UDA Technologies Blog

With the start of the new year, it's important to know innovations in the construction world to differentiate from the competition. Here's what industry experts are predicting as up and coming areas for 2018:

1. Modular Construction: If you're looking for a faster, simpler, and safer method of construction, modular construction might be the right choice for you. In this process, buildings are constructed in a regulated, controlled factory environment with the same materials and standards as a traditionally constructed building. On location, the modules are sealed together to become a cohesive wall, floor, and roof unit. According to the Modular Building Institute, projects that employ modular construction are completed 30% to 50% faster than traditional construction. 
2. Drones: The value of the commercial drone industry is expected to top $5 billion by 2020, and the construction industry is a large portion of that market. Drones can be used to survey job sites, document high-risk or difficult locations, easily video or photograph nearby jobsites, model elevation, and inspect structures in a timely manner. Keep an eye on the UDA Technologies Facebook page for a DJI Phantom 3 drone giveaway in honor of us reaching 40,000 likes! If you're not willing to wait, check out our Special Offers page for a limited time offer of a free drone with purchase of ConstructionOnline.
3. Green Building: As the construction industry grows, people are becoming increasingly mindful of the impact of construction on natural environments. The Green Built Alliance defines green building as "the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and of reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building". Some benefits of green building include reducing water use, conserving natural resources, minimizing strain on local infrastructure, and lowering operating costs. Not sure where to start in implementing green building into your company? UDA Technologies offers ConstructionSuite Green project management software that incorporates NAHB Green guidelines, Energy Star guidelines, RSMeans Green Building cost data, and Green Building Workflows to give you a head start on the competition.
4. Mobile Applications for the Jobsite: Mobile apps allow for construction professionals to utilize tools they already have (their smartphone or tablet) to increase productivity. Demand is rising for applications that have the power to manage projects, monitor job costs, communicate with clients, change schedules, and markup drawings from the jobsite or on the go. Luckily, ConstructionOnline Mobile can handle all of these tasks and more, allowing for less time in the office and more time for your personal life.
5. Virtual and Augmented Reality: Currently, virtual and augmented reality are revolutionizing the construction design and building process. Through the use of VR headsets, walkdowns can be accomplished of jobsite models. Not only saving time and money, VR walkdowns are also safer for construction professionals and clients. In addition, it allows for clients to provide input and suggest changes before actual construction begins. Top providers of VR headsets include Oculus VR and Samsung. 

Interested in more insights about ConstructionOnline? Take a look at:

• Introducing the ConstructionOnline Mobile App
• 5 Tips to Schedule like a Pro
• 3 Easy Ways to Improve Field Communication
• Pro Tips for Managing Client Selections