The document discusses current and emerging trends in construction technology, emphasizing the shift towards going paperless, utilizing mobile apps, and fostering efficiency through automation and connection. Key technologies mentioned include Software as a Service (SaaS), drones, and augmented reality/wearables, all designed to enhance productivity and communication within the industry. It underscores the importance of adapting to these technologies to remain competitive and efficient in construction projects.

1. Where We’re Headed
Construction Technology
Trends to Watch
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2. LAUREN HASEGAWA
Co-Founder, Bridgit
Today, we’re talking about
current trends in
construction technology
and what’s on the
horizon.
… So your team can stay
ahead of the curve, be
more efficient and
communicate better

3. #OGCATechTrends
@GoBridgit
@lahasegawa

6. Technology is evolving at an
exponential rate

7. It took less than 40 years
to go from the first PC
to the first iPad

8. … and just 4 years to go
from the first iPad to
Google Glass

10. We need to pay attention
to emerging trends in
technology

11. The gap between technology
changes and organizational
changes
=
Efficiency waiting to
happen

12. This gap
is not
sustainable

13. Today, we’re talking about…
Current construction technology
• Going paperless
• Mobile apps: SaaS vs. standalone apps
• The connected jobsite + automation
New trends in construction technology
• Drones
• Augmented reality / wearables

14. Where We’re At
Current Construction
Technology Trends
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15. Going Paperless in
Construction
Paperless construction is finally an attainable
reality. Increase mobility, productivity and
data collection using the cloud.
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17. Why Paperless?
Dynamic documents.
Notes and updates recorded on paper cannot be searched,
duplicated or properly digitized
Data opportunities.
Everyone is talking about “big data” sets these days. With paper,
you essentially have no data.
Enhanced sharing & communication.
Digital documents can be shared, updated and accessed in the click
of a button. This makes communication much easier, especially on
large projects.

18. Ex: Custom File Hierarchy and
Permissions

19. Storing documents, photos and files in the cloud can
be done using an enterprise system like Egnyte,
SharePoint, Box or simpler solutions such as
Google Drive and Dropbox.
Using the Cloud – Storage
Options

20. When you’re working towards going
paperless, the hardware you have available
on-site is key.
• Rugged and durable
• Large screen sizes
• Enough hardware to go around
The Proper Hardware is Key

23. Going Paperless: Where to Start?
Going paperless is best done as a gradual process.
You can start small and still see big results!
Use the cloud to share.
Start by analyzing everything that gets printed and identifying if
there are any opportunities to share this information over email or
as a file stored in the could instead of printing
Invest in proper hardware.
Often times, screen size is the biggest reason that documents need
to exist as a hard copy instead of digital. Better hardware such as
TV screens or tablets can help here
Research the software options / mobile apps.
Identify opportunities to use software instead of manual processes
and begin investigating effective solutions

24. Mobile Apps: SaaS vs.
Standalone Apps
Software as a Service (SaaS) applications
in construction let your team stay
connected no matter where they are.
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25. What is SaaS?
• Software as a Service (or SaaS) is a way of
delivering applications over the Internet — as a
service.
• Examples of SaaS companies you may be familiar
with are LinkedIn, Dropbox and now, Bridgit
• Instead of installing and maintaining software, you
simply access it via the Internet, freeing yourself from
complex software and hardware management.
Definition from salesforce.com

26. REMEMBER THIS?

27. Software as a Service (SaaS)
=
No desktop downloads
No manual updates
No more wasted time

28. Why is this different from
typical software?
• No upfront costs: Because SaaS products don’t require any
installation or customization before they can be activated, there are
typically no upfront costs associated with them
• Access from anywhere: SaaS products work from the cloud,
meaning over the internet instead of from a file saved to your
personal computer
• No manual updates: With SaaS, there is never the need to
download a pesky software update and communicate it with the
entire remote team
• True collaboration: Working from the cloud means that true team
collaboration is finally possible

29. Mobile SaaS vs. stand-alone apps
• No desktop downloads required,
accessible from your computer via
secure login
• Mobile version can be downloaded
directly from the app store
• Typically a recurring monthly fee based
on users, storage or feature package
• Allows all team members to
communicate in real-time
• All updates and information are saved to
the cloud and are accessible from
anywhere
Mobile SaaS Stand-alone Apps
• Can be downloaded directly from the
app store
• Typically a low one-time fee ($1.99 -
$19.99)
• Download costs are per person
• Does not allow for back and forth
communication between team
members
• Nothing is saved to the cloud. All
information is stored locally on your
mobile device
• Export via email, dropbox or .pdf is
required in order to share information

30. Ex: Mobile SaaS Ex: Stand-alone App
Mobile SaaS vs. stand-alone apps

31. Ex: Mobile SaaS Ex: Stand-alone App
Mobile SaaS vs. Stand-alone apps

32. The Connected Jobsite
& Efficiency Through
Automation
Ever heard of “work smarter not harder”?
That’s what connections and
automation are all about.
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33. Using the
cloud to
connect

34. Mobile < > Desktop

37. What Can We Automate?
• File storage and sorting
• Email management
• Notifications
• …and more!

38. File Storage and Sorting

39. Email Management

40. Notifications

41. Why automation?
Testing out workflow automations is a great way to:
1. Decrease re-work and speed up processes (e.g.
transferring site photos onto the computer)
2. Get comfortable using technology in smaller steps
3. Better understand the capabilities of software to
increase efficiency in construction project
management
4. Brainstorm ways that more sophisticated (and
custom) automations can help your team be more
productive

42. Where We’re Headed
New Trends in
Construction Technology
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43. Drones & UAVs for on-site
photography and video
Drones and UAVs (unmanned aerial
vehicles) are making site photography in
remote areas easier than ever.
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44. How would you
take this photo?

45. Site photography is used in three basic
situations:
1. Pre-construction for surveying of terrain,
environmental issues, etc.
2. Construction progress photography
3. Maintenance management
The Current State of Site
Photography

46. The options for high quality aerial images have
been historically expensive and cumbersome.
• Satellites
• Helicopters
• LiDar Maps
The Current State of Site
Photography
The photos are then
manually reviewed by field
engineers and compared
with separate models /
specifications

47. While helpful for the time being, field engineers
agree that these processes are:
• Highly subjective as they are based on one
field engineer’s judgment or experience
• Tedious as they require manual effort
• Difficult to scale, again, due to their manual
nature
How Current Photography is
Failing Us

48. +

49. Drone / UAV Photography
Some companies in the civil construction space
have already begun to experiment with drone
enabled photography
• Taking aerial imagery of a site prior to
construction and integrating the model over top
• Digitizing graphical terrain of an area for
construction and bringing that into the model
• Surveying areas, quantity takeoffs and
analyzing environmental issues

50. In addition to simple photography or video, imaging
technology is advancing at a rapid pace.
We will soon have
commercial access to
options like 360
degree video.
Taking Drone Photography a Step
Further

51. How would you
take this photo?

52. Yes, however the Canadian regulations regarding
unmanned aerial vehicles are always changing.
Transport Canada unveiled new guidelines in the Fall of
2014 which essentially say:
• Follow the rules set out in the
Canadian Aviation Regulations
• Respect the Criminal Code as
well as the federal, provincial
and territorial laws related to
trespassing and privacy
Are Drones / UAVs Legal?

53. Drones in Canada:
Where to Start?
If you are interested in testing aerial video via drones on your next project,
here are the initial steps to take:
1. Identify a project and contact Transport Canada to confirm aerial
regulations in that area
2. Secure Transport Canada Insurance and Liability Insurance
3. Secure Transport Canada flight permit (currently 10+ week wait after
insurance is purchased)
4. Determine if you are going to invest or outsource (recommendation is
to outsource for initial trials)
5. Set goals for your first trial (what information do you 100% want to
capture)
6. Examine footage and identify future
opportunities
Recommendations provided by:

54. Augmented Reality &
Wearables
Drones and UAVs (unmanned aerial
vehicles) are making site photography in
remote areas easier than ever.
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55. We’ve been communicating
3D intentions with 2D tools:
Spreadsheets, paper drawings, etc.

56. Augmented reality is
helping to improve that

58. …and wearables are
making it even better

61. What are the Applications?
Wearables have endless applications,
including some in construction:
1. Access existing applications without another
device: Apple Watch, Google Glass
2. Health tracking for safety: Smart clothing, Apple
Watch, fitness wristbands
3. Environmental input (GPS, weather, etc.): Apple
Watch, Google Glass

62. Solutions are all around us.
It’s time to start the
conversation.

63. • Stay informed
• Encourage discussion
• Identify problems and seek
solutions
• Be open-minded, but stay critical
• Support evolving industry initiatives
related to technology

64. What seems like a stretch of
the imagination today, may
well be the reality of
tomorrow.

65. Lauren Hasegawa
Co-Founder, Bridgit
lauren@gobridgit.com
www.gobridgit.com
Thank you.