If your construction business isn’t on the cloud yet, then you are falling behind.
Cloud computing will remain to be the future of the digital world. Companies with modern IT are capitalizing on this technology. But the construction industry is notorious for being among the least digitized industries in the world, hence seldom will you see a firm that’s taking cloud computing seriously. And we can understand that since it’s mostly fieldwork and there’s very little need for computers on the site.
But, to be fair to construction, in recent years, it has already started to recognize the power of cloud. It’s flexible. It’s secure. It’s mobile. It’s cost-effective. It’s future-proof. And because of these features, a lot of firms are now taking advantage of the cloud to handle their complex workflows and challenging environments.
However, the cloud can’t be fully useful if it isn’t connected with software that can emphasize all the features mentioned above. And it wasn’t until the last 10 years that software developers started designing SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions that run on the cloud.
Gladly, firms are now on software too, and it isn’t going to die soon as technology’s only direction to go is forward. The rate of adoption is soaring with almost 85% of contractors around the world already implementing cloud solutions.
Construction project management software like Pro Crew Construction Technology Software depends on the cloud, making it able to provide the construction site with so much digital power. Because of their combined abilities, work on construction sites became more efficient, faster, and with a higher quality too.
So What is Cloud Computing?
The traditional way of using the internet was getting data from the world wide web and processing them locally on computers. But computer storages are just limited.
Furthermore, there’s a high risk that you’ll lose all of your files when your computer breaks down or when you lose your external storage devices like USB or hard disks.
To address this kind of concern, IT experts came up with a way for people to save their data online while being protected from cybercriminals. They also made sure that storage can be unlimited so that people will never have to lose data ever again. The best part, users can access their data anywhere, anytime, and on any device that connects to the internet.
When broadband came into the picture, cloud computing became the next thing. And now, the world is starting to see the power of 5G. With an ultra-high-speed internet, more data are being transferred more than ever. The constraints on transferring data are being minimized too, making file sharing done in real-time. Servers are now available for storage, making your storage safer. If you are afraid of hacking, the key to safe cloud storage is finding the right provider. Cloud storage are usually encrypted and protected by other layers of security like passwords and authentication. Sometimes, tokens are used to protect your password too, making cloud a truly safe place to store your firm’s sensitive data like project contracts, blueprints, and budgets.
But these aren’t the only things that the construction industry can benefit from the use of the cloud. Here are other construction-specific benefits firms can get from the cloud computing technology:
1. Powerful Data Processing
We’ve said it before. Processing data in the cloud is done in real-time with its machines working a hundred times faster than any other data processors out there. You can even connect your devices to the cloud to make data storing automatic. For instance, a drone connected to the cloud will save images and videos instantly to your cloud storage. Processing the images so that they’ll have detailed GPS coordinates and metadata can be automatic too by making a three-way connection to your drone, Orthrograph, and the cloud. This is something beyond your typical computer’s capability.
The key to enjoying this benefit, though, is connecting to fast internet.
2. Connected Crew Members
The construction site is such a big place. Before the cloud, the way for people at the site to connect with each other is by checking on them in person. When project updates are done this way, it will take project managers forever before they can finish checking the whole site.
Saas platforms like the Pro Crew Schedule lets you view the job site in real time anywhere you may be. You can connect with your members through the communication platform available on the software and file sharing with them is already instant. The on-site supervisors can resolve issues with in-house staff regarding blueprints and other construction plans a lot clearer and faster without the need of meeting face to face.
3. Strengthening Bonds with Client
While it is automatic that you will be able to connect with your crew members through your SaaS solution, you are also given an option to include your client in one of your communication channels. This way, you can collaborate with your client a lot faster. The cloud saves you a lot of time from having to do emails as attachments can now be accessed from your storage. By giving your client an access to pull up information from the cloud, management of the project will be easier and issues can be resolved together more efficiently. All these build an opportunity for you to grow a stronger relationship with your client, hence gaining his trust for any future projects he will have.
4. Easy Customization
Every project is unique and so does the need in the processes of each. With the use of cloud, construction firms can personalize their data storage and management so that they match the current business goal. This improves efficiency in all departments involved in the project.
5. Data Storage
The amount of data that can be stored in the cloud can be limitless, depending on the plan that you avail. The bigger the storage, the more expensive the fee becomes. However, you can benefit from being able to document everything about your project without losing any of your previous work’s data. You can then make a library of your projects so you can have references for a similar project in the future. This is also beneficial when your client suddenly raises complaint against you. Being able to document all on-site activities can save you from unfair claims.
6. Advanced Analytics
Your construction project management software won’t be able to analyze your progress if it doesn’t have data to process. And in a day, there are over a thousand reports that need to be analyzed every day. This is why software always work hand in hand with cloud computing. The cloud collects all the data that it feeds to the software so it can measure and compare them easily and more accurately.
Start Adopting Cloud Platform in Your Construction Firm
As you’ve read, the cloud offers a myriad of benefits for your construction firm. Beyond the convenience that you get from real-time data processing and unlimited storage, the cloud is a way for you to save your firm from any dispute.
One of the biggest financial drains on the part of contractors or subcontractors is when disputes arise. When there isn’t enough evidence to prove your work, there’s a big chance for you to lose on litigation. Using a construction project management software that connects with the cloud to store and organize your data automatically won’t let you miss any report or activity. This way, you have strong evidence for a clear conclusion.
Let’s give you a good example. Working on excavation can be a subject for disputes. Let’s say you got a project for moving earth and you think that you are excavating more than what is planned, you can simply use drones to record aerial maps of the site you are working on. Be sure to include evidence of full tracks leaving the site and measure the volume of the earth moved accurately. Store them on your cloud as they will be pieces of evidence when the project owner denies your claim for additional compensation. This way, you can also avoid litigation.
This won’t be possible if you have less storage and when your documentation isn’t automatic. Remember, data is highly crucial in this less-digitized world. Without SaaS and cloud, you may spend months fighting a dispute and lose thousands of dollars on defending your business. The cost savings on this instance alone are enough reasons to ensure that all of your projects stay on your cloud storage.
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1 thought on “6 Ways Cloud Computing Is Revolutionizing Construction”
It’s nearly impossible to find knowledgeable people on this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks