EXTRANET NEWS * Week of
Editors: Joel Orr and N'omi Orr
http://www.extranetnews.com
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1. A DESIGN
2. THE LIST
3. TIDBITS
4. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
1. A DESIGN
Joel interviewed Jill Rothenberg,
"Bricsnet ProjectCenter
(www.bricsnet.com) is one of my
favorites, because of its ease of use and flexibility. They also have good customer
service and tech support," said Rothenberg when I asked her what extranets
she recommends to owners and others.
The architect, she pointed out, is not always able to pick an extranet
to use. "Sometimes the owner or the builder has made a selection, and we
have to go with theirs."
What's the most important quality of an extranet, beyond its having the
basic features needed for the project? "Ease of
learning, ease of use; a friendly and convenient user interface. People
just can't face yet one more technology change," she said.
Are there predictors for success? "Sure. The owner must be using
it, and expecting everyone to use it. And key project people must be definite
and disciplined in their use of the extranet. And of course, the system must be
reliable."
What are some important features to look for in an extranet? "We,
as architects, have needs that overlap with but are different from those of
builders. We care about document sharing, flexible workflow, lots
of choices in security designations--who can look at things, who can change
them, by name and by role. We want easy uploading and downloading. RFI and
submittal workflow and management--which is where construction-oriented systems
excel--are important to us, too."
"By the way," commented Rothenberg, "per-seat charges
are counter-productive, because they make cost-conscious project managers
reluctant to get enough seats to supply all who really need them. Bricsnet charges by the project."
"Also, while I emphasize the need for ease of learning, training
is critical. Everyone must know how to use the system," she added. "But
it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to learn."
"We are beginning to see a renewed interest in extranets on the
part of our clients. It's taking a long time for this technology to get the
attention and use it deserves," said Rothenberg.
Our take: The
2. THE LIST
Total companies: 262 (see who's on The List at http://www.extranetnews.com/).
3. TIDBITS
·HOW TO SELECT
Cost to attend: $39.
Go to www.extranetnews.com
for info and registration.
·Basex Collaborative Business Environments
Conference
2 December; The Penn Club;
· Conference Board of Canada
Strategic Project Management Conference - 3-4 December, 2003; Hilton Toronto; 145 Richmond Street, West Toronto,
ON Canada M5H 2L2. www.conferenceboard.ca/conf/dec03/project_mgmt/overview.htm
·PROJECT EXTRANETS IV: SUCCESSFUL
COLLABORATIVE WORKING; MAXIMISING EXTRANETS FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS, organized
by Ross Sturley and Construction News,
London, England, 3 December 2003, at the
See http://www.projectextranets.co.uk/
for information.
·Knowledge
Management for Government
15-16 December, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. http://www.federalevents.com/km/overview.shtml
·COFES2004: The Congress on the Future of
Engineering Software
http://www.cofes.com
4.QUOTE OF THE
WEEK
"Experience
teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's
purpose is beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel
invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to
liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without
understanding."
--Supreme Court
Justice Brandeis
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Entire newsletter Copyright © 2003 Cyon Research Corporation
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