A Computerized System for Managing Con-struction Materials for Gaza Strip Building Contractors

Construction materials management process is a key to success of a construction project. Nowadays, successful management of construction materials has to be based on thorough and updated information, and processed utiliz-ing a well designed construction materials management system. The aim of this study has been to explore the local prac-tice in construction materials management and develop a Computerized system to facilitate the management of con-struction materials mainly in the building construction. Construction materials management related literature has been generally reviewed; meanwhile some construction materials management system packages have been re-viewed also. A survey questionnaire supported by interviews is used to explore the local practice in construction materials man-agement. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed to contractors of first; second, and third class, eighty-four questionnaires were received and analyzed. The researcher concluded that all contracting companies are interested in using some techniques of managing con-struction materials such as creating and updating data-base for materials categories, local and international suppliers. Also, the Israeli closure on Gaza Strip is the main element that affects materials availability and cost and causes increase the cost of main materials such as cement, reinforcement steel and aggregate. The study shows that most of contracting companies are still managing construction materials manually. Shortage of user-friendly construction materials system packages and lack of qualified personnel in using computer-based materials management systems are considered the main obstacles in using computer in construction materials management. The researcher explores Microsoft Excel capabilities and utilizes these capabilities in developing a Construction Materials Management System which named "construc-tion materials management system"(CMMS). CMMS is a PC-based system which has been designed to run under Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Excel is used in developing CMMS, as most companies in Gaza strip are familiar with it. Full description of CMMS has been given with detailed implementation procedures. CMMS has been evaluated to test its suitability to local practice. Evalua-tion of CMMS has addressed both conceptual and practi-cal issues. One of the main recommendations of this re-search is to encourage local contracting companies to have a construction materials management system pack-age and use it in determining the required quantities of construction materials in order to get materials in time and required quantitiessave time and minimize error.