Did you know that the construction industry is one of the few industries that has yet to fully adopt digital technology? Despite this, many firms are still not taking advantage of the latest technology. So, what does this mean for your business?
Construction companies must incorporate more digital tools into their workflows to remain competitive. If your business is still relying on paper-based processes, now is the time to make the switch.
By switching to digital construction methods, you’ll be able to increase efficiency and accuracy on your projects. In this article, you’ll learn what digital construction is and why digital transformation in the construction industry is vital.
What Is Digital Construction?
Digital construction is the use of numerical data to construct, create or build physical objects. Digital fabrication uses digital processes to create built environments that can be quickly adjusted during construction. It minimizes waste and eliminates the need for scaffolding.
The primary goal of digital construction is to show the design intent accurately. Digital models are preferred over physical prototypes because they allow changes until finalization. They are essential for marketing presentations or demonstrations at trade shows before actual fabrication begins.
Furthermore, digital models are helpful for testing, analysis, and optimization. Digital construction is also known as improving or automating processes, which can be done with cloud-based computing.
Benefits of Digitalization in the Construction Industry
Construction digital transformation is no longer optional. It is inevitable. It can help save you money and boost production efficiency across your business operations.
Here are 10 reasons why the construction industry should make the switch now.
1. Efficiency
You can save your project in a central location with digital construction tools. Here, everyone on your team can access the project from any device or computer using an internet connection. No matter their location or device in use, there’s a way to work from the most recent version of your project plan.
This not only saves you countless hours and workforce management, but it also reduces mistakes and misunderstandings caused by emailing separate copies of plans back and forth between offices and clients.
Since the architect or surveyor allows people to see changes made instantly within any software, conversations about the project become more efficient.
2. Collaboration
Hand-drawn blueprints can often be misunderstood. There is no way to tell who made mistakes in traditional paper blueprints when they occur.
Luckily, the estimator’s conversational tools allow builders and contractors to chat about what is happening on-site in real-time. You don’t have to make phone calls between meetings.
That way, everyone involved in the construction process is on the same page at every moment. With today’s software, you never have to wait until the end of a project to get estimates from subcontractors.
3. Accuracy
With digital construction tools, such as drones for surveying, you’ll know that your project gets done to the last centimeter. For instance, Assignar is an example of a system that will track your progress on a project, schedule crews, equipment, as well as compliance and licenses, all in one platform.
Since these programs constantly update as plans are approved, your plans are always accurate. This is even after submitting them to the relevant authorities for approval.
4. Increased Productivity
With construction software, people can do more in less time. They don’t have to waste time going back and forth between paper plans and their computers to look for information.
Everyone will have direct access to the same data, making it easier for them to work more efficiently. They won’t have to spend a lot of time searching for files. There is a collective understanding among all those interested in the project.
With cloud storage, everyone on your team can access their plans from any device with an internet connection. Less time gets wasted reworking documents for resubmittal because they are up to date.
5. Security
It is all too easy for someone to lose their handwritten notes when they are no longer needed. Considering that all changes made within digital construction tools are tracked and logged, nothing is ever misplaced again.
Because digital blueprints are easily duplicated, you can store more than one copy of your plan on-site in case anything happens to the original. The software also makes it easier for everyone to work on the same documents simultaneously.
This feature allows teams to know who changed what and when. It helps speed up decision-making processes by identifying the best experts for each task.
6. Improve Collaboration
With both clients and team members accessing the same data, it is easier to work towards a single goal collectively. You can expect improved communication and collaboration, which will help resolve issues quickly and effortlessly.
Overall, it minimizes coordination costs by ensuring everyone is on the same page. People don’t need additional training or a lot of explanation from those who have been around longer than others.
This is more beneficial during large-scale projects that involve various specialists from various backgrounds. You don’t have to spend an entire day explaining things step-by-step.
7. Reduce Risk Management
Digital transformation ensures contractors don’t spend all their money on something they are unsure about. It reduces risk management by helping everyone involved in a project estimate, track, and visualize changes in building information models. This happens throughout each phase of construction.
This way, you can determine whether the proposed work will impact their areas within the structure. You’ll also identify potential risks ahead of time.
8. Transparency
Hand-drawn blueprints can be changed, leading to trust issues between you and your contractor. With tracked changes in digital documents, anyone can see who made the original change and when it happened. It will also indicate whether the change was approved and by whom.
9. Machine Learning Is Already Here
Machine learning is not just a buzzword; it is already used to predict malfunctions or component failures in the building automation industry. This technology is now in use across all facets of construction to reduce expenses and improve safety. It becomes more precise over time, with no need for costly reprogramming.
10. Simplify Planning and Scheduling
This is beneficial for construction companies that work on multiple projects altogether. The latest technology in construction enables better allocation of resources, including workforce, materials, and equipment. It lets you create realistic schedules.
This will go a long way if your business focuses on medium or big-scale projects.
Get Reliable and Efficient Digital Construction Software Now
Are you running a construction firm and haven’t embraced digital construction or don’t know the benefits of digitalizing your business? At Bangert Inc., we have software options that were designed just for the construction industry and will increase your ROI.
Talk to us today if you are looking for ways to revitalize your construction business and get started immediately. We’ll not only provide you with reliable software but guide you on how to use it!