Going Digital

01/10/2020 |

With construction sites becoming busier, managing all the parties involved while ensuring successful project delivery is increasingly more challenging. Integrated digital solutions can help. Here are some key takeaways when it comes to digitisation.

You can run but not hide

Growing demands and customer expectations call for a shift from traditional practices. For some time there has been software available for estimating the various disciplines in construction, using data for bills-of-quantities and pricing to compile accurate estimates much faster. Mobile technology and modern surveying techniques including drones mean that paperless working and complicated inspections can be done easily.

Now that the Internet of Things is becoming an essential part of infrastructure management, the assets themselves are becoming smarter. Assets can send real-time data to be checked, aggregated, and filtered.

These systems can raise a service call to send a field engineer to repair the item, or prevent the need for repair, before traditional practices even know there was an issue.

If you are not able to operate as close to real-time as the technology allows, you are wasting time and money and falling behind.

Technology makes life easier

Business owners are extremely busy, so having powerful data at their fingertips wherever they are in the world is a benefit. 3D BIM is being used throughout the industry already, but the technology is evolving. 4D BIM can add a schedule, and planned activities to the model. 5D BIM adds the dimension of cost against the model and activities. Imagine the benefits if you could calculate and plan activities directly from your BIM model, without the need to re-enter data in different systems. 6D, 7D and 8D are also defined.

With these extra dimensions, the collected data will offer you even more opportunity to analyse, take action and optimise your processes. What if your BIM tool could feed and get data directly from your ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution for even more accurate cost estimates?

Introducing digitisation may be a bumpy ride

As with all change, it is not always easy. People like to work with what they know. There is a very experienced workforce in construction businesses but if the industry wants to attract new blood, it has to engage with younger age groups – and the best way to do this is with technology.

Through our 20 years of experience delivering business solutions to construction, we see that Microsoft-based technology is very easy to adopt, meaning that workers of all ages and IT knowledge can get up and running quickly. Cut-down forms for site managers make their specific tasks easy to find and execute.

The benefits cannot be ignored

A fully integrated solution built for construction offers real value. For example, a standard construction-focused system that encompasses customer relationship management, estimating, project management, financials, supply chain, reporting, and resource planning reduces the need for repeated data input at each stage of a project, and importantly the risk of errors.

Construction companies can better control their projects and respond faster to unexpected events. Today, you can have a cost-to-complete forecast with live project data in an interactive chart/graph format informing you of the end of project and predicted profit margin so you can take corrective actions immediately, if required.

In addition, by digitising human resources you can allocate people with the necessary induction and competencies to avoid costly delays or safety issues. Document expiry date reports can be generated automatically in advance so that renewals can be planned with no downtime, in the process keeping health and safety professionals happy.

For service and maintenance businesses, apps and portals can speed up customer service dramatically.

Start and you are halfway there

By adopting an integrated ERP solution, you could manage your business and many applications, processes and resources from a single platform in real-time.

When choosing your ERP business software partner, some of the main aspects to bear in mind are:

  • Find a reputable solution based on proven technology – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is very good for the purpose as it allows seamless integration with the Office 365 and a wide range of add-on applications.
  • Adopt an integrated platform, which allows all systems to seamlessly talk to each other.
  • Use software that is tailored for the construction industry. Keep an eye on a system that can also offer CIS and applications for payment as standard (these are rarely seen in a construction business management system but have a big impact on efficiency and savings).

4PS has developed standard ERP software for the construction, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical, service and maintenance, housebuilding and equipment rental sectors based on the reliable Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Paul Broderick is sales manager at 4PS

For more information visit 4ps.co.uk.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 - £25,989 per annum
We are currently looking for a Mobile Cleansing Operative to join our Northallerton team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW