Friday, May 17, 2024 
Friday, May 17, 2024
September 15, 2023
A look at the world of Construction Technology – by Arnie Gess, publisher of Construction Links Network
Editorial submission deadline is every Friday a noon. Ideal for news releases, blogs, podcasts, upcoming webinars, case studies, whitepapers and videos. Always free for members – see media kit.
Technology is transforming every aspect of the construction industry, from design and planning to project management and execution. As new tools and techniques continue to emerge, it’s more important than ever for professionals in the field to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. This blog series offers in-depth coverage of the most important developments in construction technology. Whether you’re interested in the latest software platforms, the newest building materials, or the cutting-edge research shaping the future of the industry, you’ll find it all here.
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the construction industry stands at a crossroads of technological transformation. Despite the undeniable advantages that digital solutions offer, a staggering 45% of respondents to a 2022 GlobalData survey identified limited short-term financial gain as a significant barrier to investment in new technology. Despite these challenges, construction technology is advancing to provide more efficient and sustainable solutions for builders and contractors. Get more insights by reading this blog, courtesy of TrueLook Construction Cameras.
Double celebration! ETRO Construction was recently named as one of the SiteNews Top 25 Innovators in Construction list and Procore’s Groundbreak finalist in Workforce Development. These awards celebrate our industry’s boldest achievements and the remarkable people behind them — specifically, the Excellence in Workforce Development celebrates companies who support their employee’s career growth in the construction industry as well as those who work to attract new talent to the industry.
Before you begin working with a new subcontractor, there are several compliance papers you need to collect from them. These subcontractor documents, like proof of insurance and copies of licenses, help reduce risk on construction projects. The documents are often required by the contract with the owner, or the general contractors may be requesting them as per their subcontractor agreement. The goal of collecting them is to ensure that the work will be completed in the manner specified in the contract and to protect the general contractor and owner from potential costs or damages caused by the subcontractor. In this blog, Premier Construction Software will guide you through what subcontractor documents are and let you know which ones you need to collect and track!
Reality capture is propelling construction risk management into an exciting new era, and as the global leader in reality capture and AI-powered analytics, OpenSpace is increasingly recognized by the insurance industry. In fact, OpenSpace just won the PropTech Breakthrough Award for Rental Insurance Product of the Year. Moreover, carriers like AxaXL, Travelers, and Shepherd reward builders for using OpenSpace. You can listen to my talk with Shepherd CEO Justin Levine to hear his perspective on ways the insurance industry is shifting to keep pace with technological innovations like reality capture. Read the blog.
Graham is pleased to announce it has made the list of 25 Innovators in Construction 2023. SiteNews together with Procore established this award to celebrate and shine a spotlight on those companies driving progress in the construction industry. As an employee-owned company our push to innovate, together with our entrepreneurial edge is what moves us forward. We continually examine every part of the business to find better ways to operate.
In honor of the official kickoff month for College Football TrueLook Construction Cameras is taking you on the remarkable journey of the KSU Shamrock Practice Facility – the ultimate indoor practice field located right next to the iconic Bill Snyder Family Stadium! From ground-breaking to game-ready, witness the evolution that powers the Wildcats as they gear up for the start of their college football season! Watch the video.
Common Ground Alliance has released a groundbreaking case study as part of its Next Practices Initiative. Titled “PILOT: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Damages by Providing Ticket-Level Visualizations of Underground Facilities to Designers, Locators and Excavators,” the study introduces the Minnesota Utilities Mapping Project (MUMP). MUMP aims to offer real-time, ticket-level mapped visualizations of underground utilities to accredited professionals, enhancing the efficiency and outcomes of damage prevention systems. The pilot program, led by Gopher State One Call with input from the Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council, addresses the challenge of inaccurate or incomplete underground utility maps, which lead to significant damages. It uses open-source software to connect to GSOC’s ticketing system, providing digital reports of the area of interest in the form of visualized buried facility data. This tool has the potential to revolutionize how stakeholders view underground utility maps.
Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Boliden have entered into a long-term collaboration to implement autonomous transport solutions as a part of Boliden’s operations. The collaboration will cover numerous projects including the deployment of autonomous transport solutions at Boliden’s Garpenberg site in Sweden. V.A.S. and Boliden have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which both companies will collaborate on various projects, the first of which will be the implementation of an autonomous transport solution at Garpenberg that will be used to move rock fill from an on-site quarry.
COMPASS by Bespoke Metrics, a leading prequalification and risk management technology provider, has recently integrated its system with the Procore platform, a prominent construction management software provider. This integration represents a significant achievement in their presence on the Procore App Marketplace, which serves as an online hub for third-party integrations and custom applications in the construction industry. The collaboration aims to enhance risk management and support quality-based contractor selection in construction projects. COMPASS’s prequalification tool will be seamlessly integrated into Procore’s digital workspace, improving precision and user experience during the preconstruction phase. This integration simplifies the process for general contractors to identify and hire prequalified specialty contractors, ultimately saving time.
Jobber, a leading provider of operations management software for home service businesses, recently released its Blue-Collar Report: Gen Z and the Uncertain Future of the Trades. This report, based on a survey of 1,000 young individuals aged 18-20 in the U.S., delves into Gen Z’s perspectives on higher education, trade careers, entrepreneurship, AI, and job security. The report highlights a growing skills gap and labor shortage in essential industries like HVAC, plumbing, lawn care, and more. Despite these needs, attracting young talent, particularly from Gen Z, has been challenging. The study identifies a stigma surrounding blue-collar work, with 74% of respondents believing there’s a bias against vocational schools compared to traditional universities.
ALICE Technologies and Kaizen Institute of America LLC have recently announced a partnership aimed at optimizing scheduling for project and construction industry clients. ALICE Technologies offers a construction optioneering platform powered by generative AI, assisting global general contractors and owners in planning, bidding, and building capital projects more efficiently. They collaborate with select consulting firms, and Kaizen Institute is a key implementation partner. Kaizen Institute, known for Lean and Continuous Improvement Project and Construction Management, operates in over 60 countries. They view ALICE’s platform as essential in addressing scheduling challenges that often lead to project delays and overages. This partnership empowers owners and general contractors to explore various project-building approaches and align schedules with business goals.
Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, Inc. has introduced Vectorworks 2024, a release featuring comprehensive solutions and quality improvements that enhance design processes and creativity for architects, interior designers, landscape architects, lighting designers, and more. Vectorworks 2024 includes Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Design Suite, Fundamentals, ConnectCAD, Braceworks, and Vision. This release focuses on automation, user experience enhancements, and improved performance. It introduces features like Viewport Styles, 3D Dragger for model transformation, and streamlined workflows.
Platform Realty Partners introduces an innovative approach to marketing pre-construction projects in Toronto and Southern Ontario. Recognizing that up to 85% of pre-construction buyers in Canada have English as their second language, Platform aims to reach and engage these multicultural audiences. Founded by Alex Leung and Steve Cicekian, industry leaders in pre-construction marketing, Platform leverages advanced AI and Big Data analysis to strategically position projects for diverse cultures. Each project launch is tailored to create culturally rich marketing experiences, enhancing brand visibility for builders.
EquipmentShare, a construction industry equipment and digital solutions provider, recently concluded an extension of its Series E equity raise, securing an additional $150 million from new and existing investors. This extension brings the total Series E funding for 2022 and 2023 to $440 million. The funding round was led by funds associated with BDT & MSD Partners. EquipmentShare’s CEO and Co-Founder, Jabbok Schlacks, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing construction through technology. The firm’s growth is driven by its innovative rental experience and technology-driven construction solutions. This funding not only attracts new capital but also demonstrates EquipmentShare’s resilience in a challenging economic landscape.
A recent study conducted by Dodge Construction Network (DCN) in partnership with Egnyte reveals that architects, engineers, and contractors are facing a heightened risk environment in the construction industry. Challenges include a shortage of qualified employees, supply chain disruptions, digital transformation pressures, and cybersecurity risks. The study defines “data resilience” as the ability to access project and business documents and data anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Unfortunately, only 39% of professionals in these fields have unimpeded access to their data at least 90% of the time, leading to performance issues such as rework and schedule delays. Cloud-based solutions are seen as beneficial, with 85% of those reporting no issues using the cloud.
Join, a collaborative project delivery platform for the construction industry, has introduced a suite of new features aimed at enhancing communication, transparency, and collaboration among project stakeholders, including contractors, owners, and design teams. These features include schedule impact, contingency management, and project timeline tools, which add to the platform’s existing robust cost-tracking environment. By providing stakeholders with real-time access to crucial project data, Join aims to streamline decision-making processes, optimize budgets, and improve overall project outcomes. This platform is particularly beneficial for general contractors looking to simplify collaboration and standardize decision-making across projects and offices, ultimately helping them win work in a competitive environment.
Lumber, a provider of a workforce management platform for the construction industry, has launched a new Software as a Service (SaaS) product and successfully completed a $5.5 million seed funding round. The platform aims to address the compliance and workforce challenges faced by small to medium-sized construction firms. Lumber’s solutions include an AI chatbot and a platform powered by LLM (Lumber Labor Model) to streamline workforce management. This is particularly important in a heavily regulated industry where labor shortages and diverse workforces can create complexities in areas such as payroll and compliance. The platform integrates data from various systems and project stages, offering a simplified user experience. It aims to modernize an industry that has traditionally lagged behind in adopting technology.
