The construction industry is a leading sector which has been slow in its digital transformation. The Global Construction Survey, however, indicates that 76 per cent of construction business operators are considering adopting new technology as a part of their strategic plan or vision. As an asset-centric industry, the number of advantages the construction industry can unlock through digitalisation are wide-ranging, including the ability to monitor the life cycle of construction assets, monitor the energy emitted, automate repetitive tasks, safeguard humans and more. One reason for the slow growth of technology in the construction industry is its costly investment. In this regard, one of the most significant benefits of integrating a technological tool such as IoT is that it is cost-effective. IoT is the abbreviated term for Internet of Things which refers to an ecosystem of sensors, hardware, and processes which collects data in a cloud that can be analysed.
Six Benefits of Integrating IoT into Your Construction Operations
IoT is a digital device that acts alone, although it can interact with humans and work alongside each other. Companies incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities can utilise the data collected by IoT to analyse and provide insights more reliably. Here are six benefits construction companies can gain from integrating IoT into their operations:
Deliver Work on Time
Construction industries take on projects that demand it to be delivered on time. The majority of the time, however, due to the nature of construction itself, it is hard to stick to the budget and initially discussed time frame. This can be due to unforeseen circumstances, allocation of low resources or finances, labour shortage, etc. With IoT, however, companies can stick to their original plan. It allows construction managers to monitor their projects’ progress daily, ensuring that all daily targets are met. IoT ensures that nothing is delayed unnecessarily by monitoring the progress in real-time. Managers can also ensure progress is made whilst at a remote location. With IoT, where human intervention is not required, production can continue for even 24 hours if required.
Work Hard All Whilst Staying Safe
IoT maximises productivity on the construction site. It does this by eliminating the need for workers to do repetitive mundane tasks, executing every stage with the utmost precision and removing the need for teams to engage in dangerous practices. For instance, as routine checks are carried out on assets automatically, workers will no longer have to fix an issue blindly. As IoT helps specify the problem at its root cause, if the issue is dangerous, maintenance crews can take the required safety protocols when carrying out repairs. Some construction sites require employees to wear IoT wearables that allows them to track where the employee is at all time, thereby instantly sending help when required. Moreover, digitalising construction operations means companies can reduce their carbon footprint and adopt sustainable practices.
Eliminate Waste
IoT becomes an important technological tool when more advanced technologies, such as digital twins, are incorporated. A digital twin is a virtual replica that allows engineers, designers and managers to plan their projects thoroughly before execution. Since they have the flexibility of carrying out trials and errors within a digital world that does not require financial resources to be invested, no resources or finances are wasted on defective products. Thus, no resources will be unnecessarily wasted.
Help You Be a Futuristic Business
While IoT helps provide predictive and prescriptive analytics when it comes to asset maintenance, which also contributes to the lengthening of an asset’s lifecycle, it offers more futuristic capabilities. For instance, whether it is in getting more consumers, projects or anything else, IoT helps managers understand the evolving construction industry, which gives companies the space to adapt and become more attractive candidates for consumers. The detailed reports that are generated are helpful to strategise future operations and for expert decision-making.
A Solution for the Labour and Skills Shortage
The construction industry is one of the leading sectors facing a labour and skills shortage at present. The good news is that with IoT, all the mundane and repetitive tasks can be automated, thereby not requiring a large labour force to carry out responsibilities. Note that IoT does not necessarily mean that humans are replaced. Teams will still be required to carry out maintenance, take important decisions and, most importantly, take a leading role in driving innovation. For instance, IoT sensors are inserted into concrete during the casting process to track its condition in real-time. This is also known as concrete curing, which allows construction management to use technology to make decisions in a far more reliable manner.
Maximise Profits with Expert Saving Mechanisms in Place
IoT cuts down unnecessary costs, especially when it comes to repairs and having to replace assets in construction companies. As different kinds of IoT sensors are fixed next to each asset, IoT, together with AI and ML capabilities, can detect when an anomaly will occur. This provides ample time for the construction manager to complete maintenance before the asset breaks down. While managers cannot eliminate costs, in comparison to how costly repairs are, ensuring to fix all anomalies during routine maintenance significantly reduces expenses. Since managers can also prioritise repairs according to criticality, IoT moreover provides construction managers time to budget their finances accordingly.
Cerexio Digital Solution Suites Are Powered with IoT
Cerexio is one of the few technology vendors that exclusively offers technology suites for industries such as manufacturing and construction. Cerexio’s state-of-the-art solution embraces a range of industry 4.0 technologies, including IoT and Industrial IoT (IIoT), which allow industrial practitioners to connect with the composite networks of their industrial information systems and equipment. This optimises machine-to-machine interoperability and gives real-time insights to construction managers. It assures the highest standards of security, includes predictive capabilities, and is agile, efficient and prompt in its response to industrial operations. It moreover offers flexible scheduling capabilities for routine maintenance based on criticality that helps managers to budget their finances. It, in turn, prevents downtime and idle times while allowing operations to run 24/7.
Connect with us to learn about the other advanced technologies infused into our powerful technological suites.
IoT Is Only Going to Be More Powerful in the Future
While the construction industry is slow to adopt IoT in 2023, the role IoT is predicted to play indicates its prominence in the future. As IoT plays an interconnected role in many other emerging industry 4.0 technologies, infusing it into your operations only means that it helps you transition your organisation to be compatible with other powerful technologies later in the future. Combat every step back you encounter with one solution that houses the power of IoT, and you are bound to notice the number of things it can rectify in your operations. Eliminate unnecessary costs, optimise operational tasks, and control the quality of your products, your finances and your timeframe, all with one cost-effective solution.
