All construction projects are highly detailed and complex processes, from the design and planning stage, through to the build and project close, but there are multiple people involved at every stage. With so many tasks to be completed to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget, there is also the potential for errors to be made. From delays and confusion in communication between the office and the construction site to materials arriving late to a shortage of labour, there’s a myriad of problems that could arise. So how can these issues be dealt with effectively? To avoid these potentially catastrophic issues happening, an increasing number of organisations are using real-time data to streamline projects and get ahead of their competitors. A recent Gartner survey discovered that 62% of the 1,200 companies it contacted reported greater efficiency after implementing real-time data systems, while a staggering 80% experienced a revenue uplift. This study would suggest, from the companies surveyed, real-time data assisted in providing these businesses with both financial and operational benefits. Going Digital is Opening Doors in Construction The acceleration in digital technology means that communication breakdown between offices and construction sites is a thing of the past. Instead of information being relayed over the phone or email which can cause delays and lost information, resulting in costly delays to projects and disgruntled customers. Information can now be uploaded via smartphone, tablet, or other devices using cloud-based construction ERP software and other real-time data and collaboration tools. For example, Rhodar, a provider of asbestos removal, demolition and land remediation services found that prior to using ERP software: “Issuing an asbestos survey report to a customer used to take up to a week. This task can now be achieved in a much shorter time frame – the surveyor completes a form at the customer’s house on a mobile device and the survey data is automatically uploaded into a report format at the office, ready to issue to the customer.” Control of every construction project at every milestone Construction software uses enhanced features to make projects easier to manage than ever before. That is no mean feat when each construction project involves so many people, from general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and consultants, to clients, and other outside agencies who must all be aligned. Real-time data reporting is a proven method for improving productivity on-site. The benefits include:  Because Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other fully integrated construction software operates via the cloud, it allows people to access real-time data and information wherever they are. Whether they are present on the job site, in the office, or visiting a customer, the data they need is instantly available at their fingertips. As a result, project workers can avoid multiple phone calls and piles of printed job sheets so that nobody is left waiting and decisions can be made on the spot. Smarter Decision Making Thanks to Data The data gathered from construction software can also be used to enhance the delivery of real-time information so that organisations work smarter on future projects. Managers can learn what systems work best for them to streamline processes over time and therefore limit costs and time. Where construction software was once considered a niche collaboration tool, it has now become a necessity in the industry., with vital data and information shared at the touch of a button. One of the biggest advantages of user-friendly construction software is that it allows users to interact so that data-driven information, insights, and decisions can be exchanged in real-time which leads to further operational efficiencies, and greater productivity levels. What Has Construction ERP Software Achieved So Far? Rhodar needed a central system that could manage every aspect of their company and provide accurate, real-time information to drive decision-making. Using construction management software has united the company’s 500+ employees into a single system, allowing them to complete, document, and process jobs across the US. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has announced it was named a leader in energy management software by independent industry analyst firm Verdantix in its Green Quadrant: Energy Management Software 2023�report. “Buildings contribute nearly 40% of global emissions and new levels of efficiency and sustainability can only be achieved through digitalisation,” said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. “Recognition as a leader in the Energy Management Software industry speaks volumes about our work and solutions that continue to create the spaces and places that improve well-being, achieve climate goals and save money.” This Green Quadrant: Energy Management Software 2023 report provides a detailed, fact-based comparison of the most prominent energy management software (EMS) vendors evaluated on their innovation and product strategy and customer satisfaction through product demonstrations, vendor responses and interviews. Through its analysis, Verdantix found a dramatic improvement of energy management capabilities in Johnson Controls’ offerings since evaluations in 2015 and 2018. Through the launch of OpenBlue and a targeted acquisition strategy to bolster and deepen capabilities, Johnson Controls has enriched its offering with additional energy and sustainability management features. Johnson Controls received high scores relative to fifteen leading EMS vendors both in capabilities (e.g., breadth and depth of functionality) and momentum (e.g., customer adoption, strategy investment). OpenBlue is rated higher than other EMS software providers for capabilities including autonomous operations and control, energy monitoring and reporting and innovation and product strategy. “As a Green Quadrant Leader in Energy Management Software, Johnson Controls has established itself as a leader in the energy management space and is helping customers unlock energy efficiencies, achieve sustainability goals, and harness digital insights,” said Harry Wilson, Industry Analyst, Verdantix. “We found the company’s offerings are transitioning from those of a traditional building technology manufacturer, to those of a software solutions provider with a deeper focus on equipment integration and control capabilities.” Already recognised as a leader in the Green Quadrant: IOT Platforms for Smart Buildings 2022, the cornerstone of the Johnson Controls energy management offering is OpenBlue, an industry-leading ecosystem of connected technologies, expertise and services. OpenBlue Enterprise Manager (OBEM) is a suite of software solutions that form a comprehensive building performance management platform to power a new class of smart buildings that are secure, healthy and sustainable. Combining data from across the building’s systems and utility bills, and using advanced digital experiences augmented with AI, OBEM provides actionable insights and controls that save more energy and reduce more emissions than possible with isolated systems. It also helps customers in simplifying carbon disclosure reporting and regulatory compliance with building performance standards. With deployments across the globe spanning commercial office spaces, healthcare, education, campuses and more, OBEM enables real-time data visibility across assets, people and processes, empowering customers to drive intelligent and proactive operations from a single pane of glass. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming smart buildings, please visit: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/OpenBlue. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals