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

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.

Graham Construction is currently in year two of an initiative to create a new data platform aimed at transforming data into an enterprise-level asset that will improve the company’s efficiency and deliver better outcomes for project owners. “Data is a by-product of the business process,” explains Annette Cooper, Director of Data and Analytics in Graham’s IT and Enterprise Applications Department. “Because data is everywhere and growing so quickly, you have to figure out what’s important and then figure out what to do with what’s important. To really understand what’s driving productivity, what’s driving safety, you need data from multiple sources, make sure it’s all correct, and make sense of it.” Read the article here.

Procore Technologies, a leading global provider of construction management software, has announced two leadership appointments, effective May 8. After four years as chief financial officer (CFO) and treasurer at Procore, Paul Lyandres is stepping into the newly-created president of fintech role to lead the Fintech organization at Procore. After two years as Procore’s senior vice president (SVP) of finance, Howard Fu is assuming the role of CFO and treasurer and will oversee Procore’s global finance organization.

Every journey needs a roadmap to take it from start to finish. This couldn’t be more true in construction, except that a project’s journey typically requires an entire atlas: a collection of drawings for every stage. But, keeping that collection organized, up-to-date, and accessible is a serious challenge. And, the more folks who need the drawings, the more confusing it gets. This blog by Premier Construction Software discusses 5 features to look for in drawing management.

The construction industry has always been known for innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in advanced building materials that can offer improved performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This article by OnTraccr Technologies takes a closer look at some of the top advanced building materials that are trending across the construction industry in 2023 and share some strategies on how contractors can start incorporating such advanced materials into their projects today.

The Liberation Pavilion is the final installment in the expansion of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. Expressions of America will be a permanent event at The National World War II Museum, starting Veterans Day 2022 and consisting of a nighttime sound and light experience immersing audiences in reflections of World War II veterans. MAPP, LLC was selected as the general contractor for this monumental project. This blog by TrueLook Construction Cameras discusses the project and why MAPP’s Director of Technology, Clayton Samson, conducted an in-depth evaluation of the construction camera solutions available on the market.

Procore Technologies recently announced a new integration App with Plans4Less, the premiere blueprint platform for ordering and shipping plans nationwide. The new integration & App provides the Procore user with the ability to use Plans4Less, via the new Plans4Less App, to order and ship hard copy blueprints through an embedded experience within their Procore account.

SmartEquip, a leading provider of equipment service and parts procurement solutions, recently announced the addition of Kiloutou Germany, a major subsidiary of Europe’s third-largest generalist equipment rental company, Kiloutou Group, to its global network. Kiloutou Group has been a leader in the equipment rental industry for over 40 years, combining economic performance with environmental and human values to deliver the most innovative solutions to a diverse customer base. With the addition of Kiloutou Germany, SmartEquip continues to strengthen its presence in the European market, supporting the largest construction equipment rental companies worldwide, including United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Aktio, Loxam, and Herc, alongside approximately 100 rental fleets and over 650 suppliers across North America, Europe, and Japan.

The Structural Health Monitoring Market is revolutionizing the way we ensure the safety and longevity of our infrastructure. This rapidly expanding market is driven by the increasing demand for real-time monitoring and maintenance of critical structures such as bridges, buildings, and pipelines. SHM technologies, including sensors, data acquisition systems, and analytical software, enable continuous monitoring of structural integrity, detecting defects, and predicting potential failures. The global structural health monitoring market size was valued at $1,674.0 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $3,815.1 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 14.5% from 2020 to 2027.

The BuildClub is a Silicon Valley startup that offers same-day, on-site delivery of building materials – 7 days a week. Leveraging AI and Machine Learning technology, The BuildClub provides a disruptive alternative to home improvement stores and wholesale warehouses. The Company is currently operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada, and has grown 258% in 2022. BuildClub has recently expanded their service to the Boston area.

ZenTek Consultants, a leading consulting firm that provides services and training for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction companies, recently opened a subsidiary in Canada, ZenTek Consultants CA, ULC. Headquartered in Nova Scotia, this fully authorized Canadian company extends the capabilities of ZenTek to help Canadian firms and government agencies become more productive with the design and construction software they use.

The construction industry is one of the oldest industries in the world, and it has been slow to adopt new technologies. However, the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing that. IoT has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by improving safety, reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and enabling real-time monitoring of construction sites. In this blog, we will explore how IoT is being used in the construction industry and its potential benefits.

Since building project owners fund, own and operate the completed assets, they can have a major influence on driving key project delivery trends in the construction industry. A new Dodge Construction Network study of large organizations (with annual construction projects totaling $100M or more) reveals that these owners are rapidly embracing digital tools and processes and are increasingly requiring their project teams to use them throughout design and construction.

PermitFlow, a San Jose-based startup developing software for developers and general contractors to streamline the construction permit application and management process, secured $5.5 million in seed funding. PermitFlow was founded in 2021 by Samuel Lam and Francis Thumpasery, who worked previously with deep workflow software and construction. They designed the company to provide the $1.6 trillion construction market with permitting intelligence and software automation.