5 Ways Cloud Computing Can Solve Construction Challenges

5 Ways Cloud Computing Can Solve Construction Challenges

Cloud computing is changing the way industries function today. From management to modifications, multiple industries are employing innovative technologies to ease up their operations.

Unlike other verticals, the nature of construction industry is unique. It is recognised as one of the early adopters of the latest technologies when compared to others. But, it has been hesitant to rely on technologies to manage their operations.

The complex workflows and demanding environment of construction requires a unique approach. With its flexibility and efficiency, cloud computing brought agility to the industry and allows construction to drive innovation faster than ever.

Some of the ways construction moves from its impediments with cloud include

1. Streamline Operations

Poor integration, collaboration and fragmentation are one of the major challenges of the construction project players. These not only promote negative influence but also affect project delivery and build discrepancies with project objectives.

Often, businesses perform their major operations within the central office. Unlike them, construction industry major tasks are carried out on the sites. The home offices limit themselves to business operations such as billing, payroll, designing or other administrative tasks.

With the cloud, field coordinators and contractors can use any device to access any field with an email. This allows them to collaborate on plans, documents and connect with the staff at the central office. Cloud provides a platform to connect all the employees seamlessly which otherwise would take a lot of time, manage workflow and enhance efficiency.

2.   Real-time Collaboration with Clients or Third-Party Agencies.

One of the most important factors in construction industry, it is significantly important to constantly coordinate with the clients to acquire desired result. Apart from this, it is necessary that the field coordinators are connected to other third-party agencies such as inventory suppliers, plumbers and electricians. The to-and-fro of email attachments can be confusing. Cloud allows efficient interaction and management of communication.

3.  Blueprints and Design

Blueprints are an integral part of the construction. Now, designing has moved beyond paper, 2D or even 3D. With advanced tools of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) incorporated graphics which allows analysing. Designers can now work thousands of designs with cloud and provide optimal solutions. Digital prototypes can be created rapidly across any device. It brings the design teams together and keeps all the members updated with the most recent plans.

With improved accessibility, the processes are continued without intervening overall performance. The cloud elasticity lets the designers move a step ahead and make accurate design decisions without hesitation.

4.   Reduced Costs, Reliability and Security  

IT infrastructure is expensive and is difficult to maintain. Cloud provides a cheaper and alternative solution to store all the data and perform the tasks efficiently. It prevents the exorbitant costs involved in the ongoing server updates and upgrades.  Moreover, many cloud vendors offer free information sharing solution irrespective of the information. This also reduces the risk of losing important documents which may contain blueprints or date sketches. With the Opex model, the industry can reduce the risk of upfront investment for maintenance.

5. Scalability

Cloud ensures the agility to construction businesses and aligns with the volatility of businesses. Based on the number of applications and users, cloud scales up or down whenever required, without any manual intervention. Within the industry, there are multiple business categories: architects, engineers, consultants and contractors. Each of these businesses, has different set of requirements. Based on the need, the cloud ensures elasticity.

These are ways the construction industry meets project objectives in the most effective and efficient manner. The growing complexity of construction processes and the supply chain activities increase the amounts of data exchanged among stakeholders. Cloud-integrated with other tools can allow the industry to attain data insights which pave a way to innovation.