Construction.com Re-launches; Transforms to a Portal Built Upon the Project Lifecycle.

Business/Technology Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2001

Construction's Leading Source of Information Showcases

Workflow Applications, Functionality & Mission

Critical Data Access at A/E/C Systems Conference in Chicago

Construction.com today announced at the A/E/C Systems conference, that is has re-built its site to coincide with the construction industries business process.

The re-launch, enacts a strategic transformation from a brand centric/editorial model to one that is built upon the construction industry business process. Beyond providing a strong market channel for the properties of CIG (F.W. Dodge, Sweet's, Engineering News-Record, Architectural Record and Design Build), construction.com has integrated the digital assets of its strategic partners into the portal's foundation and has greatly enhanced internal interoperability and functionality.

Construction.com is the most comprehensive online marketplace for construction professionals and part of The McGraw-Hill Companies' (NYSE: MHP) Construction Information Group (CIG).

With a suite of tools, services, information and applications, construction.com has moved closer to fulfilling its mission of servicing all of the players at every point of the project lifecycle. Construction.com now is truly "work flow" oriented, intelligently linking the network of sites that comprise the portal and allow users to locate, estimate, design, bid, procure and manage every component of a project. Additional resources to address training and career growth are also provided.

"In just a short time, construction.com has grown from a point of entry to industry news and information about the McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group's individual brand's products and services, to the point of convergence and empowerment tool for all stakeholders in the construction industry," said Norbert Young, president of construction.com and CIG. "With this re-launch, the new structure better reflects the premises of construction - the project lifecycle. Construction.com now is better positioned to serve the professionals who rely upon the portal's tools and information to do their jobs faster, better and cheaper."

In order to better mirror the project lifecycle, construction.com has created six "centers" that allow its users to easily navigate and find what they need very efficiently, in a manner to which they are accustomed. The Centers currently include:

-- Resource Center that includes firm listings, industry events and financial
and business resources;

-- Project Center powered by F.W. Dodge that provides tools to locate, bid and
manage projects;

-- Building Products Center powered by Sweet's that provides tools to find,
select, specify, compare and purchase products;

-- Equipment Center powered by partner IronMax that provides tools to find and
manage equipment and fleet services;

-- Career Center with information on current jobs and continuing education;

-- News Center powered by ENR, Architectural Record, Design Build, Dodge
Construction Publications and construction.com's dedicated editorial staff
offering superior content and breaking news in the construction industry.

Other new features include an improved "look and feel" and a robust search capability that allows users to search the network of Construction Information Group sites, as well as performing a target search of the web. General needs of the construction community, such as local weather reports, are also available.

Concluded Mr. Young, "We believe this strategic shift signals a new understanding of the importance of interoperability, not only between service providers, but between the players that encompass the entire project lifecycle. As our dynamic evolution continues, we will continue to roll-out further advancements throughout the year and well beyond."

About construction.com

Construction.com is the industry marketplace that enables construction professionals to do their job faster, better and cheaper. Building on The McGraw-Hill Companies' heritage as the world's premier information provider to the $1.7 trillion commercial construction industry, construction.com uses the Internet to help its customers to get the latest industry intelligence and interactive solutions that help professional decision-makers do their jobs successfully. By leveraging the powerful content of The McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group's leading brands, including F.W. Dodge, Sweet's, Engineering News-Record, Architectural Record, and Design-Build, construction.com integrates unmatched market intelligence, unique project management tools, and end-to-end access to the construction community. The Construction Information Group employs more than 1,700 professionals around the world.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in financial services, education and business-to-business information through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 300 offices in 33 countries. Sales in 2000 were $4.3 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.