A look at the world of Construction Technology – by Arnie Gess, publisher of Construction Links Network.

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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.

ISO and ASTM introduce the ISO/ASTM 52939:2023 standard, focusing on quality assurance for additive construction (AC) in building projects utilizing additive manufacturing techniques. Notably, it’s applicable to cementitious and polymeric materials but excludes metals. This standard outlines criteria, processes, and sequences within an AC site or project. With construction challenges like labor shortages, waste, and environmental impacts, this standard addresses the rising global construction demand by ensuring high-quality, sustainable, and efficient additively manufactured structures. It’s comprehensive, technology-agnostic, and crucial for achieving certification and risk mitigation in additive construction, covering various construction types for residential and commercial applications but not including certain safety and design aspects currently.

Aedo Inc., specializing in construction data solutions, recently joined the Procore App Marketplace, a hub for construction management software. This collaboration aims to align Procore users’ technology and data with business goals. Kris Lengieza, Procore’s VP of Global Partnerships, anticipates significant value from merging Procore’s platform with Aedo’s expertise for impactful insights. CEO Chris Ovens emphasizes enhancing data-driven construction evolution. Together, they’ll empower Procore’s customers by optimizing data usage, dismantling silos, and facilitating precise decision-making, affirming a dedication to elevating customer service through tailored technology.

SmartPM Technologies, a leader in construction schedule analytics, achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, underscoring its dedication to data security and reliability. ISO 27001, a globally recognized standard, outlines requirements for Information Security Management Systems. SmartPM’s CTO, Rohit Sinha, highlighted the significance of safeguarding customer data in today’s digital landscape. Sensiba LLP audited and certified SmartPM’s ISMS against ISO 27001, reinforcing its commitment to secure data for customers and stakeholders. This certification, coupled with their SOC 2 Type II compliance, showcases SmartPM’s commitment to data integrity and privacy through regular audits and maintaining top-tier security standards.

Specialty Building Products (SBP) and TOOLBX, the premier eCommerce platform for independent building supply dealers, recently partnered to fortify SBP dealers’ online presence and operational efficiency. The collaboration grants SBP’s dealer network access to TOOLBX’s digital LBM platform, ensuring synchronized product data for accurate listings, bolstering customer engagement with online ordering and quote tools, and streamlining operations through ERP integration. This initiative aims to uplift dealers’ eCommerce success, addressing the low eCommerce penetration among LBM dealers, providing a comprehensive digital solution for transformative business impacts.

Brickeye, a construction technology leader, introduced the Performance-Based Temperature Differential Limit (PBTDL) to their LumiCon® Concrete Monitoring solution. PBTDL offers real-time analytics for mass concrete projects, refining the temperature differential limit based on concrete strength. By monitoring maximum temperature and differentials, this method increases allowable differentials while ensuring safety. Employing rugged IoT-enabled sensors, stakeholders access live data remotely, enhancing quality control without onsite assessments. This innovative approach enables proactive quality control and operational management for contractors. Endorsed by engineering firms and governments, it optimizes infrastructure projects by offering precise insights into concrete properties. Brickeye pioneers this method, driving global adoption in mass concrete projects, aiming to elevate construction productivity and quality.

Machinery Partner secured $8M in Series A financing, led by Armory Square Ventures and backed by Pritzker Group, RiverPark Ventures, Contour Venture Partners, Pacific Western Bank, and previous investors. Aimed at expanding nationwide, the funding targets facilitating heavy equipment sales to construction, agriculture, and recycling sectors. The company revolutionizes heavy machinery procurement, operating as a B2B marketplace that sells, finances, and supports industrial equipment, already spanning 35 U.S. states and planning international expansion. CEO Clement Cazalot emphasizes Machinery Partner’s commitment to assisting builders with innovative, cost-effective equipment. By bridging manufacturers and buyers, the company makes specialized machinery accessible and affordable, fostering business growth amidst the $580 billion global heavy equipment industry. Machinery Partner’s progress echoes high-growth marketplaces in rapidly transforming industries, catering to infrastructure demands while aiding smaller builders in business expansion and local development.

Planera introduced its Risk Analysis Tool, integrated into its CPM scheduling solution, aiming to assist California Engineering Contractors (CEC) in evaluating and mitigating schedule risks for large projects such as the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge restoration and BART Transbay Tube Retrofit. This innovation fills a void in construction, allowing contractors to simulate risks, crucial amid recent economic challenges. CEC President Wahid Tadros highlighted its impact on project visibility and the tool’s ability to predict issues via thousands of simulations, preventing substantial financial losses. Planera’s tool addresses a critical need for accurate risk assessment in construction, enabling better bidding, timely project completion, and cost management. The tool supports adjustments to project timelines based on varying confidence levels, empowering construction professionals to refine schedules and minimize disruptions throughout projects.

SkillHero’s Career Explorer module expansion caters to early career candidates in skilled trades, providing a well-crafted, comprehensive digital library of insights into diverse career paths. Detailed information on 35 trades and 245 trade specialties in Construction and Manufacturing empowers members to establish a strong foundation for their professional journey. Accompanying the Career Explorer is Skill Central, housing a database mapping over 7,000 skills across trades and career paths, aiding individuals and employers in skill identification and development. This structured module supports career progressions, starting from Pre-Apprentice to Journeyman mastery, encompassing Trade Foundation, Physical, Tools & Equipment, and Technical skills, along with Employability and Health & Safety core skills, backed by SkillHero’s collaboration with CareerSafe. Particularly beneficial for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Career Explorer module complies with federal and state educational mandates, aligning seamlessly with secondary CTE curriculum standards.

ProjectTeam, Inc., a leading construction management solutions provider, recently obtained Authority to Operate (ATO) from the Department of Interior for its government-specific platform, ProjectTeam.com. This ATO, part of ProjectTeam’s FedRAMP journey, validates its adherence to stringent security standards, positioning it as a trusted partner for federal construction projects. ProjectTeam.com offers streamlined project management tools, enhanced data security, transparency, improved communication, and customizable solutions. This milestone underscores ProjectTeam’s commitment to innovation and excellence, furthering its status as an industry leader in cloud-based construction management solutions.

PlanRadar, a premier digital field management platform in construction and real estate, released findings demonstrating how digital solutions can significantly enhance claims management on construction projects. Construction disputes, a pervasive issue in North America, drain resources and cost firms millions annually. Stakeholders routinely confront conflicts from scope changes, mismatched expectations, delays, and defective work, causing project delays up to 30% and averaging 11% of the project’s total budget for remedial action. Documented causes include incomplete records, improper scheduling, and coordination issues, compounded by excessive documentation and communication barriers. PlanRadar emphasizes proactive issue management through defining work scopes, effective communication, and comprehensive documentation, advocating digitization to prevent and handle problems. PlanRadar’s tools facilitate plan tracking, deadline monitoring, and communication trails, aiming to preempt disputes.

Edify.ai selected Domo’s data experience platform to enhance safety insights for high-risk industries like construction and mining. Edify’s collaboration with major construction programs empowers swift access to frontline safety data, enabling informed decisions that curtail workplace injuries. Previously struggling to streamline disparate data sources, Edify leveraged Domo to swiftly create customizable dashboards, transforming complex data into understandable insights for clients. CEO Cory Linton emphasized Domo’s pivotal role, enabling superior functionality and faster implementation, superseding internal development costs. Edify’s utilization of Domo Everywhere and Domo.AI elevates data accessibility, offering visualizations and conversational AI to provide instant worksite insights.

Corscale plans to utilize Doxel’s AI-powered construction progress tracking to expedite and optimize upcoming data center construction, aiming to boost efficiency and reduce waste. Chief Technology Officer Nic Bustamante highlights Corscale’s commitment to industry-leading initiatives, emphasizing Doxel’s role in accelerating construction schedules and hastening the delivery of critical data centers. The collaboration signifies Doxel and Corscale’s joint mission to revolutionize data center construction, aligning with Corscale’s dedication to innovative construction and sustainability practices. This partnership reflects Corscale’s proactive stance on technological advancements, leveraging AI to meet rising data center demands while pioneering intelligent, sustainable, and efficient construction methods.