flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

U.S. construction companies not embracing technology: KPMG survey

U.S. construction companies not embracing technology: KPMG survey

Contractors fall short on adopting robotics, drones, RFID technology, and mobile technology.


September 16, 2016
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2016 – U.S. construction companies are not embracing technological advancements, such as drone aircrafts, robotics, RFID equipment and materials tracking, and data analytics, according to KPMG International’s Global Construction Survey 2016, “Building a technology advantage (http://bit.ly/2d0zNSb).
 
The KPMG survey found that nearly half of organizations use multiple software platforms that are manually monitored, rather than a single, fully integrated project management information aystem (PMIS). When it comes to mobile technology and platforms, while most use remote monitoring on projects, 19% do not use mobile technology at all. Among those who do utilize mobile technology for projects, nearly 40% do not have them linked to an integrated system or broader enterprise-wide project management system.
 
“The survey responses reflect the industry’s innate conservatism towards technologies, with most firms content to follow rather than lead,” says Geno Armstrong, International Sector Leader, Engineering & Construction, KPMG in the U.S. “Many lack a clear technology strategy, and either adopt it in a piecemeal fashion, or not at all. The rapidly evolving infrastructure challenges of the next decade demands that both owners and engineering and construction firms embrace technology more strategically and at a far more rapid pace than in the past.”
 
In the KPMG study, two-thirds of respondents (67%) said they could not push one button on their desktop to obtain fully integrated real-time data on a project. Seventy percent do not use robotic or automated technology; most have no plans to use it in the future. In addition to traditional cost and schedule analytics, 65% do not use data analytics for any other aspects of their organizations’ projects.
 
“Integrated, real-time project reporting is still a myth, rather than a reality for most,” said Armstrong. “That’s largely because firms tend to use multiple software platforms that are manually monitored and disconnected, which severely compromises their effectiveness.”
 

A solid majority of respondents (61%) said their companies use building information modeling on projects.

On the bright side, 36% of construction executives surveyed said they felt construction has emerged from the recession and is starting to grow. Nearly a fourth (24%) said that things are looking up for all participants. Another 27% indicated that discrete segments are growing fast. Only 13% said they are seeing market declines or no growth in the past year.

 
Armstrong feels that embracing technology and innovation is a sure way to improve results. “Projects are becoming bigger, bolder and more complex – and with complexity comes risk,” he said. “Innovations like remote monitoring, automation and visualization have enormous potential to speed up project progress, improve accuracy and safety.”
 
About the survey
Building a technology advantage – Global Construction Survey 2016 highlights the views of over 200 senior executives from major project owners and engineering and construction companies – over 50 of which are in the U.S. The report looks at how the industry is embracing a range of technologies including data and analytics, robotics, drones, remote monitoring and visualization. The survey, now in its 10th year, includes both private companies and government agencies, with project owners from many industries including energy and natural resources, technology and healthcare. 

Related Stories

| Aug 2, 2013

Michael Baker Corp. agrees to be acquired by Integrated Mission Solutions

Michael Baker Corporation (“Baker”) (NYSE MKT:BKR) announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Integrated Mission Solutions, LLC (“IMS”), an affiliate of DC Capital Partners, LLC (“DC Capital”).

| Jul 31, 2013

Suffolk Construction hires ex-Google exec Woods for business development role

 Suffolk Construction, one of the most successful, privately held building contractors in the country, announced it has hired innovative, former Google executive Christopher Woods as its new Executive Vice President of National Business Development. Woods will be responsible for auditing Suffolk’s existing sales approaches and developing new strategies.

| Jul 31, 2013

Hotel, retail sectors bright spots of sluggish nonresidential construction market

A disappointing recovery of the U.S. economy is limiting need for new nonresidential building activity, said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker in the AIA's semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, released today. As a result, AIA reduced its projections for 2013 spending to 2.3%.

| Jul 30, 2013

Better planning and delivery sought for VA healthcare facilities

Making Veterans Administration healthcare projects “better planned, better delivered” is the new goal of the VA’s Office of Construction and Facilities Management.

| Jul 30, 2013

Healthcare designers get an earful about controlling medical costs

At the current pace, in 2020 the U.S. will spend $4.2 trillion a year on healthcare; unchecked, waste would hit $1.2 trillion. Yet “waste” is keeping a lot of poorly performing hospitals in business, said healthcare facility experts at the recent American College of Healthcare Architects/AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Summer Leadership Summit in Chicago. 

| Jul 30, 2013

Top Healthcare Sector Construction Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]

Turner, McCarthy, Clark Group top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest healthcare contractors and construction management firms in the U.S. 

| Jul 26, 2013

Boldt opens Southern California office

Location is Boldt’s third in the state, will expand firm’s established presence on the west coast.

| Jul 26, 2013

How biomimicry inspired the design of the San Francisco Museum at the Mint

When the city was founded in the 19th century, the San Francisco Bay’s edge and marshland area were just a few hundred feet from where the historic Old Mint building sits today. HOK's design team suggested a design idea that incorporates lessons from the local biome while creating new ways to collect and store water.

| Jul 25, 2013

3 office design strategies for creating happy, productive workers

Office spaces that promote focus, balance, and choice are the ones that will improve employee experience, enhance performance, and drive innovation, according to Gensler's 2013 U.S. Workplace Survey. 

| Jul 25, 2013

Rep. Burke, contractors welcome new Builders Association Executive Director

Illinois State Representative Kelly Burke and many of Chicagoland's leading contractors were on hand this week to welcome new Executive Director Dan McLaughlin to the Builders Association. 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021