Abstract:
This paper examines trends in the utilisation of Automated Quantities by the Australian
Quantity Surveying profession since 1995. The paper is based on research by a team from the
University of Technology Sydney involving a series of six national surveys of the profession
spanning 1995 to 2005. The surveys have examined trends in general practice and the
utilization of information technology. This is complemented by interviews conducted in
2005/06 by the author with a range of Quantity Surveying practices. The survey results since
1995 show that the uptake of automated quantities systems by firms has been surprisingly
slow but that this has accelerated in the past two years. The paper will examine the current
systems being used by firms and will highlight case examples of two firms who have
developed their automated quantities systems over many years to the point where they are
achieving significant competitive advantage and have achieved dramatic improvements in
productivity, efficiency and providing value to their clients. These case examples will
demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved from the effective utilisation of automated
quantities technology and the strategies that have been used for effective implementation.
