Workspace from Union Square will augment new business strategy for national design and build contractor

Gleeson Building Ltd has announced its purchase of Workspace, a web-based information sharing portal from specialist construction software author, Union Square. The deal is part of a new business strategy outlined by Gleeson Building shortly after its inception in 2005, which focuses heavily on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and supply chain and partnership management. Workspace will ensure that all project related information is stored effectively with 350 registered users able to access up-to-date information about projects, customers and contractors, regardless of location, via an intuitive interface. 

Gleeson Building was formed in August 2005 following a consensual management buyout of MJ Gleeson's building division. Under a strong new management team Gleeson Building has developed into a company with a new culture and a positive, customer-focused outlook.  It has six offices across the country, 400 employees and a first year annual turnover of £184.2million.

Gleeson Building specialises in what it does.  It undertakes a range of new build and refurbishment projects in both the public and private sectors, focusing on accommodation, commercial, education, hotels and leisure and non-acute health. It has recently completed construction of the £17.5m Boldon School under the Government's Private Finance Initiative at which the northern launch reception of the newly formed British Council for Schools Environment was held this week.

Brian Jeffery, IT Director of Gleeson Building, comments: "After the MBO a comprehensive restructure of all IT and business systems was needed in order to enable Gleeson Building to become a stand-alone business, implement our management information strategy and fulfil our clear business objectives.

Jeffery continues: "Ultimately the purpose of this investment is to provide a better service for our customers. We want to know that everyone involved in a project, no matter where in the country they are, is completely aware of our customers needs' and is making decisions for them based on the most reliable and up-to-date information."

Commenting on the benefits of Workspace, Jeffery says: "We have chosen a very comprehensive package from Union Square. As well as providing the ability to manage our emails and documents we are also able to record key performance indicators for our suppliers, allowing us to better select our partners on future projects, which will again benefit our clients. All of this information is available for those who need it at the click of a button."

Union Square was selected above several other solution providers. Explaining the reasons behind this, Jeffery concludes: "We felt that Union Square align themselves with us as a company, in terms of their professionalism and the approach and we are more than happy that we will be provided with a first class solution that meets our business goals. Above all the references provided by Union Square from companies that we know and respect spoke for themselves."