Construction management software is starting to look a lot different. It remains to be seen what the full extent of the impact will be, but business in every industry is being shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. With technology converging in new ways to support collaboration, there is a lot of work being done to connect workflows across the jobsite so people can work safely.
In addition to improved collaboration, construction leaders are looking to data-driven software solutions to help build a flexible foundation for scaling their businesses. Being able to proactively plan gives an operation more stability as well as provides a competitive edge. There are three fundamental shifts or steps that need to happen in any construction operation to successfully pivot to the new environment.
Three-Step Process to Connecting Your Operation
One of the most accessible technology strategies that can be implemented across a jobsite to maximize productivity is mixed-fleet telematics integrated with construction management and productivity software. As asset-tracking has evolved, construction leaders have turned to independent software providers for comprehensive solutions that incorporate telematics data from all types of equipment models and brands. Once implemented, the real value of this technology comes to light as it can significantly impact an operation’s bottom line, while setting a foundation for what’s coming in construction management software.
Step One | Minimize Downtime
Predicting downtime and proactively managing maintenance schedules enables you to be better equipped to weather any unexpected repairs that may come up. With more control and better visibility of your fleet’s health and status you’ll be able to make informed decisions, rather than feeling caught off-guard by routine downtime.
Equipment Maintenance Scheduling
Understanding when planned equipment maintenance should be scheduled, based on the actual usage of an asset keeps equipment running reliably and reduces unplanned outages. When an asset does break down, real-time intelligence gives you the ability to locate the asset and schedule it for service immediately. At the same time you can also locate the nearest available asset to send in its place, minimizing unexpected downtime.
Virtual Collaboration and Remote Equipment Service
Augmented reality solutions enable construction operations managers to minimize downtime by reducing unnecessary travel, avoiding repeat visits, expanding training and improving collaboration for their service technicians when it comes to equipment maintenance and repairs. Using augmented reality technology, experts can provide visual guidance through markups and text instructions that are blended with the real world equipment being serviced in the field.
Step Two | Get the Most out of Every Engine Hour
Construction projects combine the efforts of both heavy equipment and vehicle fleets and count on the effective use of both to maximize uptime.
Focus on the Uptime
Construction equipment telematics data can indicate when an asset is no longer in use and available for deployment to another site, and vehicle telematics data can help determine the closest available transport vehicle to move it. Waiting on equipment to start a task can negatively impact your project schedule. Telematics data ensures that your equipment is in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing with the right people assigned to it.
Manage and Predict Your Cost
For any construction project, schedule and cost are the key drivers of success and profitability. Just as having the right equipment available helps keep a project on schedule, accurately tracking equipment utilization helps a site manager monitor and manage project cost. The most efficient way to accurately allocate equipment operating costs is by having utilization data from each jobsite fed directly into the construction management system via telematics integration.
Step Three | Adapt to the Changing World of Construction Management
Construction managers have to assess the successes and shortcomings of the entire lifecycle of the project to inform future work. During the Build phase, Site and Project Managers are often forced to manually connect data and information from the field to get a complete picture of jobsite progress and productivity. The future will include a construction operating system that connects this for them, pulling together the power of software solutions for site design and field solutions like telematics and machine control into a single set of productivity dashboards that provide a holistic view of the operation.
