McGraw-Hill Construction Network set for nationwide launch

Integrated information now available for online customers

By Mark Rea

McGraw-Hill Construction has launched a new online integrated service that connects information and intelligence to help customers obtain more business opportunities.

Soon to be available to customers throughout the country, the McGraw-Hill Construction Network will offer building product manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and end users the best of products in integrated total sales and marketing solutions in one online location.

"The McGraw-Hill Construction Network does two important things," said McGraw-Hill Construction president Norbert W. Young Jr., NAIA "In one place, it seamlessly connects all of our valuable and robust content: project information from Dodge, product information from Sweets and industry news from our award-winning publications such as Architectural Record, ENR and 10 regional publications.

"It also gives customers the ability to access all of the information on the network seamlessly via the Web or via Microsoft Office (Excel or Outlook) and customers only need to sign on once to access all of the content they need."

Customers who register and log on to the network can view project news and bidding documents together on one site. Small, mid-level and large general contractors can benefit from the service along with building project manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors and end users, utilizing all of McGraw-Hill Construction's project and product information in one central Web-based location.

The simple, easy-to-use online service not only provides information on projects coming out for bids within the next 60 days, it also provides plans online with the ability to download and print to a local plotter. Additionally, it offers the option to order full-sized, hard copy plans delivered overnight to the customer's door. The network also features automatic email alerts for specific projects and keyword search capabilities all within one or two clicks.

"We have the best data and reporting on the most jobs with the most detail," said McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge vice president Tim Ryan. "Now, with this new network, all of that information is available faster and easier. We want to help our customers work faster, better and smarter and we believe the network allows them to do just that."

Originally launched earlier this year in Columbus, Ohio, as the Dodge Contractor Network, the McGraw-Hill Construction Network has already received favorable reviews from those who have connected to the service.

"Our conversion rate among our members is well over 50 percent so far," said Cathy Blackford, executive director of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio. "When a contractor, subcontractor or supplier looks at this program, they just love it. It's incredibly easy to use and it's also fun to use. Those have been the two main comments we've been hearing from our members."

Larry Roland of Engineered Products, a member of the BX of Central Ohio, has already seen a marked change in the way his company approaches potential projects.

"What a fast and user-friendly product this is … and it covers 20 counties in our area," he said. "With this network, I've bid more jobs than ever before."

"You invest 10 minutes to register for the first time, and maybe another three minutes to create your own custom news filter," said Parr Peterson of the Columbus, Ohio-based Paul Peterson Co. "After that, you'll go anywhere on this simple site in just two clicks of your computer mouse."

The ease with which networks users get to the wealth of information they want is one of the major components of the program.

"This concept of building the network so that you are exactly where you want to be in just two clicks makes things so easy," Blackford said. "The price to value of this product, especially to medium-sized and small business owners, is also very attractive. This service saves our members time and allows them to get the most complete view of the opportunities available. It truly gives our membership the competitive edge. I think as more of our members see and use the network, it will bring on a whole new wave of users."

Following the successful launch in January in Ohio, the network was unveiled for customers in Dallas/Fort Worth in April, Atlanta in May and South Florida in June. The national launch will follow this month when all local markets will be released.