O'Hare Modernization Program Implements Project Management Software from Meridian Systems
ProjectTalk® software improves communication and efficiency on $6.6B modernization program at Chicago's O'Hare International airport
FOLSOM, Calif. (February 1, 2006) - Meridian Systems®, a provider of enterprise project management software for optimizing capital projects, programs and facilities, announced today that the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) has implemented ProjectTalk for project management on this $6.6 billion program.
The O'Hare Modernization Program, or OMP, was announced in June 2001 by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as the solution to delays at O'Hare International Airport. The OMP is a comprehensive solution enacted by the City of Chicago to reduce congestion at the world's second busiest airport, and to address the Chicago region's transportation needs well into the future.
Project management software from Meridian has become the industry standard for successful construction project delivery. Meridian solutions offer complete project management capabilities and can be deployed via its Prolog self-hosted software, or through its ProjectTalk hosted ASP solution.
The OMP selected ProjectTalk because of its ease of deployment without requiring dedicated IT resources, and for its versatility in allowing them to create a project management system that conformed to the needs of this complex program.
The OMP leverages several of Meridian's project management software modules including Document Management, Cost Control, Collaboration, and Field Administration. As a result, the OMP is experiencing improved communication results and provides better accessibility to project information across their large project teams.
“We have to track several scopes of work, and we've been able to do a very good job fitting the ProjectTalk application around the complexity of our program,” said Julie Causey, Project Controls Specialist with the OMP. “We utilize a very intricate work breakdown structure because we track many projects and work packages through varying stages, and ProjectTalk is extremely capable of handling all of this.”
Document Management capabilities allow the OMP to automate and streamline the processing of all project-related correspondence, including meeting minutes, submittals, RFIs and conversation logs. Through ProjectTalk's integration with Microsoft Word, the OMP generates all program correspondence directly from Project Management.
“Project team members like having the ability to access any project document from remote locations. In the past, documents have mostly been stored in our construction field trailers – now anyone can access and view them,” said Ms. Causey.
The OMP also relies on Cost Control to automate budgeting, contract management, and contractor invoicing. “Our contractor invoicing process is fairly detailed as well, and we use lots of user defined fields and custom reports; Meridian was able to handle these complex needs,” Ms. Causey noted.
The ProjectTalk solution also optimizes collaboration which helped the OMP to streamline their RFI process. The project team environment includes several OMP city employees, the PMO office, the construction manager, the master civil engineer, several design firms, as well as independent consultants and airline representatives. Using ProjectTalk, team members are more effective in collaborating on RFIs through the use of built-in notifications and alerts.
Ms. Causey noted that “without Meridian technology, it would take more paper and more time. With ProjectTalk, all parties get an immediate notification when there is an update. With so many entities involved in this program, it's critical that everyone stays in the loop.”
The entire OMP is also benefiting from standardized forms, project-related documents and consistent reports. “We must work with other city departments and outside agencies that require the use of specific forms. Fortunately, we have the flexibility to recreate those forms using reports from Meridian's project management software – allowing us to expedite invoice approvals, etc.” concluded Ms. Causey.
About OMP
The O'Hare Modernization Program, or OMP, was announced in June 2001 by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as the solution to the problem of delays and congestion at O'Hare International Airport. The OMP will reconfigure O'Hare International Airport's intersecting runways into a more modern, parallel layout. The $6.6 billion Program will substantially reduce delays in all weather conditions and increase capacity at the airfield, allowing O'Hare to meet the region's aviation needs well into the future. The OMP will also create up to 195,000 new jobs and pump an additional $18 billion into the region's economy annually. Most importantly, the OMP will ensure that O'Hare remains the most important economic generator for the region and the state at no cost to state or local taxpayers. For more information, go to www.oharemodernization.org.
About Meridian Systems
Meridian Systems provides enterprise project management software for optimizing the plan, build and operate lifecycle for real estate, construction and other physical infrastructure initiatives. More than 8,500 of today's large building owners, construction and engineering firms, and government agencies use Meridian technology to improve top-line revenue growth while reducing capital construction costs. Meridian was named the leading software vendor in the categories of project management software and collaboration for the construction industry in the 2006 National Construction-Technology Survey from Constructech Magazine. Meridian also ranks as the market share leader in project management software among general contractors with over $100 million in revenue*. Meridian has an impressive track record of revenue growth over its 12-year history, and has been repeatedly recognized as a Constructech Hottest Technology company. Meridian is headquartered in Folsom, Calif. For more information, call Meridian at (800) 850 2660, or go to www.meridiansystems.com/pr020106.
*Statistics excerpted from CFMA's 2004 Information Technology Survey for the Construction Industry, fourth edition with the permission of the Construction Financial Management Association, Princeton, NJ, (609) 452 8000.
Meridian Contact:
Sue Watkins, Director of Marketing
swatkins@meridiansystems.com
