VANCOUVER, BC., May 3, 2002 – British Columbia-based Internet technology companies CITinc and BuildDirect announced jointly today their strategic alliance creating Canada’s largest e-construction network.

The alliance links CITinc’s online planroom and project management system with BuildDirect’s construction-materials procurement and logistics platform, and represents a major advance in developing Canada’s e-construction infrastructure.

“With access to BuildDirect’s online distribution channel, our clients get instant real-time quotes on materials right at the planning stage,” said CITinc President Dave Robertson. “And with BuildDirect’s lower prices this will be a major advantage at the bidding and construction phases of a project.”

Added Robertson: “I see our two companies expanding e-construction together at an extraordinary rate.”

CITinc has some 4,000 construction industry clients currently using its system, which has been adopted by construction associations from British Columbia to Ontario.

BuildDirect President Jeff Booth said CITinc’s technology is an excellent application of e-commerce in the construction industry.

“BuildDirect is proud to form the online procurement component in CITinc’s network,” said Booth. “CITinc’s technology is quickly being recognized as Canada’s industry standard in integrated construction design and management.”

ABOUT CITinc
Founded in 2000, CITi Construction Information Technology Inc. (CITinc) provides state-of-the-art digital document management solutions for the Construction Industry. CITinc’s solutions power electronic plan rooms, permit-review systems, project archives, and project management tools for the construction and design communities. Bridging the paper and digital worlds with solutions that match today’s realities, CITinc increases efficiency and improves competitiveness at all stages of construction projects.

ABOUT BUILDDIRECT
Founded in 1999, BuildDirect.com is a comprehensive online destination for quality construction materials. The Company strives to be the building industry's ultimate source for volume buyers worldwide by providing customers the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices. BuildDirect’s complete end-to-end solution for the purchase and delivery of products includes full customer service, product expertise, warranty support, worldwide delivery with shipment monitoring, and an integrated logistics platform supplying all transportation costs before ordering.