By Rachael Farr At the onset of 2020, construction firms felt optimistic for the year ahead. Demand for construction was high, and industry challenges seemed predictable. Construction leaders were confident, until COVID-19 spread across the nation. While “pandemic” may have been Miriam-Webster’s 2020 Word of the Year, it was “flexibility” for construction teams. In many ways, the pandemic changed building by accelerating innovation, requiring a greater reliance on technology and adding a new dimension to workplace safety. General contracting and construction management firm Robins & Morton was among the many companies that had to quickly develop procedures and protocols in … Read more
New Topcon Robotic Total Station System Built for Versatile Survey, Construction Workflow
Topcon Positioning Group releases new flagship GT Series robotic total stations for survey, construction and machine control applications. The GT-1200 and GT-600 total stations are available in multiple accuracy levels and part of a full workflow solution, including a new field computer, a full-version update to Topcon field and office software, as well as GNSS receivers designed to help surveyors and contractors increase precision, reduce rework and improve quality control. The system works in sync for improved performance and better data handling with built-in, field-to-office connectivity. The speed, tracking and accuracy of the GT Series, combined with the intuitive software … Read more
New Study Reveals Benefits of GIS in Design, Construction Industry
GIS is a critical part of the digital revolution in the design and construction industry, according to the findings of a new study, The Business Value of GIS for Design and Construction SmartMarket Report, released by Dodge Data and Analytics. The new research, funded by Esri and Autodesk, shows that use of GIS is continuing to grow in the industry as design and construction companies increasingly take advantage of its datasets and tools to improve their projects and grow their businesses. The study surveyed those with experience with using GIS, and it explores exactly how they are using it. The findings reveal … Read more
FlyPaper Technologies Launches Daily Superintendent Reporting Application
FlyPaper Technologies, a partner firm within the Barton Malow Family of Companies, has released FlyPaper Daily, a new superintendent daily reporting application that rethinks the traditional pen and paper process to better streamline workflows. The product was launched at Autodesk University 2020. Daily is built on a cross-platform application framework that works on any device, with a simple design that makes it easy to share information between project team members and roll over information from the previous day’s daily. The application also generates clear, yet data-rich reports that can be sent to anyone, anywhere. FlyPaper used constant feedback and ideas … Read more
The Tech-Empowered Superintendent
COVID-19 catalyzed a digital transformation for the industry’s most in-demand role, attracting a new generation to build rewarding careers in the field By Erin L. Branham With nearly four decades of industry experience, Balfour Beatty Superintendent Kyle Kragseth thought he was prepared for any challenge or circumstance a construction project could present. That was until March, when COVID-19 led to a temporary shutdown of his project, a 289,000-square-foot interiors upfit for a leading high-tech client in Bellevue, Washington. Cognizant that jobsite operations would not return to normal even once they were able to restart the project, the team rapidly identified … Read more