Top 24 Tech Predictions (Continued Page 3)

Reprint Granted From:
constructionexec.com

Big data, BIM, augmented reality, drones…what else does 2015 hold for construction technology? Ten construction technology experts offer their predictions of what to expect this year.

BOB BATCHELER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER, NEWFORMA

DAN CONERY, VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND OWNER SOLUTIONS, NEWFORMA

3-D laser scanning will continue to improve pre-construction coordination and the accuracy of the documentation of as-built conditions. When designers and contractors know the precise locations and dimensions of everything in the field, they’ll be better able to prepare for construction, work around obstacles and document outcomes, and facilitate prefabrication of assemblies and modules.

BIM’s impact will expand to have particular influence on prefabrication, enabling contractors and subcontractors to reduce cost and improve quality by building modules in their shops instead of in the field. The field will see more and more installation and less on-the-spot fabrication.

Mobile apps will continue to make individuals more informed and productive (e.g., apps that display drawings on all the different screens used by collaborators will prevent people from working with outdated documents). Apps to capture and manage punch list items will shorten times to closeout, and apps to capture field conditions will streamline the compiling of daily reports while simultaneously improving their quality.

CRAIG “TOOEY” COURTEMANCHE, FOUNDER & CEO, PROCORE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Moving From Point Solutions to Comprehensive Platforms. Rather than growing large monolithic point solutions, IT departments are gathering moderate point solutions and combining them. They are starting to assemble more powerful solutions by seeking best-in-breed solutions that will integrate with their current systems to provide stronger solutions. This will unlock all the information they previously has siloed in systems for years.

Continued Growth of Problem-Solving Solutions. Companies will continue to adopt solutions that solve their problems. It doesn’t matter if it is high-tech or low-tech, it has to work and provide value. For example, QR codes are simple and low tech, but can provide an immense amount of information to construction teams in the field.

Providing More Value to Key Stakeholders. Many project management software solutions have been adopted in the field to centralize documentation and improve communications. But owners, general contractors, project managers and regional directors are starting to see the true value of construction software. With today’s solutions, management has unrivaled visibility into project health across their entire project portfolio. They can drill down into projects to assess risk and locate potential bottlenecks and delays.

SAM LIU, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, SOONR

Construction Professionals Will Have More Devices to Sync. Smartphones, tablets, office PCs and laptops will all be used for work and each needs to have access to the most current files and projects. According to Forrester Research, 53 percent of today’s information workers use three or more devices for work, and IDC reports that 328 million employee-owned smartphones will be on the job by 2017. Without a reliable and secure technology to keep all devices in sync, mobile workers in the construction industry will likely suffer an increased drain on productivity as they search for the files they need. A secure file sync and share solution will eliminate this frustration and help construction firms do business faster.

Mobile Devices Will Get Lost and Put Company Data at Risk. According to an Ernst & Young study, half of lost mobile devices are never recovered. Even more, 35 percent of data breaches are caused by the loss or theft of a corporate asset. With mobile devices being used by construction professionals literally everywhere, it’s likely that loss will happen. To safeguard company data and eliminate the risk of a data breach, use a secure file sharing solution that leverages smart technology to remove (or “wipe”) business content off of the lost device. If the device is found, or when a new device is put into place, the same business content can be easily restored eliminating any work downtime.

 

File Sizes for Shared Content Will Get Larger. From blueprints and architectural drawings to video and photos, the files construction professionals need to share can be nothing short of huge – and they will only get larger. For many, these large files can impede mobility and the freedom to work whenever and wherever is needed. By selecting a secure file sharing solution that can enable fast and simple sharing of even the largest of files, construction firms can empower mobility like never before.

JOHN BACUS, DIRECTOR OF SKETCHUP PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, TRIMBLE

Increased Collaboration and Use of Constructible Models in Projects of all Sizes. Because affordable, intuitive and interoperable modeling tools bring 3-D modeling within reach of everyone on the project team, the use of constructible models and collaborative construction is on the rise. Expect to see increased adoption as the industry realizes that constructible models substantially improve project performance, lead to greater customer satisfaction and higher profit margins, and reduce risk.

More Connected Platforms Across Construction Life Cycles. Enabling collaboration across and within disciplines is key to driving the industry forward. Fostering this collaboration requires liberating data and developing connected platforms that allow for the use of many BIM tools in the same project. The industry will begin the long process of evolving to adopt a construction life cycle in which stakeholders (architects, engineers, fabricators and general contractors) in any project can integrate data from a range of applications and devices to reduce the barriers between teams and tasks, while allowing them to access, analyze and share project data from anywhere, at any time.