Providing Mobile Applications to Project Enterprises: Moving from Generic Service Delivery to Unique Content Access in Temporary Context

In this paper we discuss how communication systems can be designed considering requirements focusing on the end-user services and the business environment and business logic. We target business users using services supporting work in mobile environments with a temporary project organization. The discussion and analysis will be based on findings from construction projects. These projects are usually temporary, highly mobile and geographically distributed business organizations with common work processes that require close interaction between multiple users and business partners. The analysis starts with characterization of user behaviour, user environments and project organizations. Communication and mobility in construction projects are described and possible services and business roles are proposed. Examples of candidates to take these business roles are discussed based on capabilities and incentives of these companies.