Covid-19 speeds-up construction’s digital revolution

Grant Prior 5 years ago
Share

The Covid-19 pandemic is accelerating the adoption of digital technology across the construction industry.

A survey of 250 construction managers by software specialist Procore Technologies revealed 66% of companies rolled out some sort of new technology during lockdown.

The vast majority – 94% – said they saw an improvement in the way their teams work as a result.

The research also revealed 80% of those quizzed believe that working with a single digital platform offering all information in one place will play a key role in the future construction working.

Brandon Olivieri O’Connor, Director of UK and Ireland at Procore UK&I, said: “With much around construction being disrupted, technology has proved the one constant and this is being increasingly realised by businesses.

“We’ve seen contractors proactively making the move away from manual methods and excel towards platform technology.

“Construction won’t be the same as it was before, with connectivity and mobility driving a new way of working.”

The survey also shows that 58% of construction companies have seen a higher demand from workers for a way to stay connected and work more efficiently.

Having the option to reduce the number of staff onsite and social distance has allowed construction companies to comply with health and safety regulations.

The majority of construction managers (52%) which rolled-out online collaboration and productivity technology solutions since lockdown said the safety for their teams has improved.

Matthew O’Dowd, Group QHSE Manager, Elliott Group said: “At Elliott Group, the means to work digitally gives us a competitive advantage and ultimately helps us to achieve our mission of delivering projects defect-free – maintaining quality, reliability as well as safety.

“Technology has always played a central role in the way we work, and this has accelerated as a result of Covid-19.

“Having Procore’s platform technology at our fingertips has enabled us to continue working during the pandemic, and most importantly to do this in a way that has allowed us to make quick decisions and keep everyone connected safely.

“Thanks to this technology, the flow of information has been fast-tracked. We trust that everyone across our team, and our clients, have access to the latest information, in one place and in a format that everyone can understand – whether it’s observations or drawings.”

Latest news

M&E firm J S Wright collapsed owing £19m

Trade creditors hit for £11.4m by employee-owned Midlands firm
5 hours ago

Right to work checks to be extended to self-employed

Government plans crackdown on illegal working and rogue employers
6 hours ago

Vistry go-ahead for 353 homes at Rochester Riverside

Work to start on next phase of Kent town regeneration at end of this year
3 hours ago

Midlands developer turns to London with £1bn resi schemes trio

SevenCapital plans 1,000 flats in Kensington, Islington and the Isle of Dogs projects
6 hours ago

Deck falls off huge scissor lift at Winvic site

Two men seriously injured as platform plunges to the ground
3 days ago

Weston targets Build to Rent with new division

Weston Partnerships signs first deals with asset managers and councils
5 hours ago

Bouygues seals deal for £119m Cardiff college campus

Construction to start in June on two new buildings
3 days ago

£140m cash injection to speed-up flood defence schemes

Funding part of £2.65bn investment over the next two years
6 hours ago

Bid race starts for £15bn schools framework refresh

DfE throws framework open to more contractors
3 days ago

Berkeley’s £600m Borough Triangle project approved

Controversial scheme features two towers of 38 and 44-storeys
4 days ago

London Mayor calls in blocked 600-bed student scheme

Refused 20-storey London PBSA block may still be built
3 days ago

HG to build 500-bed London Stratford student scheme

Work will start later this year subject to gateway 2 safety approval
4 days ago

Arrest after pedestrian death on construction site

Tragedy during site preparation works for new Wigan car park
3 days ago

British Steel threatens closure of Scunthorpe blast furnaces

Chinese owners say sectional steel and rail supplies will be maintained
4 days ago

Planning green light for Sheffield warehouse site

Existing factories to be demolished in new scheme for Rula Developments
3 days ago

New rail property company to unlock land for 40,000 homes

First four sites released in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham
4 days ago

Drainage specialist Subscan files administration notice

Specialist employing 131 people files court notice
4 days ago

Four win Network Rail £300m engineering design deal

Eastern region deal will include design for Northern Powerhouse Rail
4 days ago

Funding go-ahead for Banwell bypass after fresh cost hike

Galliford Try contract rises £14m to £64m after final design change
5 days ago

Graham wins Southport £75m Marine Lakes Centre

Firm replaces Kier which parted ways with backer Sefton Council
5 days ago

Chancellor unveils extra £2bn capital spend a year

Construction promised a defence dividend in military base and homes upgrade work
5 days ago

McLaren confirms subcontractor team on £135m warehouse job

Work starts on TN2 Gateway site in Kent.
5 days ago

Vistry profits slump after site costs reporting debacle

House builder launches internal whistle-blowing service in business culture review
5 days ago

Severfield chief to step down

Alan Dunsmore to leave structural steel group by end of June
5 days ago

Funding hurdle remains as Lower Thames Crossing gains consent

Government claims £9bn project may start in 2026 as private finance options explored
6 days ago

Mace wins £600m Euston Tower overhaul

1970s tower's foundations and core to be retained as floor plates extended
6 days ago

Summer start for main works on London green tower

Axa sanctions start at 50 Fenchurch Street 36-storey office block
5 days ago

Japan’s leading flats builder JVs with L&G for UK push

Partners plan to build over 1,000 rental homes in London
5 days ago

Wates submits plan for 1,000 homes Harrow council scheme

Former civic centre Poets' Corner site kicks off housing partnership
6 days ago

Morgan Sindall upgrades forecast for next 12 months

Overbury fit-out arm gets off to a flying start in 2025
6 days ago

Contractor services