicated projects, the Kansas City International Airport, which required coordination with 35 subcontractors and the design team on fast-track changes related to post 9/11 security enhancements at the airport.

"Our entry into an Enterprise Agreement signified an executive decision to use Constructware on all projects moving forward based on the successful experiences of this project," says Turner.

Walton is beginning work on several large projects totaling over $300 million, including a $65 million casino expansion for Harrah's North Kansas City, a $20 million parking garage in downtown Shreveport with a "hyper-track" schedule, and a $22 million courthouse in the Bossier La., area. All will be managed through Constructware. The company's smaller projects also are utilizing the application, depending on each project's needs.

"Walton has been a national contractor since its origins in 1985. As a result of expansions into different geographical markets and the securing of large-scale projects in remote locations, we needed a project management tool that is flexible, accessible and maximizes cost and schedule efficiency. We found Constructware to be the most responsive product on the market," says Turner.

"Walton's decision to standardize its communications and collaboration processes for all parties across all projects is generating significant benefits for the firm," says Scott Unger, Constructware chief executive. "As Walton expands its business across geographies and vertical industry sectors, they can immediately deploy Constructware to accommodate their needs—without incurring costs for hardware or software maintenance by their IT staff. Walton's approach is a blueprint for efficiency and profitability in the competitive market for construction services."

About Walton Construction Company
Walton Construction Company, LLC is based in Kansas City, Mo., with offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Mo., Dallas, and Shreveport and New Orleans, LA. Engineering News Record ranks the company among the top contractors in the United States. Established in 1985 by Greg Walton, Walton Construction has grown steadily to become a leader in preconstruction, general contracting, design/build, and construction management services. For more information visit www.waltoncci.com.

About Constructware
Constructware is a hosted communication and collaboration solution that increases productivity and improves processes and accountability for all stakeholders throughout the design, construction, and facility lifecycle. Clients use Constructware software and services to optimize, standardize, and automate their business processes with an easy to use, scaleable solution. For more information visit www.constructware.com.