The housing boom has inspired a construction boom – and construction companies are erecting new homes, apartment complexes, and office buildings with the help of technology trends unheard of just a decade ago. The construction industry was slow to adopt technology overall, but these construction trends are now facilitating and transforming how things are made – even our homes.
3D Printing: Prefabrication is a standard element in construction – but 3D printers are a new development. Innovative construction companies are experimenting with 3D printing sections of whole buildings, which can be moved to the job site and assembled once printed.
Drones: One of the most transformative construction trends has been the proliferation of drones. Drones have been adopted for various purposes, from enabling more precise surveying to tracking onsite material inventories. Those in charge of checking project progress and monitoring inventory can now do so from a remote location, saving the company the time and money it costs to travel from site to site. Drones can allow clients to view the progress of their construction projects from the comfort of their own office, as well as perform safety and surveillance functions. Hazards can be spotted and reported from the air, keeping the workers safe.
Wearable Tech: Regarding worker safety, technology has also influenced traditional safety equipment such as safety goggles and helmets. Helmets have always been mandatory safety equipment for good reason, but now they offer specialized lenses and augmented reality capabilities to warn about potential or looming hazards. Wearable tech can also monitor each worker’s time on the job site, helping to guarantee that workers adhere to prescribed work hours and do not get too tired.
Machine Learning and Analytics: AI (artificial intelligence) has permitted construction companies to make radical changes, such as incorporating driverless vehicles – although this is still in the trial stages for many companies. Predictive analytics and machine learning are expected to allow construction companies to put robots and machines to work in dangerous situations or when excessive repetition is needed.
Predictive analytics may also allow AI to predict and carry out orders for materials or make recommendations for productivity on the job site. The impacts on productivity are expected to influence costs and competitiveness to the point that construction companies utilizing AI will market it as a strategic advantage over the competition.
Virtual Reality:When pitching a new project, companies rely on 2D and 3D imaging. Imagine presenting a client with an immersive, virtual reality experience when launching a new project, allowing them to walk around and inspect the finished product before it is ever built! Virtual reality also can transform the design and planning processes at construction firms. As stated above, incorporating VR into wearable tech can help workers prevent accidents, avoid hazards and work smarter.
Office Management: One of the most straightforward technology categories for people to adjust to is in the office, where automated systems and electronic documentation has been the norm for years. Technology continues to advance to streamline processes and increase productivity, no matter the type of business you operate. For instance, keeping critical documents, permits, and compliance certificates not only on site but in the cloud protects them in the event of a site-specific incident such as a fire.
Construction executives may not be traditionally tech-savvy, but teaming up with a managed services firm may be an excellent strategy to bring your company to the next level. Technology is not going away, but embracing a few hi-tech construction trends can differentiate you from your competition.
At Alliance IT, we specialize in helping construction firms take full advantage of the IT tools available to them. Call today for more information.
