FreightTrain, an online construction management system from the company with the same name, aims to improve communication among general contractors, architects, building owners, inspectors and subcontractors. (Each type of user is granted permissions based on his or her role.) This lets project teams collaborate on tasks such as scheduling, project tracking, quality control and performance analysis, the vendor said.

FreightTrain offers nearly 20 modules, which are separated into functionality specific to the needs of building owners, general contractors and architectural firms. These modules can be customized based on a project's specific construction workflow, the vendor said.

A FreightTrain implementation is set up using a set of AutoCAD drawings. From there, architects can create punch lists, coordinate inspections and analyze the results. The general contractor modules, meanwhile, assist with subcontractor management, inspection coordination and scheduling. Finally, FreightTrain's building owner modules help with performance analysis, commissioning, inspection, move-in schedules and room planning, the vendor said.

A FreightTrain implementation also comes with handheld devices that let inspectors, contractors and subcontractors provide project updates from the field as well as receive a full graphical view of a building's layout, the vendor said.