QS letters

The deeper pool

Refreshing to see the e-tendering debate continue with the likes of Colin Kingshott, Peter Goodwin and Steve Banks (Letters, QS News, 22 September).

Our industry (rather than IT) is beginning to drive this. CITE, and EDICON before it, have been with us for more years than I remember. Many IT suppliers, such as the RICS, have supported these standards since the early incarnations. While we might still have some work to do collectively, there is nothing better than commercial pressure to make suppliers deliver the necessary tools. This I think is now starting to happen.

E-tendering is actually only part of the deeper pool of information management. The shift from paper to electronic formats for many of the common documents/drawings now freely exchanged on projects has revealed failings in the traditional methods for dealing with information. This year’s RICS conference will explore the wider issues surrounding electronic information as well as revisiting e-tendering. For more info, visit www.rics.org/constructionit.

Steve Pittard, director, ECL and RICS QS & Construction IT Business Group chairman

Behind the times

Interesting to read “EC Harris opened an office in Cardiff last month” (QS News, 22 September). I thought you might like to know that our Cardiff office opened 10 years ago and we have had a base in south Wales for over 60 years.

Michael Hales, EC Harris

Keeping up to speed

Your Breaking News service is very useful. Working in civil engineering, I’m particularly interested in the movement of material prices, such as structural steelwork.

Contract information is also valuable: I am interested in any articles on using the NEC3 contract, which I have experience of on several highway engineering schemes.

D Morton, via email