B2B e-Work Intranet solution design for rebar supply interactions

The workflow of rebar during design, estimation, bidding, revision and procurement is very critical for the subsequent stages of the construction project. This thesis concentrates in the development of a B2B e-Work solution for the integration of the rebar supply interactions. The expectations from potential users regarding this type of system are analyzed, as well as their satisfaction when exposed to the functionality of the proposed system. The B2B e-Work solution is composed of not only the electronic tools that are presently directing e-Commerce transactions over the Internet, but of the new approaches in information exchange and integration as well as communication and conflict resolution protocols. The transition in electronic data management technologies is studied, as well as rebar estimation and revision practices and trends for e-Business in application to these practices. Conducted experiments lead to establishing the relationships between expectations and satisfaction for the B2B e-Work system, categorizing these relationships in accordance with the type of firm (e.g. designer, contractor or rebar supplier), experience with rebar design or estimation, prevailing type of construction (e.g. residential, commercial or industrial) and use of CAD components extracted from previous design of structural drawings.