Visit the Mardak web site
Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Infrastructure and CAD Software
News Release from: Aconex | Subject: Online collaboration
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 12 July 2007

Aldar selects Aconex for project
collaboration

Request your FREE weekly copy of the Buildingtalk email newsletter. News about Infrastructure and CAD Software and more every issue. Click here for details.

Aconex is the world's largest provider of online collaboration for construction and engineering projects.

As part of the agreement, Aconex will service more than ten of Aldar's developments including Abu Dhabi's largest ever development, the US$40 billion YAS Island, which once completed will comprise of a Formula OneTM Grand Prix track, a Ferrari theme park, championship golf courses, hotels and 300,000 square meters of retail space Aconex is a web-based information management solution that facilitates collaboration between a development organization and its project partners

By using Aconex, project participants will be able to manage their documents and correspondence through one online platform, allowing them to view, distribute and track their files electronically at any time and from any location.

This is critical for Aldar's projects as it improves productivity by allowing fast retrieval and distribution of data thus reducing printing and postage costs and mitigating risks such as information loss, disputes and delays.

Abdalla Essa Zamzam, Aldar Chief Corporate Support Officer, said: "Aconex will provide us with a central platform and standardized procedures for communicating with our consultants and contractors.

Many of these organizations are based overseas, so using Aconex will allow us to collaborate more efficiently.

A key factor in our selection of Aconex was that the company can provide training and support to all our project partners, wherever they are located.

Aconex also manages the IT infrastructure and ongoing maintenance of data, meaning fewer internal resources are required".

Leigh Jasper, Aconex Managing Director, said: "Aldar is one of the world's most progressive and innovative real estate developers so we are very pleased to be helping them to deliver their projects.

Their portfolio is transforming Abu Dhabi and setting the standard for the entire region.

"Many of Aldar's projects are ambitious, multi-billion dollar developments.

Organizations working on these projects will most likely generate hundreds of thousands of documents and pieces of correspondence that will need to be stored securely and efficiently distributed between the project team.

Aconex provides a solution to managing this flow of information".

Aconex already services a number of major developments across the Gulf region, including Dubai Metro, Dubai Sports City, Lulu Island Bahrain and Between the Bridges Abu Dhabi.

Mr.Jasper added: "Approximately 15% of projects in the UAE are using an online collaboration tool such as Aconex.

Uptake has doubled each year for the past three years and we are seeing this type of solution rapidly becoming the industry standard for project information management".

Aconex will provide information management support for the largest of Aldar's projects, YAS Island, which is scheduled to commence construction in two phases during 2007.

YAS Island occupies a total land area of 2,500 hectares, of which 1,700 hectares will be reclaimed for the development.

Other Aldar projects using Aconex include Al Gurm Resort, a residential and tourist destination comprising 59 private luxury homes and a 161-suite 5 Star resort, and Al Raha Gardens, a residential project made up of Arabian and European style villas set amongst landscaped gardens.

Paul Crosetta, Aldar Project Director for YAS Island, said: "Aconex will ensure appropriate levels of accountability throughout the project by tracking the status of documents and correspondence.

This audit trail will highlight outstanding items and bottlenecks, helping us to identify issues early before they impact on schedule or budget.

YAS Island will involve a number sub projects that will each have their own head contractor and project team, and Aldar will oversee these projects.

Having one centralized platform for managing information will be invaluable, as it provides us with a bird's eye view over all operations and increasing control" From its 30 offices, the company services projects with a combined value in excess of US$160 billion.

Aldar Properties PJSC is a leading property development company, with strong investment and management capabilities.

Aldar was established primarily to create world-class real estate developments for the nation of Abu Dhabi, whilst providing a stable and profitable investment portfolio for its investors.

Aconex: contact details and other news
Email this article to a colleague
Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
Buildingtalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Visit the Mardak web site