People in the construction industry can be understandably wary of IT products. This isn’t because they don’t see the benefits of using IT systems. In fact, they have probably been sold an IT product by a vendor who didn’t understand their business challenges and they were left holding the bag. In the construction industry, a delay can cost a lot of money. Nothing causes delays like an IT system that doesn’t work as intended.
It’s unfortunate because the IT industry can offer products that will make business more efficient for someone in construction. We’ve put together five examples of ways we believe IT can revolutionise the construction industry.
1. Automation
IT systems that can automate most paperwork and administrative tasks already exist and are very user friendly. This means that if someone new starts at the company, it is just a case of showing them the system rather than ensuring they are familiar with every piece of paper they may need to complete.
2. Collaboration
IT systems can offer a collaborative space where important information, such as building plans and resourcing sheets, can be shared immediately. By using these tools, the construction industry can work with stakeholders around the world but still stay in touch and keep projects to the agreed upon timeframe.
3. Accessibility
Workers need timely access to their tools and equipment so that they are able to complete work to the deadlines required. Inventory, including machinery and manpower, can be a real headache to manage on busy work sites. By taking that information online and using specialised software, it can be made accessible on mobile devices such as iPads. This can make it a lot easier for the supervisor at a site to know what should be there and where it can be found.
4. Project Management
For busy management in the construction industry, getting a bird’s eye view of their active building projects seems like a pipe dream. With the right solution, they can have access to robust project management tools that will give them just that. They can see exactly what state a project is currently in, if it is facing delay and what those delays are. This can automate a task that would have previously required a full time employee to achieve.
5. Staff Management
If a construction company is big enough, it might have its own HR department. Some don’t or choose to outsource. Staff management solutions are more than just payroll and tracking medical certificates. A manager might use staff management tools to track and allocate people to worksites according to a set budget. They can also get an overview of any professional certifications that might be expiring and remind the staff member to get them renewed.
The right IT service provider can change your business for the better. The five examples we’ve listed are just that, examples. If you have a problem that we haven’t covered, we can still help. Contact us today on 1300 823 226 and start revolutionising your business.
