Alpharetta, Ga., and Lexington, Ky., Jan. 6, 2004: Citing the benefits of centralized, Internet-based communications and the desire to be a more organized, "preferred owner" among the design and contractor community, the University of Kentucky has selected Constructware as its standard applications platform for managing its facility expansion program over the next several years. The University has more than $150 million in projects starting in 2004 and has identified needs of at least $150 million each year over the next several years. The University will begin using Constructware immediately on a $46-million design/build program to deliver four three-story dormitories that will house 684 students. Other upcoming projects include a $28-million men's and women's basketball practice facility, a $16-million parking garage and a $12 million center for pharmaceutical science and technology. The University's facilities staff and business officers are being trained on Constructware, and all major parties involved in projects (A/E firms, contractors, consultants, etc.) will be required to undergo training and use Constructware as the standard means for communication on UK projects.

Constructware was selected after a lengthy review of project and program management applications, said Dall Clark, director of the Capital Project Management Division of UK. "We've been watching the market for the last three years and we saw Constructware as the company that was grabbing market share in the owner sector," says Clark. "A lot of these systems got their start in the contractor market and lack some of the tools that owners need. Constructware has been able to adapt to the owner's needs, and we found it to be more user friendly."

"I'm fairly certain that (Internet-based communications) are the way the industry is going," adds Clark. "More and more owners are looking to this technology as a way to better manage their programs."

Tracking Multiple Sources of Funds One example of owner-oriented toolsets within Constructware is ability to closely track multiple sources of funding, using Constructware's cost management toolset. Tracking multiple funding sources is very important for universities and other public owners, but it has been difficult in the past, because project accounting systems and job costing systems are typically not flexible enough to accommodate the level of complexity and client-specific customization needed. With Constructware, funds from designated sources are allocated during initial program budgeting to specific projects, and these budget items are tracked from procurement of materials or services to their actual expenditure on specific projects. Transactions related to fund sources are documented through pay applications, as well as other related non-financial documentation.

Clark says another reason for selecting Constructware is that he wants the University of Kentucky to be viewed as a "preferred owner" among the design and contractor community. He explained that public entities such as universities have many vocal stakeholders and that facilities programs must be able to accommodate change and adapt to shifting requirements. The ability to rapidly communicate project and program changes to the design and construction parties involved in a project can be a major challenge. Says Clark: "We think Constructware will have a very positive impact on our overall communications, both internally within the University and with the design and construction community."

About Constructware® Based in Alpharetta, Ga., Constructware provides project management and collaboration solutions that enable companies in the construction industry to improve performance and minimize risk. Constructware's core solution is a hosted, Internet-based application that provides building professionals with enterprise-wide collaboration from design through project closeout. More information at www.constructware.com.

About the University of Kentucky Capital Project Management Division CPMD serves as liaison between the University clientele having capital construction needs, other University service units, and privately owned companies providing the necessary design, consulting and construction services. This Division develops and coordinates the University's programmatic space requirements and reconciles those needs with available project funding, to maximize the programmed space. CPMD strives to complete all projects with minimal disruptions to the end users, while maintaining project budgets and schedules. More information at www.uky.edu/EVPFA/Facilities/CPMD/cp.htm.