Constructware, which Autodesk acquired in 2006, is a Web-based project management software tool aimed at correcting the inefficiencies caused by poor communication. With Constructware all project data, such as RFIs and transmittals, is stored on a centralized database and accessible through the Internet, providing real-time information and improving communication between project members.

Collaboration and construction administration are also facilitated by a file management program that provides electronic tracking, a secure client-defined structure and automatic reference, or xref, file detection. In addition, risk management is enabled through applications such as an executive dashboard, which analyzes projects at a summary level as well as detailed information and documents. Finally, the exchange of information with any other program is allowed by Autodesk Constructware's data exchange model, which uses the Internet and XML schema. Constructware has an outbox that stores sent data and an inbox to receive data, and the XML-driven middleware is customized to fit the needs of the client, according to the vendor.

Autodesk Constructware works with Microsoft Internet Explorer; it has not been tested on the Mac version of IE, the vendor said. For proper functioning, browsers must support HTML 3.2, tables, cookies, JavaScipt 1.1 and frames. Enabling cookies and ensuring that the browser is not caching pages is also necessary, the vendor said.