Longkong helps manage building costsSoftware helps integrate data from multiple sites and monitor expensesPublished on April 4, 2008 [The Nation]Thai construction companies can now manage their operation costs better, thanks to a construction software suite called
Pojjaman.
The name of the software stands for Project Accounting Management and the suite has been designed by Longkong Studio, a company set up by a group of civil engineers and computer engineers.
The suite has been developed to serve the needs of contractors and works by integrating data from the major processes in the construction business including bidding, project commencement, hiring, issuing raw material, accounting as well as asset and machine management.
Pongsawat Krishnamra, the managing director of Longkong Studio, said the software helps control operational costs by covering three main processes - bidding, accounting and cost controlling.
"The suite is suitable for every type of construction business and any project works such as civil construction, system implementation, architecture, utilities, municipal work, machine installation, interior design, landscaping and booth set-up," Pongsawat said.
The software design is based on the client-server model which allows companies with many construction sites to use the same database and server.
The cornerstone of the software is its database of construction materials. The database holds the market price of 10,000 different types of construction materials which helps construction companies evaluate costs more accurately.
Contractors can monitor all activities from a cost point of view using the many databases. The software also allows headquarters and site offices to stay connected through the Internet and provide timely updates.
During the project's tenure, which is typically a year, the suite helps companies monitor costs incurred, in real time. Every baht spent is reported back to headquarters and the cost of every project can be ascertained accurately at any time. This helps construction companies judge actual cost against the project's budget.
Longkong Studio is targeting medium- to large-sized construction companies with revenues of more than Bt10 million a year. The total market size comprises 7,000 construction companies, including profiles such as contractors, suppliers, designers and consultants.
About 100 construction companies are already using the suite, including large developers such as Power Line Engineering, Siam Steel International, ASCON and RITTA.
Apart from
Pojjaman, the company has also developed another cost management software -
Gigasite.
Gigasite can identify the status of each process and monitor expenses at all times. It enables users to monitor project cost, compare actual cost with budgeted cost and update procurement, inventory and construction management reports.
"
Gigasite focuses on only cost control while Pojjaman covers the entire construction business," Pongsawat said.
The software is designed to support multiple languages and is ready for the international market, he said.
"Two well-known Thai contractors have successfully implemented our software at construction projects in Qatar and Dubai," he said.
Asina Pornwasin
The NationAt a glance Project Accounting Management helps control operational costs by covering three processes - bidding, accounting and cost control. It has a database of the market price of 10,000 construction materials. This helps firms evaluate costs more accurately. The suite can be used for all types of project works such as civil construction, landscaping, and machine installation.
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/04/04/technology/technology_30070034.php
