Industry happenings on the Web.

BuilderSupplyNet.com
Enhances Online Features

BuilderSupplyNet.com announced an agreement with Arizona-based NationalContractors.com to improve the building and construction industry's online communities. The alliance will bring project postings from National Contractors.com online to BuilderSupplyNet.com's bulletin board.

BuilderSupplyNet.com also added 16 local markets and now covers more than 40 city and metropolitan areas. More sellers and bidders can auction industry-related items due to this expansion.

An Industry First:
Online Insurance Service

BuildPoint Corp. has joined with insurance provider Gallager Construction Services and six A-rated insurance companies to provide the industry's first online insurance service. An automated process allows construction professionals to select and purchase builder's risk insurance on the Web. Key benefits include fast quotes, and a policy and RFQ manager to store, organize and track incoming policies.

Bidcom Alliance Boosts Contractors' Online Access

Bidcom Inc., a leading service provider for the construction industry, will partner with American Subcontractors Association Inc. to provide the organization's 6,500 members access to Bidcom's suite of e-business services. Using the services, members now can generate more work, lower job costs and increase profitability and efficiency.

Partnership Provides
Online Training

AdvanceOnline Inc., a Web-based training provider, and the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) joined forces to establish the SBCCI Online Institute. The institute gives the association's 16,000 members and other building code professionals a new option for compliance training. Classes include building codes and AdvanceOnline's existing courses in areas of management, hazardous materials, OSHA, electrical, plumbing and mechanical.

Price Pfister Joins BuildNet

BuildNet Inc., a leading software provider for the industry, announced Price Pfister has joined as a founding member of its BuildNet e-Building Exchange. Price Pfister is one of America's leading providers of plumbing fixtures. Together with Kwikset, the country's largest residential locksets' manufacturer, Price Pfister will represent BuildNet's Black & Decker Hardware and Home Improvement Group.

OneBuild, Rentmaker Offer Equipment Alternative

OneBuild Inc., a construction materials marketplace, and Rentmaker, a 24-hour equipment and tool rental marketplace, have announced an alliance to stimulate competitive bidding. Rentmaker will give OneBuild customers round-the-clock access to its site so they can rent instead of buy the right equipment for their work needs.

Blue Book Launches
Revised System

The Blue Book of Building and Construction has revised BB-Bid, an online hub for bidding, communications and procurement at thebluebook.com. The free service provides more than 800,000 pre-qualified company listings for buyers of construction-related products and services. BB-Bid features a project search engine, free two-way communication network and mass-messaging facilities.

IronSpire Enables
Real-Time Communication

IronSpire Inc. has launched JobSite, an integration of Web-based applications and wireless communications geared to improve commercial construction projects. Construction teams can use a project-specific site to send real-time alerts via e-mail or pager about updated project changes. Users also can access prompt requests for information, construction drawings and change orders.

Tooldeal.com Digs Up Competitive Prices

A new Web site, Tooldeal.com, is dedicated to helping trade professionals seek new and used power tools, test instruments and supplies. The Web site is broken into trade categories and allows users to control the site's content by listing and buying new and used equipment.

SupplySpot.com Delivers
One-Stop Shopping

SupplySpot.com has launched a site featuring one-stop shopping benefits for plumbing and contracting professionals. A remote inventory system will enhance project conditions by letting users place orders from their trucks or jobsites. Its Mobil Marketplace also will allow contractors to immediately reorder out-of-stock inventory by swiping the product's bar code against a scanner attached to a Palm Pilot.