With the arrival of advanced technologies, many industries are transforming as well as adapting to these technologies. However, the project-centric and relationship-based construction industry are one of the least digitized industries as compared with other industries. Sometimes, a situation occurs in which the on-site workers need the latest information related to the project but it is not available to them. This leads to a waste of time, money, resource, and as a result, the project gets delays. A company’s reputation may get tarnished, due to the project delay. To avoid all of these, it needs a solution that can handle all its tasks and allows employees to access data remotely without being tied to a specific physical location. In this case, cloud computing technology can eliminate these limitations as it is fully accessible from any device like smartphones, computers, iPad, tablets, etc. and can be used from anywhere, anytime. Besides that, the cloud holds data that is accessible to everyone. The employees are always visiting new job sites that are far from their office. Hence, utilization of the cloud supports the workforces of the construction site to connect with everyone and receive any latest updates quickly.
Construction industry embracing into cloud computing
In the construction industry, there are different types of entities that are essential for a project such as architects, engineers, consultants, product manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors. These entities work together to complete their task and they depend on each other. Using cloud technology, construction companies can manage communication with their employees properly, equipment/asset management, and bid/proposal management along with field service. The cloud-based system offers real-time management, remote access i.e. available for 24/7 and unlimited storage. Moreover, the system provides employees with updated data and information which can be uploaded from any device. Here are some of the key benefits of utilizing cloud computing in the construction industry:
1. Connecting employees with other in-house staffs
For performing their business operations, many organizations utilize a centralized office system. But, this is not the case with the construction industry. Even though construction companies have their own offices for business operations such as administration, billing, and payroll, but lots of their activity happens in the outdoors. With the cloud-based system, the contractors can access their email and work files via phones, tablets, and laptops and update the construction status report as well as ask for things needed by the construction workers. While working on a construction site, the on-site worker will be able to connect with their company; this saves time and improves their communication for the successful construction of their project. Furthermore, they can collaborate on plans and documents with the in-house staff present at their company. For example, if the on-site workers are not constructing the building properly or there are some issues related to the blueprint, in that case, the on-site supervisor can communicate with the in-house staff to resolve any issue and update the blueprint of the building.
2. Access to Unlimited Data storage
The construction companies need data storage to save their plans, blueprints, and files related to projects. To store all these data, the companies utilize physical storage devices such as hard disk, paper-files. However, these storage devices may get damage, theft, and may become corrupted; as a result, the data can be lost. But, with cloud storage, data is secure and accessible from anywhere. The cloud storage space allows employees to back up their data and sync all of the data with the other devices. The organization can use public or hybrid cloud storage for saving all their data. It is also possible to shift data from one cloud storage to another. While this increases cloud storage costs, but it is still cheaper than maintaining the data locally on physical drives or files.
3. Faster processing of data stored in the cloud
Typically, the area of the construction site is huge. To construct any building, civil engineers need to plan, design and oversee construction as well as provide maintenance for it. Then, the engineers gather lots of data for processing which is time-consuming and the result of the processed data may get delayed to reach with others. To overcome this problem, the cloud-based system uses various algorithms for fast processing. With all their data stored in the cloud, the system can perform faster data processing as well as make the data available for real-time.
4. Strengthening bonds with Client
Since the construction companies always collaborate with other agencies to get services and products. Therefore, utilizing the cloud saves lots of time from emailing attachments back and forth. Along with that, the cloud allows companies to store and access all information about a client’s project whenever they need it. While communicating with a client, the construction companies can easily pull up their information and pick up where they last left off. The easy management of their project allows the organization an opportunity to build a relationship with the client.
5. Easy customization of the cloud system
Every construction company uses a different strategy to perform its business operations. The construction companies can make personalized data storage and management system according to their business goals. Therefore, cloud management provides construction companies with all the services required for managing their tasks. As a result, companies can focus on their core business operations without having to worry about managing their IT infrastructure.
6. Providing Competitive Edge to Small Companies
As a small construction company, it can be difficult to compete with the construction giants. The cloud provides a competitive edge to small construction companies. The technology of cloud computing gives the chance to be on an enterprise-level of data storage, management, access and recovery at a fraction of the cost that enterprises are spending. The small companies use strategy and utilize the cloud which is suitable to them. Furthermore, the cloud pay-per-use feature allows small companies to pay for the services and resources they use. The cloud services which are provided to the larger construction companies are the same services given to small companies. This enables healthy competition between small and large firms.
Conclusion
The construction industry has slowly started awakening to the cloud computing movement. Besides that, construction has a lot of tools at its disposal to make its projects run more efficiently. With cloud-based software, they can take hours or even days off their process and complete their work quickly to focus on the next project. Moreover, cloud technology aids the organization to reduce costs, match competition, remain flexible, build up client relationships and completely customize their data without extra complication. The future of the construction industry can change further when they started using cloud-powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology.
