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

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Discover the latest in construction innovation with Construction Links Network’s weekly Construction Technology Blog—your go-to source for insights on how tech is transforming the industry. Each week, we explore cutting-edge tools, software, materials, and trends shaping design, planning, project management, and on-site execution. Whether you’re a contractor, engineer, or industry leader, our blog delivers timely updates and expert perspectives to keep you informed and ahead in the fast-evolving world of construction technology.

Slabstack, a CRM and sales intelligence platform for concrete and heavy building material suppliers, has appointed Matthew Jetmore as its new Vice President of Strategy. Jetmore’s background uniquely blends hands-on production experience with enterprise software leadership, having held key roles at Integra Software, Prairie Materials, and Lauren Concrete. Known for transforming quoting workflows and implementing data-driven pricing strategies, Jetmore now brings his operational insights to Slabstack. The platform is designed to replace outdated tools and manual spreadsheets with real-time dispatch integration, dynamic pricing, and margin controls—boosting profitability by over 50% for building materials suppliers. CEO Aymeric Halvarsson praised Jetmore’s rare combination of field and tech expertise, stating it will accelerate Slabstack’s mission to empower sales teams with simple, profit-focused tools. Jetmore will focus on driving implementation success, speeding up time-to-value, and influencing product development as Slabstack expands into aggregates, asphalt, and other underserved verticals.

Trade Hounds, the largest social marketplace for skilled trades in the U.S., has partnered with fintech leader Momnt to offer seamless, real-time financing solutions directly to contractors and their customers. This collaboration empowers tradespeople to provide flexible loan options – up to $75,000 at the point of sale, helping close the affordability gap that often leads homeowners to reject projects. A recent survey showed that 65% of Trade Hounds users say customers frequently decline jobs due to cost. With extreme weather events and rising temperatures expected this summer, the partnership comes at a critical time for urgent home repairs and infrastructure upgrades. Momnt’s fully digital, mobile-first platform enables instant financing prequalification with no impact on credit, same-day ACH payments, and contractor-controlled funding.

Handoff, the AI assistant built for residential construction contractors, has secured $5.8 million in strategic funding from Nemetschek Group, Masco Corporation, and existing backers like Y Combinator and Greycroft. Trusted by over 10,000 active users managing $6 billion in projects annually, Handoff simplifies estimating, project management, and payments for small and mid-sized contractors underserved by traditional construction software. The platform uses AI trained on industry-specific workflows and terminology to automate tasks, generate real-time localized estimates, and reduce overhead. Backed by major players like Bluebeam (Nemetschek) and Masco (Behr, Delta), Handoff will use the new funding to expand its features into materials ordering and financial management. In a market challenged by inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, Handoff’s goal is clear: empower contractors, improve project transparency, and help make residential construction more efficient and affordable for all including homeowners navigating rebuilds after disasters.

Google Canada has launched a $13 million AI Opportunity Fund to support AI skills training for over two million Canadians, helping prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy. The funding will benefit four organizations: the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, First Nations Technology Council, Skills for Change, and the Toronto Public Library, each focused on delivering inclusive, community-based AI training programs. From post-secondary students and Indigenous communities to unemployed individuals and public library users, the initiative addresses Canada’s growing AI skills gap. Google’s announcement comes amid projections that generative AI could boost the Canadian economy by $230 billion and save workers over 175 hours annually, according to a Public First report.

OpenSpace, the global leader in 360° reality capture, has launched OpenSpace Progress Tracking, a new milestone-based solution powered by Disperse. This tool helps construction teams monitor jobsite progress with greater speed and accuracy by combining AI-powered visuals with expert-verified insights. By capturing 25,000 sq. ft. of site data in just 10 minutes and linking imagery to project plans or BIM models, teams can validate work-in-place, spot schedule risks early, and deliver clear progress updates to stakeholders. With over 700 visual components tracked across 200+ tasks, the system enables precise reporting and coordination by phase, trade, or entire project. Integrated with leading scheduling platforms like P6 and Microsoft Project, it empowers early detection of productivity issues – sometimes as early as 10% completion – helping to avoid costly delays and overruns. This new offering is available as an add-on to OpenSpace Capture subscriptions, with pricing based on project scope.

BCMI Corp. and XBE, two leading technology providers in the heavy construction materials industry, have announced a strategic merger, forming the most comprehensive software platform in the sector. This unified, AI-enabled, cloud-native solution will serve producers across ready mixed concrete, asphalt, aggregates, cement, and heavy logistics—delivering integrated tools for dispatch, production, logistics, and customer experience. By combining their expertise, product suites (including BCMI Ready-Mix Dispatch, Material Pro, and XBE), and strong customer relationships, the merged company aims to accelerate innovation and deliver faster, higher-value solutions to materials producers with multi-line operations. Craig Yeack will continue as President of BCMI, while XBE Founder Sean Devine will serve as CEO of the new entity.

Sika has made a strategic investment in Giatec™ Scientific Inc., a Canadian leader in AI-powered digital concrete technology. Giatec’s smart sensors, software, and data analytics help optimize concrete quality, durability, and sustainability throughout the construction lifecycle. This partnership aligns with Sika’s digital strategy, enhancing its ability to deliver data-driven solutions that improve efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint in concrete production. By combining Giatec’s AI-based mix optimization with Sika’s advanced admixtures, producers can reduce overdesign in concrete mixes—cutting material use, saving costs, and lowering CO₂ emissions. The collaboration supports the industry’s shift toward smarter, greener construction by integrating intelligent monitoring and predictive tools across projects.

Computer Guidance Corporation has announced that J.F. Brennan Company, a leading U.S. marine construction firm, has successfully integrated its eCMS Construction Cloud ERP with Autodesk Build to streamline project management and accounting operations. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Brennan faced challenges from disconnected systems—such as manual data entry, duplicate records, and limited visibility into project costs. With support from implementation partner INRS, Brennan now benefits from real-time, bi-directional data sharing between field and office teams, improving communication, data accuracy, and operational efficiency. This integration eliminates redundant processes and enables faster, data-driven decisions across departments. “Connecting our accounting and project management systems was a critical step forward,” said Brennan CIO Ann Boland. By aligning Autodesk Build with eCMS ERP, Brennan has created a unified, scalable platform to support high-quality project delivery, enhanced collaboration, and greater transparency into job performance and financials.