The digitisation in the construction industry is advancing faster in part to the covid 19 pandemic but also because the industry is starting to realise the benefits of digitalisation in the industry. For example, increased effacing in hiring a mini digger or dumper or other plant and tool equipment. Increased productivity on construction projects or better measuring of carbon data on projects. There are many reasons why investing in digital for the construction industry will make it better.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence by simple definition is a field that combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving. Applying this to the construction industry has many benefits.

When working on construction projects especially large infrastructure projects like HS2 or Lower Thames Crossing. AI can be used in many situations. For example, using it for cost estimation applications to help forecast projects cost better which will in-turn lead to cost savings on major projects or even smaller construction projects. This could be used to forecast plant hire and tool hire equipment such as mini diggers, rollers, excavators, wacker plates, cement mixers, dumpers and much more plant and tool equipment for construction projects.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals insights to efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure. To plan and design the construction of a small or large project, the 3D models need to take into consideration the architecture, engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans and the other activities of the respective teams.

AI can help with this process drastically by using machine learning to design plans based off historical data but also learn form the data to optimise the design process. This will mean that better plans can be designed which in the long run can reduce projects costs further.

All construction projects have some risk that comes in many forms such as quality, safety, time, and cost risk. The larger the project, the more risk, as there are multiple sub-contractors working on different trades in parallel on job sites. For example, mini digger hire in Birmingham or mini digger hire in Luton or other places in UK can be a risk because the equipment could be faulty or not turn up on time. Furthermore, plant hire in Bedfordshire or plant hire in Birmingham or plant hire in the West Midlands and other areas of the UK such as London can be risky in terms of the different quality and prices from the different plant hire companies. There are AI and machine learning solutions today that general contractors use to monitor and prioritize risk on the job site, so the project team can focus their limited time and resources on the biggest risk factors. AI is used to automatically assign priority to issues. Subcontractors are rated based on a risk score so construction managers can work closely with high-risk teams to mitigate risk.

For the construction industry to realise the full potential of AI tech in the future, one thing will be required is  a smooth flow of data – no matter where the project participants are located, regardless of which software solution they prefer and across all phases of construction. With the openBIM philosophy, a promising approach already exists; now, it is a matter of also implementing the cultural change. The close and cooperative collaboration of all project participants will only become more important in the future.”

The one fundamental rule with data is good data in results in good output and vice versa. If there is not an adequate amount of great data, then it makes AI and machine learning models very unreliable.

Marketplace for Construction

Another innovation in the construction industry is online purchases via an online marketplace. Like an Amazon experience but in construction. The benefits of this are a seamless e-commerce experience to quickly hire plant and tool equipment. For example, looking for a mini digger in Birmingham or a mini digger in Milton Keynes can be very easy. Plus, prices can be compared easily and then an order can be made.

Furthermore, coming to one central place to find plant and tool equipment can save a contractor time. Also, you can see our previous blog about how to choose the right construction equipment for your next project.

Procure-Hire is such a platform driving the innovation in the construction industry. To get great deals on your plant hire and tool hire equipment please get in touch today!

You can contact us at info@procure-hire.com or call us on 0330 133 3967.