Herbst Insight ERP System Integrates Cameras Using Evercam
November 26, 2014
There has never been a stronger need for innovation and technological adoption in the construction industry than it is right now. Young professionals have an important role to play in identifying technology trends and tackling the obstacles to innovation.
In the same breadth, construction companies are taking up spaces as the drivers behind technology adoption to change how business is run.
Quality control is one of the key things that are in check with technology adoption in construction. Construction businesses now want to ensure that a project is successful before it is built. The goal is to deliver superior products using technological tools that facilitate workflow.
Some of the tools that are increasingly being used include laser scanning, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), interactive data screens, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, asset tracking vehicles/tools & equipment, and security and progress monitoring.
On the personnel end, the AEC teams are now adding a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) manager to their team whose main role is to provide information on how to use technology to build and sell projects.
A VDC manager works for a contractor and uses technology to evaluate the constructability and coordination of the design.
Whilst the goal of every project is ensuring quality control, within budget and stipulated time, VDC managers play an essential role in the pursuit of lean construction by taking information at the very early stages of the project and working with it to construction and advising on the best technologies to help achieve this goal of constructability.
Critical challenges within project controls that technology adoptions aim to achieve include; time management, budget constraints, hazard management, unrealistic expectations, and poorly defined objectives. Below are some of the technology tools embraced to address these challenges and many others.
BIM is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole life cycle. BIM creates 3D-5D forms of project information that are already known. With this model, teams can evaluate the constructability of a project, cost analysis, etc.
BIM isn’t just a set of software or simply a 3D model. It contains not only the model elements but the vast amounts of information that make up the project, as well as the process of exchanging that information with other parties involved.
Whereas previous workflows relied on multiple file formats and disconnected processes that quickly became out of sync when changes were made, BIM workflows allow for a much more dynamic and synchronized approach to project management.
The industry has seen a transformation thanks to web-based tools which have improved team communication, decreased costs, and increased sales and efficiency. Project management software like Procore (which integrates with Evercam) is designed specifically for the construction industry.
Procore is cloud-based and allows unlimited users per instance so that construction team members and stakeholders can all access project information and documents. Because Procore is online, each of the different team members has access to real-time project information.
This results in everyone being on the same page from the first meeting through project completion and provides open access at any time. Autodesk Construction Cloud connects the project lifecycle, improving project and business outcomes from cost and quality to safety and schedules. With ACC tools, project teams can drive collaboration and deliver results by uniting field and office teams from design through construction and operations.
In the past few years, drones have become one of the most compelling construction trends. In a recent survey of civil contractors conducted by Dodge, the intensity of drone usage has been steadily rising. Currently, drones are being utilised on 55% of projects, up from 48% in 2021. According to Dodge, usage is higher among large contractors (67%) than small contractors (9%).
Construction companies can gain from drone data in various ways. Data is gathered securely, rapidly, and precisely to assist companies in monitoring their on-site progress, streamlining communication and decision-making, identifying errors, building 3D models, and preventing on-the-ground workers from accessing risky parts of the site.
In line with progressive advancement, Evercam now offers drone view for site monitoring which also allows the customers to document important data on the site conditions, collaborate and share with other stakeholders to track progress.
On the site work side of things, AGTEK provides solutions for the construction industry to accurately takeoff and estimate construction quantities, model efficient construction processes, and measure progress throughout the construction life cycle, ensuring you stay on track.
With the help of AGTEK’s takeoff solutions, data from PDF, CAD, and drones can be rapidly and precisely transformed into thorough takeoffs of all earthwork volumes, material lengths, areas, and counts needed for site work and infrastructure projects.
Because AGTEK is cloud-connected, one may utilise it anywhere they need to be—in your office, on the job, or elsewhere. AGTEK’s Earthwork 4D Suite includes software to assist with any construction task you can think of. For instance, users are able to offer estimates for stormwater, and sewage lines using Underground 4D. Users can easily develop precise quantity takeoffs, grading plans, and 3D models using Sitework 4D.
Being an industry with a beehive of activities, seamless logistics in job sites cannot be overlooked. An example of software that helps with logistics is CMBuilder which allows users to quickly model and simulate the resources on site with the extensive catalogue of 3D parametric (and non-parametric) resource models, including fixed cranes, mobile cranes, hoists, scaffolding, shoring, fences, and more, you can quickly model and simulate the resources on your site.
Autodesk’s Infraworks is also used in site logistics. InfraWorks 360 software creates professional 3D site logistics plans. InfraWorks is designed for AEC professionals to model, analyze, and visualize infrastructure design concepts within the context of the built and natural environment.
Technological advancements in the construction industry are making project management much easier. Project managers are now using technology such as Oracle Primavera P6, and Microsoft Project throughout the industry. Such software is used to help schedule and come up with different ways how to manage the critical path.
Primavera P6 is designed to handle large and small projects in a number of diverse industries, such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and IT. Synchro 4D from Bentley or Navisworks also provide a model-based digital construction environment to enable virtual and visual construction planning, simulation, and project controls, using the latest 4D planning practices
Procurement is a significant stage when starting a project as it lays out the entire process, from development to construction. There’s a lot of procurement software on the front end. Some are designed for the actual construction and then some do the back end which is what you see with sighted sense trying to put it all together.
So all the way from when we design something to build, to manufacture something to shipping something and then filing actually to build it and put it in the field-there are different software that is being used at each stage.
SiteSense is a software focused on providing construction projects with automation and unparalleled visibility in 4 core areas: materials and inventory/warehouse management, equipment management and tool check-out, materials and equipment forecasting and planning, and track and trace progress and workflow tracking with complete weighted reporting and a map-based interface with barcode and IoT sensor support.
Twinzo also provides an exact 3D Live Digital Twin of your facility. It enables you to have your 3D model on your smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac and gives you access to all the data you desire to see and monitor in real-time.
When your construction processes are digital, your teams have an opportunity to communicate and collaborate better, making them more efficient. When they use a single platform – a single source of truth – teams can connect and get more done in less time.
Evercam has continually advanced its features on construction cameras to provide a unified platform for reality capture. Our software offers a complete project visualisation from within one platform. The features facilitate site monitoring and tracking of deliveries and vehicles on site.
The images captured are integrated with BIM, drone imaging, and 360 views. Evercam connects with project management software such as Procore, Autodesk, and more to combine visual information with project data, making project communications more streamlined and impactful.
If you would like to learn more about how our construction cameras can help you save time and money on your next project, please contact us today to book a demo.
