Why Contractors are Now Embracing Technological Advancements

  • Editorial Team
  • Construction Career Outlook
  • 23 November 2023

Contractors are eager to leverage emerging and current technologies to gain a competitive edge in the industry. A recent study by USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce revealed that 74% of contractors have plans to implement advanced technology within the next three years. This is primarily in order to improve worker productivity.

The implementation of the technologies in day-to-day tasks may help the contractors automate their jobs and improve the overall efficiency of the project. Not only does the productivity improve, but the worksite safety is also enhanced by embracing the newest software and other techs. This is the high time when contractors and construction companies can adopt and implement different software and technologies to bring more success and revenue to the company. Whereas, construction companies and contractors need to stay updated about the latest trends in the tech revolutions.

Current Technology Trends

Building Information Models (BIM)

Contractors are more and more using BIM to plan and manage their projects more efficiently. BIM incorporates 3D modelling to collect data and facilitate project visualization. This technology benefits building design, construction, and operation, making data-driven decisions more accessible and valuable. With time, the BIM technology is improving and has widely been adopted to bring more digitization to construction projects. It ought to provide more accurate and precise data on the planning, designing and implementation of the construction project which is quite helpful for the workers to implement on the worksite. The use of BIM also helps to get:

  •   Better collaboration and coordination in the project
  •   Lower risk of financial strain
  •   Improved and informed decision making
  •   Reduced risk of rework and failure

Project Management Software

Project management software actually streamlines routine tasks and this speeds up project delivery. It makes collaboration better among project partners, communication, document management, and resource allocation. Web-based or cloud-based solutions offer real-time access from any location, promoting flexibility and efficiency.

This software is a real-life savior for construction project managers who work under pressure and have to manage everything manually. With the help of this software, they will be able to manage things more efficiently and nicely without delaying any major meetings. These advanced techs help the manager in:

  •   Scheduling the routine tasks
  •   Enhancing team collaboration
  •   Improving better document management
  •   Allocating resources well
  •   Getting real-time data on all the processes

Estimation Software

Estimation software improves the accuracy and consistency of cost estimates, replacing manual methods and spreadsheets. It helps out in tracking intangible “soft costs,” which can account for a really big portion of project budgets. Before bidding on the construction project, it is important to get all the calculations in the correct order so that it may help you get a better project completion. However, with slight negligence in the budget estimation, all your effort and revenue may go into a villain. Hence implementing the estimation software in your day-to-day routine to calculate the budget and cost of the project, you may stay on the safe side and will have the lowest risk of losing financial assets.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

Satisfied clients are very important for a contractor’s success. CRM software helps contractors manage client interactions effectively, fostering stronger relationships. It centralizes contact information, project history, sales conversations, and more, allowing for better customer service.

Equipment Surveillance

Condition monitoring systems, including electronic data and fluid analysis, are great for minimizing downtime and fuel consumption. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology is used for inventory and heavy equipment management, enhancing efficiency and asset tracking.

You may have to put the tags on the equipment and other assets and to have an RFID reader to read those tags. This is to track the location and provide other information about them. It prevents theft and be used in fraudulent activities.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality immerses users in a digital environment, while augmented reality overlays digital elements onto the real world. Contractors are now utilizing these technologies for training, skill development, and immersive project visualization. This way they are now making sure that there is better communication among stakeholders. Furthermore, these techs can revolutionize the construction industry by a significant margin. The companies that will implement and adopt them will be able to sustain in the future and will be able to compete with their rivals in a better way.