The majority of construction companies currently aren't using cloud software, and fewer than two-fifths plan to move their takeoff, estimating, or project management functions onto the cloud within the next four years, according to a survey of estimators, executives, and project managers conducted by Houston-based On Center Software, which provides technology solutions to construction professionals.
Among the survey’s 921 respondents, 42% were estimators, 22% managers or chief estimators, 22% project managers, and 13% executives.
Being able to communicate using a single source of data is the most important factor to all respondents when they are evaluating different software providers. More than 60% of each respondent group indicates that being able to integrate their systems—particularly estimating, takeoffs, and project management—is a requirement when evaluating providers.
The respondents are also looking for solutions that minimize costly errors and rework.
Yet, about 70% of those polled say their companies aren’t using cloud software today. However, 15% plan to move their processes to the cloud this year, 16% within the next two years, and 5% within the next four years.
Nearly half of the respondents—47%—aren’t planning to move their processes to the cloud within this time period.
Angelo Castelli, On Center Software’s Chief Operating Officer, points out the irony of this resistance, in that a significant portion of the industry “doesn’t realize” yet that the kind of broad collaboration companies are seeking, which would allow them to communicate about projects in real time using a single data source, can only be provided by the cloud.
The survey’s findings, though, do seem to reflect the construction’s industry’s basic conservatism when it comes to technology. Laptops still dominate as the preferred mobile device among the respondent groups. Less than half of the respondents are currently using smartphones. Android is the most widely used smartphone among respondents whose companies plan to move to the cloud within the next two years.
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Jan 29, 2015
Lego X by Gravity elevates the toy to a digital modeling kit
With the Lego X system, users can transfer the forms they’ve created with legos into real-time digital files.
BIM and Information Technology | Jan 28, 2015
5 crucial lessons from moving BIM/VDC workflows to the cloud
Early adopters of cloud-based model collaboration share what they learned in overcoming their toughest hurdles.
Mixed-Use | Jan 26, 2015
MVRDV designs twisty skyscraper to grace Vienna's skyline
The twist maximizes floor space and decreases the amount of shadows the building will cast on the surrounding area.
| Jan 21, 2015
Schneider Electric and Autodesk begin collaboration on building lifecycle management
Schneider Electric has announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, which states that Schneider Electric and Autodesk plan to collaborate to enhance current practices for building lifecycle management based on BIM.
| Jan 8, 2015
Microsoft shutters classic clipart gallery: Reaction from a graphic designer
Microsoft shut down its tried-and-true clipart gallery, ridding the world not only of a trope of graphic design, but a nostalgic piece of digital design history, writes HDR's Dylan Coonrad.
| Jan 7, 2015
How you can help improve the way building information is shared
PDFs are the de facto format for digital construction documentation. Yet, there is no set standard for how to produce PDFs for a project, writes Skanska's Kyle Hughes.
| Dec 29, 2014
Startup Solarbox London turns phone booths into quick-charge stations [BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report]
About 8,000 of London’s famous red telephone boxes sit unused in warehouses, orphans of the digital age. Two entrepreneurs plan to convert them into charging stations for mobile devices. Their invention was named a 2014 Great Solution by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
| Dec 29, 2014
Hard hat equipped with smartglass technology could enhance job site management [BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report]
Smart Helmet is equipped with an array of cameras that provides 360-degree vision through its glass visor, even in low light. It was named a 2014 Great Solution by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
| Dec 29, 2014
New data-gathering tool for retail designers [BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report]
Beacon technology personalizes smartphone messaging, creating a new information resource for store designers. It was named a 2014 Great Solution by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
| Dec 29, 2014
Wearable job site management system allows contractors to handle deficiencies with subtle hand and finger gestures [BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report]
Technology combines a smartglass visual device with a motion-sensing armband to simplify field management work. The innovation was named a 2014 Great Solution by the editors of Building Design+Construction.
