Deepki, the most trusted ESG solution for real estate, has marked its tenth year since inception with another year of impact, innovation and growth. Strong commercial and financial performance and rapid internationalization Since raising €150 million in Series C funding in 2022, Deepki maintained its strong performance despite a difficult
Digital construction experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are teaming up with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions to create an innovative new ‘digital golden thread’ to proactively address key recommendations for the construction sector – following the Grenfell tragedy – to ensure that fire prevention products are correctly installed by sub-contractors
A2Dominion, one of the G15 housing associations, is set to transform how it delivers its repairs service for the 38,000 homes it manages. A2Dominion has appointed new technology partners, Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions, to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer experience, through its integrated online housing repairs service. Due to
Delivering a unique ‘high-vis’ data trail, Simpel’s software empowers construction companies to optimise operations and compliance to meet the evolving regulatory environment Simpel, a leading innovator in construction technology, has announced its recent entry into the UK market. Designed to address the complexities of document management, quality, compliance, safety and
The Nemetschek Group, a leading global provider of software solutions for the AEC/O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation) and media industries, today announced that it has successfully attained the ISO 27001 certification across the Group. The important certification covers the development, implementation, and maintenance of software solutions across the Architecture,
Collaboration to bring repairs in-house, leveraging technology for faster, more reliable customer services Totalmobile, a leading provider of field service management software solutions, is delighted to announce a new partnership with Liverpool-based Cobalt Housing to enhance the quality and efficiency of its repairs and maintenance services. Through Totalmobile’s market-leading workforce
Nottingham based construction management consultancy, Cube, is celebrating its five-year milestone with the launch of its new construction management software, Milestone. November 2024 marked a milestone in more ways than one for construction management consultants, Cube, as it celebrated a significant business anniversary and unveiled its latest project, Milestone, on
OryxAlign’s leadership in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure recognised with two Building Innovation Awards shortlistings OryxAlign, a leading managed service provider (MSP) in the IT and cybersecurity sectors, has been shortlisted for two categories at the Building Innovation Awards 2024. The company has been nominated for the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or
How leveraging cloud service plans and auditing resources can significantly reduce cloud costs in the construction industry In 2024, the UK construction industry has seen a significant increase in financial distress. Begbies Traynor reports that construction remains the sector with the highest insolvency rates, with nearly one-fifth of all business
Software plays a vital role in 21st Century construction, helping modernise the industry, improve efficiencies, and deliver better project results. From the initial design process to eco-friendly practices, software is the cornerstone of modern construction, creating new jobs and fresh opportunities for a rapidly evolving workforce. Design and Innovation Design
Deepki, the most trusted ESG solution for real estate, has marked its tenth year since inception with another year of impact, innovation and growth. Strong commercial and financial performance and rapid internationalization Since raising €150 million in Series C funding in 2022, Deepki maintained its strong performance despite a difficult economic environment for the real estate sector. After doubling its revenues in 2022, Deepki doubled again over the period 2023-24, reflecting steady growth despite a difficult economic context for the real estate sector. Deepki’s performance in 2024 was driven by new client wins and strong organic growth through existing clients and expanded partnerships. This strong performance consolidates Deepki’s position as the leading and most reliable ESG solution in the real estate sector. Through its single platform, Deepki currently supports over 500 customers and more than 50,000 users, monitoring ESG performance for over €4 trillion in assets under management (AUM) in over 80 countries. To date, Deepki has partnered with 53 of the world’s 150 biggest real estate investment managers, reinforcing its strong international presence and will shortly be opening additional offices globally. Employing over 400 people, Deepki empowers its clients to manage decarbonization and climate adaptation across more than 60 asset types, including residential, industrial, logistics, healthcare, offices, hotels, and retail. Its groundbreaking, AI-based, ISAE-certified platform integrates energy efficiency and climate resilience with operational and embodied carbon strategies for existing and new buildings. By using this innovative and complete solution, clients save time, navigate regulatory requirements pragmatically, and identify, implement and monitor carbon-profitable, revenue-generating investments. The exemplary ESG strategies led by Deepki’s clients such as Heppner are no longer exceptions but are setting new industry standards that can be followed by others. Cutting-edge technological breakthroughs and audit-ready data Deepki has strengthened its market leadership through continuous AI-driven innovation, leveraging the world’s largest and most reliable ESG Real Estate database. Its Virtual Retrofit technology enables Asset Managers and building users to remotely identify and assess Energy and Carbon Conservation Measures, facilitating the development of large-scale retrofit investment plans. By using an advanced AI engine to model the thermodynamic behaviour of buildings, clients can prioritize capital expenditures and make informed investment decisions based on transparent and trusted merit orders. These cutting-edge innovations deliver accurate, actionable insights, empowering clients to drive sustainable transformation while enhancing asset value. Additionally, Deepki has strengthened its platform with audit-ready data, AI-powered Gap-Filling to address missing ESG data, and has published its third ESG Index – a comprehensive benchmarking tool for assessing the environmental performance of real estate assets. Deepki is also the world’s first and only ESG data intelligence platform to achieve ISAE 3000 certification, guaranteeing the credibility, accuracy, and full auditability of its data collection and quality assurance processes. This certification upholds the same rigorous standards of financial reporting, offering unparalleled unmatched trust and reliability to clients and partners. Vincent Bryant, CEO and Co-founder of Deepki, comments: “The real estate sector faces the dual challenge of a difficult economic climate and the increasing pressure from investors who seek for long-standing risk-free high returns. The recent backlash on often-too-intricate regulations provides more instability than ever. However, reasons to decarbonize and adapt buildings remain innumerable. This involves complex analysis and pragmatism in decision-making, creating a market need for a comprehensive solution. Commercial real estate players require a single platform to manage all aspects of ESG, from decarbonization and climate adaptation to social impact and compliance, along with seamless integration with adjacent technologies. Deepki’s strong performance in 2024 is a direct result of its positioning as a trusted ESG one-stop shop, empowering businesses to achieve their sustainability targets while enhancing asset value.” Atream / Clémentine Arlin – Head of CSR “For Atream, Deepki has become an essential tool for the extra-financial monitoring of our assets. It is now an everyday tool, not only for monitoring our consumption, which remains at the heart of our business, but also for all our reporting.” Catella Investment Management / Volker Stix – Managing Director of Catella Investment Management “As a sustainable partner for real estate investments, ESG criteria are also a crucial point for us in every investment decision. Probably the biggest challenge in this regard is initially data management and data quality assurance. In Deepki, we have found a partner that enables us to collect this data, close the gaps in data collection and then evaluate it in a quality-assured manner. When selecting our investments, we use Deepki’s investment plan tool to see even before the investment is made: Where does an asset stand today and where could it stand in the future? At first glance, Deepki’s solution appears to be a data collection and management tool, but it offers much more. Deepki is a partner at eye level, providing a high level of consulting expertise in the area of ESG, and thus helping us to make better investment management decisions.” Heppner / Noémie FELDBAUER, Directrice de la Transition Énergétique “Since 2021, Deepki has been helping us to assess the energy efficiency of our building stock. Thanks to their tools and analyses, we have been able to design personalised action plans, including audits, equipment improvements and renovation work. These actions enable us to aim for a 40% reduction in our energy consumption by 2030. We have already achieved a 32% reduction in surface consumption, largely thanks to the optimisation of our lighting with intelligent LEDs.“ Minor Hotels Europe & Americas Pilar Rodríguez Esteban – Senior Vice President Projects, Construction, Engineering & Maintenance“The deployment of Deepki’s platform across our portfolio has brought a new level of transparency and facilitated reporting, which supports our ESG leadership in the sector.” Sagitta SGR Claudio Nardone, CEO of Sagitta SGR “Thanks to the Deepki platform, we have begun a process of digitising our real estate and infrastructure portfolio to understand its environmental performance, compare it with market benchmarks and identify the opportunities and risks, both climatic and transitional, to which the assets are exposed. Supported by Deepki’s team of professionals and consultants, we are now aware
Digital construction experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are teaming up with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions to create an innovative new ‘digital golden thread’ to proactively address key recommendations for the construction sector – following the Grenfell tragedy – to ensure that fire prevention products are correctly installed by sub-contractors and developers on building sites. The project is a 33-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK. LBU experts will support ARC in creating the bespoke quality and installation monitoring product – which will use AI predictive models and data monitoring to ensure the highest quality of building product installation and automate the identification of incorrect or faulty installations. ARC is the UK’s leading manufacturer of cavity fire barriers and cavity closers, supplying many of the UK’s leading contractors and developers who install their products within housing developments. The KTP is led by Saheed Ajayi, Professor of Digital Construction and Project Management in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at LBU. Professor Ajayi said: “Using the unique expertise of our Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory (CIDEL) at LBU, we will support ARC in creating the ARC Remote Quality Monitoring (ARQM), which will provide an interactive two-way feedback loop and build a database of key information about building products and installation. This KTP supports a significant step towards addressing the need in the construction sector for a digital golden thread, whilst enabling ARC to position themselves ahead in the sector.” George Danzey-Smith, Director of Commercial and Technical at ARC, said: “We have identified that monitoring installation with certifiable compliance is likely to become a ‘must’ in the construction sector. Building the ARQM supports our strategic ambition to be the first in our sector to proactively address and meet key recommendations within the Hackitt Report – the independent review of building regulations, particularly their impact on fire safety following the Grenfell tragedy. The innovative new solution will support our ambition to achieve more regulated assurance that our fire prevention products are correctly installed by sub-contractors and developers.” The Hackitt Report includes recommendations that “A ‘golden thread’ of information is needed where accurate records are initiated during design and construction… to demonstrate building safety”. The project is the second KTP between LBU and ARC. In the first project, completed last December, LBU supported ARC to implement a New Product Development department and to create, develop and bring to market two new building insulation and fire safety products. The KTP was graded ‘Outstanding’ by independent assessors at Innovate UK – the highest possible rating awarded to projects. Dr Alex Boote, the KTP Associate recruited by LBU to manage the first KTP, is now employed in the permanent position of Product and Innovation Manager at ARC, and will manage the KTP Associate recruited to the new project. The new Associate role – Machine Learning Engineer – will be a full-time member of the ARC team, with full support of the LBU academics. For more information and to apply, please visit leedsbeckett.ac.uk/jobs/ The closing date for applications is 3 March 2025. Dr Boote continues to have strong links with LBU – collaborating regularly with academics and presenting guest lectures to students. The LBU KTP team is completed by Dr Jamiu Dauda, Senior Lecturer, and Dr Kate Morland, Research Fellow, both in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at LBU. Leeds Beckett University is currently ranked eighth in the UK for its number of active KTPs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A2Dominion, one of the G15 housing associations, is set to transform how it delivers its repairs service for the 38,000 homes it manages. A2Dominion has appointed new technology partners, Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions, to improve efficiency, reliability, and customer experience, through its integrated online housing repairs service. Due to launch in Summer 2025, the system will mean all customer repair requests are managed within one central system, rather than across multiple platforms. Developed with Totalmobile’s expertise in field service management technology and Manifest Software Solutions’ housing integration services, A2Dominion, which received 150,000 repair requests last year alone, will be able to provide a more reliable and streamlined service. The new system will: Once live, customers who request repairs through A2Dominion’s online portal My Account will be able to do the following for non-urgent repairs: A2Dominion currently has more than 17,600 customers registered to use My Account, which represents approximately more than a third of its customer base. Ahead of the system launch, A2Dominion will be inviting customers to get involved at each stage of the design process and test the new system to make sure it is easy to use. Jo Evans, A2Dominion’s Director of Repairs & Maintenance, said: “We’re excited to partner with Totalmobile and Manifest Software Solutions to work with our customers to develop and launch this new repairs system. Our top priority is providing a better repairs service for customers. One of our key challenges is that we currently hold data across multiple platforms – this creates inefficiencies in the way we work and impacts the service we give to customers. “The introduction of the new technology is a critical step in our journey as it means everything will be held in one place. The new system will speed up our repairs process and give our customers reassurance that we’re dealing with their repairs requests effectively.” David Webb, Managing Director of Property and FM at Totalmobile, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the team at A2Dominion on such a transformative project. This new partnership allows us to bring our software to life in a way that directly benefits residents by making the repairs process simpler and more efficient. With the introduction of this new technology, we’re ensuring that the new system works for everyone – customers, operatives and the organisation as a whole.” Alan Swift, Manifest Software Solutions’ Managing Director, said: “Repairs is a hugely important service provided by a landlord. We’re incredibly proud to be supporting A2Dominion to improve the repairs service they provide to their customers. We have integrated systems with Totalmobile before and, while this is a challenging project, we know it will make a huge difference to customers and will ensure they get a better experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Delivering a unique ‘high-vis’ data trail, Simpel’s software empowers construction companies to optimise operations and compliance to meet the evolving regulatory environment Simpel, a leading innovator in construction technology, has announced its recent entry into the UK market. Designed to address the complexities of document management, quality, compliance, safety and site access, Simpel’s end-to-end platform is uniquely positioned to support construction organisations as they navigate increasing regulatory obligations and enforcement of the Building Safety Act (2022). Established in 2018, Simpel has matured quickly, counting many of construction’s largest developers and contractors among its clients. Delivering a breadth and depth of functionality that spans a project’s lifecycle, Simpel is the preferred platform for mid to large tier projects including airports, hospitals, civil infrastructure, high rise residential apartments and commercial developments. Simpel’s proven success in Australia’s complex construction environment made market expansion into the UK a natural choice. Kurt Robinson, CEO of Simpel, said: “The UK construction sector, valued at over £300 billion annually, continues to evolve, creating significant opportunities for businesses to innovate and streamline their operations. The challenges faced here are similar to those we’ve successfully addressed in Australia, and industry leaders are increasingly requiring a balance of practical innovation, together with platform scalability and the growing need to leverage construction data and AI into the future.” What sets Simpel apart is its unique project ecosystem- a ‘high-vis’ data trail that connects workers, files and tasks, delivers real-time project insights, and retains a comprehensive audit trail for the life of the project. The appeal for UK construction organisations who are updating their systems lies in the ease with which Simpel can be implemented, and that it is already equipped with the common data environment needed to help them prioritise safety and comply with emerging regulatory obligations. Cold Clad Limited are a leading installation specialist for insulated and fire rated construction and are the first UK company to adopt Simpel’s construction management platform. The team are adopting the new requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Golden Thread and they sought a software solution that could seamlessly handle the tracking and compliance needs of their business, without adding unnecessary complexity. Cold Clad’s Contracts Director Gareth Pitman commented: “Managing multiple large, complex projects including data centres, temperature-controlled environments and commercial properties requires a lot of resource. Finding a solution to simplify and automate the process, whilst being user friendly was challenging. We are glad to have Simpel on board. The benefits have been realised immediately.” Simpel’s robust suite of document management, field and safety tools, including online inductions and RAMS modules save their clients thousands of labour hours on single projects alone – translating to a powerful return on investment that scales across the entire organisation. Scott Fisher, Group SHEQ Manager at Cold Clad, added: “What appealed to us was that Simpel combined a lot of the functionality that we were looking for within a single platform, which meant that we could more easily meet regulatory requirements as well as eliminate other software and associated costs. “Due to the ease of use and the level of support we received, we’ve had no issues with rolling the platform out to our site-based teams. It has also proved invaluable to our subcontractors who are using it to manage their own compliance”. Richard Bray, COO of Simpel, stated: “Our move into the UK reflects our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the construction industry with practical and adaptable solutions. Simpel’s platform empowers businesses to meet compliance challenges like the Golden Thread, while streamlining operations and enhancing project outcomes. We’re proud to bring our expertise to the UK, equipping construction professionals with the tools to build safer and more innovative projects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Nemetschek Group, a leading global provider of software solutions for the AEC/O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation) and media industries, today announced that it has successfully attained the ISO 27001 certification across the Group. The important certification covers the development, implementation, and maintenance of software solutions across the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) lifecycle as well as for the Media & Entertainment industry. It underscores Nemetschek’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of information security and ensuring the protection of its data. ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Achieving this certification signifies that Nemetschek has implemented Information Security company-wide in a robust manner to manage and protect sensitive information, reduce risks of cyber threats, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations globally. The ISO certification covers all brands in the Nemetschek Group, except for the recently acquired company GoCanvas. Key Highlights of Nemetschek’s ISO 27001 Certification: “We are extremely proud to have achieved ISO 27001 certification across the Nemetschek Group”, commented Louise Öfverström, Chief Financial Officer at the Nemetschek Group. “This milestone underscores our commitment to not only providing innovative software solutions but also safeguarding the critical information that are entrusted to us. The certification assures our clients that we take their security seriously and meet the highest international standards.” This achievement is another important milestone in the company´s strategy of fostering transparency, trust, and long-term partnerships with its stakeholders. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Collaboration to bring repairs in-house, leveraging technology for faster, more reliable customer services Totalmobile, a leading provider of field service management software solutions, is delighted to announce a new partnership with Liverpool-based Cobalt Housing to enhance the quality and efficiency of its repairs and maintenance services. Through Totalmobile’s market-leading workforce management solutions, Cobalt Housing will bring repair services in-house, ensuring improved communication and an enhanced experience for customers across its 6,000 homes. Until recently, Cobalt Housing managed the majority of repairs through external contractors. Now, with Totalmobile’s support, they’re moving to an in-house management system, which will allow Cobalt to take greater control over their repair service, providing high standards for customers. The new software will also provide Cobalt’s trade teams with real-time access to essential information, helping them arrive prepared, improve first-time fix rates and keep customers informed on progress at every step. “Totalmobile will be crucial in helping us meet the high standards our customers deserve,” said Ian Hancock, Executive Director of Property at Cobalt Housing. “During procurement of a new management software, Totalmobile offered dedication to supporting us through each stage of the implementation, providing a system that will manage the repairs service and improve communication with customers.” David Webb, Managing Director of Property and FM at Totalmobile, added, “We are proud to be working with Cobalt Housing in their mission to deliver an integrated, tenant-focused repairs service. By implementing our Connect and Mobilise solutions, Cobalt will have the tools to transform how repairs are managed. Our software ensures that operators have all the information they need on one device, which will improve first-time fix rates, reduce missed appointments, and enhance overall communication with their tenants.” Totalmobile’s solutions are currently being rolled out to Cobalt Housing’s operators, with full implementation planned in mid-2025. This partnership reflects Totalmobile’s commitment to helping organisations like Cobalt Housing deliver improved, efficient, and customer-focused services. For more information on Totalmobile and its housing sector solutions, please visit www.totalmobile.co.uk/sectors/housing-property Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nottingham based construction management consultancy, Cube, is celebrating its five-year milestone with the launch of its new construction management software, Milestone. November 2024 marked a milestone in more ways than one for construction management consultants, Cube, as it celebrated a significant business anniversary and unveiled its latest project, Milestone, on its mission to build best practice into every element of construction. The past five years has seen construction experts Nicola Slater and Mark Johnston, MCIOB, NECReg working with some of the biggest names in the construction industry. Combining their 60+ years in the sector, the entrepreneurial duo has helped regional and tier 1 contractors complete significant projects on time, protect margins, reduce client frustrations and mitigate project risk. Now, they have captured their extensive, hands-on construction expertise into a construction management software platform, Milestone, designed for construction professionals by construction experts. Milestone, Cube’s Building Safety Act compatible construction management software, is a real time, digital solution which helps contractors manage every stage of a construction project from award, through design to project delivery, completion and aftercare. Co-founder and construction consultant, Nicola Slater shares: “From a standing start, with no clients and little industry recognition of how construction management consultancy could help make a difference to the successful outcome of construction projects, we set up Cube. “Fast forward five years and we’ve captured our expertise into Milestone, a robust digital tool to help construction managers maximise their efficiency in managing projects and meeting targets.” The simple to use software includes all the tools construction managers need to reduce risk, ensure consistent work and allocate processes and projects to team members. Through a real-time online dashboard, Milestone gives instant access to project information for the whole team whether on-site or off, enabling issues or remediation actions to be proactively managed. Initially they set out to provide business development support, process improvement reviews, construction expertise and training and mentoring services to the building and construction sector. And, while much of this is still part of what they do today, the pair have learned to evolve and adapt as new opportunities presented themselves. Milestone being the latest in a string of construction management projects. Another proud moment for Cube, in 2021, it became a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Chartered Construction Management Consultancy, further demonstrating to clients and partners its ongoing commitment to the principles and values of best practice, ethical standards and professionalism. Co-founder and construction consultant, Mark Johnston, Vice Chair of the CIOB Nottingham Hub adds: “Having got the business off the ground from a standing start and weathered the storm of a global pandemic, we found ourselves working with some of the biggest names in the construction industry, providing construction management consultancy on projects such as the regeneration of an enclosure at London Zoo and a listed building at a historic university campus”. “More recently, The Building Safety Act (BSA) has become a significant focus for us. Holding multi-disciplinary workshops in London and Nottingham has embedded us firmly in the discussion about where the industry is heading in terms of competency and best practice. We’ve incorporated that into Milestone software so it is a practical tool to help firms meet their obligations under the Act, demonstrate competency and provide a digital ‘Golden Thread’ of project information.” For more details on Cube’s construction management consultancy and software, Milestone, visit: https://www.cube-cc.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OryxAlign’s leadership in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure recognised with two Building Innovation Awards shortlistings OryxAlign, a leading managed service provider (MSP) in the IT and cybersecurity sectors, has been shortlisted for two categories at the Building Innovation Awards 2024. The company has been nominated for the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or Project of the Year and Best Technology Partner categories. The awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester on October 17, 2024. The Building Innovation Awards celebrate forward-thinking organisations that embrace emerging technologies and digital transformation to advance the UK’s construction sector. Entrants are judged based on their ability to enhance productivity, sustainability and safety within the built environment. OryxAlign’s nomination in the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or Project of the Year category recognises its work on the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Acceleration and Maturity Project for a leading commercial real-estate company, which bolstered the cybersecurity defences of over 30 high-value properties across the UK. The project demonstrated cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and real-time data analytics to anticipate and neutralise cyber threats proactively. The infrastructure was aligned with both ISO 27001 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity frameworks, providing resilience for the client’s critical systems and devices. In addition, OryxAlign is competing in the Best Technology Partner category for its consistent commitment to client success, delivering round-the-clock IT support, secure network design and a proactive approach to digital resilience. The company’s managed IT services ensure operational efficiency for key building systems such as CCTV, access control and power management, proving instrumental in safeguarding critical infrastructure across a variety of sectors. “As cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, it’s critical for businesses to adopt resilient, forward-thinking technologies,” said Peter Schwartz, senior technology consultant at OryxAlign. “Our work in critical infrastructure projects showcases our commitment to safeguarding both digital and physical assets, ensuring that businesses can operate securely and efficiently, no matter the challenges they face.” The Critical Infrastructure Cyber Acceleration and Maturity Project has helped to enhance the cybersecurity posture of buildings by implementing advanced encryption and authentication protocols across operational technology (OT) devices. By integrating cybersecurity with physical security systems like surveillance and access controls, OryxAlign created a cohesive defence strategy that has significantly reduced operational risks. “Our approach is always to listen closely to our clients, align their business objectives with the right technologies and exceed expectations at every stage,” Schwartz added. “From proactive monitoring to comprehensive cyber awareness training, we go beyond delivering transactional services, becoming true partners in our clients’ long-term success.” To learn more about how OryxAlign can support your project needs, visit www.oryxalign.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How leveraging cloud service plans and auditing resources can significantly reduce cloud costs in the construction industry In 2024, the UK construction industry has seen a significant increase in financial distress. Begbies Traynor reports that construction remains the sector with the highest insolvency rates, with nearly one-fifth of all business failures occurring within construction. With this, it is becoming more important for companies in the construction sector to optimise their finances. The use of cloud computing is one area where many businesses are paying more than they need to. Here, Adam Weldon-Ming, head of professional services at cloud financial operations provider OryxAlign, discusses the different methods businesses can use to optimise their cloud usage for cost efficiency. Cloud optimisation falls under FinOps (Financial Operations) and focuses on managing and optimising the costs associated with using cloud computing resources. By analysing resources, construction companies can gain insight on the cloud costs for each department or cost centre. FinOps also explores strategies to reduce costs, such as identifying servers that can be turned off during non-operational hours or leveraging Microsoft Azure cost-saving plans like reserved instances. Tagging and resource allocation Applying proper tagging and categorisation to cloud resources – such as compute instances, storage, and databases – can help allocate costs accurately to different departments, projects, or teams. This allows for better cost allocation, accountability, and cost optimisation based on specific business needs. For example, compute instances can be split by department, with tags like “Site_VM,” “Projects_VM,” and “Engineering_VM,” providing insights into department-specific costs. The company can then analyse the usage patterns and optimise its resources. If certain compute instances consistently experience low utilisation, they can be rightsized to match actual demand, eliminating unnecessary expenses. Demand-based flexibility Cloud platforms like Azure include options such as auto-scaling and flexible scaling sets to ensure that servers are only used when needed. Auto-scaling in Azure refers to the automatic adjustment of compute resources based on the workload demand. It allows organisations to dynamically scale their applications and infrastructure up or down to match the system’s changing needs. Flexible Scaling Sets, or Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS), enable the deployment and management of a group of identical virtual machines (VMs) as a single entity. VMSS supports auto-scaling, allowing organisations to scale the number of VM instances within the set automatically. It ensures the required capacity is available during high-demand periods and reduces costs during low-demand periods. Similarly, Amazon’s AWS offers Elastic Load Balancing (ELB). This automatically distributes incoming traffic across multiple instances or resources, ensuring the load is evenly distributed. It helps improve your applications’ availability and fault tolerance by automatically scaling the number of instances behind the load balancer based on traffic patterns. Another option that provides flexible scaling is Azure Functions, a serverless computing service. It enables developers to build and run event-driven functions that scale automatically, without requiring underlying infrastructure management. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Offered by all major cloud providers, PaaS is a cloud computing model that provides a ready-to-use platform for developing, deploying, and managing applications without worrying about underlying infrastructure. With PaaS, developers can focus on writing code and building applications, while the cloud provider takes care of the servers, storage, networking, and operating systems. Pricing model analysis Although the names of pricing models might differ, cloud service providers offer different options, such as pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, or spot instances. Reserved Instances, for example, allow users to reserve cloud computing capacity in advance, typically for a one- or three-year term. Reserving a server for three years can cut the running cost by up to 40 percent compared to on-demand usage. OryxAlign successfully migrated a prominent client to Azure. OryxAlign monitored the infrastructure and implemented scale sets, allowing it to automatically provision new servers when capacity reached 75 per cent. Combining this with purchasing reserved instances for a three-year term resulted in significant cost savings, reducing the client’s annual cloud expenses from between £200,000-£300,000 to around £100,000. By partnering with a trusted advisor that can help to navigate the cloud landscape, companies can avoid wasting money on their cloud costs by analysing resource usage, implementing cost reduction strategies, and leveraging features like auto-scaling and load balancing. As businesses increasingly adopt multi-cloud strategies, the importance of effective multi cloud cost management cannot be overstated. Leveraging advanced platforms that offer centralized visibility and automated resource management can significantly enhance cost efficiency. You can find out how much you could save through cloud optimisation by contacting OryxAlign through its website www.oryxalign.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Software plays a vital role in 21st Century construction, helping modernise the industry, improve efficiencies, and deliver better project results. From the initial design process to eco-friendly practices, software is the cornerstone of modern construction, creating new jobs and fresh opportunities for a rapidly evolving workforce. Design and Innovation Design and innovation have moved from traditional times when the construction industry relied on blueprints and drawings to bring a project to life. Nowadays, you are more likely to view a proposed structure as a 3D model before any physical site work begins. This enhanced method of design and visualisation is also supported by the growing presence of virtual reality and augmented reality tools, sparking a new period of digital software innovation and career opportunities. These new technologies allow designers and project managers to visualise exactly what a building or structure will look like before a brick has been laid and allow stakeholders to take a virtual stroll through the structure. Project Management One of the biggest advantages of software in the construction industry is its ability to enhance project management. Cloud-based solutions like construction enterprise resource planning (ERP) software help streamline processes and improve efficiencies across multiple teams so that projects run on time and within budget. Another transformative technology in construction is supply chain management software, which offers a range of functionalities, from tracking the flow of materials to managing invoices and costs. The development of ERP and supply chain management software represents key growth sectors in today’s construction industry. Communication and Collaboration Clear communication and strong collaboration are essential in any successful construction project. Thanks to continued investment and the evolving development of modern software and apps, communication between construction teams has never been better. Communication software keeps everyone in the loop and on the same page at every stage of the construction process. Any pinch points can be quickly identified and resolved so that problems resulting from poor communication are avoided. This not only delivers greater efficiencies for building firms, but it can also help reduce labour and other operational costs. AI and Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics can transform most industries, and they’re already having a powerful impact on the construction world. These dynamic software tools can analyse every aspect of a construction project and provide data-driven information on which parts are working well and which are not. Using this data combined with advanced tools, construction firms can adjust their outlooks and address specific issues to maximise efficiencies across the business, identify bottlenecks, and ultimately increase profit margins. AI is only set to create more opportunities in the future, with the market expected to grow from £16.8 billion to £801.6 billion by 2023, with construction poised to harness the benefits that brings. Automation and Smart Machines Automation has already replaced many manual, repetitive tasks in construction. But this ingenious feature of many software platforms will have an even greater influence in years to come, creating an abundance of opportunities for developers and engineers alike. By letting the software automate certain tasks, such as data manipulation, the whole sector can see productivity gains. Similarly, drone technology allows construction teams to accurately monitor and assess buildings and structures to provide a clear and detailed picture for site managers. They can inspect sites from the air to identify problems that would be difficult to spot from the ground and provide a bird’s-eye view of areas that are dangerous to reach. Not only does this create a safer environment, but drone software can produce real-time data to increase efficiencies and boost productivity. Advanced Sensor Technology Sensor technology has made huge progress and continues to do so, relaying essential information back to project managers to act upon. These state-of-the-art sensors can be embedded into construction materials and equipment where they detect defects and structural weaknesses and give vital feedback on everything from air quality to the movement of site vehicles. By continuously monitoring the building process, firms can spot potential risks early and take appropriate action to reduce the probability of accidents or injury. Similarly, construction companies are harnessing the advantages of IoT, or the Internet of Things, referring to the vast network of interconnected devices and apps that collect important data. This enables teams to monitor multiple aspects such as temperature and humidity as well as fuel and energy consumption to ensure maximum efficiencies across a project. Eco-friendly Solutions Like most industries, construction has a responsibility to reduce its negative impact on the environment for a more sustainable future in line with the UK government’s Net Zero 2050 target. With so many materials required for a project and so much waste produced, firms are under renewed pressure to adopt greener and more sustainable ways of working. Construction software helps teams identify where improvements can be made to reduce waste, improve efficiencies, and lower their carbon footprint. Not only that, but this technology ensures maximum benefits are gained from any materials used on a project to create greener buildings and structures for all as well as a variety of career software development opportunities. As you can see, technology is a driving force in construction already, and many sectors of the industry rely on it to achieve maximum efficiencies, streamline projects, and create safer and more sustainable working environments, buildings, and structures. As systems and techniques continue to evolve, a new world of career opportunities in construction software development and delivery will open up too. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
