Historically the construction industry has been slow and reluctant to adopt new technology. However, this trend is quickly shifting. Construction firms are adopting new technologies at an unprecedented rate. According to the 2015 Construction Technology Report released by JB Knowledge, the number of construction firms utilizing cloud-based software has more than doubled since 2012.
Moving beyond software, the AEC industry is also advancing their skills leveraging cutting-edge construction tools like mobile, 3D Laser Scanning, BIM, drones, AR/VR, wearable tech and more. Understanding which technology to use for different job functions can be overwhelming. A recent ENR article, Three Steps to Utilize Technology in Construction, highlights how companies can effectively integrate technology for increased productivity using three simple methods: adopt, embrace and invest.
- Adopt: The JB Knowledge report results indicate that adoption of technology has been improving. As the technology adoption has increased, the software platforms have evolved to keep pace. Companies are now opting for cloud-based solutions, such as Assemble, over traditional desktop solutions due to the collaborative nature of the software.
- Embrace: Personnel at all levels must embrace the technology for it to be successful. This is still a challenge that companies are currently facing. The report found that 27% of employees and 32% of managers were hesitant about technology.
- Invest: Failure to invest is likely the biggest barrier to implementation of new technology in construction. The construction industry is known to have one of the lowest Information Technology (IT) budget. Margins in construction are notoriously thin, so companies are often reluctant to set aside a decent budget for IT.
No matter how prominent a company is now, if they don’t adopt, embrace and especially invest in technology, their productivity might be negatively impacted. To stay competitive and profitable in today’s market place, construction companies have to focus on the importance of technology.
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