b'TECHNOLOGYShawn Ostheimer, The Answer Companys founder and CEO, says that cloud-based data storage is becoming much more significant in construction. The company conducted a 2021 construction-industry survey that revealed a 350-per-cent increase over two years in the number of clients using cloud-based ERP solutions. As organizations move to the cloud, theyre mitigating risk, Ostheimer says. Theres a lot of risk in on-site solutions, like cyber-attacks. Ostheimers company helps businesses streamline information exchange between various functions, which can reduce risk and improve efficiency in areas like acquisition of materialson the use of data for predictive analytics. Were going to see and payment of invoices. more data-driven decision-making in the future, and that will happen in every phase of a construction project.Some of the bigger companies, like EllisDon, use their own proprietary software. We built our own in-house program;The biggest future trend would be around AI, predicts we called it Gate Three, says Brandon Milner, EllisDons VPOstheimer. Where we see it being used practically is in things of product, UX design and professional services. Through alike outlier identification. For instance, an expense thats higher partnership with Compass, Gate Three functions like an ERP. Itthan it should have been or charged to the wrong project.handles onboarding of subcontractors and vendors, payments and billings, and legal documents like site reports. Weve seen some real-life examples of utilizing AI technologies to actually improve efficiencies around fault detection, says EllisDon also runs its own pilot programs with up-and-comingMilner. Were not going to replace employees, but well be software companies. For smaller players, Milner says, myleveraging smart technology services for fault detection, 3D advice is that as companies grow, the biggest thing is bringingscanning and predictive analytics around more efficient ways efficiencies to the construction side, and that relates to projectto use construction methodologies.management software. Dont worry about the shiny balls like image recognition; start with the basics of making theWere at a unique point here, Milner adds, and I do think workforce more efficienttimecards, daily site reportsandthat if you have not stepped towards digital modernization now, pick the software you need for your particular situation.theres a high risk that its going to be more difficult inJeff Walter is AECOMs director of digital transformation forthe future.Canada region. In the design-build environment, he says, the number-one thing is the integration of data. He reports a shift to cloud-based, integration-friendly software, noting that this is critical from the design perspective because were getting information when we need it, wherever we are.This type of seamless information flow is going to be increasingly required in order to comply with standards like ISO 19650, which deals with data over the life cycle of a building. This means new levels of open book and transparency, Walter says, adding that the growing focus on democratization of reporting brings great power for granular reporting from the field along with more sophisticated tech needs.Walter notes the rising maturity of the start-up ecosystemBuilding Trust.in the tech spaceespecially around Torontoand pointsBuilding Trust.out the importance for AECOM and similar companies to engage with and nurture start-ups, with a focus on high value, integrating data and filling gaps that may not be covered by the big players. With a presence in more than 40 countries around the world, we Wpietha ka t por tehsee nnceee dinsmofo oreu rt hCaonn s4t0r uccotuionntr &ie sIn afrroaustnrdu ctthuer ew ionrdldu,s wtreysclpieenatks t, oo ftfheer innege fdlesx oibf loeu ler gCaoln ssetrrvuiccteiso nfo &rtIhnefr fausltlr purcotujercetilnifdeucysctrleyTHE FUTURE sWhat developments are ahead in the near future forclietnot sb, uosfifneerisnsge sf lwexhiebrleeltehgeaylasreer vbicaesse dfo arn tdh ew fhuellr ep rtohjeeyc tb luifieldcy, cle across arlle b tohredye arrse a bnads perda actnidce w ahreeraes .they build, construction-site software? Walter sees growth in real-timeto businesses wheacross all borders and practice areas.capability: anywhere, any day, any hour, you have access toTo learn more, please contactthe latest communication. He also expects changes in digitalTo Hleoawrna rmd oKrreu,p palte,a Psaer ctnoenrt,a ctsecurity. Where your data sits is becoming very important,at hoHwoawradr.dk rKurpuapta@t,d Plaapritpneerr.,comhe says. I can see a shift towards controlling as much dataat howard.krupat@dlapiper.cominternally as you can. dlapiper.comdlapiper.comWere seeing more interest in AI, drones and 3D modelling, to name a few, says Saraw. I anticipate a greater emphasis BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 4 202223'