Construction project submittal management

• US 20040215633A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbert Harris Living Trust
• Original Assignee: Elbert Harris Living Trust
• Inventors: Harris, Elbert
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A network based construction project management system. The system includes network accessible databases of project information including drawings and specifications. The system allows for varying amount of access for various user including general contractors, subcontractors, architects and project owners. The system allows for the effective creation, management and long term accessible storage of project submittals.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for managing submittal requirements for a construction project said method comprising the steps of;

providing a first database containing information related to managing a construction project having stored therein a plurality of requirements for the construction project;

providing a second database containing specific information on system users;

providing a third database containing information on submittal documents to be completed and approved as part of a project;

providing a computer network including a plurality of user computer access points;

said network including a subscriber access point having full access to read and to change information in said first, second and third databases;

said network further including a contributor access point having access to read information in said first and second databases and access to read and change information in said third database;

and said network further including a responder access point having access to read information in said first, second and third database and having the ability to approve said submittal documents such that said system can automatically authorize payment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said subscriber access point can issue passwords to give access to information to said contributor access point and said responder access point.

3. A computer network implemented method providing for managing preparation of submittal documentation for a construction project said method comprising the steps of;

providing a first database for receiving and storing information related to preparing a submittal document for a construction project, receiving therein requirements for the construction project submittal;

providing a second database for storing information about system users;

providing a third database for storing, retrieving and displaying submittal documents to be completed and approved as part of the construction project;

providing for a computer network including a plurality of user computer accessible points;

receiving information from a subscriber access point having full access to read and to change information in said first, second and third databases;

receiving information from a contributor access point having access to read only information in said first and second databases and access to read and change information in said third database.

4. The method of claim 3 including the step of receiving information from a responder access point having the ability to read only information in said first, second and third database and said network having the ability to receive approval of said submittal documents from said responder access point such that said computer network can provide automatic authorization of project payments.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein a user of said subscriber access point is a prime contractor on said construction project.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said requirements for the construction project include project drawings.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said responder is a subcontractor on said construction project.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said project payments are for materials required in said submittal document.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein said network automatically sends a network message to said contributor when information is received by said computer network.

10. A method of completing construction project submittal requirements including the steps of;

submitting information to a submittal document stored on a computer network,

requesting submittal document required information from access points connected to said computer network,

requesting approval through said computer network of said submittal document stored on said computer network.

11. A computer network system comprising;

a first database for receiving information related to a submittal document for a construction project, receiving therein a plurality of requirements for the construction project submittal;

a second database for system users that receives a plurality of specific information about system users;

a third database for submittal documents to be completed and approved as part of the construction project;

a computer network including a plurality of user computer accessible points;

a subscriber access point having full access to read and to change information in said first, second and third databases;

and a contributor access point having access to read only information in said first and second databases and access to read and change information in said third database such that said contributor can complete said submittal document and submit it to said computer network for approval.

12. The computer network system of claim 11, wherein a user of said subscriber access point is a prime contractor on said construction project.

13. The computer network system of claim 11, including a responder access point having the ability to read only information in said first, second and third database and said network having the ability to receive approval of said submittal documents from said responder access point such that said computer network can provide automatic authorization of project payments.

14. A computer network implemented method providing for managing preparation and storage of submittal documentation for a construction project said method comprising the steps of;

providing a first database for receiving and storing information related to preparing a submittal document for a construction project, receiving therein requirements for the construction project submittal;

providing a second database for storing information about system users;

providing a third database for storing, retrieving and displaying submittal documents to be completed and approved as part of the construction project;

providing for a computer network including a plurality of user computer accessible points;

receiving information from at least one subscriber access point having full access to read and to change information in said first, second and third databases;

receiving information from at least one contributor access point having access to complete said submittal documents and

archiving completed submittal documents for future retrieval.

15. The method of claim 14 including the step of notifying automatically said subscriber and said contributor access points upon approval of a submittal document through said computer network.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said at least one contributor access point has access to read and change information in said first and second databases.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said network receiving approval of said submittal documents such that said computer network can provide automatic authorization of project payments.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein payment requests are received from said contributor.