This article is part of a blog series, which explores the use of Digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT) in construction.

Internet-connected devices in the construction industry are known as IoT in construction.

The outlook for IoT in Construction Market by 2027 should reach $19 billion in 2027 with a growth rate of 14.0% from 2022 to 2027. The main benefits of using IoT are:

• reducing operational costs,
• enhancing productivity, and
• delivering efficient project management.

Using Smart technologies such as sensors, RFID tags, building information modeling, augmented reality, and others will help to:

• mitigate potential risks on a construction site,
• optimize resource requirements,
• avoid accidents and fatalities, and
• reduce wasted time and money.

The IoT presents some security issues that need to be managed carefully when introduced in your processes and more importantly on an ongoing basis:

• weak password protection,
• lack of regular patches and updates,
• weak update mechanism,
• insecure interfaces,
• insufficient data protection,
• poor IoT device management, and
• the IoT skills gap

Do not hesitate to invest in high-quality, secure devices that may be more expensive than cheap ones coming from low-cost countries but will save you a lot of money and reduce risks considerably in the long term.

Obtain accurate, regular. and timely information

To improve your processes and quality delivery you need to measure your activities. This means that you need to get access to the right information, at the right time, from anywhere to understand the reality of your operations. Where should you start?

1. Figure out what data you need to collect.
2. Select the devices that will allow you to collect this data.
3. Analyze the data.
4. Communicate the necessary changes.

Using IoT will allow you to know, with accuracy:

• where your assets are,
• if your machines and fleet of vehicles are functioning well, and
• if you are using your resources properly

Increase your flexibility and adaptability

Agility is a great competitive differentiator. To be agile you need to automate your processes. IoT is a good tool to help your organization to change fast, without human intervention, analyzing information from the field to make the right decision. To manage and maintain your inventory, you may want to introduce location trackers into your assets and products.

To improve your quality control and site management, you can remotely monitor pressure, temperature, water, gas, and electricity in a timely manner. These measures will help you to maintain your assets and control your costs.

Connectivity and specialized platforms enable you to manage your data and objects easily with integrated business applications.

Become more productive and remain cost-efficient

We always try to help our clients to find the appropriate IoT devices that will minimize their efforts and maximize their outputs, to efficiently drive their strategies in competitive environments. The best strategy is to initiate predictive maintenance processes to reduce cost, time, and money in:

• equipment failures that require repairs, and
• unplanned downtime while production lines are slowed

With IoT you can monitor the status of your assets in real-time and analyze your historical data. It will allow you to:

• anticipate repairs or replacement of parts,
• reduce downtime on production lines,
• diminish emergency repair costs,
• give your customers a better experience, and
• improve your product's next generation.

Security and Reliability

IoT can build up security with geofencing using GPS devices to define a virtual border, a digital fence that you control. The software will alert you, or trigger a specified response when the tracked asset enters or leaves the geofenced area.

As mentioned before, despite all the benefits IoT may have, the solution has to be secured and reliable to provide results. The data sent by your connected objects must identify where it comes from in the field and who should receive the information. The information has to be transferred safely and reliably, the connectivity and security levels have to be right for your business, and the cost constraints must be taken into consideration but not to the detriment of your internet security.

Challenges of the IoT.

Companies within the construction support industry are mostly made up of SMEs, which restricts their ability to invest in technologies. Funding programs from governments and collaborative partnerships with IoT suppliers should be put in place.

The uncertainty of a return on investment, training costs, and equipment maintenance are all barriers to smooth implementations.

The adoption of IoT in the construction process involves multiple parties and requires collaboration between several stakeholders.

Standards and processes have to be redefined and enhanced requiring new skills to operate these innovative technologies.

Common best practices need to be redesigned to successfully adapt to the new changes and deliver growth.

Unclear separation of responsibilities amongst stakeholders and legal shortcomings adds to the complexity.

Information and data exchange are prone to threats raising multiple IT security concerns relating to data privacy and data protection

In Conclusion

The trend of digitization, automation, and the increased use of the Internet of Things have boosted the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0. The construction industry is reluctant in incorporating these innovative technologies into its common practices despite the drastic developments demonstrated by other industries.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is built upon the Digital Revolution where technology and people are connected.

The IoT is a functional cyber-physical system, allowing humans to monitor processes in real-time without physical presence.

The IoT improves product quality while it decreases time-to-market and enhances operation performance.

Regardless of the challenges faced, the construction industry should embrace the IoT and digitization as projects are complex because it involves many stakeholders, environments can be unpredictable and the supply chain is fragmented.

The IoT has been used in the construction industry for quite a while and has demonstrated significant benefits. The challenges must be addressed by all involved parties to ensure a successful development.

Implementing BIM can be daunting, but Driving Vision is here to help you at the pace you are comfortable with. Get started by getting in touch now