With trading conditions continuing to be tough, construction SMEs are turning to new technologies to help
From software to equipment, construction SMEs are investing in new tools and processes to drive more efficient projects and enhance their margins.
What are the benefits of digital technology for construction SMEs?
Controlling risk
Corby-based contractor Kori Construction specialises in the later living, commercial and residential sectors.
Tony Robinson is pre-construction director and leads the company’s risk committee.
He believes software has made it easier to keep projects on track.
“Like many companies, we used to do everything manually but realised there are better ways to do things,” he said.
“Our approach is to reduce user input points as much as possible to speed up processes and minimise mistakes and errors. Our processes are entirely cloudbased, making it much easier to keep project information accurate and up to date in one place.”
It is a view shared by Sam Harwin at Burmor Construction, another SME contractor. Sam is a senior quantity surveyor at the firm, which specialises in affordable housing, industrial projects, commercial developments and private residences.
He said live design reviews are particularly useful: “It means that things are spotted and discussed earlier in the project. The earlier decisions are made, the smoother projects go.”
Revealing data
One of the benefits of investing in software for construction SMEs is that it can help to surface data that would be otherwise hidden within the business. For example, Kori Construction uses a range of software related to financial management, including estimating and invoicing tools.
Tony said: “It’s essential that any business has a good understanding of its finances and can manage them effectively. We can easily draw out a report that tells us about certain types of spend, shows issues with payments and tracks money in and out of the business.
“We even have a bespoke report where we automatically analyse where our supply chain and materials are purchased from to see how much locally sourced labour and materials we’re using, helping with our ESG approach.”
Go for construction-specific tools
Sam and Tony both agreed that construction-specific tools are a must for companies to realise the full benefits.
“Like most businesses, we utilise Office 365 and OneDrive for our projects, with secure folders set up to share the latest documentation with clients and our supply chain partners,” said Sam.
“While these are useful, you also need tools that are specific to construction. For example, we use Bluebeam Revu. It’s very versatile. We can easily mark-up drawings and it helps us to visually explain projects to our clients.
“One of the biggest benefits is that it makes measurement so easy to do. That helps us to
accurately price our jobs and order the right amount of materials.”
Tony added that the best solution is one built for the industry, by the industry.
“Tailoring a product that is not construction-focused to your needs will take time, runs the risk of not working and reduces the return on investment,” he said.
“This makes the chances of you achieving the improvements you’re looking for far less likely.”
Teamwork is essential
To benefit from software, construction businesses need to make sure they invest time and effort into the rollout process.
“We asked staff what they needed help with and then showed them how those problems could be solved with software,” Sam explained. “By making time for proper training and listening to requirements, we can describe the benefits in project terms.”
Tony added that a close working relationship with the software provider is important too:
“We always interview the software provider. You need to know that the solution will work,
is simple to adopt and that you can work closely with them to get the right rollout and
training in place.
“If you can develop a relationship with the software company, you can usually help to
guide future functionality and get something more aligned to your needs, too.”
Start your construction technology journey today
Whatever solution they select, businesses need to act.
“My advice to SMEs is that no matter what size you are, there is software that can help,”
concluded Sam. “Many construction businesses are doing the same thing and have similar needs – it might just be that for an SME this is on a smaller scale.
“We have found that software empowers smaller businesses to deliver work themselves that in the past they have had to go elsewhere for.”
Tony added: “One of the challenges we faced is that some of the processes we are replacing work and have done for decades.
“But the industry is moving forward into a digital age and digital innovations and tools can save huge amounts of time. With the right training, they also help reduce errors and deliver better projects.”
To help construction SMEs adopt software, Bluebeam has partnered with the Chartered
Institute of Building (CIOB) to write a Technical Guide: Digital Transformation for
SMEs: Unlocking the Benefits. It outlines a step-by-step process, including where
software can improve or replace processes, find the best solution and roll out new
software tools successfully.
Digital Transformation for SMEs: Unlocking the Benefits can be downloaded for free using code ‘bluebeamtis’. Visit site: www.ciobacademy.org/product/digitaltransformation-for-SMEs-unlocking-the benefits
Bluebeam
Tel: +44 (0) 203 868 9061
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