b'To Be Or Not To Be Technology-Driven? By Claudia Mamros, Founder & CEO, www.iCinfo.ca T to be technology-driven? To5.injury or delay, while armor-like robotsbeing used for grade control andTo be or not keep pace or not keep pace with the times?called exoskeletons can be worn byearth removal.EvenHamletwouldhavelittledoubthumans for the purpose of overcoming10. Internet of Things (IoT) withthesequestionsbecausethechoicesinadequate muscle strength during theSensors are embedded in equipment seem pretty obvious. And yet, a surprisingperformance of physical tasks.and objects and interconnected via the numberofsmallandmedium-sizedbusi- Internet to gather data which can be nesses (SMBs) in the construction industryDrones continue with their manual and disjointedA drone outfitted with sensors oranalyzed and used to track tools and processes despite the availability of solutionscameras can measure heat and volumesequipment, and proactivelyspecifically designed to address very commonof earth, monitor the progress of amaintain equipment.issues. Lets explore the tech world and seeproject, carry out safety inspections, and collect data for evaluation and improve- Thats Great. But do Smaller whats in it for you. ment of processes - effectively reducingPlayers Need to Think This Big? TechnologyToday, Tomorrowturn-around time from weeks to days, ifYes and no. Yes, because the writing is on the and the Day After not hours. wall. Companies of all sizes are embracing 6.Cloud Computingtechnologyinallsectors.Ithelpsthem Consumersarebecomingmoredemand-ing, businesses are redefining their businessCloud computing has revolutionizedimprove efficiencies, reduce risk and remain models,industriesaregrowingbyleapsthe way companies manage their entirecompetitive. No, because its not necessarily andbounds,evenaswespeak.Compan- operations. The advantages include: about thinking big. Its about being competi-iesaretakingadvantageoftechnologyThe right people having access to thetive. Its about survival.toimproveoperationsandenhancetheright information at the right time;Elminate the Pain.customer experience.flexibility to scale operations and growGain the Advantage.the business; and the ability toTop It Trends in the operationalize costs.Whatcanyoudotooptimize Construction Industry 7.Artificial Intelligence (AI) your investment?The following trends are changing the wayAI is automating repetitive mundaneStep 1: Technology is not likely your skill set. we do business and they are here to stay.tasks like estimating and bookkeeping,Dont go through this process alone. Use the 1.Building Information allowing employees to work on moreservices of an unbiased information manage-value-add assignments. mentconsultanttogetbetterinformed, Modelling (BIM)learnyouroptions,andmakebetter BIM software unleashes not only the8. Mobile Field Technologybusiness decisions. power of 3D (width, height and depth),Mobile applications and devices are but also the added dimensions of time,making it possible for people to com- Step 2: Read all of the articles in this five-cost, environmental and sustainability,municate and access information frompart series on helping SMBs better prepare and through-life facility management.the field in real time. From project man- for technology. It helps the construction industry withagement to safety compliance, to payrollWith346EnterpriseResourcePlanning better communication, lower construc- and more, these devices are significantly(ERP)toolsavailabletotheconstruction tion costs, deliver projects faster, andreducing travel and turn-around time. industry alone, the question is not, To be with far less information loss.9.Self-driving vehiclesornottobetechnology-driven? TherealDriverless vehicles with sensors arequestion is, How and when to get started?2.Smart Buildings Smart buildings use sensors, automation and integrated components to more effectively manage security and maxi-mize operational efficiencies.3.Augmented Reality (AR)AR provides stakeholders with the ability to see design concepts by augmenting the original environment.4.Robotics Brick-laying robots can lay bricks at twice the speed and with zero risk of Ontario Electrical Contractor21'