The construction sector has failed to adopt digitalization throughout their business operations and worksite procedures, despite the fact that it is an industry that uses cutting-edge technology to take on the most difficult projects for its customers. According to the Industry Digitalization Index compiled by the McKinsey Global Institute, the construction industry is ranked as the second least digital industry in the whole globe. The consistent use of antiquated or manual procedures has been a contributing factor in the inefficiencies that have resulted in huge projects running up to 80 percent over their original budget1 and, on average, taking 20 percent longer than they were supposed to take.
It is more important than it has ever been for businesses in the construction industry to prepare for both the present and the future. This is because construction companies face ongoing challenges, such as skilled labour shortages, keeping up with the latest in construction technology, offsetting rising material costs, and staying ahead of the competition. Although it is understood that making the switch to digital might be scary, the process is getting less difficult thanks to the most recent digitally linked goods and solutions that have been available on the market. You may escape the digital abyss with newly accessible integrated tools, services, and software that was expressly created to boost efficiency in the construction industry. More productivity can mean more money for your bottom line.
One business, which has spent the better part of three decades focusing on delivering the most current advancements in technology, safety, and efficiency to the sector, has just introduced the most ground-breaking invention in the history of the company. In the beginning of this year, the industry-leading producer and service provider of construction equipment, technology, and services, Hilti, introduced a brand new all-in-one cordless platform called Nuron. As a result of its linked battery interface, cutting-edge safety technology, and comprehensive array of new and improved tools, Nuron establishes a new benchmark for performance, safety, and flexibility, which impresses construction experts and the industry as a whole.
Prioritizing data and digital technology is the key to overcoming the digital gap that is now affecting the building and construction sector. Smart batteries are helping those in the sector who are successfully using data and intelligence in their work. Smart batteries have diagnostics already built in, and they can sync with other linked equipment to gather data and offer a more comprehensive picture of the tools, including their position, how they are being used, and how well the batteries are performing. Because of this, it is possible to deliver crucial information in real time, which enables speedier and more informed choices about the tool crib.
The Hilti Nuron platform is built on a collection of interchangeable 22V smart batteries. These batteries provide the power for a new generation of more than 60 high-performing cordless tools, and Hilti has plans to release many more of these products before the end of the year. The expanding portfolio of tools and batteries cover light, medium, and heavy-duty jobs. They are designed to deliver more power, greater speed, and often times double the runtime of comparable platforms currently available on the market. This enables more productive crews and improved project turn times. Not only does Nuron make it possible to simplify asset management, but it also makes it possible for businesses to streamline procurement by allowing them to operate off of a single platform. This helps to move businesses away from gas and corded power systems, which are both costly and hazardous, and it also helps to reduce costs and complexity.
How exactly does the all-in-one platform that Hilti calls Nuron enable digitalization? The introduction of Nuron allows for an easier and more seamless move into the digital world. The intelligent 22v batteries provide data on their use, performance, location, and overall battery health to a cloud-connected charger every time they are charged. This charger transmits the data. After then, the data is linked to an application or an online profile that the user may view from any location in the globe. Therefore, not only are construction crews working with tools that have a higher level of performance, but businesses are also gaining data-driven insights and valuable intelligence that assists them in making decisions that are more informed, simplifying processes, and cutting costs that are unnecessary.
When looking for their belongings across building sites, construction organisations spend an average of 90 hours per month doing so, which is equivalent to approximately 4.5 hours every workday. That may pile up really rapidly. The most significant costs for construction businesses are labour costs, followed by tool and equipment costs, and then material and consumables costs. They are also the most challenging to administer, particularly when using manual, paper-based solutions like as spreadsheets and post-it notes. The management of both physical and administrative assets might be negatively impacted by the costs associated with such systems. One elevator firm determined that the time and costs associated with asset management totaled $200,000 per year for the business.
Hilti's ON!Track asset management and equipment tracking solutions provide further assistance for digital optimization in addition to additional cost control. Customers will have access to an even greater variety of features and advantages as a result of the combination of ON!Track and Nuron. Some of them include recognising idle tools so that they may be put back to work where they are needed most, providing information on the condition of the tool along with preventative maintenance warnings, and providing battery replacement services. Additionally, you are able to digitally maintain safety certificates and tool maintenance records, in addition to scheduling digital or on-site training for health and safety. ON!Track is software that works with Nuron's connected tools and smart batteries to exploit predictability by tracking inventories via a cloud-based platform. This software helps keep job sites under control, which is one of ON!Track's primary goals. Because ON!Track keeps track of inventory as well as the utilisation of supplies and consumables such as bits, chisels, nails, and fasteners, it is possible to make more accurate estimations for the purchase requirements of the project before it has ever begun. In addition, the implementation of digital asset management solutions such as ON!Track is able to assist in the control of loss during an active project by monitoring any unauthorised removal of tracked equipment and tools as well as abnormal consumption of consumables. This allows for the prevention of loss.
Yes, the building and construction sector is continuing to dance around the problem. Nevertheless, it need to look at digital asset management as a genuine chance to keep projects operating on schedule, cut down on losses, and better control costs. Digitally enabled systems, such as Hilti's Nuron all-in-one cordless platform and ON!Track's digital asset management software, are becoming less complicated to use and less costly to put into place. The correct construction technology solution will more than pay for itself by reducing expenses related to physical assets, freeing up the time of staff members to be used on more productive duties, and eliminating delays brought on by outmoded manual methods. Your firm can better face the challenges of the future if it adopts digitalization, implements linked goods and solutions, and diversifies its offerings.
Jackson, Matt. “Break Through the Digital Void in Construction.” Break Through the Digital Void in Construction, mydigitalpublication.com, 2022, https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=745955&article_id=4263414&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5.