Streamlining the Construction Supply Chain by Integrating Electronic Commerce Principles

Project Title

Streamlining the Construction Supply Chain by Integrating Electronic Commerce Principles

Project Area of Specialization Software EngineeringProject Summary

The e-commerce industry in Pakistan is in its adolescence. Construction business is a prevalent theme in the country, yet there exist massive loopholes in the supply chain of building materials. No single easy-to-access database exists that can ensure a regulated flow of work for the producers and the general public. Contractors and middle-men are easily able to manipulate the market to their advantage. The idea of an e-commerce store specializing in construction building materials has not been actualized yet. All of this, calls for seizing the golden opportunity.

The potential in the construction industry is huge and the boom in Pakistan's construction and property domain is hard to ignore. The importance of Pakistan's construction industry can be manifested by the fact that there are 17 cement companies (2.4 Billion Rs. worth) and at least 7 steel companies (400 Million Rs. worth). Similarly, the sales done through e-commerce were $3.53 trillion in 2019 worldwide and these figures will jump to $6.54 trillion by 2022. Moreover, it is predicted that more than half of Pakistan's 225 million population will have access to the internet by 2025.

Therefore, our project's problem statement is 'Construction materials are procured with reliance on a rule of thumb in Pakistan. The absence of an easily accessible database that lists real-time comparative prices and quantities, allows retailers and distributors to exploit their customers. An electronic commerce platform, that links customers directly to the suppliers and enables secure online payments, will act as a reliable information and supply chain management system, and will streamline the construction supply chain.'

The project will aim at establishing an e-commerce web platform that helps integrate the construction industry supply chain. It will involve developing a comprehensive well-organized database, initially focusing on the primary set parameters. The target region selected is Pakistan, with the main emphasis on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Statistical analysis of the collected data, and forecast and/or analysis of the costs and benefits of the proposed strategy will result in clarity regarding its feasibility. A fully functional e-commerce website integrated with the data collected will be set up using online website creation services or by hiring freelancers. Upon success, the project can potentially evolve further into an entrepreneurial venture.

Project Objectives

Our project's problem statement, which is reiterated as: 'Construction materials are procured with reliance on a rule of thumb in Pakistan. The absence of an easily accessible database that lists real-time comparative prices and quantities, allows retailers and distributors to exploit their customers. An electronic commerce platform, that links customers directly to the suppliers and enables secure online payments, will act as a reliable information and supply chain management system and will streamline the construction supply chain.', highlights the main problem and we have agreed upon on the three main objectives to achieve the solution for the problem that we are targeting. The three main objectives of our project are:

i.              Create and organize a viable database

Collection of data related to but not limited to types, suppliers, retailers, and quantity, of steel, cement, construction aggregate (crush), and sand, by utilizing help from government departments, personal contacts, and the internet. The arrangement, useful distribution, organization, and statistical analysis of data using a spreadsheet, database, and mathematical software applications.

ii.             Forecast and/or analyze costs and benefits

The second objective is based upon the economic and financial evaluation of the project. Assumptions and predictions based on the data collected shall be done.

iii.            Develop a functional e-commerce website

Practical implementation of the project. Establishment of a fully functional online store prototype. Integration of the created database and any specific operational models.

Project Implementation Method

The project methodology is comprised of the following steps:

1. Literature Review

2. Data Collection

3. Organization and Distribution of Data

4. Statistical Analysis

5. Cost-Benefits Analysis and Forecast

6. Results and Discussion

7. E-Commerce Website Development

8. Testing and Debugging

9. Documentation and Publication

Benefits of the Project

Following are the benefits of the project:

1) Integration of the construction industry supply chain through an e-commerce platform.

2) The construction materials will be procured online rather than the rule of thumb.

3) An up-to-date easily accessible online portal will be made that lists comparative prices and quantities, links customers directly to the suppliers and enables secure payments.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The very final deliverable specified in this application is an academic dissertation or a thesis - a compilation of the entire research and work done during the project, in the form of a final document. Submission of the thesis to an academic journal with the intention of publication shall mark the end of the project. The thesis will be developed with consideration of the international academic standards and will have the following major sections:
- Abstract - a statement at the start of the thesis, summarizing the entire document.
- Introduction - a section of the document introducing the topic and relevant factors.
- Literature Review - summarised conclusions derived from the review of other research papers, articles, and relevant sources.
- Methodology - a section describing the methods applied during the project to achieve the desired results and objectives.
- Results and Discussion - a section explaining results of the feasibility study and choice of strategy for implementation.
- Implementation - description of the developed online store and any potential issues encountered.
- Conclusions - final comments.
- References - sources used for gathering information and literature review

It might also be worth mentioning that the deliverable before the final deliverable - the implementation part of the project - is as essential to the project as the final one. The e-commerce store is where the funding will be utilized. A service like Shopify or Wix shall be used for the development of an online store. The store should ideally have the database deliverable integrated into it, and will be modeled based on the conclusions derived from the feasibility study part of the project.

The project might serve as a stepping stone for an entrepreneurial venture, and hence the developed website could be showcased during a business pitch.

Final Deliverable of the Project Software SystemCore Industry OthersOther IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Partnerships to achieve the GoalRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	70000
Grammarly (Premium version)	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Wix and Shopify web development software	Equipment	1	36000	36000
Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and other premium publishing websites	Equipment	1	14000	14000
Books (Industrial Automation by McGraw-Hill Education)	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000