How Technology is Helping Restructure Construction Businesses
07/10/2020
As 2020 progresses, the construction sector has been adapting in several ways.
Construction sites have increased hygiene measures, staggered work schedules, dealt with absenteeism, and juggled supply chain disruption.
Construction Connect highlights some of the ways in which technology is helping construction businesses during this time:
How Technology Addresses – Labor Shortages
The skilled labor shortage is already an ongoing issue within the construction industry. Technology solutions can help bridge the gap:
– Drones can be used to monitor and inspect in place of workers. Instead of relying on inspectors to personally walk through a site and come into close contact with other workers.
– Robots have already been used in many factories, but they can also aid those in construction job sites. Robots can be used to perform repetitive tasks such as bricklaying to reduce the number of workers required on-site.
– Autonomous heavy equipment can navigate a construction site on its own, without requiring a human driver. Some equipment can also perform jobs on-site.
– Enterprise resource planning system (ERP) consolidates different functions like accounting, job costing, human resources, and inventory management into one single platform and reduces redundant data entry operations.
– Automated workflow tools can increase worker efficiency, enabling routine processes to flow automatically and thus reducing the number of workers required to run daily operations both on and off-site.
How Technology Addresses – Worker Safety
For any workers who must be on-site, safety is paramount. And as businesses create safety plans, technology can help:
– Document imaging reduces the need for physical paper in a workspace and keeps workers safer by reducing the need to exchange and touch physical documents that are difficult to sanitize.
– Wearables monitor the health of workers, sending a signal immediately if someone begins displaying fever symptoms. Additionally, they help workers to follow the safety guidelines in place and to keep their personal protective equipment on.
– Hygiene technology is now commonplace in medical facilities, but some can be used in construction businesses as well. For example, there are robots that use UV disinfection methodologies to destroy microorganisms or gadgets that monitor worker hand-washing.
– Video conferencing enables teams to connect remotely. In-person meetings will always be needed, but video conferencing offers a solution to connect in real-time to address issues critical for businesses.
How Technology Addresses – Material Shortage
Material shortages mean delayed projects and higher budgets. Construction businesses may need to consider new solutions.
– 3D printing has been on the rise in construction and can be used to manufacture components in short supply.
– Recycled concrete is an eco-friendly option for construction.
– Carbon fiber is a strong material that can be used for new purposes.
These technologies allow construction companies to operate with fewer employees as well as keep those working on-site safe.
At St. Cloud Window, we’re using available technologies to ensure the safety of our employees and customers and to support the needs of the industries and businesses we serve.