Uniting Construction Information (UCI) - a Virtual Enterprise

It has long been recognised that the construction industry has been confused by the existence of so many IT organisations acting for, and on behalf, of the industry. This confusion has slowed down the effective operation of each individual organisation as well as limiting the development and exploitation of IT within the industry. As a result, many of these organisations have regarded others as competitors, which has prevented them from collaborating effectively. Investigation has shown that the existing construction industry IT entities are on the whole complementary, with a healthy level of overlap between their services. There is a clear opportunity for these organisations to work collaboratively – celebrating their diversity, avoiding wasteful duplication and pursuing common goals for the benefit of the sector.

UCI aims to harness the power of IT to transform the industry

With the support of BERR, the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI), these organisations have agreed to act together to present a coordinated service to industry through collaborative working, partnering government and the academia. The new joint organisation Uniting Construction Information (UCI), will take the form of a virtual organisation that will benefit both the IT organisations and, ultimately, the construction industry as a whole, by facilitating collaboration, and demonstrating trust and commitment. The UCI website launch and a formal launch of the organisation due soon.

UCI Vision: To improve the performance of the UK construction industry through the better use of Information and Communication Technology.

UCI Mission: To establish an effective network of organisations in construction.

UCI Value: It is based on trust, sharing and collaboration.

There are 10 founder members of UCI:

• Construct IT for business (CIT) is an industry-led non-profit making collaborative membership-based network.
• ICE Information Systems Panel (ISP) acts as a channel to support the industry through knowledge transfer projects and organisations.
• IT Construction Forum (ITCF) is a special initiative forum within Constructing Excellence providing a dissemination service for IT Guidance.
• IAI Building SMART UK Chapter: Building Smart is the new branding of IAI specialised in using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and IFCs.
• Construction Industry Computing Association (CICA) is a division of the National Computing Centre that provides independent guidance and networking.
• ICE/ICES Geospatial Engineering Board (GEB) is a professional board of those people working within the built and natural environment involved in the construction and maintenance of, and output from, the Geospatial database.
• The Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) is a research, consultancy and test organisation that helps companies in the built environment become more efficient and effective.
• Construction Opportunities for Mobile IT (COMIT) is a community that specialises in helping its members to realise benefits from the use of mobile information and communicate technologies (ICT).
• Construction Industry Trading Electronically (CITE) is a collaborative electronic business initiative for the UK construction industry specialises in developing data exchange specification.
• The Network for Construction Collaboration Technology Providers (NCCTP) is a network helps to promote the effective use of online technology to support collaborative working on projects and capital developments in UK constructions.

For further information visit the UCI website coming soon at www.UCINet.info
or contact Farzad Khosrowshahi (E-mail f.khosrowshahi@salford.ac.uk)
or May Bassanino (E-mail M.N.Bassanino@salford.ac.uk), both at the University of Salford.