The integration of IT systems in building processes is the key to successful off-site construction says Darren Richards, operations director of specialist independent consultancy Mtech Group. <p></p><p> &amp;“Off-site construction technology is driving the potential for a new dawn in housebuilding. </p><p> &amp;“Manufacturers, software developers, engineers and architects are promising to transform the housebuilding industry with a mixture of computer-aided design and the latest in industrial manufacturing technology - panel systems, new methods of stick building using &amp;‘field-factory&amp;’ technology and modular volumetric construction. </p><p> &amp;“The efficiencies of mass customisations really begin to emerge when you take automation beyond the design stage. The panacea is to integrate a customer&amp;’s online design with flexible computer controlled manufacturing systems. In other words, the information generated on-line should drive the house production line - this is the ultimate in process integration, and it may not be as far away as we might think. </p><p> &amp;“These processes are already well advanced in the Japanese house-building market, where some 40 percent of housing is built using modular volumetric construction techniques designed to the customer&amp;’s specification and choice.&amp;”</p><p><br> </p><p><b><b>Key contacts</b></b><br><b><b>Asta Development - 01844 261700</b><br> Autodesk - 01252 456789</b></p><p><b> HBXL - 01530 415600</b></p><p><b> Interbild - 01382 534341</b></p><p><b> MBA Computing …