Technology is fast changing how industries are performing. Although the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technology it is slowly embracing the changes. Companies like Dynatect have gone beyond quality construction equipment. They are known to even offer additional services like way cover repair service today, apart from offering products like a mechanical slip clutch.
The Top Technological Trends of 2018 Related to the Construction Industry
Here is a look at some of the technological trends that are taking place in 2018. Although some of these trends and updates have a few more years before they become effective.
1. Cloud-hosted software.
Everyone interested in the digital world is using cloud hosted software. It is the future of technology. There are many advantages of using cloud hosted software. They include:
In 2017, 80% of construction companies had already integrated cloud-hosted software. The construction industry has been one of the last industries to integrate technology. But with the help of cloud-hosted software, it is taking the industry to the next level.
Cloud-hosted software simply refers to outsourcing your data and storage to a more powerful machine. Before the age of broadband internet, storage was limited to hardware while processing was slow and difficult. Since the introduction of the internet, everything is fast and can be done anywhere.
Benefits of Using Cloud Hosted Software
Whether it be improving collaboration or ensuring that the data remains safe at all times, using a cloud software brings many benefits. Here is a look at some of the major construction technology trends in 2018.
- Powerful data processing. Cloud-hosted software has allowed construction data to be processed and stored on powerful machines. For instance, drones are used to take aerial photographs of a construction job site. And the images taken need to be viewed in an OrthoGraph which is more powerful than a computer. Cloud-hosted software will enable this to happen with ease.
- Connect Job Sites. Cloud-hosted software can help contractors link to job sites from any part of the world. Moreover, they can give you a view of a job site no matter where you are.
- Data storage Data is very important for any company. Before the dawn of the internet, data was stored on hard disks which made it prone to loss, damage and insecurity. However, with cloud-hosted software, you can store unlimited data which you are able to access anywhere in the world. Moreover, it is highly secure.
- Sharing data. A construction project is bound to have many shareholders. With the help of cloud-hosted software, it is possible to share data with investors.
2. Drones (Unmanned Aerial View)
Drone technology is the latest form of technology which the construction industry has taken an interest in. The following are some of the benefits of using drones.
- Building surveys. Drones are used to access areas that are impossible to reach. For instance, the roof might be tricky to get to. Instead of using a ladder a drone can be used to survey the condition of the roof. This, in the long run, will save time.
- Inspect the construction site. Sometimes doing an inspection at a construction site can be difficult and at the same time dangerous. There are areas that end up being inaccessible. A drone can be used in this case to record the state of the construction site. Videos and the photographs taken can be shared easily with stakeholders and other relevant workers.
- Helps to ensure safety. Drones can be used to access areas which are prone to hazards. Moreover, contractors can use drones to show construction workers the areas that are health hazards.
- Promotional photography. In this day and age of social media, photographs can tell a lot about an individual or a business. Construction companies have undertaken the use of drones to take high-quality photographs that they can post on their social media accounts.
In the long run, the photographs can promote their company. Moreover, it is an easy way of capturing the overall size of the site in a few minutes.
3. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is not only used in the gaming industry but also in the construction industry.
Virtual reality is used to help visualise a building project. This is especially for newly proposed projects. It can help increase the confidence of the contractor and the owner of the project.
There is also the concept of augmented virtual reality. It is similar to virtual reality but it provides a bit more information about the building project. A contractor is able to visualise a project by bringing it to life with all the relevant features it needs.
With the right software and the right equipment, you can do a whole lot more than you can imagine. Improve your productivity and do more with your construction business. It all starts today!
