Workplace cameras have come a long way since humble beginnings in the early 1990s.
Once “glorified webcams” with limited point-and-shoot capabilities for low-resolution images, workplace cameras are now multi-functional connected tools that support the safety, security and success of workplaces.
From pan, tilt and zoom to 4K time-lapse, wireless and solar, and live video, workplace cameras have changed forever. This includes direct integration into project management platforms and accessibility via stand-alone URLs. Now, they hold unrealized potential for contractors across the country. This intelligence enables the industry to gather information, generate insights and enable action to improve project outcomes.
As part of the BuiltWorlds Construction Tech Conference, I will be joining a group of industry colleagues to explore how innovative capture techniques are advancing the construction industry. The session, called “Reality Redefined,” will examine emerging camera technologies that will bring workplace intelligence into the future.
Let’s set the stage and look at the trends affecting this space and how the application of these solutions continues to advance in construction.
Get value across the construction value chain through visibility
The construction sector, for all its resilience in the face of unpredictable economic times, has yet to manage its productivity challenges. In fact, US contractors lost more than $30 billion by 2022 due to labor inefficiencies. In addition, more than 40% of respondents saw a decrease in labor productivity in workplaces. Another study revealed that approximately 60 percent of general contractors believe that coordination and communication problems among project team members contributed to decreased labor productivity.
Advances in jobsite intelligence solutions put the power in the hands of project managers, construction workers, and decision-making teams.
The construction is dynamic. It has unique demands on prioritization, scheduling, and coordination. In an ideal world, project managers, for example, could be everywhere at once. They could be on multiple jobsites miles apart at the same time and have visibility into everything going in and out of a site. They could look around every corner to anticipate potential delays and reschedule to avoid disruptions.
While this utopia is not possible, advances in workplace intelligence solutions put the power in the hands of project managers, construction workers, and decision-making teams. Whether through a unique URL, a smartphone, or project management software like Procore or Autodesk, contractors can access any job from anywhere. With the ability to scroll through cameras and see what’s happening at all locations, in real time, administrators can make more informed decisions and speed time to action. This saves time and money. It also increases collaboration while eliminating unnecessary interruptions.
Strengthens risk mitigation by moving beyond “vision” for proactive site protection
If unpredictable and volatile economic conditions weren’t enough to deal with, the industry is also trying to navigate the strict and evolving workers’ comp and builder’s risk insurance demands. Insurance is there to protect people and businesses, but without collaboration, cooperation and compliance, insurance can become costly and ineffective. Much of what affects these policies and rates, such as natural disasters, is unavoidable. However, vandalism, theft and other security breaches can be mitigated.
Enter the evolution of workplace intelligence camera solutions. These solutions provide perimeter viewing, 24/7 video feeds, IR lighting and now have added security features.
Construction project at The Moxy Hotel in Austin, TX captured by Sensera Systems fixed position camera.
Photo credit: Sensera Systems.
Construction project at The Moxy Hotel in Austin, TX captured by Sensera Systems fixed position camera. Photo credit: Sensera Systems.
For example, validated threat detection can trigger the appropriate action or response, such as deterrence, alerts to authorities, or automated time-stamped videos to validate claims.
In addition, cameras can now distinguish between animals or threats on site regardless of the time of day or lighting conditions. In addition, wireless or solar solutions can be deployed and moved without trenches or cables to adapt to dynamic job site requirements. This eliminates one of the many avenues that threats can manipulate, maintaining a clean workplace.
An initial investment in workplace intelligence solutions can save time, money and stress if problems occur. Faster response and faster validation better protects the business. And the job goes back to work sooner.
Enter the next frontier of predictive intelligence and data-driven workflows
The industry has taken steps to automate tasks that can be cumbersome or take skilled workers away from building better. Examples are prefabrication and 3D modeling, robotics applications, digitalization of plans and much more. These apps help change the equation of productivity and work.
Things to think about: We are not in the camera technology business. We are in the business of building trust for all stakeholders in the construction industry.
Automation is also taking place with workplace intelligence solutions. This journey starts with data. Cloud-enabled, wirelessly connected, always-on workplace cameras are critical to gathering real-time information. By building trusted datasets, the future of algorithms, machine learning and automation can be realized. Leveraging these solutions now will fundamentally change construction workflows over the next three to five years.
Things to think about: We are not in the camera technology business. We are in the business of building trust for all stakeholders in the construction industry, from field workers, project managers and general contractors, to safety and quality managers, to financial investors. Therein lies the true power and potential of workplace intelligence solutions. These solutions will continue to deliver a return on investment throughout the life of a construction project in new ways.
I’m looking forward to what promises to be an engaging conversation at the BuiltWorlds conference.
David Gaw is the Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of Sensera Systems.
