Cloud computing is one of the most revolutionary technologies of the 21st century. It’s a virtual networking & data storage system that can be accessed from any location, plus allows users to make entries into the software on their own without requiring any permission from a central administrator.
Nowadays, the technology is increasingly gaining popularity in the construction industry, where on-site workers, architects, engineers, and project managers often use it to record information about the building’s progress, as well as sharing important files with each other both online and offline. Some of the top cloud systems in the construction industry today are as follows:-
I) Viewpoint One
This cloud service allows for cross-collaboration between office and field workers for improved productivity and decision-making. Nowadays, a lot of construction projects require both on-site activity and office-based assistance, which is necessary for matters such as approval of documents, vetting of temporary workers, and so on.
Viewpoint One Cloud can help bridge this gap by allowing for instant administrative assistance, particularly in activities like ordering a supply of materials to the construction site, signing of crucial documents and payroll management, so that the project doesn’t stall halfway due to bureaucracy.
This kind of real-time collaboration helps to save time and effort, which would have otherwise been wasted constantly sending a team to the physical office for assistance.
It also makes communication between construction teams, subcontractors, and other third parties much easier for the smooth flow of the project. Moreover, the technology is quite useful in handling bulk storage requirements necessary for the project.
As construction progresses from one stage to another, the number of 3D maps and blueprints are also likely to go up as a lot more stakeholders get involved in the project.
All this data may be too much for a typical storage device such as a flash drive, which only has limited storage capacity. Hence, Viewpoint One Cloud makes an excellent alternative since it’s flexible enough to support data expansions, without compromising on performance or security.
II) Oracle Cloud
It allows for enhanced budgeting for long-term construction projects that require continuous budgetary reviews, considering that the cost of materials tends to change from time to time.
For instance, the cost of PVC piping for an entire floor maybe $1000 at the onset of construction, but due to unpredictable factors such as inflation, increase in oil prices, and so on, the rates may go up to $3000 by the time you want to finish a particular floor.
One of the best ways to keep track of accounts in such a situation is through using Oracle Cloud; you can instantly update changes in the cost of materials and other expenses without worrying about balancing your books all over again since the system will automatically update new entries and ensure that all your transactions are balanced.
Moreover, you don’t have to hire external accountants to do complex calculations associated with your construction project, since Oracle Cloud has its own powerful internal computing system that can be used for such processes.
III) Cloudalize
This cloud app allows for the quick formulation of architectural blueprints and reconfiguring of building designs. Sometimes, a building may need to be re-engineered halfway through the construction because the previous model may not be feasible any longer, or an artistry error has been detected, and the only way to save the entire project from getting destroyed is finding a new architectural plan.
In such cases, Cloudalize can prove helpful in providing live technology integration, where engineers would be able to instantly view events as they happen in the field and provide solutions, without necessarily having to be present at the site. This is made possible due to telemetry data streaming, which is one of its key features.
IV) Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
The technology provides project managers with insights & metrics to oversee statistics touching on personnel productivity, safety protocols, and regulations in real-time.
For instance, workers’ personal details can be merged with GPS on the IaaS cloud or location details, so as to keep track of construction staff on site, which can help improve ground coordination for more efficient progress.
The directors can also use real-time data to create detailed previews of the project, in order to estimate factors such as the duration it would take to complete the project or bottlenecks that are likely to be encountered along the way.
They will also improve overall security at the site by monitoring parking conecomponents, which are used to control movement and traffic at the construction zone.
To summarize, cloud technology is increasingly being applied in the construction industry to streamline processes such as budgeting, monitoring, and communication among stakeholders. Currently, some of the most popular cloud systems used for these functions are Oracle Cloud, Viewpoint One, IaaS, and Cloudalize.
