Author: Laura Black

It is one thing to write about emerging technologies and the impact they will have on the construction industry. It is another thing to actually see or hear about them in action. Today let’s look at the widespread impact 3D printing is having in two specific use cases in various parts of the world—and the impact it will have on construction and communities. The example comes from Saudi Arabia. Black Buffalo 3D and Saudi Readymix Concrete Co., have signed an agreement to manufacture Black Buffalo 3D’s structural ink using local materials. They are also partnering to create regional 3D construction…

There has been a lot of talk about the EV (electric vehicle) market in recent days—but where exactly do we stand on the EV construction market? One new report provides some in-depth analysis on whether the market will live or die. Let’s take a look. To start, we know EVs provide big value to the environment and to the construction industry. These vehicles are often quieter, offer better air quality, and can sometimes be more precise and easier to operate. Still, this only provides value if the total cost of ownership makes sense, right? Now, one new report from IDTechEx…

Where I live in the Chicago suburbs, a portion of this summer was hotter than I ever remember. Three days in August saw temps hovering near or above 100—which for our northern region is quite high. Air conditioning units had a hard time keeping up with the heat and many school activities had to be cancelled. Thankfully, it was just a few days, but what if that heat continues in the years ahead? That is something we, as a society, need to prepare for—and construction companies will be tasked with building structures to beat the extreme heat. The good news…

This summer we are on a journey to look at technologies that are making an impact in the construction industry. We have highlighted topics such as the metaverse and generative AI (artificial intelligence) and now we are exploring tried-and-true construction processes that can be enabled by technology. Such is the case with ERP (enterprise-resource planning) technology. At its core, ERP technologies combine data from a number of different areas of a business, including, but not limited to, accounting/job costing, project management, sales and CRM (customer-relationship management), project management, human resources, service, and more. Naturally, different companies will have different needs…

This summer we are embarking on a summer blog series looking at technologies that are making an impact in the construction industry. We have explored emerging technologies like generative AI (artificial intelligence) and the metaverse and we have looked at core construction business processes like project management and estimating that are enabled by technologies. Today, let’s explore accounting and job costing. Accounting and job costing are perhaps one of the most foundational processes in the construction industry, as they enable businesses to keep track of expenses for projects. The data collected here is critical for a number of reasons: it…

Estimating is one of the most critical tasks on a construction project. If done right, it will calculate all of the required direct and indirect costs, guiding the project to a profitable project. If done wrong, well, many in construction have been there—and on a job where margins are very tight, a good estimate can make all the difference. The challenge is estimating is often tedious and time consuming, to say the least. Could new technologies disrupt the status quo and speed up processes, while making them more accurate? Perhaps. The global construction estimating software market size is expected to…

For the past several weeks, we have been doing a blog series on various technologies that are making an impact on the construction industry. We have discussed many emerging technologies including generative AI (artificial intelligence), BIM (building information modeling), digital twin, and the metaverse, just to name a few. Now, let’s turn our attention to critical processes specifically in the construction industry—and how technology is evolving to enable better procedures in construction. Today, let’s dig into the state of project management in construction. Today’s project managers have their hands full, to say the least. We all know labor shortages have…

In our summer blog series, last week, we dove head first into the immersive experiences of AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), and MR (mixed reality). Today, let’s take this conversation one step further and look at the rise of the metaverse in construction. First, the basics. A few months ago, Peggy Smedley did a deep dive into what the metaverse is, why do we need it, and when it will arrive. At its core, the metaverse is a simulated digital environment that uses various technologies to create an immersive online experience. It could be used for gaming, or it…

This summer we are on a journey, looking at technologies that will completely transform how the construction industry does business. Today, let’s look at three big ones: AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), and MR (mixed reality). These immersive technologies offer construction professionals the opportunity to visualize construction projects in new and different ways, ultimately speeding construction processes, heightening safety, and creating new business opportunities. Let’s break each technology down—and the growth projections we can expect in the years ahead. Virtual Reality At its core, VR is an entire virtual environment where a person can be immersed within that environment.…

If you have been following along for this summer blog series, then you know last week we dug deep into the topic of BIM (building information modeling) and set the stage for today’s discussion about digital twins. Last week we very briefly defined BIM and digital twin. At its core, BIM is a process that enables data exchange between the different areas of a project and the different stakeholders. Meanwhile, a digital twin is the technology that enables virtual interaction with an asset. Today, let’s dig a bit deeper into digital twin. At its core, the digital twin is a…