ICT in Construction Industry

BSV 702 – Information Technology & Communication System
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SHAH ALAM
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION MARKET
MIERANIE WATIE BINTI SHAHARUDIN 2009720821

IDAURA FADHYA BINTI CHE IBRAHIM 2009146071
NOORIKMA ANIS BINTI ISMAIL 2009723207
Master of Science (Facilities Management)

Faculty Of Architecture, Planning And Surveying
Universiti Teknologi Mara
January, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
ABSTRACT 1
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET 3
3 DEFINITION OF ICT 6
4 HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT 7
5 PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA 15
6 PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY 16
7 TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT 20
8 KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 21
9 CONCLUSION 27
REFERENCES 28
ABSTRACT
This paper reports on the use of Communication and Information Technologies (ICT) in
Malaysia construction industry. It refers insight of professional building team, Architect,
Quantity Surveyor, Engineer, Designer, Facilities Manager, Procurement, Contractor and
Sub-Contractor. It also intend to explore and describe the role of Malaysia Government to
ensure that ICT if fully adapt in Malaysia Construction Industry.
In the literature on construction related ICT there are no distinction that usually made
between ICT use in the permanent organization (Construction organization) and the
temporary organization (On going construction team- On site) that forming the building
and construction projects.
This study also to investigate how ICT influence, the adoption and also the use of ICT in
building and construction projects. This objective will be pursued by a study of ICT use
in the Malaysia building and construction sector.
Key words : Malaysia construction industry, Information and communication

technology, Key players in construction industry ICT, Penetration of ICT.
INTRODUCTION
Malaysia is a fast developing country and having stable economic, technology and
infrastructure growth. Martinez-Frias (2003) stated that some South East Asian countries
are indicated as “getting ahead”, which is evaluated based on economic parameters,
scientific and technological development.
Construction industry has been providing buildings, facilities and infrastructures and one
of the contributors to the economy in Malaysia, which the industry is directly linked to
other economy sectors, such as manufacturing. Megat Kamil (2002) mentioned that
construction industry supports a multitude of downstream activities that provide
opportunities to small and medium enterprises.
Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) would mean information

infostructure, which generally covers the hard infrastructure, regulatory and monitoring
system. Increasingly though, ICT also covers broadcasting and multimedia in the era of
convergence. However, the role of ICT in the construction industry in Malaysia has
become more crucial. Our construction industry is rather slowly adopting ICT
technology. Stand-alone applications for bookkeeping and 2-dimensional drawings are
GPS and internet technology are still only incidentally applied.
The Government of Malaysia has brought in the awareness of Information and

Communication Technology to the public during 6th Malaysia Plan (1991-1995). Slowly,
the Government started to develop and implement various software for the public to
utilize. Just by a click of the mouse from the comfort of their living room, public can
interact with the Government or pay utility bills at anytime, anywhere. However, ICT is
slowly adopted by key players in construction industry in operating day-to-day affairs.
Somehow, the cost constraint of implementing ICT in daily operations has been a
challenge for small companies.
MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET
The construction industry has been one of the contributors to the Malaysia economy.
Based on a report on Market Watch Malaysia on construction industry by Malaysian-
German Chamber of Commerce (2009), construction industry makes up an important part
of the Malaysian economy although small, but it widely linked to many other sectors,
such as education and manufacturing.
Sundaraj (2006) stated that, since 1990s, contribution of the construction sector to the
GDP fluctuated at a more stable rate varying from a high of 4.8% in 1997 to an estimated
low of 2.7% in 2007. This means that the construction industry in Malaysia depends on
the derived demand from other sectors of economy, as well as public and private sectors.
Sundaraj (2006) also mentioned that, since construction involves long-term investment
and risk, thus, it would be the first to be suspended on an economic downturn and the last
to be revived during an economic upturn, which he said as a merely good business sense.
Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce (2009) defines the construction industry in

Malaysia as separated into two areas. The first area will be general construction, which
constitutes of residential, non-residential and civil engineering. The second area will
special trade works which includes activities of metal works, electrical works, plumbing,
sewerage and sanitary works, refrigeration and air-conditioning works, painting works,
carpentry, tiling and flooring works and glass works.
As being laid out in the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), Thrust 2, the Government will
provide more classrooms in order to improve the quality of education system, especially
in rural areas. In Thrust 4, the Government will provide more low cost houses for the
low-income earners and to improve transportation system in Malaysia by upgrading and
expanding terminals, railway tracks and highways to ease congestion in urban areas.
Flanagan and Jewell (2009) spelled out that the construction industry is a sector that
comprises of four parts:
the consultants (architectural, engineering, and cost)
the construction enterprises who focus on production (including the special trade
contractors)
the manufacturers and suppliers of components, equipment, plant and raw
materials
the service providers to the sector (lawyers, accountants, insurers, bankers,
financiers).
Further to that, amongst each part, there will be sector-specific enterprises that will
specialize in one part of the sector, such as repair and maintenance.
During the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Government has introduced long term project region to
sustain construction industry in Malaysia and also creating opportunities. For example,
the Iskandar Malaysia or formerly known as South Johor Economic Region was made
successfully realized by Middle East investors. Later, the economic growth corridors are
launched nationwide, the Northern Corridor Economic Region which covers Perlis,
Kedah, Penang and northern Perak was launched in July 2007. The East Coast Economic
Region which includes Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang was launched in October 2007
whilst the Sabah Development Corridor and Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy was
launched in early 2009.
The construction industry is directly affected by the increment of prices of building

materials and fuel price. According to Reuters UK (2008), in the 9th Malaysia Plan, the
Government has allocated 200 billion ringgit to find projects but later been raised by 15%
to 230 billion ringgit to accommodate more expensive building materials and also to fund
additional development objectives. However, an average of 53.33 billion ringgit per
annum for the year 2008 to 2010, it seems that it is challenged by the cost hiking of the
building materials and also fuel price hikes on labour and transportation cost.
Sundaraj (2006) spelled out that the Construction Industry Master Plan (CIMP) was
initiated in order to improve the industry’s performance and mainly to rectify and
overcome weaknesses in the construction industry, which includes, quality deficiencies,
over dependency on foreign labours, social and health problem and low productivity in
the industry within the period of ten years (2006 to 2015).
The CIMP (2006-2015) has outlined the vision, mission, success factors and thrusts as
follows:
Vision
The Malaysian construction industry shall be a world class, innovative and
knowledgeable global solution provider.
Mission
To be a dynamic, productive and resilient enabling sector, supporting sustainable wealth
creation and value creation, driven by technologically-pervasive, creative and cohesion
construction community.
Critical Success Factors

Productivity
Quality
Human resources
Knowledge
Innovation
Environment-friendly practices
Industry sustainability
Professionalism
Seven Strategic Thrusts

Integrate the construction industry value chain to enhance productivity and
efficiency.
Strengthen the construction industry’s image.
Strive for the highest standard of quality, occupational safety and health, and
environmental practices.
Develop human resource capabilities and capacities in the construction industry.
Innovate through research and development and adopt new construction methods.
Leverage on information and communication technology in the construction
industry.
Benefit from globalization including the export of construction products and
services.
(Source: Construction Industry Master Plan, 2006-2015, CIDB (2007))
DEFINITION OF ICT
For a good understanding of the research, it is useful to define the definition of ICT and
the stages of development of the construction process and the characteristic of the tools
used and tasks performed.
In construction industry, there are two categories of ICT. There are automation and
information and communication technology (ICT).
Construction Automation
The construction automation is base on the use of IT product such as computer in most of
the job site application. Such as surveying application, equipment control, the installation
and fabricating construction product.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The used of computer application system for capturing, organizing, storing, analyzing as
defined by the Information, Technology Association of America (ITTA), ICT is the study
design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based
information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. It deals
with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect,
process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT
The role of ICT in Malaysia has become more crucial than ever with the Malaysian
Government exhilarating the pace for various sectors of the industry to embrace ICT.
The government of Malaysia has realized the need and importance of ICT in helping the
nation to grow. Data and information can be kept and retrieved in databases. Then, ICT is
being introduced in the Malaysia Plan.
The Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000), which guides and charts the policy direction of
ICT saw the Malaysian Government providing various incentives to facilitate the greater
adoption of ICT to improve capacity in the business sector, industry and life in general.
The related incentives covered areas such as computerization and automation, creation of
venture capital funds, enhancement of education and training programmes and the
conducive legal environment to facilitate the development of ICT.
ICT was really booming up with the launching of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)
project, which was to attract multimedia enterprises to utilize the region as a testing
ground of ICT applications in an excellent environment. Moreover, the E-Initiatives, for
example, E-Community and E-Learning were introduced. Furthermore, in accordance to
the report by MOSTI (2007), ICT services were expanded among general public and rural
areas. Cellular telephony, Internet and broadcasting were three technologies introduced in
the Malaysian Information Communication and Multimedia Services in 2005.
As a continuity in promoting ICT development, the Eighth Malaysian Plan (2001-2005)
has further emphasized on the strengthening of human resources capabilities, hard and
soft infrastructure of ICT, the building of a critical mass of Small Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) keen on utilizing ICT for further empowerment and encouraging increased
internet usage among users.
Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the government focused on ICT as an important driver to
put Malaysia as a knowledge based economy and global ICT and multimedia hub. As
stated in the report, the existing cyber cities will be upgraded and a new one will be
developed under this current plan. Furthermore, the information security will be
prioritized in this era of information society.
May 1977 – Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and

Management Planning Unit (MAMPU)
January 1985 - Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS)
August 1986 – Association of Computer and Multimedia Industry (PIKOM)
January 1996 – National IT Council (NITC)
December 1996 – National IT Agenda (NITA)
1996 – Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)
1996 - Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC)
Source: Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry
Date Milestone
1985 MIMOS was established as the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic

Systems on 1 January.
1994 Creation of the National Information Technology Council (NITC)

NITC created the Strategic Thrusts Implementation Committee (STIC) to
operationalize the Strategic Thrust Agenda.
The NITC Secretariat also held yearly InfoSoc conference and exposition
events to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of national and
international experiences on ICT as well as raising awareness among the
Malaysian public about information age developments.
The Second Global Knowledge Conference (GKII) was then held in

Malaysia in the year 2000 with the assistance of the NITC.
1996 Formulation of the National Information Technology Agenda (NITA)

governing three programme areas namely people development,
infrastructure development; and content and application development.
People development concentrated on building potential capabilities
such as e-learning and human resources building
Infrastructure development focused on building the necessary ICT
infrastructure throughout Malaysia with a concentration on rural
areas
Content and application development encouraged the usage of
local content and the Malay language which is also the national
language of Malaysia.
1996 Desa Wawasan, a programme under the Ministry of Rural Development

aimed to create an awareness among the rural population to bring about
change and development in their areas. Under this programme, the Village
development and Security Committees were given computer facilities to
assist in the administration of the villages.
The birth of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and the setting of
the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) to manage the
flagships under the MSC which are:
The Electronic Government which aimed to improve operations.
Examples are the E-Services, Electronic procurement, Generic
Office Environment (GOE), Human Resources Management
Information Systems (HRMIS), Project Monitoring System
E-Services, this covered the scope such as renewal of licenses, fine
processing, utilities and other features. GOE, governs document
management, messaging system and other related features.
Smart Schools, aim at producing a new generation of Malaysians
who are ICT literate and innovative.
Multipurpose Card, covers two aspects such as the Payment
Multipurpose card and the Government Multipurpose card. The
latter can contain data for driving license, bank account,
immigration entry/exit records, health information
Telehealth, the purpose is to accelerate Malaysia’s health care
system.
R&D cluster, to form a cluster of collaborating multimedia R&D
centers, firms to produce leading edge products and technologies.
Under this same initiative, the MSC Research and Development Grant
Scheme (MGS) was formed in 1997 with an allocation of RM 100 million
under the Eighth Malaysian Plan.
Multi-purpose Card
Electronic Smart School
Government
7 Flagships of
MSC
Telehealth
Technopreneur
Development
R&D
E-Business Cluster
Electronic E-Service
Labour
Exchange
E-Procurement
E-Government
E-Syariah Pilot
Applications
Human
Project Resource
Monitoring Generic Office Management
System Environment System
1997 Formulation of relevant laws to encourage internet protection and

copyrights such as:
The Digital Signature Act 1997
Computer Crimes Act 1997
Copyrights Act 1997
1998 Creation of the NITC Strategic Agenda which aims at pushing Malaysia
forward into the E-World. The E-World governed a few important scopes
as depicted inthe following diagrams. The five initiatives under the E-
World include the EEconomy, E-Public Services, E-Community, E-
Learning and E-overeignty.
Source: Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems
1998 Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998) was introduced
to monitor economic sectors such as market content, network services,
network facilities, regulatory control and application sectors.
1998 Set up of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as

a regulatory body for the ICT industry.
2000 Set up of the Universal Access Policy which covers 3 principles namely
availability, accessibility and affordability as well as the Universal Service
Programme and fund.
2000 Rural Internet Programme (RIP) initiated by the then Ministry of Energy,
Communications and Multimedia (MECM) or now known as the Ministry
of Energy, Water and Communications, Malaysia.
This programme aimed to create an ICT literate society among the rural
folks. ICT infrastructure set up at post offices and the launching of
websites provides information concerning government services, local
events and activities.
2002 The Electronic Transaction Bill and the Electronic Government Bill
were formed.
2003 Formulation of the Personal Data Protection Bill.
2003 Transfer of the NITC Secretariat from MIMOS Berhad to the Ministry of
Energy, Communications & Multimedia to enable the Ministry to handle
ICT Policy matters.
2004 Transfer of the NITC Secretariat from the Ministry of Energy, Water and
Communications to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
(MOSTI) to handle ICT policy matters.
PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA
ICT plays a crucial role in all aspects of the Malaysian industry with certain sectors
utilizing more of ICT. In 2003, Malaysia’s ICT spending projected a figure of US$7.8
billion as compared to US$7 billion spent in 2002 which was an increase of 10.9%
(“Malaysia’s ICT Spending to Grow...”, 2004, Bernama”).
The Manufacturing sector spent the most on ICT amounting to 18% or RM 1416 million
in 2003 and followed by the Banking and Finance sector with 14% or RM1101 million.
The Government sector invested substantially in ICT with an expenditure of RM865
million or amounting to 11% (Source: Association of the Computer and Multimedia
Industry (PIKOM), 2003).
Subsequently, both the Home and Telecommunications sectors invested about 8% in ICT
or around RM629 million in 2003. The Oil and Gas sector recorded an expenditure of
RM393 million in terms of ICT spending while the Utilities, Professional Services,
Education and Research sectors spent RM314 million or 4% on ICT.
About RM236 million was spent by the Transportation sector in ICT while the
Healthcare sector projected an amount of RM79 million in terms of ICT spending
(Source: PIKOM).
Expenditure by Sector 2003
SECTOR % IN MIL (RM)
Manufacturing 18 1416
Banking and Finance 14 1101
Government 11 865
Distribution 11 865
Home 8 629
Telecommunications 8 629
Oil and Gas 5 393
Utilities 4 314
Professional Services 4 314
Education and Research 4 314
Transportation 3 236
Healthcare 1 79
Others 9 708
Source: PIKOM 2003

PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The awareness of ICT has been seen by Malaysia since the technology has been invited
decades ago. However, due to rapid growth of intelligence and technology nowadays, it
seems very costly to adapt ICT into daily operations, especially the construction industry.
ICT should support the whole process of construction.
In Malaysian construction industry, the awareness is increasing as the public recognized

the importance of ICT usage. We know that the ICT can help in improving the efficiency
and productivity in construction. Thus, ICT become the tools in construction process.
As cited by Public Works Department, director-general Datuk Seri Prof Judin Abdul
Karim, the cost of investing in technologies is the constraint especially for small
companies compared to big companies. Moreover, according to him also, there are small
companies adopting ICT to leverage their operations but they do not have much capitals
to upgrade them.
Construction is a late adaptor of ICT. Applications for bookkeeping and drawings are
generally accepted. Advanced applications such as modeling, GPS and internet are
incidentally applied. For the development of the industry, ICT is of major importance. To
set up a knowledge database for construction industry would require a huge amount of
resources especially in the application of information and communication technology of
ICT. The described scenario is inherent in the Malaysia construction industry at the
present time.
The findings found that all construction companies used internet. The internet users most
companies used internet for e-mail, had internet connections installed on building sites,
E-commerce, E-procurement and for communication with external parties in the building
process. Internet technology may support a number of activities. The most important
options found by the project team clustered into 7 main groups:
Exchange of drawings
Exchange of planning
Time registration and worksheets
Material Identification
Equipment Identification
Access to experts knowledge
Registration of inspection
There are three areas where use of computers is very high. These are the areas of Office
Administration, Communication and Construction Drawings Production. As expected,
the technology provides efficiency and speed. Firstly, in administration, activities
generally involve the production, alteration and storage of the written word in the form of
letters, memos, reports and documents.
Secondly, communication is another major area of use but will be further elaborated in
the Networks section below.
The third area of high use of computers is a profession-specific area where it displays the
use of IT at the core production at the workplace, which is a construction drawing. The
area of design though was ranked average, and the area of presentations was the least of
all seven categories provided.
Use of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)

It is believed that the core activities of any architectural practice are design,
representation and communication, (Pressman, 1997). In the first two core activities, the
use of computers is based on CAD and its applications. CAD systems are proving to be
essential in two main areas as drafting tools and as design and presentation tools. They
are particularly useful as an aid for the design and construction drawings of buildings
with high degree of repetition, (Phiri, 1999). CAD then reduces drawing workloads and
saves time in labour-intensive tasks.
Local Area Networks (LAN):

There are several benefits to the use of a network environment. Some of which are the
sharing of data, sharing of expensive resources and peripherals, easy sending / receiving
of data for central processing and the smooth communication between users.
Electronic Mail
E-mail offers many advantages, in reaching a large number of people promptly and
easily, and in improving productivity, (Phiri, 1999).
By attaching documents and graphics to E-mail messages, users can essentially reduce
phone and fax expenses. Messages are sent using inexpensive means. It certainly presents
itself as a critical element of technology, but again lends itself to the disadvantage of the
security issue.
Internet
The Internet and its powerful accessibility from anywhere, anytime, have certainly
changed and influenced the way work is accomplished in the various businesses and
professions. Notwithstanding a number of major unresolved technology and system
issues, such as security, privacy, bandwidth and network reliability, for the construction
industry there are several benefits of being connected to the Internet.
This global network of networks, which connects endless number of user’s world-wide,
allows for access to current data offered on the net by suppliers and consultants, a fast
inexpensive means to communicate interactively with one or multiple users across the
globe, and more importantly,an opportunity to make information about the organisation
available to other net-users.
As cited in The New Straits Time Press (Malaysia) Bhd, 2007, ICT can enhance
productivity and efficiency of the construction industry through the use 3D Computer
Aided Design (CAD) during design and the use of the internet to improve team
productivity. The architects, for instance, can create an intelligent 3D CAD models that
can be viewed and shared with the rest of the design team members. Working from the
same based model, the engineers can rapidly develop their respective engineering and
detail designs allowing the quantity surveyors to quickly quantify preliminary cost
estimates of the project.
ICT in construction process
Inception Design & Construction Operation &

Feasibility Specification Maintenance
Collaboration and Knowledge Management
E-Tendering and Estimating
e-Commerce & Supply Chain Management
Back Office Application
Source : Alan Hore, 2000

TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT
Chao (2001), as cited by Wan and Amran (2005), mentioned that most construction
projects are large, extensive, expensive and subjected to tight schedule and budget. Thus,
construction industry is getting more unique and complex, which deals with various
disciplines, both from public and private sectors. Wan and Amran (2005) also outlined
unpredictable factors that influence construction projects, which are, rapid changing
market environment, technology changes and advancement and competitive trends.
Malaysia is now moving towards applying ICT-based knowledge in daily operations of

both public and private sectors. Initiatives have been taken by the Government in order
for the society to be knowledge-based. Thus, ICT-based knowledge is being applied
among construction consulting companies to support an efficient project performance.
Based on a study on the current situation in Republic of Lithuania, Zavadskas and

Kaklauskas (2008) have outlined five main trends in order to implement advance
information and communication technologies in construction area:-
transformation of sector of construction and real estate
construction materials, equipment and machines
construction process
built environment and its management
training, education and experience adoption.
Continuous research and development urges the players in the construction industry to
keep up with the rapid growth of technology. Inventions of new and creative methods,
materials and tooling and equipment helps players to operate day to day operations in a
shorter period of time in a more systematic and standardized manner.
Sundaraj (2006) explained that the players in the construction industry have not been
fully utilizing the powers of ICT and optimizing the performance in daily operations, not
only in Malaysia, but also globally.
Furthermore, ICT is seen as a medium of connection and integration among various

disciplines in the construction industry, which includes public and private sector.
Sundaraj (2006) stated that the use of ICT will allow the industry to traverse the digital
world, providing opportunity for outsourcing, allowing formation of virtual partnership
and also providing opportunities for the construction market of services and products to
expand.
Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) (1998) defined ICT
sector as ‘a combination of manufacturing and services industries that capture, transmit
and display data and information electronically’. Thus, keeping and retrieving data and
information virtually is very crucial in this borderless world. Internet is seen as the best
one-stop centre to access to information all round the clock and in shorter period of time
whilst email has been the fastest medium in exchanging and receiving data and
information.
KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
In the construction industry, the key players who utilized ICT in their daily affairs will be
the professionals i.e. architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, etc. softwares have been
created and to suit each profession. This software have helped the construction players to
complete the job in shorter period of time than conventional method of using pen and
papers or typewriters.
As cited by Public Works Department director-general Datuk Seri Prof Judin Abdul
Karim, he suggested that there should be an integrated software system rather than the
professionals such as architects and engineers are using various kinds of software, in
order to set a standard, which will be effective in project development and
implementation.
As cited in the article (New Straits Times, Leveraging on ICT usage in construction
industry, 13 May 2007), CIDB has conducted a survey which showed that the contractors
and builders are still not adopting ICT in their daily operations due to reasons such as, the
mindset of contractors to only transforms resources into built environment, remote
project site and computer literacy.
Further to the article, the consultants or professionals are the fastest group to absorb ICT
in their concept or idea into information to be forwarded to the contractors for
construction purposes.
The Key Players in Construction Industry
FM
Client
Engineer
Architect & ICT
Designer Facilities
Contractor
QS
Consultant
Sub-Cont
procurement
Construction
All of these key players are using computer facilities as their tools of information and
communication (ICT) in order to complete their job. They are such as internet, Local
Area Network, E-mail, Computer Aided Design, Masterbill, Buildsoft and Computer
Aided Engineering.
Communication Model In Construction Industry ( Sarshar et.al,2000)
Client
Architect &
Designer Engineer
Construction
FM
Contractor
QS
Sub-Cont
Consultant
procurement
Construction Team
Internet
Internet is the most important tools that always being used in accessing information every
time, anytime and anywhere. It also influenced the way of work to accomplish in any
type of business. (Aza A.Arif & Aly H. Karam, 2001)
Local Area Networks (LAN)

It is being used for sharing information and data, sharing expensive resources and
peripherals, central data storage and easy communication among users. For the designers
teams it always being used on sharing data in huge file.
E-Mail
E-mail offers a lot of advantage in connecting and reaching a large number of people
promptly and easily. It also improving the productivity (Phiri, 1999). People can reduce
expenses on phone calls and fax by attaching writing and graphic document in E-mail.
They also can communicate using the e-mail massagers.
Connection Of ICT Use
procurement
Architect
&
Designer
Engineer
Masterbill
LAN email
Myob
FM
CAD Contractor
CAE
ICT
QS
Internet FM Sub-Cont
Software
Architect and Designers

Computer Aided Design
As we know architect and designer work are based on design, Representation and
communication. (Pressman, 1997). This CAD system providing application in drafting as
design and presentation tools. It provide useful aids for design and construction of
drawing (Phiri, 1999). This ICT tools helps in reducing the drawing workload and also
labour intensive task.
Engineers
Computer Aided Engineer
Same as the Designers engineer also related in design workload of building. This CAE
system also providing application in drafting as design and presentation tools. It provide
tools for design and construction of drawing. This ICT tools helps in reducing the
drawing workload and also labour intensive task.
Quantity Surveyor
Masterbill, Ripac and Buildsoft
In quantity surveying works they are more on calculating cost and budget of construction
works. Masterbill, Ripac and Buildsoft is a fully featured Bills Of Quantity production
package comprising pricing, tender analysis, estimation and valuation. This software
application helping in reducing the workload and labour intensive task.
Facilities Manager
Computer Aided Facilities Management
This software is based on combination of CAD and management database system. The
services known as CAD, CMMS and CAFM. The CAD system is used to locate the
facilities together with their services. It is important software for FM to keep update and
in holds data on people and their services.
Procurement
Myob and USB
This is more on accountancy software which link with procurement works. The most
being used in Malaysia is USB. This ICT tools help in collecting data and updating the
flow of material supplies order during construction. The using of it helping out to make it
more systematic for each project.
FRAMEWORK OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Leverage on ICT in Construction Industry
Strategic Goals
Encourage knowledge sharing for continuous improvement

infrastructure and incentive
available and easy purchase
Technology in Construction
where ICT software easily
Develop local construction

Promote the Use of
Leveage on MSC
software industry
Community
Iniciative
Educated / E-Tendering
knowledge
Efficient Effective
E-Construction E-Government
CONCLUSION
The construction industry in Malaysia is growing steadily despite of the hiking prices of
building materials and fuel-prices. ICT is very much synonym to our everyday life in this
borderless world where information and data are kept and retrieved at just a click of a
mouse. Internet application is considered to be the most promising technology for the
construction sector, followed by the most common tools used are Microsoft Office tools
and AutoCAD. However, the construction industry is relatively slow in adopting
available ICT tools. Professionals such as architects, engineers and surveyors have been
applying the benefits of ICT in the daily operations. Apparently, ICT has not been fully
optimized. This scenario does not only applicable to Malaysia but also worldwide.
REFERENCES
CIDB, (2007) Construction Industry Master Plan, 2006-2015

URL : http://www.cidb.gov.my/cimp/index.php
NST,A.(2007) Leverage On ICT In Construction Industry
NST- Business Times, A. (2007) ICT To Enhance Productivity, Efficiency In

Construction Industry
Phiri, M.(1999) Information Technology in Construction Design, Thomas Telford

Publishing, London, United Kingdom
Azza A. Arif & Aly H. Karam, A. (2001) A Comparative Study : With Insight Into The
Use Of IT in Local Architectural Practices.
Pressman, A. (1997) Professional Practice 101 : A Compendium of Business and

Management in Architecture, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, USA.
Flanagan, R. and Jewell, C., International Competitiveness of the Finnish Construction

Sector. School of Construction Management & Engineering, University of Reading, UK
Government of Malaysia, 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010)
Unpublished report. Market Watch Malaysia 2009, Construction Industry. Malaysian

German Chamber of Commerce (2009).
TEXT-RAM’s Statement on Malaysia’s Construction Industry. (7 July 2008). Reuters

UK.
Sundaraj, G. The Way Forward: Construction Industry Master Plan (2006-2015). Master
Builders, 1st Quarter 2007: pp. 48-49.
Unpublished report. Strategic ICT Roadmap for Malaysia. (2007). MOSTI.
Zavadskas E.K., Kaklauskas, A., Advanced Information and Communication

Technologies in Construction.

ICT in Construction Industry

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

ICT in Construction Industry

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

BSV 702 – Information Technology & Communication System

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION MARKET

MIERANIE WATIE BINTI SHAHARUDIN 2009720821

Master of Science (Facilities Management)

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

2 MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET 3

4 HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT 7

5 PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA 15

6 PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION

7 TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT 20

8 KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 21

Key words : Malaysia construction industry, Information and communication

Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) would mean information

The Government of Malaysia has brought in the awareness of Information and

MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce (2009) defines the construction industry in

The construction industry is directly affected by the increment of prices of building

Critical Success Factors

Seven Strategic Thrusts

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT

May 1977 – Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and

January 1985 - Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS)

August 1986 – Association of Computer and Multimedia Industry (PIKOM)

January 1996 – National IT Council (NITC)

December 1996 – National IT Agenda (NITA)

1996 – Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)

1996 - Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC)

Source: Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry

1985 MIMOS was established as the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic

1994 Creation of the National Information Technology Council (NITC)

The Second Global Knowledge Conference (GKII) was then held in

1996 Formulation of the National Information Technology Agenda (NITA)

1996 Desa Wawasan, a programme under the Ministry of Rural Development

1997 Formulation of relevant laws to encourage internet protection and

Source: Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems

1998 Set up of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as

2003 Formulation of the Personal Data Protection Bill.

PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA

Source: PIKOM 2003

PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

In Malaysian construction industry, the awareness is increasing as the public recognized

Use of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)

Local Area Networks (LAN):

ICT in construction process

Inception Design & Construction Operation &

Collaboration and Knowledge Management

E-Tendering and Estimating

e-Commerce & Supply Chain Management

Back Office Application

Source : Alan Hore, 2000

TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT

Malaysia is now moving towards applying ICT-based knowledge in daily operations of

Based on a study on the current situation in Republic of Lithuania, Zavadskas and

Furthermore, ICT is seen as a medium of connection and integration among various

KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The Key Players in Construction Industry

Communication Model In Construction Industry ( Sarshar et.al,2000)

Local Area Networks (LAN)

Architect and Designers

FRAMEWORK OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Leverage on ICT in Construction Industry

Encourage knowledge sharing for continuous improvement