BIW continues to enhance its software to maintain its market leadership. With version 3.5 of BIW Information Channel, you have the option of adding a fully integrated tendering module. BIW's linking of the collaboration and tendering functionality means design information in the collaboration environment can be seamlessly re-used in the tendering system.

Potential bidders can now use the same system used by the design team to view or download drawings and documents, to submit queries and to receive information about design changes relevant to the particular tender or work package. Bidders will also use the system to submit their final tender responses.

"Online tendering systems have been much talked-about in recent years," says BIW Chief Executive Colin Smith, "but often their value has been limited by the constraints of the available technology. Currently, tendering tools tend to be separate to collaboration systems and so require documents and drawings to be loaded onto them. The tender manager then may have to use this separate system or traditional methods to manage queries or points for clarification, or to issue details of design changes." 

Bidders are given access only to information relevant to the particular tender or work package, and can view, download and print out batches of drawings or specifications if they wish. They will always have access to the latest information made available by the tender manager. BIW's collaborative process management (CPM) technology builds flexibility into the tendering system, allowing it to be fine-tuned to allow a project team to apply different naming conventions or other processes.

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