When we think of technological advancements, construction comes first. New buildings, bridges, and other engineering marvels are signed off every day. The construction industry as a whole has been renovated in the last decade due to the arrival of cloud computing.
There has been a shift away from traditional, labour-intensive methods as construction companies switch to the cloud to improve collaboration and efficiency. Let’s find out how cloud computing is propelling construction into a new era — and how you can be part of the upgrade.
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1. The benefits of cloud computing in construction
Certain technology solutions are particularly well suited to the needs of the construction industry. Job management software like Tradify, for example, is purpose-built to help you secure and schedule work, track time, and communicate with subcontractors.
Cloud technologies can sync across all devices in the business, meaning everyone stays up to date. And because everything’s in one place, you won’t miss a thing.
Easy information access and sharing
Accessing and sharing information quickly and easily is a must for those working in construction. Critical documents such as blueprints, schedules, compliance documents, and hazard assessments must be readily available to keep operations safe and on track. Unfortunately, this hasn’t always been possible, due to outdated and clunky methods.
But old-school paper folders, spreadsheets, and emails are on the way out, and cloud-based project management software is in. Perfect if you need to manage your documents, plan your jobs, allocate staff, and organise customers.
Paying for a job management app is a good thing. It’s a sign of legitimacy if thousands of other businesses like yours are willing to take on a subscription cost. It means the company that built it will have the resources to fund proper cloud infrastructure with maximum security.
Improved flexibility and mobility
A construction business has a lot of moving parts that need to be carefully orchestrated. Planning, staff management, machinery acquisition and maintenance, safety protocols, and material procurements must all come together in a precise sequence to achieve the end result.
However, as construction professionals know all too well, this complex operation is often at the mercy of unpredictable conditions. Inclement weather, material delivery delays, and equipment malfunctions can all bring work to a screeching halt.
Cloud computing removes the reliance upon local servers or desktop computers, allowing for organisation over the internet. For construction companies, this means the immediate availability of important information, whether you’re onsite or a thousand miles away.
So when unexpected problems occur, the message gets around quickly, communication is made easy, and construction leaders are able to make swift decisions in order to mitigate the situation.
Reduction in operational costs
The financial aspect of construction also benefits from the implementation of cloud-based computing. Accounting software integrated into cloud platforms can help manage payroll, predict cash flow, and streamline financial operations.
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Take for example the admin involved in subcontracting work in construction. Cloud-based platforms make it much easier to manage subcontractor relationships, reducing mistakes and miscommunications as well as administrative overhead. The scalability of cloud computing also makes it a very cost-effective option for construction companies.
Sustainable construction practices
Construction companies have a responsibility to work more sustainably and cloud computing can help to achieve this. These tools support companies in using resources more effectively, cutting waste, and measuring real-time energy consumption—so you can make informed and ethical decisions about energy efficiency.
2. Transitioning to cloud solutions
The great thing about cloud computing is it can be introduced in stages. You don’t have to invest heavily in transforming all your operations overnight. Start by implementing one tool that will be particularly helpful for your business. With Tradify job management software, you’ll even get free training and support to help you get started with their easy-to-use app!
3. Overcoming challenges
Cloud computing brings amazing benefits to the construction sector, but it is not without its challenges.
- Incompatibility - Integrating with existing systems can be difficult to navigate. Make sure your new software will integrate with existing solutions, like your accounting package. Tradify plugs straight into QuickBooks, Xero, Sage & MYOB.
- Poor connectivity - Of course, there can be internet connectivity issues on some construction sites. A hybrid cloud solution can be the answer to this problem, as this setup combines on-premise infrastructure with all the benefits of cloud capabilities.
- Training - This can also be a sticking point for some construction companies. There can be some resistance to new systems, leading to technology not being used to its full potential. Provide comprehensive training so all employees are confident with cloud computing tools and you can reap its full efficiency and collaborative benefits.
4. The future outlook
Introducing cloud computing into a construction company represents a significant upgrade in operations. These solutions deliver numerous enhancements to the way you work and offer a more professional customer experience throughout your estimating, quoting, and invoicing processes.
Cloud computing provides accessibility, flexibility, and greater security in construction operations. As cloud technology continues to develop, we can expect it to play an even greater role in the future of construction. Don’t let the competition get ahead of you—save time and start saving money today. Construction’s future lies in the cloud, don’t stick your head in the sand.
Start your cloud upgrade with Tradify job management software. Sign up for a 14-day free trial today!
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This article was a guest post from our friend Rebecca at Vonage.com - a cloud communications company.
