Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. and four European partners aim to develop OpenBuilt, a platform programmed to help securely connect fragmented construction industry supply chains and offer digital solutions to help innovate and drive more efficient, sustainable and safer projects. Part company, part ecosystem, OpenBuilt will function independently with the support of IBM Global Business Services, providing cloud computing infrastructure; IBM software subsidiary Red Hat, whose OpenShift technology will underpin the platform; and, Oslo-based Cobuilder, whose technology employs international data management standards augmenting construction industry users.
“This strategic initiative will enable greater productivity and open up new opportunities to increase our customers’ satisfaction,” says Cemex CEO Fernando Gonzalez. “We continue to lead the digital transformation in the industry with the support of partners, leveraging their expertise, innovation, and advanced IT services to deliver game-changing solutions.”
Cemex has eyed opportunities to maximize productivity and efficiency through the Go Developer Center, a platform allowing customers to integrate directly to the producer’s information technology systems. OpenBuilt will be programmed to allow companies across the global built environment and construction industry to securely connect their current technology platforms and digital solutions—akin to the Cemex Go app—to supply chain partners, suppliers or subcontractors via a single integration hub.
“The construction industry has long been challenged with project delays, cost overages as well as wasted materials often caused by disconnected processes and poorly coordinated activities and resources,” IBM officials contend. “Architects, building material suppliers, manufacturers, construction and engineering firms are now looking to innovate and speed up the expansion of their digital strategy. By moving away from largely manual processes, the industry will be able to explore more effective ways of working.”
“The global construction landscape requires a new approach toward industry-wide technology platforms with new levels of openness, innovation and collaboration,” observes IBM Global Business Services EMEA Managing Partner Jon O’Donnell. “We are creating OpenBuilt to empower the construction industry to break down its silos with intelligent workflows and play an active role in driving its own transformation. Successful companies across the construction supply chain are coming together to embrace a digital future, harnessing the power of an open hybrid cloud approach and adopting new technologies to gain a real competitive advantage.”
In addition to Cemex, OpenBuilt founding partners are AS Backe, a family-owned construction and property development company with operations throughout Norway; EDIN Network, a global network of merchants, manufacturers and service providers that helps members find new customers and reduce customer acquisition costs; Element Materials Technology Group, London, a top global provider of testing, inspection and certification services for a diverse range of materials, products and technologies; and, Sol Services, a London-based construction and maintenance services provider. — Openbuilt, London, www.openbuilt.io; IBM Global Business Services, Armonk, N.Y., www.ibm.com/services
