Property and technology players led by Stanhope, Rotch, Microsoft and Commerce One Inc. today sign an agreement to form a consortium, Asite, providing one European e-marketplace for the construction industry.
`Asite` will be an online exchange set up to share best practice, and enable the construction industry to deliver projects faster, at lower cost and to a higher standard. It will aim to deliver best value as well as lower cost and will help transform the way buildings are designed, procured, built and managed.
Asite has been developed within PremiSys Group plc , with the active involvement of property companies Stanhope plc and Rotch Property Group Ltd, and Aurora - a fund for the executives of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. (KKR) and technology companies including Microsoft, Commerce One, Intel, Compaq, Aspect Internet, and Attenda. The alliance between these technology companies was organized with the strategic consultancy of Dynamis Solutions Inc. Asite is currently in discussions with a range of other major industry participants with a view to their becoming investors and committing their construction procurement.
Peter Rogers, director of Stanhope plc and chairman of Asite says, "For years people have been talking about the need to improve the construction industry, and although there are some excellent examples, overall achievement is poor - in terms of efficiency, quality and profitability.
The Internet now gives us an opportunity to address many of the industry`s problems by sharing best practice, encouraging standardization, increasing transparency of information and improving procurement, collaboration, and logistics across the industry.
"Today`s deal will enable us to deliver the best technology tools for the construction industry. Microsoft`s and Commerce One`s unprecedented and exclusive support demonstrates its belief in Asite`s vision and commitment to change the industry", comments Rogers.
He continues, "In early 2001, we will launch a private pilot test site for a group of leading industry participants. This will be followed by a launch to the rest of the industry in the second quarter of 2001. Leading organizations that are interested in re-shaping our industry are invited to join us and contact us through our website at www.asite.com."
Steve Ballmer, president and CEO of Microsoft comments, "The combination of Commerce One`s global industry expertise and marketplace solutions with the business agility of the Microsoft.NET Platform will provide Asite.com with increased speed to market, seamless product integration and new business opportunities".
Mark Dodds, Strategic Business Development Group at Microsoft comments, "Asite represents a fantastic example of a company which is totally focused on operational efficiency and profitability through the delivery of leading edge working practices. Microsoft is committed to delivering both technology and substantial marketing support to Asite. We believe it will become the industry standard for the construction marketplace in the future."
"We are very pleased to be working with Microsoft to jointly deliver the e-marketplace infrastructure for Asite," said Mark Hoffman, chairman and CEO Commerce One. "We believe our shared vision along with the best offerings and right capabilities that we are able to offer will enable Asite to become a powerful e-marketplace for the construction industry."
Share
