Gareth Price, UK representative at AGTEK, explains the need for, and benefits of, a common data environment for the construction industry
The construction industry currently operates under a maze of proprietary data, hindering productivity and profitability. Contractors should not have to run multiple pieces of software just to be able to read that data.
A modern construction site will almost always be a mixed-fleet and mixed-technology affair. According to a Hexagon survey of over 1,000 technology decision-makers in construction, 87% of firms invest in new technologies to address their key business challenges.
However, in my 26 years working as a contractor and at AGTEK, I’ve found that many of those technologies speak different languages. With a patchwork of different systems and file formats, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand and absorb data in a way that is tangible, buildable, and useful.
The construction industry needs a common data environment. To achieve this, software that is both easy to use and interoperable will be key.
Data is lost in translation
Interoperability – the ability for different systems and software to work together seamlessly – remains a major limitation to collaboration, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the construction industry.
BIM has progressed in this area, with standards introduced like the platform-neutral Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) from buildingSMART International – an open, standardised data format used to describe, exchange, and share BIM data aligned with ISO 16739. But when it comes to a common data environment for earthworks, we have some catching up to do.
Mixed-fleets are standard in construction – every contractor will have their preferred providers, and they may be working with subcontractors with their own preferences too. Therefore, the ability to design once, push this to any machine and receive real-time production data in a common format offers more than just convenience.
When different systems can communicate, the different teams in a project collaborate more efficiently. In this way, interoperability increases productivity by enabling companies to choose the best tools for their specific needs without being locked into a single ecosystem.
So, if mixed-fleets are a given, how do we make interoperability the same?
Less is more: The place of simplicity
Simplicity improves interoperability. Software platforms that can read and output multiple open formats and are vendor-neutral allow construction professionals to work in one integrated and efficient environment as painlessly as possible.
Open standards allow for easy data exchange between different systems and platforms. Plus, when complexity is reduced, the software is easier to integrate with other tools, reducing the barriers to interoperability. This is especially important given that in this industry, there is no standard data format.
For the AEC industry, the introduction of open standards, like IFC, means building companies are now finding it easier to exchange information between different software platforms – whether open-source or proprietary.
Meanwhile, software that can read as many formats as possible, and output the same, provides companies with greater freedom. Here, open standards and software work hand in hand to give back control to the user.
But simplicity is not just about how easily different technologies can talk to each other, but also how easily they can be understood by the people operating them. As new technologies emerge, traditional engineers are evolving into “data engineers” with new responsibilities like data preparation, checking, and validation. This shift underscores the need for software that is not only efficient but also user-friendly and accessible.
Reducing the learning curve of new tech is essential for an industry facing a skills shortage. Projections in the UK indicate a need for an additional 251,500 construction workers by 2028 to meet expected demand. So, making technology easier to use means that new professionals will be able to adapt and use the tools quickly and effectively.
How simplicity can transform operations
O’Brien Contractors, a construction firm based in the UK, has long been an early adopter of technology. It now operates a fleet of 3D machine control-enabled equipment with solutions from multiple providers. However, this mixed-fleet approach presented challenges – for example, designing models and pushing them to machines operating on different platforms was inefficient.
The company needed a way of opening up the design process, beyond just engineers, to surveyors and operators with different skill sets and experience.
O’Brien worked with AGTEK to build a common data environment that streamlined the entire project management cycle, from tendering to delivering final ‘as built’ models to clients. Before, changes would have taken up to a week to communicate and implement. Now, they can happen within a day. This keeps their clients happy as it’s now easier to maintain production within the timeline.
The future efficiency of the construction industry hinges on embracing simple, interoperable solutions that can unite mixed-fleet operations under a common data environment. By prioritising simple, easy-to-integrate software that supports many data formats, the industry will better navigate skills shortages, improve project delivery, and meet the changing demands of modern construction.
