The construction industry has been crying out for a change. Something that has been avoided for a number of years is technology because many believe it wouldn't make a difference to the industry. It would only make it more difficult, however that is not the case. 

Technology has improved the construction industry a lot since more and more companies are now using it. Furthermore, there are many other industries that are using it, so it was only time for the construction industry to start using it themselves. 

Construction has always considered building for the future. Buildings are there to last for a number of years to maximise the profits. That being said, sourcing materials can be difficult for the modern construction site. This is because those in charge are constantly searching for the best quotes. Not to mention the constant delays that can occur due to material shortages. This is where digital procurement comes into play. 

Changing Materials Procurement For The Best

For many years, sourcing materials has been of great difficulty. A long, drawn-out process that can be stressful, as there are deadlines to achieve and delivery times tend to be delayed, which causes deadlines to be missed.  

Typically, a contractor will look for their materials with local suppliers as these tend to be cheaper due to short journeys and delivery tends to be much quicker. The problem with this is that prices may not be competitive with other suppliers because they are fixated on price comparison within their area. They may also be restricted by the materials that they offer. 

When contractors are using these local suppliers, there is limited competition, and they tend to rely on a more manual approach, which can be inefficient. Overall, this can cost contractors a lot of money. 

All of that being said, there has been a significant change in the industry. More and more contractors are utilising technology to gather the best deals. Not to mention that, due to it being more reliable, it helps benefit project planning because they know when the materials are going to arrive and how much they will cost. 

How Is Technology Changing Construction? 

Just like any industry, technology has changed it for the better. It is an evolution that we can all support and get behind. But with the construction, businesses, especially contractors, are already seeing the benefits for their sector. It simplifies construction projects and also centralises the procurement process. Here are the benefits of technology within construction procurement. 

Speed & Efficiency

Without technology, sourcing materials, quotes, and waiting for them to be delivered used to take days and in some cases, weeks. Now, all of this can be completed in a day, excluding the delivery times. You can review all of the quotes in one place, see costings and delivery times. This is very important for achieving deadlines. 

A Comprehensive Range of Suppliers

Digital platforms now give us access to a number of suppliers and a wide variety of materials. By accessing multiple suppliers, contractors can receive the best deals. 

Transparent

Due to contractors being able to monitor the whole process of sourcing material, they can be honest with the clients and let them know when they will be arriving, which helps to meet deadlines. 

Competitive Prices

By accessing numerous suppliers, a contractor is able to review the different prices. This is beneficial during the project planning process because you can gain a better understanding of how much the materials are going to cost. Not to mention, you can get an estimated time for when they will be arriving. 

Able To Track Carbon Emissions

Many construction projects aim to reduce their carbon emissions during a project. The issue with this is that the construction produces a lot of greenhouse gases during the process with machines. That being said, with good construction procurement software, the contractor can track carbon emissions associated with each quote. 

How Construction Management Software Benefits The Industry

Construction management software has been used for a number of years now, and the industry is really seeing the benefits of it. Construction management software is beneficial because it makes a project more organised and helps to control costs more efficiently, as well as predicting costs. With the use of this software, it can also improve health and safety and achieve deadlines.

Technology is also used to keep track of materials and how much is left of them. Additionally, this tech can make the contractors aware of when certain machinery needs to have a maintenance check. This will be essential if a company has hired a scissor lift for a long period of time or other plant hire machinery. 

Summary

Many contractors have still not embraced the takeover of technology, which is costing them. They think that it is more expensive when that is not the case, especially when saving money on the project. Furthermore, health and safety are very important in this industry, which is essential for a construction business.