Entivity expands into automation project management

Entivity

By Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief March 15, 2001

Chicago, Ill. – Entivity (Ann Arbor, Mich.)-the merger of Think & Do and Steeplechase-expands into automation project management with introduction of Automation ProjectNet, March 5 at National Manufacturing Week here.

The new offering, adapted for automation in partnership with Citadon Inc. (San Francisco) software for construction project management, allows users to view, share, update, and route documents and files with an Internet browser. Users can view documents in 250 file formats, can mark-up or redline drawings made in commonly used CAD packages. Revision tracking, access control, and user history features can generate audit trails of project activity.

‘Automation ProjectNet provides tools and information necessary for project teams to make informed decisions that reduce the time and cost of deploying an automation project,’ says Ken Spenser, president and ceo of Entivity. A pilot of the software has been in use at General Motors, he says; work on the new software has been underway about a year.

Templates accelerate project communication for requests for information, punch-list generation, project tracking, schedules, and meeting planning. The software supports synchronization with Microsoft Outlook and Palm and Windows CE devices.

Monthly subscription cost is on a project basis, rather than by user, and by amount of storage required, in an application service provider model.

Chuck Kallal, Automation ProjectNet director of product marketing, says the tool will be particularly helpful in managing diverse work teams in multiple locations, for faster project design and rollout. ‘I’ve built products in Japan, purchased elements in Germany, and installed them in Detroit. It’s a nightmare.’

Mr. Kallal says Citadon software is used in more than $65 billion in construction projects, for companies such as The Bechtel Group, Fluor Daniel, Marriott, American Airlines, DaimlerChrysler, GE Power Systems, Barton Malow, BankBoston and Halliburton.