Even under the best of circumstances, construction projects are famously complex and tough to manage. Yet, some companies still depend on manual processes, or, if they choose technology, they rely on several standalone solutions that don’t speak to each other, leading to communication breakdowns and poor project visibility, among other issues.
There is a better way — an integrated platform that provides a single, central place to store and access all project information. This also helps streamline communication, automates processes and brings everything together by offering a secure, configurable system that connects applications, devices and all stakeholders on one central hub.
“One of the reasons why construction platforms are important is because technology is getting more and more important in all industries, and I think construction had a slower start,” says Abhilash Kunnatoor Margabandu, Sr. Project Manager at Vantage Data Centers. “We can see more and more value added in efficiency, quality and safety when we use construction platforms. It also helps us provide a collaborative environment.”
Not sure if a platform is a better choice than a point solution? Check out the following point solution pitfalls:
Pitfall #1: Point solutions don’t easily connect teams
Disjointed point solutions can delay information the field needs and hinders collaboration because they don’t easily interconnect or connect at all. This disparity leads to data silos that require manual input to resolve, along with double data entry. Human error may also occur with multiple point solutions, as humans are responsible for 82% of data breaches.
Fortunately, integrated platform solutions are built to accommodate all business units throughout your operations. These data platforms help ensure teams work together efficiently and workflows are managed from end to end. Ultimately, this leads to more efficient teams and cost savings.
Pitfall #2: Point solutions often come with costly customizations
Although they may seem cheaper as they only provide one piece, point solutions may become more costly in the long run because they don’t effectively integrate together. This means you may end up with extra project management and migrations that eat up precious time and resources.
A platform offers a secure, extensible solution that can add more tools without logging into another system. This equals fewer programs running on your systems, and easily adapting it to your unique business needs.
Pitfall #3: Point solutions can be disguised as platforms
Some point solutions claim to be a platform, but they are actually a complex array of standalone technologies that don’t integrate. This often happens when a developer creates one great solution and tries to chase the market by creating systems. This rushed development cycle creates problems with connectivity and interoperability that negate the other features and require you to invest in more systems.
A true construction data platform should be consistent, adaptable, integrable and flexible so that it can easily adapt to internal systems. It should also have future-proof capabilities to evolve with technology and business needs.
Pitfall #4: Point solutions lack full visibility into project performance
Because they’re isolated, point solutions don’t offer a comprehensive picture of project performance, making it difficult to identify risks or areas that need improvement. These insights make it difficult to pivot business needs to optimize operations most effectively.
Integrated platform solutions provide insights that look at overall performance, enabling workers to capture and share critical data in real time and identify areas of improvement for greater productivity, less risk and higher profits.
The Connected Software Platform for Construction
The focus of any construction analytics software or data platform should be on solving problems, not acquiring more tools. From family homes to city skyscrapers, building a remarkable project requires numerous stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly, and the business can’t afford to waste time, money or resources moving in the wrong direction.
However, operating in silos with disconnected tools can hinder communication and collaboration. Even with the best of intentions, crews can make mistakes when they don’t have access to the right data at the right time.
Procore’s platform solves this problem by connecting owners, general contractors and specialty contractors and all other project stakeholders in one centralized hub. With Procore’s platform, businesses can collaborate efficiently and effectively, eliminate delays and stay on budget and on schedule.
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