We all know that technology is bringing huge business benefits to the construction industry, including lower costs, increased efficiency and higher levels of productivity. Certain technologies are well suited to the industry, where businesses are constantly under pressure to complete projects within time and budget.
Having worked with numerous construction companies as their trusted Managed IT Services provider, we have compiled a list of top technology trends that can be harnessed to make a positive difference within the construction industry this year.
Mobile Devices
The use of mobile devices within the construction industry means that it is easy for the team to stay in touch with each other regardless of location and allows otherwise office based tasks to be conducted in the field. For example, deliveries can be verified online without having to return to or liaise with others at the head office. Equally, office staff can share information with the staff onsite in real time.
Although the benefits of mobile devices can be HUGE, before jumping in you should consider the following:
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Management
- Encryption and two factor authentication to protect data
- Hardware loss and replacement
- VPN and remote working
Cloud Computing
Whilst cloud computing isn’t a particularly new trend, its uptake within the construction industry is anticipated to increase throughout this year. Cloud hosting allows for simple file sharing amongst contractors, workers, clients, regulators and can often be accessed from multiple site locations.
Cloud enabled, mobile-friendly technologies will help to advance day to day operations for construction companies, streamlining the communication between office based staff and those on the road whilst delivering powerful information tools to those that need them in the field.
Some things to discuss with your IT provider include:
- Cloud hosting – assurances and risks
- What software is available to streamline day to day tasks?
- How secure is the cloud?
Cyber Security Solutions
Cyber security is a great concern across all industries, and construction is no exception. In fact, reports from the UK government show that in 2015 there were 77,000 incidents of cyber-crime against construction companies. Business owners and senior leaders are beginning to realise that this threat is not going away any time soon. Cyber security is definitely one area that businesses should invest in this year.
In addition, the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) means that businesses are under more pressure to take appropriate technical and organisational steps in protecting personal data. This can be difficult to demonstrate in traditionally hands on industries, where employees are often spread across different sites.
Some things you may want to discuss with your IT provider include:
- Firewall
- Antivirus and antimalware
- Encryption and data leak prevention
- Employee training and awareness
- Data sharing and access control
- Cyber liability insurance
Whilst this list of tech trends is not exhaustive and provides more food for thought than answers to any questions, the solutions listed here can have a dramatically positive impact on your business and its bottom line.
If you are currently looking at implementing new technologies in your business, be sure to discuss this list with a reputable IT Services provider. Ensure that your chosen provider has experience of working with companies in the construction industry and in implementing the technologies that you are interested in. If you would like to discuss any element of your IT solutions with the Eventura team, please do not hesitate to contact us.
