
Cloud computing exists as a more flexible alternative to traditional servers managed by users or companies. With the cloud, software is available over the internet rather than licensed to individual machines.
Companies offering cloud computing are generally referred to as SaaS businesses, which stands for “software as a service.” In the construction industry, SaaS solutions can be anything from accounting software to online plan rooms, takeoff and estimating platforms, project management systems, and more.
What Does Traditional Construction Software Do?
Construction software exists to replace pen and paper methods for all aspects of the construction industry. While many professionals are still using pen and paper, more and more are seeing the efficiencies gained and business value in software and thus upgrading their processes.
Today’s construction projects are more complex than ever, so having a software solution for each phase of the build makes a complicated project go more smoothly.
What Types of Software Do Construction Companies Use?
Construction companies use software for specialized tasks such as finding and submitting bids, performing takeoffs and estimates, generating proposals, and BIM (building information modeling). Some of the top options can be found here.
But there are also software solutions for general business processes that have been customized for the construction industry. Project management and accounting software are essential for larger businesses; cash flow apps can help solve the unique problems of acquiring materials at the beginning on long repayment cycles; and even drones and virtual reality are becoming popular tools on construction sites.
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Desktop Construction Software Features and Functionality
Traditional construction software is purchased with licenses for individual computers. This means that in general, only one person can be logged in or manipulating data at a time. Any files this person changes must be saved to a shared server maintained by the company or uploaded to cloud storage for other team members to access.
Issues can arise with desktop software when people accidentally save documents to their hard drive rather than the designated shared space. This results in confusion over the most up-to-date version of the file and creates the extra work of checking for duplication. If one person is the gatekeeper for data and they are not available for any reason, the rest of the team is stuck and must wait until they return. Collaboration in construction management is tough to achieve with traditional software.
In addition, updates to desktop software involve IT departments manually installing them for the team, often on an annual basis and for an additional cost. IT must also be active in backing up data to avoid losses.
When desktop construction software became a widely available option in the 1990s, it was truly a welcome addition to the industry, but as technology has evolved, it’s clear that construction companies ar