Cloud computing and mobile technology

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eMAGAZINE Constrofacilitator

February 2023

www.constrofacilitator.com

Knowledge and b2b portal for construction and infrastructure

Volume-05 eM-02

CLOUD COMPUTING & MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Cloud Computing Technology

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Mobile Technologies for Managing Construction Works Different types of construction mobile apps Technology in Construction – Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Advantages of cloud technology for construction industry Cloud based project management software

CLOUD COMPUTING & MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Cloud computing and mobile technology are making their way into the construction industry. They are accessible from any device, like smartphones, computers, iPads, tablets, etc. Cloud computing and mobile technology enable the distribution of computing resources and information technologies for various services in the construction industry, particularly in design and construction. Scaling on-demand facilities provided by cloud service helps in better utilization of resources. The flexible cloud environment provided by the cloud service provider enables you to save space and cost, freeing you from restrictions of local hardware setup. These collaboration technologies allows teams to share information and tasks securely and e ciently. This helps streamline the process and reduces the chances of your company making a mistake. In this edition of eMag, we covered topics Cloud Computing Technology- Construction Automation with Robotics, Mobile Technologies for Managing Construction Works, Di erent types of construction mobile apps, Technology in Construction – Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Advantages of cloud technology for construction industry, Cloud based project management softwareadvantages and types.

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Technology in Construction – Yesterday, today, and tomorrow

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Advantages of cloud technology for construction industry

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Cloud Computing Technology Construction Automation with Robotics

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Mobile Technologies for Managing Construction Works

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Different types of construction mobile apps

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Cloud based project management software- advantages and types

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TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION

Technology in Construction Yesterday, Today, & tomorrow

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erhaps we could even envision a future where the robots scan the construction site and micro plan work activities based on the immediate onsite requirements.

By its very nature, the construction industry has many variables. It thereby requires a high level of flexibility, so it has always been challenging to automate processes in construction. As a result, construction industry has been somewhat reluctant to embrace new technology.

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Digital technology first made its impact with software like AutoCAD and MS Project. With AutoCAD, designing and generating drawings for a project became easier and faster. MS Project started enabling engineers to plan their projects and manage their resources better. However, all the major work processes remained labour intensive despite these tools. Today technology has started making further inroads into this sector with digital document management, online and cloud-based project management processes, Building Information Mod-

SNEHA SABU, Manager Project Management Bengaluru eling (BIM), drone-based site surveys, etc. Nowadays, virtual walkthroughs enable clients to visualize how their project would look upon completion digitally. The project management processes have become paperless, with the forms being raised and approved on cloud-based software platforms. Thanks to such software, there is a clear data repository and audit trail. The latest digital technology, BIM modeling, is now fast becoming popular. BIM modeling allows a 3-dimensional February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION

view of the project. It can also incorporate element details, schedule details, etc., making the model a single repository of all relevant project information. BIM models developed in such a way can be used as digital twins of the project and help with asset management even after the completion of the project. Going forward, technology is expected to redefine the construction industry in myriad ways. Artificial intelligence can influence almost all aspects of construction, including design, planning, execution, safety, and quality. Let's take a look at some of the ways modern technology can revolutionize construction. AI-enabled analytics can be used to assess the real-time performance of projects. Comparison of actual work done with planned work can be made automatically, and corrective measures can be taken at the onset of an issue. Further, long-term data can be used to train algorithms to predict cost, time, and resource requirements for future projects and suggest innovative solutions for onsite issues.

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Supply chain optimization is another aspect wherein neural networks, and deep learning algorithms can help. Resource allocation, be it material, labour, or equipment, can be done optimally through such algorithms to achieve the highest possible efficiency and productivity. 3D printing, modularization, and robotics can be game-changers in the way projects are executed by enabling highly precise and just-in-time delivery of pre-framed elements. Projects would have shorter construction time, and it will be easier to meet and better conventional deadlines. Augmented reality and virtual reality techniques have already found many uses on a construction site, but the potential benefits are much more comprehensive than envisioned. AR to project the design plans onto the site, which helps in easy translation of measurements, and site marking can be accurately done at a fraction of time. Similarly, proposed design modifications can be layered onto the existing design and then on the physical space at the site to understand the exact effect of those changes.

Automation of health and safety processes leading to real-time monitoring, assessment, and resolution of H&S issues is possible through computer vision techniques. Construction robots, a concept still in its infancy, is another aspect with many possibilities. This particular technology becomes Even more relevant when dealing with issues like labour shortage, shortage of skilled workforce at manageable costs, and social distancing. Robots can be employed in manufacturing components, prefabricated concrete elements, for mechanical activities like carrying and moving loads, etc. Perhaps we could even envision a future where the robots scan the construction site and micro plan work activities based on the immediate onsite requirements. Integrating processes, people, and tools so that the project execution is smooth and seamless across various aspects can be achieved only through modern digital technology. This is why one must expect digital technology to play a massive role in the construction sector.

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CLOUD TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Advantages of cloud technology for construction industry

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loud technologies are making their way into the construction industry. Construction site internet connectivity is also improving rapidly, which means that construction companies can now use cloud-based solutions on their job sites to improve communication and productivity. Cloud computing technology is fully accessible from any device, like smartphones, computers,

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iPads, tablets, etc. Cloud technology have been making waves in the industry, leading to a rapid shift to the cloud over the last five years. Cloud technology enables transparency and efficiency on job sites has only intensified in the last few years, making it ever more important to keep your tech up to speed. The significant advantages of cloud computing are that they provide scalable access to computing resources and services using information tech-

nology (IT). This innovative and costeffective resource combines hardware and software that legal entities or individuals can access from anywhere in the world via the Internet. Cloud computing resources enable the distribution of computing resources and information technologies for various services in the global industry, particularly in design and construction. If the interaction is correctly implemented, and as much as possible adapted for a particular project, then the productivity, efficiency, February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CLOUD TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

and effectiveness of construction will increase severalfold. Cloud technology provides a central repository for construction data for-end-to-end solution that improves the productivity and organisation of the construction industry.

It is easy to keep backups and 06 project records

Real-time updates With a cloud-based quality management system, team members make updates in real time, so everyone involved in the project has access to the most up-to-date information. Real-time updates help avoid confusion and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal. In addition, clients can track the project's progress in real-time from anywhere in the world, helping them feel more connected to the process and alleviating some of the stress that can come with construction projects.

Do real-time team collaboration

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It is highly secure

Why choose cloud technology for construction?

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All your 03 project reports are in one place

choose their last stop. Their simplified management functions enable these organizations to improve customer relationships. With all their data in the cloud, the system runs fast and generates data over time.

Access to an unlimited database Users can recover their data and synchronise it with other devices using cloud storage. Construction sites are often dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of pictures, videos, and files to get a job done, so having a convenient, easy to access, and fast way for workers to access these files is crucial. You can even add tons of metadata (such as GPS location, data-centric information, and more) to your files using the data-stretching capabilities of cloud computing.

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Better synchronisation

Fast processing of data stored in the cloud

Cloud-connected business management software helps to better com-

Cloud technology allows us to store and access all types of customer service information when needed. When communicating with your customers, development agents can quickly process their data and

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municate between project sites. The cloud host offers non-stop accessibility to client data, while providing secure access as designated by the clients. The data, in turn, may be stored across one or many servers, configured by the cloud hosting company in their data centers. Because it is so easily accessible from virtually any mobile device, cloud connectivity makes it easier to share documents and information.

different strategy to do its job. Development companies can design their archives and systems according to their business goal.Cloud-based project management tool to allow various web-based integrations at one centralized place. It allows users to manage a plethora of tasks and services simultaneously at one place. This, consequently, helps in saving a lot of time and improving productivity. communication and collaboration capabilities.

Flexible settings and features The great thing about today's best cloud solutions is how flexible they are. You want to have flexible user permission settings (and robust settings) to make sure only the right people see sensitive information and data. Businesses can adopt one or more cloud computing services based on their requirements, areas of expertise, business processes, and other priorities. A key consideration when choosing a cloud computing service provider is to do enough research to understand business requirements and find providers who can offer desired cloud solutions that will work perfectly based on the requirements.

Advanced Analytics

Connected Jobsites Before the cloud, the only way to really check on the status of a project was to go visit it in person, a task that takes hours out of the day. From anywhere in the world, SaaS platforms can provide you with a real-time view of your jobsite.

With all your data stored in the cloud, it's simple to take measurements or compare plans on any of your devices, from any location. Cloud computing has facilitated data storage, processing and analysis. Using Cloud we have access to almost limitless storage and computer power offered by different vendors. Cloud delivery models such as: IAAS (Infrastructure as a Service), PAAS (Platform as a Service) can help organisations across different sectors handle Big Data easier and faster.

Easy Sharing Efficiency and Productivity

Easy cloud management Each construction company uses a

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Every construction project has a large number of stakeholders, and sharing data across all these parties is often exceedingly time consuming. Construction SaaS solutions make sharing simple by providing real-time

Managers and workers can enter, upload and share measurements, specs, plans, images, videos and any other job data in the cloud. That data can then be accessed by anyone else February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

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operations without having to worry about managing their IT infrastructure. Easier collaboration

within the organization, from anywhere. Cloud technology truly enables jobsites to be fully connected. Use of augmented reality for training and visualisation Cloud computing augmented reality is being used to train workers. AR allows workers to see what a building will look like when it is finished, and this can help with coordination on the job site. It can also be used to show workers how specific tasks should be done.

design and oversee construction and provide maintenance for it. The cloud-based system uses various algorithms for fast processing. With all their data stored in the cloud, the system can perform faster data processing and make the data available in real-time.

Cloud-based collaboration tools solve these problems by allowing teams to share information and tasks securely and efficiently. This helps streamline the process and reduces the chances of your company making a mistake.

Customization of the cloud system Every construction company uses a different strategy to perform its business operations. The construction companies can make personalised data storage and management systems according to their business goals. Therefore, cloud management provides construction companies with all the services required for managing their tasks. As a result, companies can focus on their core business

Faster scalability When opting for a cloud-based construction management solution, it gives you the flexibility to expand depending on your business needs. As your construction company grows or has multiple projects, you will need a

Faster processing of data stored in the cloud Typically, the area of the construction site is huge. To construct any building, civil engineers need to plan, February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

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more extensive cloud server and vice versa. Single data source All your project data is in one place when using cloud-based construction management software. So there is a single reliable data source from which all your on-site and off-site

team members can access and work. As a result, there are fewer inconsistencies and errors as the whole team is working from a single data source. Eliminate Server Scaling on-demand facilities pro-

vided by cloud service helps in better utilization of resources. The flexible cloud environment provided by the cloud service provider enables you to save space and cost, freeing you from restrictions of local hardware setup. You can scale-up or scaledown according to the needs of the construction project. Conclusion Discussed above are different advantages of cloud technology for the construction industry. Cloud-based project management tool to allow various web-based integrations at one centralized place. It allows users to manage a plethora of tasks and services simultaneously at one place.

Contruent Launches SaaS-Based Capital Project Management Software Solution Contruent, the premier capital project management solution for large construction projects, today announced the launch of Contruent Enterprise, a software-as-a-service solution that empowers owners and EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) to complete projects faster and more precisely. The new Contruent Enterprise software comes as the former ARES PRISM rebrands itself to Contruent built upon its legacy of 25 years of leadership in helping mega construction companies stay on track and on budget by introducing much needed innovation in the notoriously inefficient construction sector. Construction projects are increasing nationwide and the construction industry continues to add jobs. With costs also on the upswing, Contruent Enterprise offers owners and EPCs a simple way to stay on project and budget and make the most of industry opportunities. Contruent Enterprise, a software-as-aservice (SaaS) solution, was built to help

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budget owners of public infrastructure and large-scale commercial megaprojects ($100 million+) complete projects faster, better and with cost savings. Contruent Enterprise is ready to use right out of the box. The software improves the scheduling and budget management of construction megaprojects with a customizable dashboard and other features such as integrated cost and schedule, contract management, engineering, and field management. Contruent Enterprise gives customers a robust project-ready management tool that can assist with timeline and budget needs, in one place. "Construction projects show no signs of slowing down, particularly with President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure initiative being deployed and budget owners need the best tools to manage these opportunities," said Ryan Kubacki, Contruent CEO. "Our new SaaS solution, Contruent Enterprise is faster than its predecessor, integrates cost and schedules and comes pro-

ject-ready with a quarter century of best practices built in. The result is unrivaled accuracy, speed, and cost efficiency.” Contruent Enterprise includes all the features customers love from its predecessor ARES PRISM while offering new and improved enhancements. Contruent Enterprise is cloud-based to facilitate collaboration and visibility creating easier processes for project managers and large construction crews. Clients utilizing existing on-premise legacy systems will continue to receive the same promise and support with a stronger business foundation. “In 2022 we invested significantly in research and development and complemented our deep engineering expertise with a new management team from Oracle, Google and Microsoft to innovate, scale and grow," Kubacki said. "This resulted in growing our global business by 55% in 2022 and we are just getting started." Source: prnewswire.com

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Cloud Computing Technology Construction Automation with Robotics Udaya Bhaaskar Bulusu, Consultant – Technical, Project Management & Business Development

INTRODUCTION Until very recently, the construction industry was one of the most unfamiliar R&D fields for the robotics and automation community, despite the fact that this industry is one of the oldest and represents the largest economic sectors. The development and acceptance of cloud computing technology has a new flare upon the construction industry. In recent years, the construction industry has become one of the most important research areas in the field of service robotics. The main difficulty of Robotics and Automation in Construction (RAC) is related to the nature of the work environment, which is highly unstructured in general. Working in this environment involves handling heavy objects, elements made with big tolerances, low level of standardization, medium level of industrialization and pre-fabrication, in addition to the intervention of numerous non-coordinated actors (architects, builders, suppliers, etc.). Therefore, a big effort needs to be made to increase the level of automation of this important sector and to coordinate more the involved processes in order to improve its productivity. During the 90s the R&D activities in the field of RAC were lead by Japanese companies and universities, and were focused on the development of new robotic systems (most of them teleoperated) and in the automation of February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

existing machinery. This era of the RAC research is called hard robotics. These robots tried to automate several construction processes in the house building and the civil construction. These robots were for interior building finishing, brick layer masonry, modular industrialized building's construction, road paver's sensorbased guidance, excavator's control, infrastructure inspection, tunnel and bridge construction among others. The “bubble economy” crisis en Japan among other factors such as the unsatisfied over-expectation of the RAC strongly reduced investment in research activities during the last few years. Only few construction robots had succeeded to make their way to the market. Nevertheless, the situation is changing now and new RAC research trends have been launched. The actual R&D activities are centring more in the software and IT technologies. This is not limited to software only but also include hardware, but not in the machinery sense. It includes on-site sensory data acquisition and processing, human operator's field safety and security, chipbased process control and monitoring, automated inventory and shop keeping among many others. The rest of this chapter presents a comparison between the construction and the car manufacturing industry and discuss some of the issues that limit more technological advances and higher levels of automation in the construction sector. The following sections are dedicated to present and discuss some examples of the

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state of the art in robotics and automations technologies in construction. The following section discusses some aspects that affect higher implementation of robotics and automation in construction, and the last section presents the conclusions. Comparison between the construction and the automobile industries As mentioned briefly in the previous sections, the construction industry has already seen the introduction of automated and semi automated means in the production of construction elements. The transition from totally manual process to nowadays semi-automated system permits to increase the productivity. Nevertheless, the advance in construction industry is not comparable to advances in other industries such as manufacturing and especially in the sectors of automobile, electronics, train, aircraft, etc. The car prices, the number of different models and variations, and the concept of mass production make the automobile industry much close to construction than the others. One of the key factors of any industry's success evaluation is its productivity. The main reason in this high productivity is the modern manufacturing concept: Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). This concept was developed during the last two decades and has changed not only the manufacturing process itself but the concept of the product. The CIM systems permit to balance the flexibility in the product with the manufacturing productivity. This relationship is one of the key factors of the success of the automobile industry. While the house-building construction industry continue to be very close to craft work, constructing mostly singular buildings, the automobile industry continuously seek to reduce the cost of product development. This permits also to reduce the cost of the final product. The so called platform concept of the actual automobile industry is one of the newest advances of the CIM system. It is based on the use of a number of elements in various models. The same platform design, engine, electronics, etc. are used not only in different models of cars of the same company but also in the cars of other companies. This concept reduces a vehicle cost and makes the automobile companies more competitive.

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The high level of integration in all the production stages permits to start from the design process taking in mind the manufacturing and market aspects. The platform concept and integration lead to the high level of robotization and automation in automobile industry. In some of the EU plants the level of automation (the number of non-manually made operations respect to the total number of operations) is more than 60%. Mass production brings down the cost not only of the end product (in this case, the cars) but also the cost of manufacturing equipment (robots, machine tools, etc.). This is why during the last decade industrial robot prices in the EU have decreased and their number has increased Robotics in manufacturing industry is an evolution while the robotics in construction industry is the not yet finished revolution. While the number of industrial robots is counted in hundreds of thousands the number of robots in the construction industry is counted in hundreds only. Important efforts have been made to adapt the CIM concept to the construction industry created the Computer Integrated Construction (CIC). Unfortunately, this effort has better results only in the IT related stages of the construction process (planning, suppliers' relationship, etc.) but not as good results in the production stages (pre-fabrication technology, building erection, masonry, on-site automation, etc.). Despite the recent development in RAC, the gap between the technological levels of both industries is still very high The CIM concept permits to reduce not only the cost of manufacturing but also changes the corporate culture. It is easier to introduce the new technologies in automobile industry than in the construction. In general, the construction industry continues to be very conservative. In many cases when the new automatic products are not complementary to the old ones, they are hardly implemented and their use is kept to minimum. Moreover, if these products introduce inconveniences to the whole construction cycle, they are openly refused. To the contrary, in the manufacturing industry the people and the environment respond very positively to technological innovation. Researchers and end users speak the same “language” and share the same objective, which allows introducing these new technologies very quickly. According to ACEA, in 1999 the EU automobile industry February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

investments in R&D were over 5% of the turnover while the construction industry investments in housebuilding technology were less than 3%. In the construction industry the big companies tend to limit their capacity to invest in “tomorrow's construction robots” from which return on investment is uncertain and too far in the future. This is also the case of the big construction machines companies, which tend to invest more in civil engineering equipments than in development of equipments dedicated for house-building. State of the art in construction robotics The main research activities of the RAC in the past decade were divided accordingly to applications into two large groups: civil infrastructure and house building. Typical civil infrastructure robot applications are the automation of road, tunnel and bridge construction, earthwork, etc. In the group of house construction, main applications include building skeleton erection and assembly, concrete compaction, interior finishing, etc. Classification according to applications is consistent with other possible classifications, which divide RAC R&D activities according to the development of new equipment and processes or the adaptation of existing machinery to transform them into robotic system. In this section several examples of robotics systems are

presented. In the group of civil infrastructure the examples are road pavers' sensor-based guidance, earthmoving control and infrastructure inspection. In the group of housing the examples are interior building finishing, brick layer masonry, column welding, modular industrialized building's construction. Civil infrastructures In the field of road construction, several projects had been developed over the last decade. They were mainly focused in the development of the new generation of semi-autonomous road pavers and asphalt compactors. The EU projects CIRC and latter OSYRIS had as the main objectives, based in the GPS and laser data, the semi-autonomous guidance of the machines and the quality control of pavers and roller processes by controlling the speed, temperature, layer thickness, travelled distance, etc. The coordination of several machines in order to improve productivity is also the objective of the project. In the field of earthwork the research is centred in the introduction of new control techniques to existing machinery like excavators, bulldozers, draglines, etc. One of the major exponents of this research area is the control by CSIRO of the 100-m tall walking crane used in surface coal mining. The swing cycle of the dragline

Construction Robotics

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accounts for about 80 percent of time taken. The automatic swing cycle improves the efficiency of the machine, taking in mind that the bucket which weighs around 40 tonnes when empty and up to 120 tonnes when full, acts as a large pendulum and requires operator skill to control well. The torque-force control during the excavation is also improving the productivity of the processes. The University of Sydney project developed an automated excavator that accounts for interaction forces in analysing the required bucket motion therefore seems promising. As the bucket comes in contact with its environment, the contact force must be regulated such that it remains within a specific range by using specific control strategy The periodic inspection and maintenance of the civil infrastructures was another important research activity. The inspection of building skeletons, complex roofs, off-shore platforms, bridges, etc. represents an extensive and valuable field of work. It is estimated that in the EU there are over 42.000 steel bridges with a replacement cost of 350 M€. The ROMA family climbing robots able to travel in a complex 3D environment, carry out several inspection sensors (laser telemeters, colour cameras) in order to transmit the field data to the “ground” system. The key issue of these robots is the grasping method (grippers, electromagnets, suction cups, etc.). To increase the strength. House building Interior-finishing operations in the building are very time consuming and requires high degree of accuracy. There are several mobile manipulators able to perform variety of operations like extend, compact and control the thickness of the floor concrete, painting and steel column fire protection spraying, assembly of interior walls and ceilings, etc. Most of these robots are teloperated and perform only simple operations. The most representatives' robots of this type are Japanese ones. Three examples are presented: the "Mighty Hand" robot from Kajima, which lifts heavy elements in construction as concrete walls, etc., and the SurfRobo from Takenaka which automatically compact the concrete floor by using two sets of rotary floats. The right hand side of the figure shows Kajima´s concrete floor surface finishing robots. These robots are already used in sev-

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eral building construction sites where they succeeded in releasing workers from thousands of operations. The last decade has witnessed the development of several robots for automatic assembly of buildings. An effort had been done in the brick laying masonry and the development of robotic prefabrication of façade and wall ellements. The EU project ROCCO developed a large-range (10 m reach) and high payload (up to 500 kg) hydraulic 6 DOF robot for brick assembly. The robot is equipped with auto-tracking laser telemeter in the tip in order to perform prices (up to 5 cm) brick assembly. In this way the control system avoid important arm flexion. The robot performs the assembly sequence obtained by the planning software and needs an initialization process in order to know the bricks pallet position. During the last few years a tendency to develop wearable robots for different applications immerged. First this type of robot were thought of from a military point of view, and that is to provide soldiers with powered exoskeletons to allow them handle heavy loads and resist longer periods without being exhausted. The main limitation of these robots is their power supply, but in the construction site this should not be a serious problem, since the robot can be iambically connected to a power source while being wearied by an operator. A wearable/exoskeletons robot is able to endow the operator with more strength beyond his natural limits and allow him/her to handle heavy objects during their construction activities such as carpentry or fitting ceiling boards as they require large muscular power. The prototype developed in is an example of such application. The assembly of steel-based buildings is performing by welding, such as column-to-column and column-tobeam joints. The Japanese WR mobile robot performs a variety of column-to- column welding. The steel columns of up to 100 mm thickness can be round-, square-, or H-shaped, as well as box-sectional members. For column-to-beam welding, there is a combination of welder/transport type which can run on decks and a type which can weld lower flanges from below. Automation and robotization of the complete building erection is the most exciting experience. Applying to the February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

high-rise building there were several Japanese projects. The most significant is the SMAT system developed by Shimizu (Miyatake, 1993). It was used for construction of more than 30 stories office building. It consists of allwheatear, full-robotic factory on the top of the building. The lift-up mechanism automatically raises the construction plant and at the same time raises the on-site factory, called field factory. More recently the Dutch companies develop the new whole building erection technology but in opposite way of the previous system. The building is totally constructed in like factory environment and then transported to the final location. The 10 floor building called Bolder was transported by water in a three day operation. Software and IT technology in RAC As discussed in earlier sections, software and IT technologies (also called soft robotics in earlier publications by the authors) is not only limited to software itself but also includes other related technology as sensory data acquisition and processing, human operator's field safety and security, chip-based process control, etc. This section describes the main applications and some examples of the actual software and IT trends in the automation of the construction industry. Software integration Software integration in the field of RAC is crucial for implementing the concept of the Computer Integrated Construction (CIC). The idea is to integrate in a common exchange format all the stages of the construction, i.e. from architect's desk and planning tools to site robots. The EU FutureHome projects develop the AUTOMOD3

system that integrates in a common CAD environment several tools like design, planning and automatic robot and machine programming (Balaguer et al., 2002). Due the high level of conservatism of building designers, the main idea is to use the common 2D architectural design (drawings) and automatically transform it into 3D drawings. In this way it is possible to perform also automatically the modularization of the traditionally designed buildings. This process permits to industrialize the house-building by modular pre-fabricated construction. Schedule management software packages are used more and more in construction. Nevertheless, its dynamic integration whit all the actors participate in the construction is not yet done. In a construction project, although the completion day is clearly decided, construction schedule is often changed by the weather or the actual progress situation of the project. When a difference arise between present state and the master schedule, it is necessary to adjust the construction schedule and to execute it immediately. The communication with part's produced factory, transport agents, stores and other suppliers is performing in real-time and in automatic way. Mobile computing systems for data transfer between constructor managers and different web-sites have been implementing. The progress monitoring wireless mobile system permits to check the progress of the work. At the same time field note system is used to note unacceptable parts of works. Inspection system is also used for inspect the result of construction. The document management system not only can communicate with the designers DBs in order to download the CAD drawings, but also permits the on-site modifications of these drawings. This soft technology is very useful and has a low cost which make it candidate for massive introduction in the site environment. The day when construction managers and operators carry only some paper drawings will be finished soon. Virtual Reality systems The Virtual Reality (VR) software together with an immersive projection display (IPD) allows construction managers to enter and interact with the contents of a full-scale building, before start of the construction or

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during the execution of the project. The virtual mock-up offers first person presence, or the feeling that you're actually in the room when you're just standing in a space bounded by five large screens that surround you with a projected image. The virtual mock-up experience is real enough to enable welders, for example, to crawl under virtual structures and hit their heads on virtual pipes to determine if there's enough room to work. Several immersive VR systems were developed during the last years, like at the Penn State University, at the NIST, etc. In the world of construction operations analysis, the ability to see a 3D dynamic animation of an operation that has been simulated allows the experts, field personnel, and decision makers can discover differences between the way they understand the operation and the way the model developer understands it. The dynamic VR is more close to animation than geometrical visualization. The actual research is focusing on designing automated, discrete-event process simulation-driven methods to visualize construction operations and the resulting evolving products in dynamic, smooth, continuous, 3D virtual worlds. The discrete-event simulation systems, allows a computer to create a world that is accurate in time and space; and which shows people, machines, and materials interacting as they build constructed facilities.

Using VR system for simulation and training is another software and IT technology (also designated soft robotics by some authors) area. For complex machines like excavators, the VR system needs not only to simulate the geometry and kinematics of the machine but also the terrain and the interaction between the machine and terrain. The simulation of digging and driving over the terrain is the crucial test. The terrain model is generated with an elevation grid technique which specifies a height field over a uniform grid. If the size of an individual grid in the simulation is smaller than the footprint of the excavator the system will work correctly and the operator's sensation will be good. The system permits the simulation of the view from inside or outside the excavator cabin. To visually represent the digging process, the location of the bucket relative to the terrain and relative to the excavator needs to be known. Sensory data acquisition and processing One of the most promising areas of research and development in software and IT in RAC is the sensory data acquisition and processing. The use of sensors for modelling the environment and then use this data for processing is much valuable for the control of automatic construction machinery or robots. The LADAR (Laser Radar) on-site data acquisition was one of traditional research area at NIST. Nevertheless, only recently this

Virtual Reality

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CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

technology has produced important applications in the automatic excavation, truck guidance, topography and inspection. LADAR technology is based on the high precision pan-and-tilt mounted laser rangefinder with the frame rate at least 10 Hz (commonly 25 Hz). The range of the laser scanner is up to 150 m for objects with reflection coefficient grater than 80% and 50 m for objects with reflection coefficient grater than 10%. Once the data are registered, they are used to generate 3D models or surfaces. Evaluation of surface generation algorithms involves a three parts process. In the first part, the characteristics (accuracy, noise, and related uncertainties) of the sensor would be determined. This set up or calibration would be performed in an indoor facility, which allows for a controlled environment. In the second part, mathematical procedures are used to determine the statistical uncertainties of particular calculations (e.g., volume) based on the results of the instrument calibration. In the third part, the characteristics of the algorithms used to generate the 3-D model would be determined. These characteristics determine how well the algorithms handle missing points, outliers, discontinuities, vertical surfaces, etc. The using of GPS for data collection has become very common. Some applications are very well known such as automatic truck guidance, topography, etc. But nowadays low-cost facilities of using PDA-based GPS and web data transmission and collection make new applications possible. One of these applications is the GPSaided earthquake monitoring. The data is collected via a GPS station with a circular antenna firmly fixed in a 4.5 tonne slab of 300 million year old sandstone from Yorkshire, which is in turn embedded almost three metres into the earth. This natural landmark is monitored every 15 second via web. Safety of operators and machines Thousands of construction workers are injured or killed in construction accidents each year. Researches and development efforts have been made in the last few years to look into new ways of improving the security and developing methods and reliable systems to detect possible failures and to avoid any harm to the workers, machines and installations. Studies showed that the

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

main risk sources in on-site environment are collision with the machine transporting heavy and big objects, fallings, machine running over, and therefore these have to be taken into consideration when designing preventive security systems. In this research and development effort based on IT and mechatronics systems, the compulsory safety helmet required for all workers in the site can be used as the base to hold miniature positioning and communication instruments. In the work described by the authors, bidirectional voice channel, portable GPS and microcamera with video link have been integrated in the security the helmet. The position and ID of each worker is communicated periodically via radio link to a monitoring station. This information is compared with a dynamics Data Base containing the tasks and processes to be perform in the site. If a given worker is at what the system considers a hazard source it acts according to the nature of source. There are two basic security levels: machine and human ones. Machine level refers to the failures in the machinery, possible erroneous operation, bad condition of the components, etc. As far as the human level is concerned, the objective is to prevent the operatives from suffering the accidents. The strategy to adopt consist in the definition of different safe and prohibited zones around the workers and the sources of danger, so that in the moment in which these areas comes into contact a danger situation is triggered and warning is generated. There are several actions to be done in this situation such as advising the worker thought the voice instructions, halting a machine movement via central computer among others. The proposed prototype systems records all the detected risk situations for later examination and is able to be used for monitoring of some activities of the site as it records the position of workers and automated machines continuously. Identification tags and part-oriented construction One of the most innovative software and IT Technologies applications in the construction industry is the so called part-oriented construction. The idea is very compatible with the above mentioned security system, where The main idea is to link the fixed and temporary

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CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

facilities of construction site (ground, cranes, field factories, etc.) with the parts- peoples dynamically changing world via information network. It means that the status, position and timing of parts and human operators in the site are known in every moment. Moreover, it is possible to dynamically plan, command, tracking and monitoring all the construction recourses. To perform this monitoring each part, machine and operator has assigned an identification chip which wireless connects with external devices. This chip is a wireless semiconductor integrated circuit that stores an ID number in its memory (Radio Frequency Identification Device -RFID). The µ-chip developed by Hitachi is a micro-device with square of 0.4 mm that uses the frequency of 2.45GHz. It has a 128-bit ROM for storing unique ID. The system which controls whole the construction process is called glue logic. This system binds multiple application software modules, referred as “agents”, developed and compiled separately, and coordinates those agents. As “glue logic” supports even notification and conditioning monitoring features based on active data scheme, users can easy build real- time event-driven application agents. The glue logic consists of two major parts: communication subsystem exchanging data with concurrently running agents and the data management subsystem. Every part has attached µ-chip (which includes antenna). When a chip-implanted part passes through the gate, the gate reads the product URL. It determines what it is, when and in what state it is. The corresponding data point in the glue logic is then altered, which generates an event and a chain of succeeding actions. For communicates with human operators some of them carry a wireless PDA which is capable to connected to the main web server where glue logic is running and, at the same time, is capable to read µ-chip attached to the part. Moreover, the system is applied to automated handling of devices, by communication with automatic cranes and glue logic DB. The correct assembly of parts is also be monitoring. The future of robotics and automation in construction The automation in construction has moved through several historical periods, according the ISARC trends: a)

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cradle, b) growing, and c) developing. However, even at the time of preparing this document one can assert that the consolidated has not been achieved yet. This may happen in the near future, but it is difficult to imagine that the houses will be built in the future like today's cars. However, as illustrated in the examples above the automation in construction is increasing and many of the developed prototypes will see their way to real application. Some factors are very important and will affect the way to real implementation in the near future. These factor are summarised as follow: Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Change of attitude in the construction companies, the machinery industry, the research centres and the government R&D officials, in order to develop new high tech commercial products and pass the phase of prototypes. Implementation of new IT and telecommunications technologies is already changing the work process in all the social segments, including the construction people. Today's form of work is unimaginable only a few years ago. Globalization of the market and consequently adaptation of the commercial structure in today's construction sector introduces a very high level of competitiveness, which urges companies to adopt more automated and efficient means.

To achieve the consolidation period in the construction automation big efforts need to be made in different fronts: Ÿ

Integration. This is one of the key issues which are necessary to be consolidated during the next years, being the main lemma “from architect's desk to site robots”. For this purpose three main actions should be taken: Ÿ Feedback design of houses, taking into account the prefabrication, erection, assembly, transportation and other stages of the construction process. Ÿ Diversity of the design using the highest number of the similar standard pre- fabricated elements (i.e. building different houses with the same parts). Ÿ Software standardization which permit the easy and fast data exchange between archi-

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CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

tects, civil engineers, electrical engineers and computer science experts. Prefabrication. Expand this technology to cover other materials other than the concrete (including composites), which shall immediately boost the productivity. Three main actions are: Ÿ Mass production using prefabrication in order to select the parts from a catalogue. This means that CIM concept must be introduced, including JIT production. Ÿ Standardization of the maximum number of parts through the use of grid dimensions, common joints, connections, etc. Ÿ New materials for pre-fabricated parts which make them lighter, maintaining the same mechanical features. Robots and automated machines. The robots and highly automated machines are the key issue. Using them ensures a high level of productivity. Some of the main actions are: Ÿ “Easy” to use robots. Develop robust robots which are easy to control and program through friendly human machine interfaces. Ÿ Cheap robots. Develop cheap robots which cover single type of application, being not general. This will permit to increase the sales of units. Ÿ Increasing the level of automation of existing machinery. Modify the conventional construction machines (cranes, compactors, etc.) in order to convert them into robotic system. Investment in R&D. More research and developed investment in RAC both in basic and applied research through national and international targeted programs, such as the EU research frameworks. One of the main objectives has to be targeted also at changing the culture of the operators directly involved in the construction process, through education and training. Otherwise the operators would resist the introduction of innovation.

Conclusion This chapter presented the summarised -state-of-theart in the area of robotics and automation in construction focusing on the new robots development and February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

machine automation. This area of robot development was very strong during 90s. However actual research and development in the RAC is more focused on new emerging technologies and mainly based on software and IT technologies. This is based on the software integration, simulation and Virtual Reality environments, sensor-based monitoring and tracking, part-oriented construction, etc. These examples are the most representatives but are not exclusive of others. It is important to mention that software and It technologies in RAC include other important applications such as artificial life modelling of the construction process, life cycle engineering, RFID chip-robot interaction, etc. The research in RAC' focus on software and IT technologies does not mean that construction robotics development from the hardware point of view has seen a cessation, but their development is actually slow. Integration and coordination of both hard and soft areas is the objective of the long-term research in the field of RAC. It is important to note that this research focus strategically appeared in several national and regional research programs, like the EU 6th Frame Program and was also supported in the inter-regional global program IMS. In order to rapidly advance in RAC and reach the consolidation period the ideas discussed in the previous section need to be adopted and especially new national and international research programs have to be established. About the author: The author has more than three decades of experience in multi-disciplinary transactions ranging from industrial projects to real estate development projects. Expertise in planning, undertaking demand assessment studies, transaction services, project execution, business development, etc. including marketing strategies based on technical market analysis, feasibility studies, program requirement derivation and fund and investor sourcing. Almost 7 years experienced senior professional with project & construction management expertise in large projects for IT, Commercial, Industrial, residential sectors, etc. and more than 18 years of heavy engineering industrial projects like Fertilizers, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, etc.

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MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS

Mobile Technologies for Managing Construction Works

Er. Shamanth Kumar M, Managing Director, Skanda Group of Constructions

INTRODUCTION The construction industry is developing at an impressive rate. Expectations for construction companies across the nation are ever-increasing. A demand exists for projects to be completed in a shorter duration, under budget, and of the highest quality. Being a construction manager means more than just knowing construction; it requires a competent leader with business acumen, apt customer service skills, and the ability to build relationships. The construction industry has been able to meet these expectations through the increasing use of mobile technology. Each phase of a project, from design to turnover, is touched by the use of mobile technology. Devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops have been made common place in both offices and job sites. Each of these devices can be used in many ways. Programs and software enable these devices to be helpful. Devices like these promote organization, communication and documentation from all of which construction managers can benefit.

nology. Hunt utilizes a marketing team to coordinate proposals and presentations that portray the professionalism of the company and win over owners. The team heavily relies on Adobe software like In Design to create proposals. Larger projects that are very unique in nature, like the Savannah Power Plant Hotel, a dilapidated power plant being transformed into a luxury hotel, are often won with the help of a professional, attractive proposal. For larger projects like stadiums and arenas, the project team often utilizes Prezi, which can generate presentations that stand out and show the capabilities of the company. Prezi improves presentations by visually wowing the owner, often showing successfully completed similar projects as well as virtual images of the project approach. High-performance laptops enable the use of these programs and give the designers the ability to edit and adapt these deliverable up until the last minute even while traveling to presen-

PRE-CONSTRUCTION In order to build a project it is necessary to win a project. From a General Contractor's (GC's) perspective, having strong communication within a team is vital. While interning at Hunt Construction Group, a member of the Associated General Contractors, I discovered a few techniques they use that integrate the use of leading tech-

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Figure 1- Falcons Stadium Rendering image

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MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS

tations. Companies like Hunt depend on the mentioned technologies in order to win jobs and progress in the industry. VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION One fact of the construction industry gaining a lot of attention is BIM, or Building Information Modeling. The use of virtual construction has greatly impacted the way many companies approach projects. As described by AGC of America's website, “BIM is driving the construction industry toward a 'Model Based' process and gradually moving the industry away from a '2D Based' process” (AGC). The adaption of BIM has been gradual, but the benefits of this technology will lead to a more widespread adoption in the near future. For Hunt, virtual construction serves many purposes. Often used for proposals models are created in order to impressively display to owners the abilities of the company as a GC. For project management purposes, models are maintained, shared, and updated in order to predict conflicts, clashes, and see that the project goes smoothly. This technology benefits both the designer and constructor to promote collaboration throughout the project and benefit from effective communication. An extremely powerful program called BIM 360 Glue allows users to bring the model to life on the job site. By using a collection of software and very small sticker-like emblems strategically placed throughout the building, called quick response codes, the user can better use the model. This gives users the ability to hold up the tablet in a building and virtually see the part of the model where

Figure 2- Image from Barclay's Center Model

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Figure 3 - BIM 360 on tablet

they are standing in real-time. “Want to see what's behind a wall? Simply scan the QR code on the door jamb in the room, point the mobile device's camera lens toward the wall (Barista 2). This process can be extremely advantageous to use during construction and it also presents itself as useful after the building is turned over and occupied. The same process can be used for viewing as-builts after the project's completion in order to obtain information about the building. This technology can save both contractors and owners time and money. It is extremely advanced technology and has the ability to revolutionize the way projects are managed and documented. PROJECT MANAGEMENT From a project management standpoint, mobile technology has vastly changed the way companies oversee projects. With so many different people and companies involved with construction jobs, a demand exists for mobile technology in the industry. Professionals running jobs, like project managers, are responsible for overseeing every aspect of a project. The ability to effectively communicate and be organized is a major part of a project manager's job, making mobile technology a huge asset. The adaption of smartphones and tablets has dramatically changed the industry. Project team members can be reached by email, text, or phone at any time. These means of communication make the instant exchange of information between everyone involved in the project like owners, designers, and contractors possible. Hav-

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MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS

ing access to email in the field, in the office, and on the go enables project managers to keep tabs on every aspect. Being in the loop and able to deal with issues that come up at any instant give project managers the ability to solve and prevent problems. One example of a project manager maximizing the use of these technologies is Jonathan Haggarty, a PM for another central Indiana general contractor. His ability to run a project located in Alabama from Indianapolis, Indiana is a true example of using resources like mobile technology. In a personal interview conducted with Haggarty, he mentioned that sharing pictures is a major function he uses every day. His company uses an Apple application called Photo Share on which he comments, “I can see what is happening on a daily basis just by looking at my phone” (Haggarty). Photos from a smartphone and tablet can be automatically synced to a computer or the cloud and easily shared. Jonathan also stated that he relies on his smartphone in order to share documents like drawings, specs, and progress reports. Having smartphones and tablets make it easier and quicker to share information as well as make it possible to run a job remotely. For these reasons many companies rely heavily on mobile technology to manage projects.

Smartphones and tablets have the ability to enhance more than just communication between project team members. As projects often involve hundreds or thousands of documents, jobs impose a need for organization. Drawings, specifications, requests for information, submitting, and change orders all need to be managed. One example of using mobile technology for these purposes is the superintendent for Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis, Paul Wilson. By using an iPad he is able to open a program to access all of the project's documents outside of the trailer while right in the middle of the work. Project managers and field personnel like Jonathan Haggarty and Paul Wilson have a huge breadth of responsibility, but new technologies that can be used in the field have created an opportunity for increased efficiency, better understanding, and improved communication in projects. The benefits of mobile technology do not come without a cost. Besides the capital investment in the technology, there are other costs associated with using leading technology. In order to make use of these, training must be provided. New programs and devices can be difficult to initially learn and implement. This makes having buy-in from those being trained especially important. In order

Figure 4 - Using tablets in the construction field

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MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS

to successfully implement the training everyone needs to be on board. MY EDUCATION In my personal education, I have had several opportunities to learn how to use new mobile devices and programs. As an engineer, I was responsible for multiple projects' weekly or biweekly schedule updates. Using mobile technology like a laptop and iPad, I was able to partner with the project manager to update the schedule on the actual site. If we were in a trailer, I could use a scheduling software, Primavera 6, on the laptop to go through and update the schedule. If necessary, I could use an iPad with the schedule pulled up to walk the site and check with trades that the information was correct and on track. Managing the schedule so easily would not have been possible without the ability to update from the field. These devices were a huge benefit to be able to use in order to get the job done. As a Managing Director, I have been given a small taste of the “real world” through internships. This is where I have been able to implement the use of mobile technology. However, college courses are where I learned the

foundation of this knowledge. Courses like BIM, Scheduling, and Project Management all tied together for me while interning. Having learned Revit, Suretrak and management principles, I was able to put to use in the field what I had learned in a classroom. Being able to continually build on these skills and knowledge will help me in the future as a construction professional. These invaluable experiences have prepared me to start my career in the construction industry. Conclusion New technologies are developing at rapid rates and constantly improving. As professionals in a competitive industry like construction, it is important to stay on top by becoming educated on these technologies and being able to proficiently use them. Companies successfully adopting these new technologies are benefiting from their use and putting more of an emphasis on the use of mobile technology. Laptops, smartphones, and tablets have changed the way project managers and their teams handle projects. In addition to the current technologies available, construction professionals can look forward to future advances that will continue to change the industry.

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23

CONSTRUCTION MOBILE APPS

Different types of construction mobile apps

A

s smartphone technology advances, mobile apps have also been adapted in the construction industry to take advantage of them. Not only can mobile apps help construction companies be more efficient, but they also improve workflows and manage documents. The mobile apps are helping workers and managers stick to strict schedules through coordination. From managing construction equipment to enabling quick material delivery, a mobile construction app can handle all tasks. Construction mobile apps facili-

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tate easy communication between owners, back-office teams, construction managers, field workers, and clients. Advantage mobile apps for construction; Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Monitor the activities of the builders and staff at the construction site. Keep all project and job site information in your mobile device and access it whenever you want. Keep track of the construction equipment usage as well as schedule the maintenance of the

Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ

equipment. Collect real-time information about the project status. Handle multiple projects simultaneously and generate regular reports. Keep track of inventory. Automates administration tasks Helps with billing and cost estimates Makes it easy to schedule tasks Handles ongoing work projects Drawings and blueprints, which may include automatic hyperlinking and sheet version control, markups and annotations Tracking and management of asFebruary 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CONSTRUCTION MOBILE APPS

Ÿ

sets and materials Management of logistical chains

lows you to create and send RFIs on the app. The app is used by contractors, subcontractors, owners, and designers.

Different types of construction mobile apps

Aconex Fieldwire Fieldwire is the construction mobile app used for collaborating and sharing information in real time. The app connects your entire field team, from the project manager down to each specialty contractor's foreman, on one construction management platform. The app can store all of your plans, allowing you to navigate between plans very quickly. Each Fieldwire plan contains the complete history of that drawing, including all versions that have been uploaded to Fieldwire. You can look back at previous versions by pressing the version description or swiping up and down on mobile. The app is also used for punch items, safety issues, general to-do items, inspections, QA / QC issues, or any other observations.

Powerplay Powerplay construction mobile app is used to manage all aspects of a construction project and provides onsite access to update information in realt i m e . I t i n t eg ra t e s w i t h o t h e r messaging applications like WhatsApp to inform each employee about their work obligations and mistakes. The The app helps users track the progress of the assigned tasks and update their status through the photos uploaded to the app. Each project activity has its timeline that includes step-by-step completion of the task and provides accurate ideas for the progress of the task. February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

Aconex construction mobile app is used to share plans, capture data onsite, and mark up images and documents. Allows users to coordinate bids, permits, RFIs, and change orders The advantages of this app are systematic backups of all information and full information audit trails (including past versions of documents). The mobile apps also allow for offline working and then later syncing of information with the central server, when a connection becomes available.

PlanGrid PlanGrid is an Autodesk Build construction mobile app available on both the App Store and Google Play. This collaborative app makes paper blueprints obsolete in your construction business. It has been designed as an instinctive and managed construction software to help construction companies encounter & resolve the problem of cost overrun and reduced performance. The mobile app lets you view and share blueprints, notes, drawings, issues tracking, field markups, and progress photos all in one place. This ensures that everyone on your team has access to the data they need to do their work. Think of it as your on-the-go project manager. It syncs over data or wi-fi, allowing you to coordinate multiple projects from anywhere in the world in real-time. Additionally, it also has a version control function and al-

Corecon Corecon construction mobile app is u s e d fo r ove r a l l m a n a g e m e n t functionalities including contract recording, purchase reports, task sched-

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CONSTRUCTION MOBILE APPS

uling, and quality assurance. The app has a feature named documentation which lets you keep track of ongoing projects, appointments, and work orders. The mobile app has an in-built advanced analytics tool that can automatically generate reports based on cash flow, accounting, billing and project costs. It supports real-time information access on both the Android and iOS platforms, making it easy to connect with the project workforce and clients. Procore Procore construction mobile has been specifically designed for iOS (iPad, iPhone) and Android devices It.makes use of specific mobile device features enabling users to take photos and attach them to drawings and punch list items and scan QR codes to easily locate relevant building projects submittals from Procore in the cloud. In addition, project plans, RFIs, and punch lists can be consulted and linked with a mobile device, even if the device is offline. Changes made will be automatically synced with other Procore software when an internet connection becomes available.

e-Builder e-Builder makes managing complicated processes and project documentation simple. It manages the cost, schedule, and documentation of your capital program using world-class workflow and business intelligence. With a few taps initiate and manage workflows such as Inspections, RFIs, Field Orders, and so much more from anywhere. Providing business intelligence reports based on data analysis and creating reports of ongoing project progress. The e-builder offers indepth clarity for easy access, extraction, analysis and filters unnecessary project data.

vant information is overlaid on your photos. You don't need to describe where the photo was taken as relevant longitude and latitude details are stamped on the pictures. BIM 360 BIM 360 users can access all project documents, plans and models, as well as execute construction quality, safety, and project controls workflows, from their Android phone or tablet. This is the companion app for the users of the Next Generation BIM 360 Document Management, Field Management, and Project Management modules.

iNeoSyte iNeoSyte aids construction managers in making their field reports quickly and easily. With the mobile app, the managers or field supervisors can make notes, take photos and generate professional PDF reports. These reports can be shared via email or a cloud-based system like Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, etc. The construction site app reduces time spent on the job site paperwork and lets you focus on the most important tasks on construction sites.

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Solocator Solocator construction mobile app uses your mobile device camera and adds compass details and directions to photographs. The mobile app allows you to stamp photos with date, GPS data, direction or even altitude. It works great if you need to add detailed information about a specific location. Instead of writing descriptions, rele-

FingerCad FingerCad app is used for creating and accessing CAD drawings with just your mobile device.The app allows you to draw bridges, mechanical parts, blueprints for offices or any other item that February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CONSTRUCTION MOBILE APPS

GoCanvas GoCanvas mobile app allows you to create forms for estimates, inspections, waivers, and work orders from your mobile device. You can even create custom forms on the app without any coding knowledge, convert them to PDFs and share them between team members, for faster and more efficient data collection. The app eliminates the need to carry around piles of paper between job sites. The app works online or offline.

can be drawn on traditional computer CAD software.It works great for architects, surveyors or site engineers. FingerCAD supports advanced designs as well.

nected BIM Mobile to provide convenient BIM access, and Aconex Handover for onsite operations updates and access.

JobFLEX JobFLEX app maintains the materials list, customises your formatting, and provides up to 50 customer estimates on a single user account. It works offline too. With the app you can include job site photos to distinguish your company from the competition. General contractors, electricians, carpentry and concrete experts, and other industry professionals have all made good use of this app.

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

Conclusion

Aconex Field Aconex app is used to make field inspections more efficient, high quality, and safe. You can run this app on iOS or Android to improve accuracy and reduce duplicate work. Aconex Con-

Discussed above are a few of the construction mobile apps used to track project progress, generate regular business reports, estimate the total construction cost etc. With a construction mobile app, you can have your entire workspace, from foreman to top-level managers, in a single window.

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CLOUD BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Cloud based project management software - Advantages and Types

C

loud based project management software is used for project planning, scheduling, resource allocation. It enables completion of a construction project within defined requirements of cost, schedule, scope, and quality. Some construction management software will be solely for internal use, helping project teams to stay aligned on pro-

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ject costs, timelines and budgets throughout. Others will provide a bridge between contractors, subcontractors and client, allowing them to share project data and collaborate on schedules and documents. Beyond collaboration and communication, cloud based project management software includes a variety of tools that can help track progress and costs related to a project. This may include features to handle aspects of the projects like document

management, scheduling, contract and permit management, quality assurance, and safety. Cloud based project management software advantages Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Project planning Task management Document sharing and collaboration Maintaining Project timelines

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

CLOUD BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

As more and more construction businesses transition to using cloudbased construction management software, they are beginning to realise how important and useful it is to the construction industry. Overall, cloud-based construction management software allows for everyone involved in a construction project to have access to everything they need to complete the project to the best of their ability. Who can use cloud-based project management software that allows for the project to run smoothly? Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Project managers General Contractors Subcontractors Owners Clients Architects

Major benefits of cloud-based project management softwares include: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Accessibility No manual updates Real-time information No physical paperwork Improved collaboration and communication

Any construction professional involved in a project can and does use construction management software. Products offer different permission levels, making it easy to share plans with both collaborators and stakeholders, without worrying about unsanctioned markups and changes. Different types of cloud-based project management software

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

Building design and building information modeling (BIM) software: All construction projects start with a design plan. It's much easier to make design plans with BIM software. While some construction management solutions provide organic BIM functionality within their platform, many others have built their systems to allow easy integration with products in the BIM industry. Capital project management software: Construction projects, especially commercial ones, can turn into long-term capital intensive projects. With capital project management software, owners and managers of capital projects can rest easy, knowing all their resources and processes are tracked, stored, and analyzed in a central repository. Project-based ERP software: Projectbased ERP software facilitates transparency within revenue-generating companies via the recording of project-related information. Environmental health and safety software: Construction job sites are full of risk. Construction projects must adapt to and resolve any hurdles or issues that crop up that can delay the progress of a project. Environmental health and safety software is used by any type of business that reduces risks and logs workplace incidents in case of an audit. Architectural rendering software: Architects and interior designers utilize architectural rendering software to visualize and enhance their 2D or 3D architectural plans.

Different cloud based construction management softwares Clear Estimates Clear Estimates is a cloud-based estimating software that enables you to create professional estimates in minutes and remotely access from anywhere. This easy to use application provides accurate data and powerful templates to create pitch-perfect and insightful estimates.

Astral Construction & Real Estate ERP Astral construction software helps them to manage their organisational data on one platform, It provides them a one point solution for managing construction projects, payments, and monitoring activities happening at different levels.

Bhoomi Bhoomi allows for scalability, reliability, efficient data processing, quick decision making, the best utilisation of company's manpower and reduced

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CLOUDTECHNOLOGY BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CLOUD FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

BuilderPlus Cloud based construction management software for construction professionals manage their clients, projects, invoices, documents, scheduling, & more. 30 Day free trial. maintenance and overhead. Ayoga Ayoga is a cloud-based construction project management software for Real Estate, Infrastructure, EPC, Contractors, Architects, Engineering Services and Project Management Companies. It helps you to manage your projects, unplanned tasks, materials, documents, designs, manpower, equipment, vehicle, vendors, suppliers, billing, sub-contractors.

WorkflowMax WorkflowMax provides a comprehensive, user-friendly web-based solution for managing projects, leads, and documents. It is provided for features like as a lead manager, client manager, purchase orders, quoting, timesheet management, etc.

Q-Lite Builder Q-Lite Builder is a smart and robust real estate ERP software for contractors. Q Lite is enriched with industry best practice and is easy to use with no training required. Q Lite comprises well-defined modules for executing and managing different processes in construction.

Builder MAX Builder MAX meets all of the builders' management and business needs. The software contains modules for controlling all the business aspects of the building industry with a central data repository to administer multiple projects with ease and efficiency.

efficiently complete projects and manage their entire company's operations.

CIMS CIMS is free cloud based construction software for builders and contractors. A complete project friendly suite developed under the guidance of the specialist. Wide clarity on all your projects, accompanied with specialized reporting production monitoring.

Tactive Construction Management Tactive Construction Management Software for Infrastructure, EPC, contracting companies, and builders to

Fieldwire Fieldwire is a cloud based construction management software that connects field and office teams. The soft-

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CLOUD BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

ing submission reminders, route pay requests, compliance controls and can also calculate both labour and material costs automatically.

ment management, work order management, warranty management etc. Builterra

BrickControl

ware makes it easy for engineers, supers, and foremen to stay on top of things and optimize their work for the next 2-3 weeks. It keeps the team in the field connected on all core use cases: plan viewing, punch list, scheduling, and reporting. eSUB

BrickControl is a cloud-based solution that performs a variety of tasks with the primary goal of project management. It can generate estimates on several different levels, create plans and Gantt tables, generate timesheets and certificates, and more. Because of the use of REST API, it can also be integrated into many accounting systems.

eSUB is cloud based construction software that provides your team with the tools and information it needs to track every project detail directly from the field.

Builterra is a construction management software used for infrastructure project owners and civil engineering consultants. It is capable of construction progress tracking, asset management, quality assurance, and various pre-construction operations. Its own mobile app also allows for more straightforward construction project review with geolocationbased photos and markups. Other than that, there are also payment reports, progress quantities, and many other features.

Dataforma

Flashtract Flashtract is a cloud-based management software that would be most useful in the hands of contractors or subcontractors since it helps with bill-

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

Dataforma is a cloud-based software used for project management, lead tracking, marketing campaign monitoring, and more. It is a relatively comprehensive solution with several different modules for business processes and customer management. The one we're here for today is the business process module, which allows for various project management-related features and docu-

MeisterTask MeisterTask uses Kanban-style project boards that can be used to generate comprehensive automated workflows, a useful dashboard, task management, notification management, workflow streamlining capabilities, Gantt-style timeline view, comprehensive reports, as well as a

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CLOUD BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

wealth of automatization settings. It also has native smartphone apps for both Android-based and iOS-based devices, aside from its original review capability. Zoho Projects Zoho Projects provides virtual meetings, chats, comments, tags, and collaborative document creation / editing. Its features include budgeting, time tracking, portfolio manage-

ment, and issue tracking. Zoho's dashboards are completely customizable, and there is a lot of freedom for automation regarding specific tasks – sending notifications, assigning user roles, and updating documents. Wrike

Conclusion

Wrike is a useful cloud-based construction project management software that prides on its scalability and versatility. It has three view types – traditional workload, Kanban boards, and Gantt charts with dragand-drop support. Other features of Wrike are file sharing, task lists, shared workflows, subtasks, and schedules. We cannot forget the realtime ability to collaborate and communicate between team members.

Discussed above are different advantages and types of cloud based project management softwares. With cloud software, you can connect your teams, better manage profitability. Selection of the best software depends upon your project requirements. With the right cloud-based project management software one can manage projects collaboratively and make construction projects run smoother.

Navi Mumbai Intl Airport To Get ADB Safegate Airfield 4.0 Lighting Technology ADB Safegate has been selected by Adani Group, the developer and operator of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), through the EPC contractor Larsen & Toubro to utilise Airfield 4.0 technology. Construction of Phase 1 of the airport is slated for completion by the end of next year. NMIA will employ ADB Safegate's advanced airfield lighting solutions to date: AXON EQ LEDs lights and LINC 360 Individual Control & Monitoring System (ILCMS). The cutting-edge airfield lighting solution readies the greenfield airfield for Level 4 Advanced Surface Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) integration. Aziz Cakir, VP, ME & Africa, ADB Safegate, said, “These latest airfield technologies will allow NMIA to meet its goal of operating their A-SMGCS at Level 4, the highest level of implementation based on complexity and traffic density.”

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He added that the new AXON lights with intelligence not only provide huge long-term maintenance advantages but, along with LINC 360, are best suited for the ‘Follow the Greens’ concept to enable tracking of aircraft and control a pathway with green lights for the aircraft to follow down the runway,

onto the taxiway and into the gate. “This Follow the Greens and routing & guidance of aircraft when implemented shall save on power consumption, reduce pilot navigation errors, and increase safety on the airfield,” Cakir said. Source: mobilityoutlook.com

February 2023 • Constrofacilitator

What is the huss about eMagazine eMagazine is a digital medium for interac on among the various personnel among the construc on industry namely, Manufacturers, Business to Business users and the Civil Engineering professionals.

B2B and knowledge portal for Architecture, Civil and Infrastructure industry

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