The Power of the Cloud: Why Cloud Connectivity is Changing Construction

In 2017, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) released a report that gave the construction industry a call to action. In this report, McKinsey pointed out that through digital transformation, the construction industry stood to improve productivity by 50% to 60% with a $1.6 trillion increase per year in incremental global value.

By 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced digital adoption across all industries, the construction industry was already largely prepared. The call to action from years prior had been heard by construction executives around the globe who saw the increasing benefits of transitioning to cloud-based digital construction solutions.

Today, the power of the cloud is here to stay. Cloud connectivity is changing construction in incredible ways, benefiting construction professionals across roles and their customers. Take a dive into the three ways cloud connectivity is changing the face of construction.

1. Improved Collaboration From Start to Finish

Construction teams are incredibly complex. Teams can span multiple organizations and geographies, with dozens of professionals working on a single project.

This makes collaboration between project teams and stakeholders challenging. In the past, construction professionals have often worked in silos. Each party has focused on its aspect of the construction project, and coordination required merging all of these silos together.

Because of this, data was fragmented, communication was delayed, and misunderstandings abounded, all leading to higher costs, rework, and added risks to projects.

Now, with cloud-based technology, such as Autodesk Construction Cloud, project teams and stakeholders can collaborate together in real-time. Teams can share complex modeling while using the same data set.

No longer are teams responsible for manually uploading their own project progression. Instead, everything is continually updated in real-time, reducing errors and omissions. With a single source of truth from start to finish, projects run smoother. Less rework is required, and expectations are aligned early on.

2. Better Data Management and Predictive Insights

Construction projects result in copious amounts of data. The accuracy of that data can make or break a project.

Historically, manual construction data management has been fraught with risk. Even something as simple as working off of an outdated model can have a ripple effect on the entire project.

Additionally, data had limited use. Once a project was completed, the data from that project was difficult to leverage for future projects.

This is where cloud connectivity can have a powerful influence on the success of both current and upcoming projects. Through cloud connectivity, data is managed in a structured, centralized manner. This reduces the risk of human error and keeps all parties on the same page.

Data can also now be used to offer predictive insights on future projects. Through the use of AI, cloud technology aggregates data from across projects and learns how to identify and highlight risks before they become costly problems.

Data is now leveraged to identify, quantify, and mitigate common construction risks. Cloud solutions provide actionable insights.

Throughout a project lifecycle, data can be turned into daily snapshots that indicate the health of a project. Those in charge of managing the progression of a project and reporting back to stakeholders can use this data to share priorities and highlight early indications of potential missed deadlines or necessary rework.

3. Access to a Network of Contacts

In the past, the process of bidding out projects required in-depth and historical knowledge of available professionals. Many organizations relied on manually updated spreadsheets of contacts. In some cases, a more sophisticated approach may have been taken, such as uploading contacts into a CRM.

Regardless, the problem is that a limited network of contacts can result in losing a bid. As the bidding process becomes more competitive and the number of available construction professionals fewer, a thin network can result in huge losses.

At the same time, relationships have always been and always will be critical in the construction industry. Selecting new partners is risky without the right insights.

This is where a real-time cloud-based marketplace of construction professionals becomes a game changer. For example, through Autodesk Construction Cloud, teams have access to the Builder’s Network. This network provides you with access to over 1 million contractors, suppliers, and industry partners.

Not only that, but through the platform, automated recommendations help improve subcontractor qualification and lessen the risk of partner selection.

Through this platform, it is easier to bid quickly and accurately while expanding your network in the cloud.

Get the Most Out of Autodesk Cloud Construction

Cloud connectivity has the power to change the way your team approaches every construction project. From improving collaboration across team members to sharing predictive insights with stakeholders, cloud construction can become your competitive tool.

By partnering with TPM, you can implement Autodesk Cloud Construction and be confident that you are getting the most out of your software investment. Our expert consultants will guide you through the onboarding and implementation process, helping you optimize your use of the platform. Reach out for a free quote today.