For the past 20 years, great strides have been made in technology that support and improve construction. The changes that have taken place in the last two decades are no small feat. Construction teams can work faster, more efficiently, and with increased communication. Additionally, many tools today integrate with one another—something that wasn’t always possible and created siloed solutions.
Excel was still the status quo in construction 20 years ago. Project management and ERP softwares were just taking off 15 years ago, and suddenly, everyone could hold a computer in the palm of their hand with a smartphone. Over the past decade, strides in BIM and VDC have made it easier to effectively execute preconstruction. One of the most important aspects of all this innovation has been mobile platform capability—connecting everyone, from the field to the office, allowing for seamless, real-time collaboration.
Exceeding expectations with digitization
Construction has had a set process for a number of years, content on utilizing manual processes rather than upgrading and adapting. However, this has not necessarily been the case over the past 20 years, and many organizations are hungry for technology. Contractors across the world are ready to equip themselves for the digital age. The important consideration is that the technology must do what it promises to do and fit the needs of construction and not the other way around.
The digitization of the construction industry encompasses a wide range of technological advancements, but digital transformation goes beyond just adopting software. Digitization refers to encoding analog information on computers, while digital transformation is distinctly different. It’s a customer-driven strategic business transformation that includes technological implementation as well as cross-cutting organizational change.
Mobile transformation in construction
In the past, most companies had to rely on paper, phone calls or faxes for documentation, leaving them susceptible to error, privacy risks and double data entry. Additionally, there was no way to collaborate on the same document at once. Enter the smartphone.
When the iPhone was released in 2007 and the first Android a year later, few could have anticipated the impact mobility would have on industries like construction. Today, many projects work exclusively out of mobile devices and tablets, increasing efficiency, accuracy and security. Workers can know exactly where and when they need to be with the click of a button. RFIs are visible straightaway and can be quickly answered. Drawings have become digital. Even punch lists have gone mobile.
Before Wi-Fi was widespread, it was difficult for teams to stay connected with early smartphones and tablets. With advances over the past two decades, some of the most remote jobsites can fully function online thanks to Wi-Fi. Even without Wi-Fi, offline capability saves work that’s been done while away from the internet, ready to sync up once reconnected.
Digital transformation since day one
When Tooey Courtemanche founded Procore in 2002, he recognized the platform could only truly support projects if mobile capabilities were up to par and the right Wi-Fi setup was in place. In the early days of Procore, Courtemanche and his team offered and set up free jobsite Wi-Fi to prospects. This is a testament to Procore’s dedication to supporting digital transformation for its users.
Procore was founded with the belief that bringing together people and technology can improve lives and transform the industry. The platform has evolved over the years to meet the nuanced changes and demands of the industry. Today, Procore is connecting over two million active users on a global platform, releasing more and more updates every year to increase mobile adoption and support every task in the field and office.
Construction’s transformation isn’t over
Countless innovative minds have invented and improved technology that supports everyday operations in construction, making a huge difference for both the field and office. Workers have been able to accomplish tasks with greater efficiency, stay safer on the job and even go home earlier thanks to technology.
The past 20 years have brought impressive strides in digital transformation, and while the coming decades are sure to eclipse current technology, it’s good to look back and acknowledge how far the industry has come. The next 20 years and beyond will be full of even greater innovations, building technology for those who build in the world.
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