As we are past the halfway point in 2021, we should all take some time to remember what we thought the future would be like 10 years ago. When thinking about this, did you imagine the construction industry changing?
I know many of us thought that technology would take over the construction industry but unfortunately, this has been one of the areas where construction has lagged behind other industries. However, with more and more companies using technology to help with project management, collaboration, data analytics, and more, the future is looking very bright for all construction businesses.
With that being said, I wanted to take a look into the future of construction and let you know what I think a smart construction site will look like. Everything from wearables and software through to drones and pre-fabrication. I truly believe these technologies will be part of everyday construction life soon enough and I am excited for what the future holds in construction.
Wearable Innovations on the Job Site
When I talk about wearables, I don't just mean your common PPE. I am referring to innovative technology that will help keep your workers safe on the job site. We are now seeing work boots and wristbands that can connect to Wi-Fi which allows you to monitor where your workers are. Furthermore, this technology can help notify others if someone has fallen or has passed out due to heat exhaustion. All of these capabilities will keep your workers at ease on the job site knowing that they will be looked after.
With wearable innovations, there can be many avenues for this technology. They can measure heart rate, body temperature, the amount of steps taken, sudden movements, and anything else that your Fitbit or Apple watch might do. While this is just a short list of features, I am curious to see what new innovations will come out in the near future.
To learn more about wearables and other construction technology trends, click here to read our article highlighting 3 game-changing trends.
Construction Management Software
Construction management software is part of the present and the future of smart construction sites.
Having an easy-to-use, user-friendly construction management software will ensure that you stay above your competition. There are so many ways that construction management platforms keep your business efficient and profitable.
Time tracking can be done through software so that you don't need to worry about dealing with the hassle of paper time cards. Project management is simplified with job costing and easy-to-read reports which will give you insight on your project's financials and hours. Communication can be centralized on one platform so that no messages get lost. Finally, document management and sharing can be digitized so that you do not need to chase around workers for important information.
With any smart construction site, you need construction management software that helps you make informed decisions. Picking the right construction software that has all of your needs in one place is crucial.
Want to learn more about construction management software and how it can help you? Click here to discover how Ontraccr can take your business to the next level.
Construction Drones
As we see the uses of drones on worksites rise, the drones used today and in the future can map out large areas of the job site. They could even map out thermal signatures and provide heat maps. All of this will give you real-time visibility into what is happening on your job site. Decision-making can be instant so that you take action before it's too late.
Drones can also monitor job site activity. They can be used to look out for construction workers who may have fallen on the job which allows workers to feel safer on site. Drones can also monitor for theft on the site so that all equipment stays within the company.
Drones are an incredible tool and, when used correctly, they can help protect your workers and maximize profits.
Modular and Prefab Construction
Developments in modular and prefab construction have risen and, as we battle through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, this method of construction should only continue to advance.
With modular and prefab construction, smart construction sites might have less actual construction on them. The construction industry is finding out that having buildings made in warehouses and workshops are much more efficient and thus more profitable.
Modular and prefab construction is great because as a business owner, you can control the working environment and provide a safe space for your workers. The climate is also controlled so that the weather will not have an impact on the work.
The combination of the lack of skilled labour and more innovative technology being developed means modular and prefab construction is set to rise greatly making it perfect for the future of smart construction sites.
Utilizing Mobile Devices
The final part of my ideal smart construction site would include utilizing everyone's mobile devices. Since everyone has one these days, why not put them to work too? Phones can be used for so much in construction and when paired up with an innovative construction management software, the sky's the limit.One of the ways you can use phones is through time tracking. Workers can have the ability to clock in and out using their mobile devices. This will help track time accurately and without the hassle of collecting time cards which is a huge time-waster.
Phones can help streamline communication. If your company is on a centralized communication system, you will be able to easily access messages and share information in real-time.
Document and file sharing is also made very easy with phones. Instead of walking around to show blueprints, ask for forms to be filled, or sharing any other type of document, workers can be sent these files on their phones using a construction management software like Ontraccr so that files are at your fingertips at all times.
Final Thoughts
While smart construction sites are something of the future, this future is a lot closer than you might think. With more and more companies investing in technology, there will only be more technology being developed. As a construction business owner, you need to make sure that your company adapts to construction's new digital age or risk falling behind your competitors. The technological innovations in construction will only get better from here.
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