Even in its simplest form, technology can be a universal enabler, helping construction businesses to grow from strength to strength
The question is, how can you make digital workflows work for you?
Sophie Lynch, SMB account manager at Trimble, explores some of the common obstacles to technology adoption and how you can use it to your advantage.
All too often, digital platforms and software packages can be viewed as a luxury by SMEs, being either too expensive or too disruptive for anyone without a dedicated IT department.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case. After all, why should technology be reserved solely for the big players in construction or the Tier 1 contractors?
What is standing in the way?
While technology has changed the way we tackle many other aspects of our life, there is still nervousness around adopting digital workflows within the construction industry.
It’s easy to see why, especially if paper and pen-based workflows have been the norm throughout your working life.
Cost and budget restraints can result in smaller businesses being less likely to try new technologies due to uncertainties around return on investment. It’s also about how you choose to embed that as a company, another potentially daunting process. Often, SMEs may not employ a lot of their own people, instead using subcontractors. This means they’ll be relying on others to join the technology journey, download a certain app or fill out regular digital forms; all of which can be intimidating.
However, with the right support, guidance and training, all these obstacles can be easily overcome. Communication is key. If teams know why you’re doing something and understand what the impact will be–that you’re trying to grow your business, win more work, gain more opportunities–they’re going to be happier to get involved.
How to make tech work for you
It’s important to first start with a clear business goal. After all, there is little value in implementing digital workflows without knowing what you are looking to“fix”.It’s important to understand what your needs, pain points and problem areas are.
For example, where are you losing money? Where are you losing time? Where are you losing reputation? From there, you can really narrow the software search.
Growing your business from strength to strength
Technology can be crucial for SMEs to reach their goals. This is especially the case within construction, where margins can be thin, projects complex and timelines tight. The right tech can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
Think how much time you spend chasing up documents or drawings; scrolling through email threads or message chats to verify approvals and revisions; or phone calls and site visits to check on project progress. With the right technology, everyone can benefit from enhanced productivity and efficiency gains, freeing up time to do what you do best–rather than chasing up admin.
Take snagging as an example. With digital tools, it’s easy to use a phone or tablet to load up the model or drawing, highlight the problem area, attach a photo, tag users and track the process through until completion.
It’s clear that technology isn’t going anywhere, if anything it’s going to become more common. By taking advantage, SMEs can grow their business from strength to strength, with less time spent on admin tasks and more scope to work on larger projects.
Trimble
It’s no secret that SMEs will be wearing a lot of different hats, from project manager to accountant to head of procurement. This means there can be little time left in the day to think about digital technology, which is a real shame, as technology could help make the workload lighter.
Trimble ProjectSight has been developed specifically with SMEs in mind, placing powerful yet user-friendly project management into everyone’s hands.
Historically, many companies (especially small and mid-sized operations) may have viewed digital project management tools as
out of reach due to the cost or complexity. Trimble’s ProjectSight solution removes these barriers, offering a scalable solution that combines powerful data handling with an intuitive user interface.
A centralised, cloud-based construction project management solution, ProjectSight has been specifically localised to help meet European compliance and workflow requirements. Providing a real-time environment for capturing, organising and sharing critical project data, including drawings, requests for information (RFIs), submittals and project photos, ProjectSight is designed to enable collaboration without complexity. By simplifying the user experience, Trimble aims to ensure that “powerful” no longer means “inaccessible.”
Incorporating AI-enabled features, ProjectSight helps to automate repetitive tasks and increase accuracy. For example, intelligent tools such as an embedded help chatbot can streamline data entry.
Additional updates based on pilot programs include voice input for action cards and intelligent suggestions for team lists, allowing contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers and project owners to spend less time on administration and more time on building.
ProjectSight is designed to empower construction businesses of any size to do their jobs faster, better and more easily from day one. It meets construction professionals where they are–powerful enough for project managers, yet simple enough for the field team.
To learn more about Trimble, click here.
*Please note, this is a commercial profile.
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