In these challenging and highly competitive times, it is notable that so many construction companies still lag behind other sectors (like aviation or financial services) in their adoption of technology to help them work smarter and more efficiently.
However, perhaps one of barriers is the perception that implementing a new software regime is going to be expensive and disruptive, distracting attention from the core business. And undoubtedly, it is both common sense and commercial sense to select and implement software that is logical, easy to use and makes people’s lives easier.
In parallel, it’s clear that companies that fail to adopt new technologies and continue to ‘muddle through’ with spreadsheets are effectively sabotaging their own profits. Using spreadsheets to manage mission-critical business functions is simply an unacceptable risk for the new world we live in!
Tailored and packaged-based software holds out the promise of a better controlled and trusted environment. The use of spreadsheets to perform complex business functions exposes a business to a number of risks and, although Excel is the biggest competitor to construction software, the advantages of moving away from spreadsheets are well proven.
For example, Causeway’s solutions aim to help organisations minimise risk, control cost and increase profits. They also allow users to save money throughout the tendering process – from the beginning stages of planning to bid leading through to the final accounts being produced.
Furthermore, there are significant time and money savings to be gained from automating core activities in the construction process. For example, automating the entire estimating process provides a much faster and more accurate bid delivery.
The growing use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the design of buildings and infrastructure also casts a glow of light at the end of the tunnel, with major efficiency improvements and improved co-ordination between disciplines. And, of course, with the right software tools information can be liberated from the BIM for interactive use throughout the cost management and control life cycle.
So, while cost – or the perception of cost – may deter businesses from investing in new technologies, especially during a financial downturn, the reality is that they should be harnessing these technologies to drive down cost and sharpen their competitive edge.
