Author: Constructech Editors
Forecasting is one of the most powerful tools in construction management. From projecting costs and revenue to planning manpower and resources, forecasting helps contractors stay profitable, anticipate challenges, and keep projects on track. Yet despite its importance, forecasting remains a manual process for many contractors relying on spreadsheets even when they have ERP (enterprise-resource planning) or project management software. The Reality of Construction Forecasting Today Forecasting backlog provides insights into future workload, revenue, and cost, measured by: Time-Based Backlog – The months needed to complete outstanding projects. Cash-Value Backlog – The total expected revenue from these projects. Dollar-Based Backlog –…
Specialty contractors face unique challenges that set them apart from other entities in the construction industry. These contractors, who include electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), plumbing, and telecommunications professionals, perform highly specialized tasks requiring advanced skill sets. With modern projects becoming increasingly complex, labor shortages in the industry, and the growing need for better communications, specialty contractors are turning to ERP (enterprise-resource planning) software to help enhance productivity and streamline operations. Who Are Specialty Contractors? Specialty contractors have specialized expertise, which differentiates them from general contractors. From electrical installations to IT networking, these professionals tackle highly technical tasks.…
Peter Lasensky, CEO, Command Post, sits down with Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Constructech, to talk about the challenges facing the construction industry and how technology can make a difference as business grows, and data needs to be managed. Peggy Smedley: What would you say is the biggest challenge in the construction industry today? Peter Lasensky: Let’s be real: construction is one of the toughest businesses out there. Labor shortages, rising material costs—these are huge challenges, but here’s the thing: data fragmentation is what’s really holding us back. Imagine trying to manage your projects across five, 10, even 15 disconnected apps. Each…
As the construction industry embraces digital transformation, leaders are faced with a rapidly evolving landscape where emerging technologies are changing how business is conducted. Among these innovations, AI (artificial intelligence) and ERP (enterprise-resource planning) systems are carving out new efficiencies in construction accounting and project management, offering the potential for significant business optimization. These developments present an exciting opportunity for commercial construction leaders to streamline processes and future-proof their businesses in a competitive market. The Growing Role of AI in Construction AI is already making waves in industries ranging from healthcare to finance, and the construction sector is no exception.…
Constructech recently caught up with DeWayne Adamson, CEO, JobPlanner, and he shared the details about his recent partnership with TrueProject. What follows are the highlights of what he had to say about the future of partnerships and JobPlanner. Can you share a little bit about your recent partnership with TrueProject? Absolutely! Our recent partnership with TrueProject is a significant milestone for JobPlanner and the industry. TrueProject’s cutting-edge project management and predictive analytics capabilities are seamlessly integrated with JobPlanner. This collaboration empowers our users with unprecedented insights and actionable data, enhancing their ability to manage and complete construction projects efficiently. By…
The increasing use of technology by heavy highway and civil contracting companies is defining a new level of success. Heavy highway companies, which are often referred to as heavy or civil contractors, manage large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, and airports. With significant resource demands and increasing operational challenges, integrating advanced technology, specifically Construction Cloud systems, is proving to be a game-changer. What Is Heavy Highway Construction and What’s at Stake? Heavy highway and civil construction projects are challenging because of their vast scope and intricate requirements. Unlike commercial construction, which focuses on buildings or structures used…
John Rosch, North American sales manager at Explorer Software recently caught up with Constructech Editorial Director Peggy Smedley to talk about the importance of data, the value of analytics, and how emerging technology solutions are optimizing construction. Peggy Smedley: Business analytics have increasingly become a greater priority in recent years. Why is this? John Rosch: Recent technological advancements have enabled us to easily gather, store, and organize data from various sources into comprehensive datasets. Businesses have found that traditional static reports are insufficient and quickly outdated. Advanced analytics now allow for realtime reports that summarize data and provide actionable insights…
Steven Gross, vice president of client solutions, Computer Guidance Corp., recently took time out of his busy schedule to catch up with Constructech Editorial Director Peggy Smedley to talk about the importance customer environments, the value of workflows, and how emerging technology solutions are impacting construction. Peggy Smedley: What are some of the biggest needs in the construction industry today? (Steven Gross): Efficient and integrated capture of critical information from the field. This information should only be entered once, it must be captured on a timely basis, and be subjected to the necessary controls to ensure accuracy. It should then…
“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” –HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey When Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick co-wrote the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, artificial intelligence was about 90% science fiction and 10% hopeful experiments. Then, they projected that AI (artificial intelligence) would require a vast computer and database on board the space probe taking a crew to Jupiter; in 2024, AI is resident on a handheld smartphone and needs a connection to the vast database known as the internet. And, as Shakespeare wrote, therein lies the rub. In the film and subsequent novel,…
By now, most people should understand the risks of being complacent with cyber protection—something widely discussed in last month’s featured article. Cybersecurity Ventures reports cybercrime will cost victims $9.5 trillion worldwide in 2024 and rise to $10.5 trillion by 2025. As enterprises continue to move toward total digitization, cyber threat actors see additional devices and systems as new opportunities to enter a network. Like chess, the challenges of cybersecurity are knowing your vulnerabilities and the strengths of your opponents. And, like chess, they change each move. A weak point is found and exploited, that causes a response by repairing the weakness.…