Construction World October 2020

COVER STORY

CAN DIGITALISATION ACCELERATE INNOVATION AND REDUCE COSTS?

In early 2020, the world changed – and so did construction around the globe. As the industry continues to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has adjusted to weekly and sometimes even daily changes. As the current situation develops, contractors are turning to digital technology to help them weather the storm and build an environment where risk is managed better, with speed, better efficiencies and with cheaper costs in the long term.

P rocore Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based construction software, has proved this and is entering the African market to replicate its success from the international markets alongside its partner Agile Business Technology. Our time is now We have seen a profound transformation recently given the world KDV EHHQ GULYHQ WR ͤQG QHZ ZD\V RI ZRUNLQJ IURP WKH ZD\ ZH communicate and work physically, mentally and emotionally. And we have seen construction adapt, fast. It’s response to COVID-19 has pointed to a new way forward for the industry – or at the very least catalysed a process that was already taking place. This new global challenge has underlined the importance of providing teams with the right tools to allow them to continue to ZRUN DV HͦFLHQWO\ DQG SURDFWLYHO\ DV SRVVLEOH 7KH UHVSRQVH WR &29,' KDVQ̵W MXVW FRQQHFWHG WKH VLWH DQG RͦFH LW KDV EOXUUHG WKH boundaries between them. Construction requires information and teams to be connected, and if we can keep them productive and safe, construction will play a vital role in keeping the economy going. Platform companies are uniquely well positioned to address challenges like COVID-19 because of their ability to enable key stakeholders to collaborate across locations and devices. While point solutions, like traditional pen and paper to Excel spreadsheets, are cut adrift during these times due to their inability to span ZRUNͥRZV DQG SURFHVVHV SODWIRUPV SOD\ DQ LPSRUWDQW UROH LQ keeping people connected and productive. There will be a positive change and a new way of working in the face of adversity, but, construction has always lagged behind nearly every other industry in terms of digitalisation. According to McKinsey’s Industry Digitisation Index, construction ranks second from the bottom in digitisation across all major

headquarters in California and EMEA headquarters in London, Procore has over 2 500 employees across the globe. Agile Business Technology, a niche consulting organisation focussing on the AEC industry, recently formed a partnership with Procore Technologies that will help construction companies across Africa to accelerate their adoption of digital construction technology. Agile believes that features such as Procore’s unlimited user model and industry leading mobile application will make a huge difference to our construction customers. In the recent independent research report The Future is Now , Procore spoke with 250 construction managers to reveal key changes and opportunities for the construction industry post pandemic. From the increased need for digitalisation to the importance of collaboration and risk management, this industry leader's insight is a blueprint for how to adapt and grow. It revealed that COVID-19 has caused a transformative turn towards technology in the construction industry, with platform technology playing a particularly pivotal role. 80% believe that platform technology will play a role in the future of how we work in construction. And amid challenges in keeping job sites operational during COVID-19, well over half (66%) of construction businesses surveyed rolled out some sort of new technology during lockdown with the majority (94%) seeing an improvement in the way their teams work as a result. ƒ

sectors, above only agriculture and hunting. Jaco Barnard, Director of AEC Solutions at Agile believes the industry has now reached a “digitise or die” point and can no longer ignore the importance of digitally integrated processes. About Procore Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of cloud-based software for Construction. The FRPSDQ\ KDV D GLYHUVLͤHG EXVLQHVV PRGHO ZLWK products for Construction Project Management,

Construction Financials, and Quality & Safety. Procore has more than 2 million users managing billions of dollars in annual construction volume with over 90% customer satisfaction. With global

For a copy of the complete report or to arrange a demonstration of the Procore platform, please contact the Agile team at procore@agile.co.za.

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