Digital Construction Skills

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The benefits of job management software

An interview with Alex Mooney and Paul Kerr from simPRO

Job management (aka field services management) software is a digital solution that can help connect everything across a business from office to site.

In this podcast, Alexandra Mooney, Partnerships Manager, and Paul Kerr, Business Development Manager (Scotland), from simPRO help us demystify some of the common terminologies used and clearly describe:

  • Exactly what a job management solution can do for a business
  • How easy it is set up, and
  • The support available from simPRO to help you with the on boarding process.

simPRO is one of the leading providers of this service in the UK for the construction and trades sector and Alex and Paul work with many SME businesses on a daily basis. simPRO are what we would describe as a model of excellence in this field. Listen in as we cut through the white noise and get under the bonnet of this topic and show you what a top class job management software provider should look like.

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Why ‘getting better at firefighting’ isn’t the only way forward for construction SMEs

Lessons for the SME construction sector

In this podcast, we hear from John Lohan, founding partner of Integrated Project Delivery. IPD was formed in 2016 to offer client-sided consultancy for major infrastructure and construction projects. The IPD team have been involved with some of the most significant UK and international projects in recent times including Waterloo International Terminal, Heathrow Terminal 5, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link into St Pancras Station, the 2012 London Olympics, AP-LNG Queensland, Australia, and the MTRC Rail Project in Hong Kong. John argues, though, that any sized construction SME can adopt the IPD way of working and avoid just ‘getting better at firefighting.’

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Digital tool successes in the construction industry

Success stories from DTL project partners helping construction SME businesses adopt digital tools

In this podcast, three partners from the CITB-funded Digital Transformation through Leaders project describe how they are helping construction SME businesses successfully adopt digital tools.

Plus, find out how to get started with digital construction using a free CITB-funded eLearning module.

Taking part in the podcast…

  • Dr Scott McGibbon, a stonemason, leading consultant and researcher, describes a major renovation project of stone tenement buildings which involved using laser scanning equipment. Scott explains why collaboration between contractors, subject matter and tech experts was key to the project success.
  • Alan Penrose, Technical Support and Training at Sunbelt Rentals, explains how he worked with Tough Construction to implement machine control for their ground works activities and how this transformed one of their core activities on site.
  • Steve Claybrook from Leica Geosystems tells us an inspirational story about a dozer operator in his 60s, from Knights Construction Group, who quickly got to grips with machine control.
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An introduction to surveying mapping and modelling software

In this podcast, we discuss survey mapping and modelling software, also known as Digital Terrain Modelling or DTM software.

Find out…

  • Why, where and when we use this software on projects 
  • The key benefits to using this type of software for both the business and site engineering teams
  • Its relationship to Building Information Modelling (BIM) 
  • Why DTM software should not be confused with CAD
  • Why CAD is not the universal panacea for solving construction problems
  • Where you’ll get the best training and support 
  • Why the leading contractors and clients invest in this software and who’s involved in the decision-making process 
  • What the barriers are to a more widespread adoption of these software solutions within the wider construction industry 
  • The first thing you should do if you wish to invest in surveying mapping and modelling software!
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Reduce utility strikes by 35% per annum

In this podcast…

  • Hear how Barhale Construction brought digital tools such as the CAT usage monitoring app and data analytics into the core site activities of their business and why this has contributed to a staggering 35% reduction in utility strikes between 2019 and 2020.
  • Find out how the implementation of new ways of working was received by Barhale’s end users and what has become possible in terms of coaching and leadership on site.
  • Hear from Pete Ashcroft, recognised as one of the foremost authorities in the UK construction industry on underground service detection equipment and its use and capabilities. Pete tells us why the use of digital tools is having a transformative effect on how we coach, train and assess the competency of Genny and CAT operators.
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Managing information through the whole asset lifecycle

Advice and information for building asset owners and operators

In this post, Saffron Grant interviews George Harold, CEO of Integrated Facilities Solutions.

George Harold co-founded his business, Integrated Facilities Solutions (IFS), 20 years ago. His company were early pioneers in helping building asset owners and operators manage their information digitally. IFS are now recognised as one of the leading specialists in digital information for the whole building and asset lifecycle. Via software and value-added services, IFS provide a secure structure – from design and construction collaboration right through to coordination and delivery of a project’s close-out and handover documentation for the owner/operator. 

In this interview we find out…

  • What we mean by the ‘whole lifecycle’ of a project.
  • What asset owners/operators should focus on when setting up their information management systems.
  • At what stage owners/operators should be involved.
  • Why it’s so important to get access to the right information at the right time.
  • Why putting the right systems in place can save a huge amount of time and cost.
  • Why the owner/operators of assets are key to unlocking the potential for digital transformation within the construction industry.

We also find out about the solutions and support available from companies such as IFS and why George sees huge opportunities for business growth in the facilities management sector.

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Five practical steps for construction SMEs and asset owners getting started with digital construction

If you’re a construction industry SME or asset owner and you’re asking yourself “Why bother with digital tools?”, check out this podcast from Saffron Grant from Digital Construction Skills. As well as giving you a run-down of the benefits you can expect from using digital tools, Saffron outlines five practical steps you can take to get started with your digital strategy.

The talk also includes information about the free training and support available to construction SMEs, such as the CITB-funded Digital Transformation through Leaders project.

Subjects covered

  • Why bother with digital solutions in the first place?
  • How do you get started?
  • How do you reduce the risk?
  • How do you get the most out of digital tools?
  • What free training and support is available through the CITB-funded digital leadership project?
  • What other funding support is available to construction SMEs?
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What is the wider impact of digital transformation in the construction industry?

I was privileged to be invited to RSA Scotland to present an online talk on this subject recently. It was wonderful to have such mixed audience of construction and non-construction people. The topic generated a great discussion about some of the benefits of and barriers to digital adoption within the industry.

Rather than posting the transcript in its raw form, I’ve summarised it in this blog post which I hope you’ll find interesting. If you’d prefer listen to the talk, the 15-minute audio is here:

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Eight ways to get the most out of digital construction tools

Digital solutions for construction companies can have immense power and impact when implemented thoughtfully and strategically. When they are rushed in with little thought, however, they can potentially be costly and damaging let alone ineffective.

When you’re thinking about implementing a new digital product or service, there are many factors to consider. This blog gives an overview of some of them; we’ll go into each of these in more detail in future posts.

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