Digital tools are transforming European construction, influencing project activity and management from initial design processes to delivery of completed structures. A mixed fleet of digital tools is essential for businesses to enhance efficiency, sustainability and productivity. As the sector battles challenges such as increasing costs and limited budgets, digital solutions are crucial in supporting senior leaders to adapt to challenging markets. Senior commercial manager at Komatsu Smart Construction, Bart Vingerhoets, shares insights into the role of digital tools in the European construction landscape.
The impact of digital tools
A 2023 report revealed that nearly 75% of construction companies in Europe have adopted at least one form of digital technology in the past five years. This widespread adoption has led to noteworthy advantages, including significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency.
By leveraging technologies such as digital twins, project management software, and advanced data analytics, companies can streamline workflows, optimise resource allocation, enhance reporting, and mitigate risks. Technology backed by data also contributes to a positive environmental impact by reducing waste and the requirement for re-work, ultimately giving companies a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving industry.
64% of European construction firms using digital twins reported a 20% reduction in project delivery time due to improved site visualisation, real-time data analytics, and predictive analysis of potential delays.
Digital tools like Smart Construction Dashboard create an environment to visualise and analyse a digital twin which enhances visualisation, monitors a site in real time, offers predictive analysis utilising historical data, ultimately ensuring that the job site remains on track. This includes a 3D replica of the job site that can be updated in real time, providing insights that foster effective decision-making and productivity while eliminating guesswork.
Wider virtual reality solutions also reduce the amount of time and number of workers needed on job sites, enhance safety by allowing workers to rehearse protocols and virtually test run hazardous scenarios, and enable decisions to be made virtually.
Challenges of adopting digital tools
Historically the European construction industry has been dubbed ‘slow’ to adopt new and emerging technologies due to factors such as high initial set-up costs, an ageing workforce, and hesitation towards new solutions.
As the industry faces an increased focus on sustainability across projects. Due to demand from new government initiatives and ongoing technological advancements, the adoption of tools has never been higher.
However, barriers to widespread adoption remain, including the high upfront investment and tight budget restraints. Although the initial set up cost of digital tools might be relatively high, multiple digital tools that enhance workforce productivity, improve site operations, and lead to greater profitability and efficiency are now available across the market with minimal set up costs.
Digital tools in practice
For Sina Motsch, site manager for HEITKAMP Corporate Group, it was crucial that she found an easy way to make sense of the job site and make use of the information effectively. By utilising Dashboard by Komatsu Smart Construction Dashboard, Sina was able to collect as-built data and generate an accurate digital twin that was automatically updated as the site changed almost daily.
Using a digital twin of her project site enabled Sina to immediately discover any delays, developments or potential issues across the jobsite without having to visit in person. Through Dashboard, project managers can track materials and progress as it happens, resulting in a wider status understanding and informing quick decision making.
What’s next?
As the adoption of digital solutions continues to rise across European construction projects, the sector anticipates significant innovations that will shape the future of construction. Ongoing improvements in ways of working, driven by technological breakthroughs, will make the industry more streamlined, enhancing both efficiency and profitability.
Digital construction is poised to revolutionise how we design and build by improving collaboration and transparency among project stakeholders. This shift not only fosters trust and communication but also strengthens client relationships. As a result, it can lead to repeat business and referrals, contributing to the growth and success of the industry. By leveraging these technologies, organisations can boost productivity and enhance operations, ultimately increasing profitability and benefiting the sector as a whole.
