When things are going fairly well with a company, you may be hesitant to change anything. If you think about it, someone can dig a pretty good hole with a shovel, so why stop using the shovel? Well, an excavator can dig holes much faster… a good thing you picked up on that technology right? 

There are a lot of new technologies that companies miss out on due to low IT budgets, fear of chance, or lack of time for training. However, the guy with the excavator makes a lot more than the guy with the shovel. So if you take the time to learn about the new technology, you will make more money long term. 

Modern Technology in Construction 

Modern technologies are changing the way the construction industry operates. Staying aware of everything available helps you to make informed decisions for your company. Embracing new mobile technology and new systems helps you to progress your company and give you an advantage over your competitors. Let’s look at some of the new technologies that are making an impact. 

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is software for 3D design to digitally model what you will build. It creates many layers of metadata and organizes them into an easy to use workflow. 

This allows for more collaboration when each person can add their own piece to the same model instead of having many different versions of a 2D paper drawing. This 3D model evolves immediately every time new information is added. 

This gives you more efficient problem solving and communication, increasing construction productivity. You are given a complete picture of the project and the automated features of the software bring your attention to any clashes in the information you provided. 

You can also use virtual reality technology to walk around the BIM. This helps you to avoid big changes and expensive change order costs mid-way through the project. 

Similarly, augmented reality software allows you to add to your vision rather than completely replace it like with virtual reality. Both give you a better idea of what the future project will look like in real life. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Construction robots have made a big impact on construction sites. When tasks can be completed without the need for human interaction, you free up human workers to get even more done. Many tasks at construction sites are easily automated like the use of bricklaying robots.

This method of construction increases job site safety and improves workflows. You get the benefits of jobs completed faster and more accurately. Robots have unlimited energy and never get fatigued. They identify when they are missing information and ask questions. 

Machine Learning

Machines gather data and come to conclusions without error. They can turn mountains of data into predictions. Predictions that they can use to gain a competitive edge when estimating and bidding on construction projects. 

Cloud-Based Solutions 

With the portability of smartphones and tablets, cloud solutions for collaboration have become a huge part of a successful business. You can say goodbye to paper-based reporting. With these innovative tools you can access information from anywhere with an internet connection. 

This technology in construction creates a unified place between the office and the field. With mobile devices, the future of construction has a lot of possibilities. You cut back on the amount of time it takes to walk back to the trailer. You can have a whole office of information in your pocket.     

Modern Technology in Construction: New Trends for 2021 

With the use of a smart device and other digital solutions, teams have the opportunity to work together in one shared space. Construction workers, designers, engineers, equipment distributors, project managers, and the client can all be instantly updated on what is happening when construction firms use a single platform to manage their projects. 

Construction technology has come a long way with single platform systems that can now keep everyone on the same page with real-time updates. These shared platforms bring the construction field all the information and benefits of the office.    

Collaborative Cloud Solutions  

Real-time information being shared across a team gives the construction industry quite the make-over. These technologies create a controlled environment for real-time collaboration. 

Design Collaborative Software 

This tech in construction allows the team to keep up with design changes with real-time updates. Outdated information, missed change orders, and inaccurate old designs lead to costly rework. These technologies eliminate those frustrations. When you have everyone working from the same project data, you have less chance of miscommunication or delays from waiting on communication. 

Preconstruction Software 

This software gets projects off on the right foot from the start of the bidding process. They let contractors easily find quality substitutions, allowing them to send custom bids. 

Coordination Software

Well-coordinated projects save you millions. BIM coordination software puts information into everybody’s hands. This allows you to identify and resolve clashes earlier, before breaking ground. 

Field Productivity Software 

Collaborate in real-time on drawings, markups, photos, decisions, and issues. Having the cloud in your pocket cuts back on trips back and forth to the trailer. Keeping your systems moving smoothly and efficiently, you create a culture that supports worker safety.   

Project Management Software

Cloud technologies in construction connect your field workers with your office workers. This allows users to make informed decisions throughout the planning and project. Eliminating moments of, “I didn’t know that.” Giving your construction business these software solutions lead to faster construction.

These methods of communication reduce downtime with instant visibility to daily priorities. The efficiency of a construction space determines how much money you make. Project managers can get a good look at a project’s health as well as have access to the company-wide performance.  

Why Productivity Goes Down

The top contributor to poor productivity in the construction industry is poor schedule management. When you don’t have everybody knowing where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing at all times, you have downtime. 

Relating to this, another contributor is poor site coordination. At a construction site, you have each person working on a different task. It is like a machine with gears that need to be turning together. When people are not coordinating properly with each other, the job takes much longer.

Of course, you may guess we are now going to call out poor communication. When people don’t know what to do, they either have downtime or they start working before the information is clear. Maybe they think they have all the information but they are missing new information that hasn’t been communicated yet. Now you have some big costly mistakes that will require demo and rework that eat into the project’s profits. 

Using cloud technologies and other IT software increases job-site safety, and brings people as well as an entire project together in one place. This communication technique affects all areas of the construction industry. When communication is clear, jobs are clear, and the project stays clear. That clarity is what saves millions of dollars and creates a successful construction company. Don’t miss out on the digital tools that can transform your construction process.