Automated materials locating and tracking technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), global positioning system (GPS),and ultra-wideband, have been developed and tested to improve construction materials management. However, implementation has been limited to field-trial levels [3] and there is still a need to address the development and implementation of integrated technologies throughout construction supply networks.
The existing management systems may serve to certain extent with their localized information systems and barcode-based tracking; however, they do not suit well for frequent changes and updates that are requested by installation crews for design and manufacturing due to wrong specifications, receiving wrong items, schedule and unforeseen changes, etc. [4].
Due to the isolated nature of the existing systems,there are inevitable information mismatch and communication bottle-
neck between fabrication and installation, which cause frequent errors,interruptions, and delays. This can be a severe problem depending on the scale, type, and complexity of products furnished by the construction firms, particularly when they are small-to-medium businesses(SMB).
For example, the SMB that participated in this study has to design, fabricate, and install hundreds of highly customized ducts and pipe spools at several job sites. Relying on the existing system, this company has been experiencing the negative effects caused by various unexpected changes over design specifications, manufacturing instruc-
tions and sequence, and installation schedules.