Understanding Cloud Computing in the Construction Industry

Featured article by Umair Asif

So what exactly is cloud computing? Remember when the internet used to be much slower than it is now? One of the reasons the internet has become as fast and sleek as it is in the current day is cloud computing. Cloud computing is a process that outsources your data processing and storage to more powerful, online-connected machines and storage systems. This process allows you to do a lot more work and tasks with fewer resources and allows you to do so from anywhere in the world where you have an internet connection.

Hardware limitations and data loss issues used to put major restrictions on the amount and types of business construction companies could perform. Without having to constantly upgrade computer equipment and digital storage tasks, money can be put into your actual equipment, employees, and other construction-centric needs. Cloud computing is nearly everywhere in the business computing landscape these days, so using it to its full potential is critical for blowing away local competitors.

What Benefits Does Cloud Computing Bring to Your Construction Business?

For those that are not as tech-savvy, understanding the full implications of the benefits cloud computing brings to your construction business can become a lot more difficult. Having a convenient place to keep all the licenses and information needed to run a successful, legal construction operation is only one of the major benefits cloud computing provides, after all. To help skeptical construction business owners and workers understand the specific benefits that are available to them thanks to cloud computing, here are a few of the most pressing, and important examples:

Powerful Data Processing Capabilities:

If you want to process data in the most efficient, practical way possible, cloud computing is the only choice. Construction sites are often dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of pictures, videos, and files to get a job done, so having a convenient, easy to access, and fast way for workers to access these files is crucial. You can even add tons of metadata (such as GPS location, data-centric information, and more) to your files using the data-stretching capabilities of cloud computing.

Fantastically Connected Job Sites:

There are a ton of multi-location construction business operations out there. Due to this, cloud computing’s ability to help connect these sites in a hyper-fast, meaningful way has revolutionized the efficiency of construction operations. Without the ability to share information and files in a near-instantaneous fashion, the widely-scoped, high-budget projects construction companies often take on today would simply not be possible (and would not happen in as quick, and professional a fashion). For those using SaaS platforms (Software as a Service), you’ll even have the ability to view your job sites in a real-time view from anywhere in the world where you can connect to the internet.

Easier Data and Tasks Sharing:

With the sheer amount of team members, stakeholders, and customers that can be involved in construction projects, being able to share tasks and data in a near-instantaneous fashion is a must-do. Thankfully, construction companies can take advantage of SaaS systems and other forms of cloud computing to do exactly this.

Advanced Business Analytics:

Gaining quality analytics is one of the most important tasks any successful business can undertake. Without the useful data and metrics analytics provides, further optimizing and improving your business’s operations becomes nearly impossible. Cloud computing allows you to use the amazing amount of files, data, and analytics your business gains from each new project in a more streamlined, effective way than ever before.

Misconceptions about Cloud Computing Implementation in the Construction Industry

Those without an actual understanding of cloud computing will often claim that it is less secure. However, hacking can happen with non-cloud computed systems, and the extra security technology incorporated into cloud computed systems makes them much more secure than other storage systems. The ever-expanding state of the cloud allows it to be as cutting-edge as possible, after all.

Secondly, the amount of downtime that cloud computing can cause is often seen as negative by some business owners. However, this downtime is a major gift to talented, in-the-know business operators, as it allows them to boost the efficiency, and amount of tasks their team members undertake.

Lastly, many underinformed business owners assume cloud computing will cost a ton more than non-cloud computing systems. However, this is far from the truth, as cloud computing has become the norm in business operations (and internet systems in general). By not using cloud computing, you are almost certain to see business operations become not only more expensive but slower-moving as well. If you do not make the switch in a reasonable, knowledgeable fashion, the lack of cloud computing in your construction business will be sure to put you behind local competitors.

Cloud Computing is Essential for Success

Without a properly implemented cloud computing system, your construction business will be woefully unprepared to compete with modern construction operations. Thankfully, implementing cloud computing systems is easier than ever before, and is often simply built into the technology and analytics your company will be using already. With this easy guide, however, the transition will become that much easier for construction companies that have been hesitant to make the move to cloud computing systems.