Over the course of the past couple of years now, the global pandemic has tried its best to throw a wrench into the works for construction companies’ business operations. From delayed projects and tightening profit margins to pivoting on how teams work and deepening labor shortages, contractors may have felt like they had targets on their backs. Two key, connected hurdles they have had to endure are rising materials costs and supply chain challenges.

The Digital Construction Awards celebrate best practice and reward innovation in the application of BIM and digital technology in the built environment sector.

Unifying multiple construction software products is not easy, but Trimble appears to be doing it anyway.

Modern contractors are awash in data and information — from hours and costs input through payroll and accounting in the back office to labor, equipment and material data collected out in the field. Given the sheer volume of data, it can be difficult for contractors to manage their information, much less make it meaningful and useful.

How integrated project management software is bridging critical gaps between operations and accounting.

Generating estimates that yield profitable projects versus unprofitable ones is a primary driver of intermediate to long-term success.

Construction projects are large, complicated undertakings. With construction firms managing multiple projects, with dozens of stakeholders collecting, handling and sharing sensitive data, it’s easy to see why the construction industry has become the number one target for ransomware attacks.

In a recent episode of the UK’s Constructive Voices podcast, David Burczyk, construction robotics lead with Trimble Connected Construction, was a guest speaker, along with Mark Crawford, business manager at Balfour Beatty. The pair spoke about their exciting collaboration, Spot the Robot, who could be our future new co-worker on construction sites. The podcast is one of several that have been sponsored by Trimble Viewpoint.

More than in most industries, construction contractors are dependent on others to deliver value, so greater coordination, collaboration, alignment and visibility are essential to on-time delivery and project quality.

Experts worry hackers could target the structural integrity specs listed for projects in automated systems. Here's how companies like Trimble, Procore and Autodesk are preparing.