<b>Whether part of a developer&amp;’s marketing package or helping housebuilders improve business efficiencies, the impact of information technology (IT) is growing fast. Tim Palmer rounds up some of the latest developments</b><br><b>IT development in project planning is one major area where housebuilders are benefiting today with suppliers offering easy-to-use tailored solutions, all claiming cost and time savings. One example, Powerproject Teamplan from Asta Developments, allows total visibility across all projects using bar charts to show build stages for each house with details of 50+ house builds on one screen. Benefits include tighter cashflow control and improved completion rates as monitoring promptly alerts users to any delays. Weekly action views are produced for site managers enabling them to plan resource requirements accurately. Stamford Homes&amp;’ production director Brendan Blythe says: &amp;“Powerproject is now integral to our operations. It&amp;’s enabled us to place greater focus on the building process.&amp;”</b><br><b><b>supply chain</b></b><br> Already used by Crest Nicholson and Peabody Trust, the BIW Information Channel is a web-based, supply chain integration technology designed specifically for building projects. Each client has a unique, project-specific website created around a knowledge database with all data available to authorised project team members 24 hours a day. BIW chief executive Colin Smith …