The construction industry
is data intensive as heterogeneous data are continuously generated as the
project progresses. The data from different stages of the project are usually
stored in silos; team server or desktop, individual desktop, laptops, smartphones,
etc. Data integration is thus required for the overall project coordination
because the inability to access a holistic view of data often leads to wrong
decisions that could delay the project and also impact on performance and
profitability of the project.
The traditional Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT) solution is to acquire high-end capacity
system to store, process and analyse data. Deploying on-site solutions require
a massive overhead (power, cooling, security, availability, updates) which
comes with huge operational cost burden. Therefore, it is impractical to
commission on-site ICT infrastructure for all projects due to the huge initial
investment requirement. Besides, in-house computing provision is static in
capability and usually more expensive to upgrade to meet a sudden upsurge in
computing needs.
Cloud computing can help
alleviate these issues. Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing
services, such as storage, processing power, and software applications, via the
internet. It brings a revolution to the traditional approach of relying solely
on local servers or personal computers, as it allows users to access and
utilize resources and services hosted on remote servers. These servers,
typically managed by a cloud service provider, offer a scalable and flexible
infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of construction businesses.
Common examples of cloud
computing services include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a
Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Each of these services
provides different levels of control and functionality, enabling users to tailor
their cloud computing experience to their specific requirements. From
foundational infrastructure to complete software solutions, cloud computing
offers a wide range of options for contractors. It empowers them to choose the
most suitable approach that aligns with their unique needs and goals.
There's an ever-growing
list of providers of cloud-based solutions tailored to the construction
industry. These companies offer a wide range of solutions from estimating and
takeoffs, to managing contracts, subcontractor and supplier bids, cash flows
and budgets and scheduling. Options range from complete solutions for managing
all aspects of your construction business to individualized services such as
project management or payroll solutions.
By leveraging cloud-based
tools and platforms, construction professionals can streamline their processes,
enhance communication, and drive successful project outcomes. There is not just
one, but a good number of construction-specific benefits of cloud computing for
contractors and real estate business owners. Some of them are detailed as
follows –
High
Accessibility
The most useful feature of
the cloud is that it is accessible from anywhere. This is especially relevant
for construction companies because employees could be in the office one day and
on a job site the next. And for companies with various ongoing projects, the
ability to access paperwork and information without being bound to a desk can
save a lot of time and many trips back to the office.
The ability to pull up the
same data on a smartphone or tablet as is available from a computer is a real
game-changer for construction participants ranging from material suppliers and
contractors to property owners and project managers.
Cost
Saving
Cloud computing offers
construction companies the opportunity to reduce both hardware and software
expenses. By eliminating the need for extensive on-site infrastructure,
significant capital investments can be saved.
Moreover, the reliance on
cloud services allows companies to avoid the purchase and maintenance of
expensive software licenses. Additionally, the maintenance, updates, and
troubleshooting of infrastructure and software are handled by cloud service
providers, alleviating the burden on internal IT teams. Consequently, construction
firms can experience substantial cost savings by outsourcing these
responsibilities.
Enhanced
Collaboration and Communication
The modern construction
professionals not only need to be the best at their job but also be highly
collaborative. Cloud-based platforms enable real-time sharing and access to
project data, fostering collaboration and enhancing decision-making processes.
With the ability for multiple team members to work simultaneously on shared
documents, version control issues and delays become a thing of the past.
Efficient and effective
communication among project stakeholders is achieved through cloud-based
communication tools like instant messaging and video conferencing. Regardless
of their physical location, project managers, architects, contractors, and
clients can easily exchange information, resolve issues, and track project
progress. Instead of using emails, all the project stakeholders can access the
same calendar, make project updates, and schedule meetings by themselves in
real-time.
Improved
Efficiency and Productivity
The foremost advantage of
adopting cloud computing technology is improved efficiency and productivity. In
the past, important worksite information had to be recorded on paper, conveyed
through phone calls or physical meetings, and shared manually through different
channels. This tedious process often led to wasted time, decreased
productivity, and errors due to incorrect transmission of details. In addition,
these costly mistakes resulted in change orders, project delays, and increased
expenses.
With the power of cloud
computing technology, managers and workers can quickly enter, upload and share
vital job data such as measurements, specifications, plans, images, and videos.
It enables seamless collaboration and communication, enabling a more efficient
and connected job site. In addition, this technology makes accessing job data
from anywhere within the organization no longer challenging. The cloud truly
takes jobsite connectivity to the next level.
Competitive
Advantage
A smaller construction
company could find it difficult to compete with the giants of the industry, but
such small companies could get a competitive edge with the help of cloud.
Through cloud computing, even a small firm can achieve enterprise-level of
recovery, management, access, and data storage at a fraction of the cost spent
by bigger enterprises.
Smaller companies apply
strategy and use the cloud which is suitable for their needs. The cloud
pay-per-use feature allows them to pay only for the services and resources
utilized by them. This encourages healthy competition as the cloud services
received by smaller companies are the same as that of bigger companies.
Top-Level
Data Security
Construction companies rely
heavily on storing their plans, blueprints, and project-related files.
Traditionally, physical storage devices like hard drives and paper files have
been used, but they can be vulnerable to damage, theft, and corruption, leading
to data loss. Fortunately, cloud storage provides a secure and accessible
solution, enabling employees to easily back up and sync their data from
anywhere. With cloud storage, construction companies can safeguard their data
and ensure they have access to it whenever they need it, without worrying about
the risks of physical storage devices.
Only the authorized users
are given access to the data saved on the cloud. This adds an extra layer of
safety over it. Most of the cloud service providers make use of data security
methods such as data encryption, intrusion detection, firewalls, etc. to keep
their client's data safe and secure.
Conclusion
The construction industry is slowly embracing cloud computing, taking advantage of many tools to enhance project efficiency. By leveraging cloud-based software, construction firms can streamline their processes and complete their work in a fraction of the time, allowing them to shift their focus to the next project. In addition to boosting efficiency and productivity, cloud technology enables construction organizations to simplify data processing and access unlimited data storage. The future of construction looks promising with the integration of cloud-powered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology, which has the potential to revolutionize the industry.