B R E AKI N G G R O U N D By Becky Schultz
5 Truths That Will Impact Your Business
Becky Schultz / bschultz@acbusinessmedia.com
WE’RE LIVING IN AN AGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION that is both inspiring and mind boggling in its scope. It’s affecting nearly every aspect of our lives, and the construction environment is no exception. The equipment, systems and processes applied in the field and office have undergone and will continue to experience major shifts.
As the industry evolves, five “truths” have taken hold and will factor into your business operations and outlook for the foreseeable future:
1. TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS. Whether you
like it or not, technology implementation is no longer an option but a necessity to effectively compete in today’s business climate. In a growing number of cases, it is
being driven by specific project requirements or by client demands. Depending on your business focus, technology could take the form of building information modeling (BIM), GPS-based grade control, mobile apps, etc. It may also take physical shape, such as the use of drones to monitor projects, or wearables (e.g., augmented reality glasses) to enhance safety.
2. EQUIPMENT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX. In addition to
environmental benefits, the electronics needed to ensure diesel engines achieve regulatory compliance have enabled enhanced controllability and integration of various systems within machines, facilitating expanded functionality and the ability to tailor operating parameters to both the task and the operator. More features mean today’s operators require further training to ensure they utilize these abilities to optimum advantage. It also means more training required for the technicians servicing these machines.
Never Settle.
3. JOBSITES WILL BECOME MORE MECHANIZED. The shortage of quali-
fied labor is an ongoing dilemma that will only worsen as the construction industry gains further traction. Mechanization of certain tasks is one means to address a percentage of the labor shortfall. There is a broader range of equipment types on the market, many of which are designed for multiple applications and/or attachment flexibility, offering the potential to reduce the number of workers and/ or machines required on site. Robotics also show promise as a replacement for hand labor in certain repetitive tasks.
4. EFFICIENT DATA MANAGEMENT IS CRUCIAL. Telematics have made real-
time data capture a reality for equipment fleets, and cloud computing has enabled broader storage capability and ready access by multiple parties to the data generated. The challenge is how to sift through the reams of data generated to identify pertinent information and interpret it into what’s meaningful for your business. This has led some forward-thinking firms to create new roles within their organizations centered specifically on data management.
5. EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE MUSTS TO STAY IN THE GAME.
True Power At Liebherr, we custom-engineer every machine to perform as efficiently as possible. The Tier 4F emissions system in our PR 736 is practically maintenance free, designed from the ground up. The electronic drive system automatically adjusts to keep operators in the “sweet spot” – even when saving fuel in ECO mode. And like all our machines it is built to last with exclusive Liebherr components. Locate your dealer at liebherr.us/dealers-emt.
Education on the changes taking place in the industry and within your own organization is essential. Be proactive when it comes to educating yourself and your staff both before and after adopting changes. Once implemented, proper training is vital to minimize the risk of failure, under-utilization or under-performance. ET
“We haven’t compromised on anything; why should you?” Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. 4100 Chestnut Avenue Newport News, VA 23607 Phone: +1 757 245 5251 E-mail: info.lce@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.us
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For more on this topic, find the complete version of this blog online at ForConstructionPros.com/12175195.
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4/8/16 7:58 AM