The construction industry has been notoriously slow to adopt many forms of digital technology. This is partly down to the cost of implementing such tech, however it’s also partly due to the lack of portability and usability of such tech on a construction site. 

Cloud technology combined with global wireless internet connection and smartphone evolution has solved this latter issue. Huge amounts of data can now be stored on the cloud and accessed from anywhere using an app on a smartphone. This has many benefits within construction – including benefits for clients, project managers and their workers. The following post delves into some of these advantages.

Cloud-based field service software can be useful for keeping communication with field service workers. Using an app on a phone or device, you can call or message workers with important information throughout the day – whether you’re on the construction site or not. Some apps even allow workers to share their GPS location, so that you can monitor where they are. This could be useful for checking where a worker is on a large construction site or for simply checking that a worker has turned up to a job that you are not present at without having to call them.

Clients, project managers and workers all deserve to have ready access to architects’ drawings. Using the cloud, such drawings can easily be shared with these people where they can be digitally viewed on a phone/tablet from any location. Such drawings could include basic floor plans or detailed drawings of specific parts. Using the cloud, it’s also possible to edit drawings in real time if necessary and share these with workers if you need to make last minute adjustments. This reduces the risk of old drawings accidentally being used instead of new drawings. Storing drawings digitally on the cloud also has the advantage of reducing paper consumption as physical copies of everything no longer have to be printed.

It’s not just drawings that can be stored on the cloud, but various useful documents. When it comes to employee documents, having all of this accessible on an app could be very useful for your workers. For example, employee handbooks explaining how to use certain tools or how to carry out certain health and safety protocols can be stored digitally on an app. Having a readily accessible handbook on one’s phone can prevent your workers from having to ask superiors for help, as well as reducing errors as a result of uncertainty. It’s also much better than providing a physical handbook, which can be easily damaged and may have to be shared among multiple employees. Other employee documents that can be shared via the cloud include employment contracts, payslips and rotas. 

Work schedules can also be shared with workers using the cloud. This allows workers to check exactly which tasks they have been set on each day. You can provide as much information as you need to on each task – including any notes from clients or architects. These digital work schedules can help your team to be much more organised by making it clear as to what each worker should be doing without having to ask a supervisor. If you have various workers doing work on various sites, it could be particularly useful for delegating tasks. 

Workers can also use the cloud to share information on their progress throughout each day. This could include providing a short written once each task has been completed through an app or even sharing photos to show progress on each task. Project managers and clients can then access these progress reports and photos and get a good idea as to exactly what stage each part of construction is at. This can prevent clients and project managers having to constantly inspect everything manually. It can also enable better forward planning when it comes to knowing which dates to order supplies by, when to bring in extra helping hands with certain tasks or when to find new work for workers who are ahead of schedule. 

Using the cloud, it’s also possible to report problems in real time. If a project manager is not on site, they can be made aware of any urgent problems with equipment or supplies, allowing them to respond without any delay. Cloud-based apps can also make it possible to file complaints privately with managers – which could include complaints they have with other staff members. Managers can meanwhile provide private feedback through these apps.

The cloud can also play a part in helping to secure your construction site when you and your workers are not there. Alarms can be set up around construction sites that can send alert messages to you if triggered. Video surveillance footage can also be captured of your construction site, which can be accessed in real time by recording live video footage on the cloud. Some security systems can even have intercoms fitted, which you can remotely operate using an cloud-based app on your phone if you need to remotely allow access to someone. This page delves more into cloud based construction security systems. 

Just like cars, many forms of construction machinery are starting to integrate computers more heavily. OBD systems are being fitted into equipment like bulldozers and cranes that can help to measure engine performance and fuel consumption. These metrics can be remotely accessed in real time on the cloud so that you can constantly monitor the health of your machinery. Alerts can even be sent to you if a fault is detected, so that you can organise repairs as soon as possible. Things like safety and fuel economy may also be possible to improve by monitoring metrics. 

You can also use cloud-based apps to handle tasks like your employee payroll. This allows you to pay employees from any location – which could be useful if you need to be doing other tasks around the site. It’s also possible to use the cloud to instantly share invoices with clients. You may even be able to edit invoices if new costs have to be accounted for.

It doesn’t take much effort for construction companies to embrace the cloud. Cloud services are easy to use and you often don’t need any additional hardware – employees and clients can simply download necessary apps onto their personal phones. Some construction companies supply work devices for their workers to use, but you don’t necessarily have to do this. Many cloud-based business apps do require paying a subscription, but there are some that are free which may allow you to explore some of the limited benefits of the cloud. All in all, it’s worth doing some research to find out what apps and cloud services are out there and within your budget.