Dynamon has launched its ground-breaking Synthetic Telematics feature, which allows businesses to run a virtual electric fleet, modelling exactly how vehicles will perform in real world conditions. The technology, similar to that used by aerospace manufacturers and part of its ZERO software package, can either take existing telematics data or
Kier Group plc has joined Causeway Technologies’ ground-breaking project aimed at developing automated, real-time reporting of scope 3 emissions in the construction sector. The scope 3 initiative is well advanced in developing a software solution that can deliver a credible, verifiable, efficient and scalable way to measure scope 3 emissions
Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence Division has unveiled the latest release of its flagship product, CADWorx® 23 Plant Design Suite, a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges faced by industries in computer-assisted design (CAD) and engineering (CAE). The suite enhances productivity through improved compatibility and optimised workflows. The CADWorx Design Suite is
Yepic, a revolutionary new photo-based app for tradespeople, is already making life easier and simpler for the UK’s 2.5 million tradespeople. Now available in app stores, Yepic http://www.yepic.com uses your work photos taken on your smartphones to record and manage jobs and has been designed for all trades, including
The global market for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles is forecast to reach over $380 billion by 2034, driven primarily by demand for battery electric cars but with rapid growth to other sectors too, including electric vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and off-road vehicles. Electrification and emissions targets, improving battery performance,
Integrating design and planning can increase profitability Contractors are in a tough business, and business leaders are no doubt fatigued by the headlines positioning the sector as operating in a world dominated by Murphy’s Law (if it can go wrong, it will go wrong). This is unfair, as while projects
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops
Dundee-based M2M Cloud sees its tech successfully installed across island sites An intelligent monitoring system has been successfully introduced by Scottish Water across rural locations in the Highlands and Islands, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. Using
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative
Dynamon has launched its ground-breaking Synthetic Telematics feature, which allows businesses to run a virtual electric fleet, modelling exactly how vehicles will perform in real world conditions. The technology, similar to that used by aerospace manufacturers and part of its ZERO software package, can either take existing telematics data or create its own for commercial vehicle fleets that don’t have the information, or can’t apply it. Using ZERO’s extensive, bespoke database of almost all electric commercial vehicles, fleets and consultants can firstly spec exact vehicles in detail, including options such as battery size, tyre choice, weights, optional extras and accessories. They can then create routes, using either existing journeys or by plotting new ones, and set up fleet movements in simulated scenarios that include real world geographic, traffic and road conditions. Added to this can be drop-offs, deliveries, rest stops or charging, as well as driving styles and weather conditions. Synthetic Telematics’ advanced analytic and predictive algorithms show how an electric fleet would operate, based on the parameters entered, which can then be adjusted to determine what a real-world fleet will really need to operate successfully, such as alternative charging methods, other vehicles, new routes or revised operational procedures. “Synthetic Telematics is game-changing because for the first time, fleets can now run their entire operation virtually before a wheel even turns for real,” said Dynamon CEO Angus Webb. “This allows them to make fully informed decisions in every area of procurement and planning, ensuring that the transition to electric is right first-time, avoiding expensive over- or under-speccing of vehicles and infrastructure.” Crucial to the proposition is the ability to create telematics data for fleets that need it, said Webb. Often, fleets may only have partial or incomplete data, or may only collect information on certain operational elements, such as drop off times. Fleets can also struggle to take the data they have from petrol and diesel vehicles and use it to predict how electric vehicles may perform. Synthetic Telematics solves all of this. “The modelling available with Synthetic Telematics changes the way businesses can plan for the future, because it lays out all the data they will need. It shows how vehicles will perform on different routes, in different temperatures. The level of detail is remarkable,” Webb added. Dynamon has done this through the creation of its own database of vehicle information, which included on-road testing for real-world efficiency figures and the calculation of factors such as the effect of certain options, such as different tyres or wheelbases. It can even model the effect of loads and wind direction on battery effectiveness. “We’re now at a stage where Synthetic Telematics can take over from testing. Fleets often try electric vehicles out, but how rigorous can their testing procedure be? Often it can be quite anecdotal, and limited: nobody has the time and money to test all EVs on every route, in all conditions. With Synthetic Telematics, you can do this,” said Webb. As part of the development of Synthetic Telematics, Dynamon undertook its own testing of vehicles on routes and then ran the same trials virtually, to ensure that the results through Synthetic Telematics were accurate. “What we saw was that the results of the modelling were remarkably similar, producing every data point a fleet would need. So, for example, Synthetic Telematics can model how a particular EV would perform if the route was on a Monday morning during rush hour, with a full load, in winter, showing efficiency at any point on a specific road,” said Webb. “Without this incredible level of detail, many fleets are doing fairly basic calculations on EV performance, taking battery size, approximate consumption and distance, and coming up with a number for range, charging need and cost. Synthetic Telematics, however, can show where batteries are being depleted most on a particular journey – perhaps because it is especially hilly, or has a lot of stop-start driving – allowing fleets to reroute if necessary to improve range, or choose another vehicle. “Synthetic Telematics will change the way fleets move to electric,” said Webb. “It allows them to be sure of the type of charging they will need, which vehicles to choose and how to adapt their working operation to accommodate electric. And they can do all of this in a risk-free virtual environment, saving them time and money and ensuring when they do transition to electric, it is right, first-time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier Group plc has joined Causeway Technologies’ ground-breaking project aimed at developing automated, real-time reporting of scope 3 emissions in the construction sector. The scope 3 initiative is well advanced in developing a software solution that can deliver a credible, verifiable, efficient and scalable way to measure scope 3 emissions in real-time, using invoice data automatically extracted from Causeway Tradex, the largest connected construction supply chain community in the UK. Other partners in the initiative include Aggregate Industries, Balfour Beatty plc, Galliford Try, and Morgan Sindall Group plc. In 2020, Kier Group plc launched its sustainability strategy, Building for a Sustainable World, including the target of achieving net zero scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon by 2045. Data underpins this target, and Kier aims to facilitate the capture of carbon emissions data, improve its accuracy, and ensure industry consistency in supply chain data requests. James Martin, Kier Group director for health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability said: “Kier has a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2045, supported by a series of interim reduction targets in 2030. Data accuracy is key to our strategy. We have developed our methods of collecting carbon emissions data more effectively, working on making this process more automated which will improve data accuracy. It is key that we and our peers across the industry collaborate on carbon data capture and share consistent data about our emissions. It is only by sharing and developing together that we will be able to make the meaningful difference. Working on this initiative with Causeway and the other partners will bring us closer to all these goals.” Dr Adam O’Rourke, Causeway’s emerging technologies consultant, explained: “At present, contractors are heavily reliant on using generic carbon reporting solutions for estimating scope 3 emissions. These are useful estimating tools, but Causeway’s scope 3 initiative is different – it provides contractors, for the first time, with an accurate, consistent and automated reporting tool that reflects the actual materials and products used, not just what was planned. More accurate reporting means better choices and lower risk for contractors. It really is ‘Scope 3 made easy’.” Causeway and its partners are currently engaging with more suppliers and contractors, as well as validating and testing elements of the software. The project is also being supported via a knowledge transfer partnership with the Engineering Department at the University of Bath. To register for updates on the scope 3 initiative, go to: https://www.causeway.com/carbon-reporting/scope-3 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence Division has unveiled the latest release of its flagship product, CADWorx® 23 Plant Design Suite, a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges faced by industries in computer-assisted design (CAD) and engineering (CAE). The suite enhances productivity through improved compatibility and optimised workflows. The CADWorx Design Suite is a comprehensive software series for plant design that offers integrated intelligent drawing/database connectivity, advanced automation capabilities, and user-friendly drafting tools. This new release empowers engineers and designers with an optimised and efficient CAD experience, seamless compatibility and enhanced functionality. Key Highlights of CADWorx 23 Plant Design Suite Include: Unrivalled compatibility: The CADWorx Plant Design Suite allows users to immediately leverage the benefits and advancements of the latest CAD platforms without any delays and is fully integrated with BricsCAD® v23 and AutoCAD® 2023 and 2024. Functional enhancements: various modules see significant improvements: These enhancements empower engineers and designers to create more intricate and accurate designs that meet industry requirements. Enhanced usability and configuration: this new release offers new capabilities to automate workflows further: Efficiency in design processes: responding to user feedback, this new release adds the ability to inherit process line numbers from PIDVIEW to Plant Modelling, reducing manual effort and ensuring design coherence. Additionally, the PIDVIEW module lets users insert components that match specific types and selected property values, to enhance productivity and accuracy. Wally Elarusi, Product Owner, CADWorx, said: “In today’s competitive landscape, industries face numerous challenges when it comes to CAD design and engineering. This release of CADWorx 23 Plant Design Suite aims to deliver an enhanced CAD environment, addressing industry pain points and empowering engineers and designers with increased compatibility, stability, and optimised workflow capabilities.” Peter Van Der Weijde, Vice President EMIA, Hexagon CADWorx and Analysis Solutions: “This new release fully reflects Hexagon’s customer-centric approach to development. Our customers are allowed to vote to prioritise features we should develop. As a result, we were able to incorporate new, high-value features, provide unrivalled compatibility and place a strong emphasis on responding to customer feedback and addressing bugs or issues promptly, across a large range of industries, for a more reliable and efficient experience.” For a deeper dive into the functionalities and innovations packed in CADWorx 23 Plant Design Suite, Hexagon invites all to join the “What’s New in CADWorx 23: Driving Continuous Improvements in Designs” webinar. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yepic, a revolutionary new photo-based app for tradespeople, is already making life easier and simpler for the UK’s 2.5 million tradespeople. Now available in app stores, Yepic http://www.yepic.com uses your work photos taken on your smartphones to record and manage jobs and has been designed for all trades, including electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators and joiners. Rapidly gaining momentum within the construction trades sector since its full launch in May this year on mobile and desktop, Yepic and its new pay-for upgrade, Yepic+ have a user-friendly, intuitive interface designed to empower the country’s tradespeople. Leeds-based Yepic is the brainchild of former electrical contractor and tech entrepreneur Sam Overment from East Yorkshire, who has been backed in his vision by a multi-million-pound investment from Labora, the parent company of City Electrical Factors’ (CEF). “Yepic is so easy to get started – all tradespeople need is a phone number and the app downloaded,” said Sam. “When you take a photo on your phone, the app captures the exact location and creates a ‘job’ in the app. You can add a caption like a customer’s name, and include notes and tasks to help manage the job, while choosing to have every visit you make and every photo you take automatically added using GPS, accurately recording addresses, eliminating time-consuming manual data entry.” Automatically finding all job photos on your phone, Yepic allows tradespeople to quickly sort and categorise thousands of images into job albums, tracking hours spent at each job capturing precise arrival and departure times. The Yepic app is free and has so far been downloaded by more than 12,000 tradespeople with a target of 50,000 downloads by the end of the year in what is one of the UK’s largest sectors by employment, including 800,000 self-employed tradespeople among the 2.5 million people employed across the country’s construction trades industry. “It’s a massive market and every tradesperson has the problem of needing to record their work movements and jobs with many relying on their memory alone, adding stress to their workday,” added Sam, who brings industry expertise and a deep understanding of tradespeople’s needs having spent years as a time-served electrician. “Yepic’s real USP is about putting tradespeople at the centre of everything we do. It enhances tradespeople and has no real barriers to allowing people to use it.” The proof is in the pudding, and Yepic has certainly struck a chord with users. Kai Fletcher, 19, is from Wellingborough and a second-year electrical apprentice on a four-year course at Northampton College’s Booth Lane campus. Working for Appleby Electrical, a family-owned firm from the town, he first caught sight of Yepic on TikTok, and he says, ‘I’ve been on it ever since.’ The young electrician’s workload is a lot of solar PV installations, so panels, batteries and meters, as well as domestic rewires and new boards. And he says he’s finding Yepic really useful for tracking his jobs, creating portfolios for his college course and supporting his employer’s clients. “Yepic is very easy to use. It has a brilliant interface and shows me what jobs I’ve been working and lets me select, add and keep new job-specific photos in one place. I’ve been using it every day for things like keeping track of what cables have been installed behind what wall board or floor. “It’s also helping me with my college portfolio by keeping jobs together, showing ‘before and after’ photos.” Kai has shown his employer, mentioned it to his course tutor and shared it with his apprenticeship course mates. Kai’s experience is echoed elsewhere across the country as tradespeople have discovered how easy to use – and useful – Yepic is to them. Simon Bowler, a joiner and landscape architect from near York, has been using the app for the last couple of months. “We’ve just finished a compositie decking job in Harrogate and throughout that project we’ve been using Yepic to help us track what we’ve been doing and when we’ve been doing it, adding photos, notes and tasks. “Yepic is going to help us tremendously on future projects.” Yepic’s Chief Technology Officer, Gary Worthington, feels that Yepic’s automatic visit tracking is a key feature that will attract tradespeople. “Although [automatic visit tracking] is a highly technical solution, it is really simple for our users to make use of. When people see it in action, you can see that ‘magic’ moment when they realise how useful it will be,” said Gary. This is being born out in the workplace where Michael Abbott, who runs Relyon Gas Services in Ilford, Essex, and has found Yepic’s photo location feature particularly useful. “One of the best things about Yepic is that you can go about your business, take photos and just set up the job when you want to, at the start or at the end when you’re going out the door. You can also automatically migrate all your photos from a specific job from your phone’s gallery into Yepic.” Successes like these have encouraged Sam and his team of Leeds-based app developers and designers to launch new, advanced features which are now available in the pay-for upgrade to the app, Yepic+. Yepic+ has additional functionality and advanced features that include job sharing, videos, timesheets and job reports and is available on either a monthly or annual paid subscription*. Yepic’s App Tester, Ash Winter, said: “The Yepic+ job reports function has something for loads of different Yepic+ subscribers. If you are a sole trader looking to showcase work or working on a big site and you need to export your time. Even for students with assignments to pull together. “We have built it to be flexible, so you can access time on the job, photos, notes and tasks. It’s something you can use for your needs, rather than what we think your needs are.” To
The global market for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles is forecast to reach over $380 billion by 2034, driven primarily by demand for battery electric cars but with rapid growth to other sectors too, including electric vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and off-road vehicles. Electrification and emissions targets, improving battery performance, and an increasingly attractive total cost of ownership for some vehicle segments are driving this growth in demand for battery electric vehicles (EV). Nevertheless, improvements to battery performance and cost are sought after and while developments may become increasingly incremental there are various avenues for the continued improvement of Li-ion battery technology. The new research report from IDTechEx, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, offers analysis of the technologies, designs and trends surrounding Li-ion cells, packs, and battery management systems (BMS), including Li-ion demand forecasts by EV application. The new research report from IDTechEx, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, offers analysis of the technologies, designs and trends surrounding Li-ion cells, packs, and battery management systems (BMS), including Li-ion demand forecasts by EV application. Cells Over the short term, EV battery cells are likely to see a continuation of existing trends. For example, the average nickel content of NMC and NCA chemistries continues to increase as a means to increase energy density and reduce cobalt content. Possibly the largest trend is the general shift towards LFP, a cheaper and safer option than NMC and NCA (though not inherently safe). While the energy density of LFP can be 30-40% lower than NMC or NCA, the benefits of its lower cost have become unavoidable in recent years. As such, the share of LFP in electric cars has grown, though it needs to be noted that the vast majority of this has been driven by re-adoption in China. NMC and NCA are still favored in Europe and North America, though LFP has started to enter the market. NMC chemistries are also still favored in turnkey packs for other vehicle segments. Nevertheless, cost and material supply pressures, alongside technology improvements, mean LFP is forecast to grow its share of the EV market. More transformative developments are also on the horizon. Announcements of solid-state battery developments continue while early commercialization is already taking place, for example, via the likes of Blue Solutions’ polymer type solid-state batteries. The use of silicon anode material is expected to increase with the development of more advanced silicon anode solutions and commercially ready products, promising improvements to energy density and fast charging. New cathode chemistries continue to be explored too. For example, lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) offers an interesting alternative with the potential to offer many of the benefits of LFP while increasing energy density closer to that of NMC type batteries, though commercial deployment is still limited. Pack design In light of the increasing LFP adoption within EVs, cell-to-pack battery designs take on added importance. These designs offer improved packing efficiency, increasing energy density to help reduce one of the primary disadvantages of using LFP versus NMC or NCA type batteries. CATL and BYD have implemented CTP designs alongside Tesla, Stellantis, and various other manufacturers. To improve gravimetric energy density, lightweight polymer battery enclosures are being pushed as an alternative to the incumbent steel and aluminum enclosures. Dual-chemistry designs are also being explored by the likes of CATL, NIO, and Our Next Energy. Our Next Energy presents the most extreme example with plans to couple a high energy density but low cycle life chemistry as effectively a range extender LFP. Ultimately, combinations of different Li-ion chemistries, or even combining Li-ion with Na-ion, could help to optimize the inevitable trade-offs between power, energy density, cycle life and low temperature performance. Thermal management Thermal management and fire protection have become critical considerations for EV batteries in light of safety concerns, high-profile fires, and battery recalls. While early electric vehicle models utilized passive air cooling, liquid cooling has become more prominent across various vehicle segments in recent years. According to IDTechEx data, active liquid-cooled designs made up 90% of the electric car market, compared to just over 50% in 2015. This trend applies not only to electric cars. Most turnkey batteries for commercial vehicle segments are offered with liquid cooling too. As developments in cell technology start to become increasingly incremental, developments in aspects such as thermal management become increasingly important to not only maintain safe operation but also maximize the available performance from Li-ion batteries. Battery management systems The battery management system (BMS) plays a critical role in the safe and reliable operation of any Li-ion battery. While the main functionality of a BMS is relatively well-defined, it also offers a route to expanding the performance envelope of Li-ion batteries. Improvements to safety, lifetime, fast charging, and even energy density are possible through developments to the BMS and, importantly, with minimal need to sacrifice one for another. Critical to enabling the performance improvements is the development and implementation of more accurate battery and cell state estimation (e.g., state-of-charge, state-of-health, state-of-power), allowing the maximum performance to be safely extracted from a battery. Beyond developments to BMS software and algorithms, wireless BMS solutions are also being commercialized. By implementing wireless solutions, much of the wiring and cabling can be omitted, helping to reduce weight and eliminate potential failure modes. Though deployment is relatively slow, with GM’s initial announcement for their wireless BMS in 2020, BMS semiconductor manufacturers are now offering solutions for wireless BMS designs. The new IDTechEx report, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, provides analysis on key innovations, advancements and trends in li-ion batteries and BMS in EVs, including discussion of performance data. The report provides an overview of some of the key drivers, challenges and battery technology choices for multiple electric vehicle segments. For more information, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/EVLithium. To see IDTechEx’s wider portfolio on the Li-ion and electric vehicle sectors, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Energy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of
Integrating design and planning can increase profitability Contractors are in a tough business, and business leaders are no doubt fatigued by the headlines positioning the sector as operating in a world dominated by Murphy’s Law (if it can go wrong, it will go wrong). This is unfair, as while projects do frequently overrun, construction is so incredibly complex, perhaps the real question is why it does not happen more often, says Jonathan Hunter, CEO of specialist international software provider, Elecosoft. As we all know, a project involves so many moving parts, whatever the build size: potentially millions of components, the weather, the phased approach, the materials’ shortages, skills gap, and having the right people on the site at the right time…I could go on, but you get the picture. Then there is the communication challenges; telling people what’s changing and what this means, making sure that it is all recorded; and the fact that, for example, the glazing delays will have a knock-on effect with the HVAC installation. So, if we know all this, why do construction projects still, on average, run over 70% of their original project duration? It is not that contractors are unrealistically optimistic, thinking that this project will be different, like Del Boy’s idealistic mantra, “this time next year, we’ll be millionaires”. Far from it. It is the combination of the factors outlined above with the UK’s tendering and planning system. Positively, the industry is taking steps to solve these longstanding issues. Working alongside the UK’s largest contractors, I have seen four emerging trends enabling them to reduce project and cost overrun. Here are just a few of my favourites: Modelling The first is around project planning, scheduling and risk mitigation. Currently, the most innovative contractors are focusing on planning, taking past project data, and identifying common pinch points from adverse weather, staff shortages or materials delays. Then they produce revised schedules which allow them to present the likely impact and outcomes of various possible build challenges, with consideration given to contingency. It is a simple, but effective, operational tweak. Always planning Too often, planning and scheduling is focused on the pre-construction phase, and an all-too-common, blinkered approach views scheduling as happening before construction. Even McKinsey is guilty of this in its recent construction report. Instead, it is about ensuring that planning and modelling run across the project, reacting to challenges as the worst happens. Similar to design, scheduling is an iterative process, and needs to be seen as such. It does not just stop when the shovels go in the ground. Those contractors who are unlocking scheduling are taking planning to another dimension, adding time to the model to improve scheduling by using Active 4D BIM. This integration of design and planning is different to common working practices. Yet, despite going against the grain, it is reducing risk and project over-run while increasing profitability 4D BIM is not new within construction. Here the schedule is added to the architectural model, empowering clients and project teams to see whether a build is on the schedule. Its potential to achieve greater precision on construction timelines and minimise financial risk is well known to business leaders and planning teams. Yet, despite high levels of awareness, 4D’s implementation is often flawed. A persistent over-reliance on outdated “2D” processes and a lack of understanding of 3D models as effective planning tools is to blame, hindering the wholesale adoption of 4D BIM. This situation needs to change if persistent efficiency headaches are to be cured. However, there are a number of contractors – including Mace and Cimic in Australia – that successfully use 4D models to plan and forecast, updating as they evolve, rather than “passively” using the designs as a visualisation tool. This integration of design and planning is different to common working practices. Yet, despite going against the grain, it is reducing risk and project over-run while increasing profitability. Involvement I have also observed the significant effect of moving client communications beyond passive emails and PDF exports to a more inclusive activity, with more regular catch-ups accompanied with visual demos, outlining what is happening on the project, and what the impact of decisions is in real terms. It is joining up the dots for more clarity, reducing misunderstandings which can lead to error. For example, the contractor will explain the trade-offs and benefits to the client – that, by choosing this construction approach, you will have 230 fewer deliveries on site, and completion will be 18 weeks sooner. This more active approach can be further enhanced, using visual aids such as a dynamic schedule, or even AR headsets to ensure that clients are much more involved in decision-making, design choices and with the project teams. If people are involved in decision-making and feel that they have contributed to it, they will take a more positive view, think it is higher quality and be more invested in the project This taps into something known as the endowment effect. If people are involved in decision-making and feel that they have contributed to it, they will take a more positive view, think it is higher quality and be more invested in the project. Innovation Finally, there is further innovation, from leveraging data, and AI tools through to MMC approaches. Recently, Willmott Dixon presented a comparison to Warwick University for its Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building, demonstrating how choosing offsite construction over a traditional build would result in half the disruption to staff and students. The project team were also able to model the benefits of this approach to the project’s climate footprint, which ended up reducing site deliveries by 40%. I have only scratched the surface, but what is clear is that taking a more serious and considered approach to planning and scheduling can pay dividends for contractors, particularly when margins are tighter than ever. As the hackneyed adage goes, “fail to plan, plan to fail”. Banal? Yes, but it has never been truer for construction than it is now. Building, Design
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects of their business process. However, while 71% of C-suite executives believe their organisation to be digitally mature, feedback from those in less senior positions suggests that progress might not be advanced as bosses think. Causeway found manual spreadsheets are still ubiquitous: 94% of organisations in the survey still use them, despite the adoption of technology designed to supersede them. Meanwhile, 87% of respondents said that inconsistent processes and technologies pose a challenge to their organisation, and a third said administrative tasks remain among their businesses’ biggest productivity challenges. As Rob Christie, head of finance at EKFB and one of the experts who reviewed this research for Causeway, says: “The perception is that ‘it’s all digital’. But I’d argue that it’s only truly digital if all the inputs and processes behind the raw data and the collection of data are also digital. “If your teams are manually inputting data from paper into an Excel file and uploading this file to create a power BI dashboard – in my opinion, this isn’t ‘digital’. It’s only when you understand the source of the data and its inputs that you can be confident that controls and processes are in place to allow the digital thread to flow through.” Integration woes Despite 95% of those surveyed agreeing that integrated or automated processes and technologies are key for driving success, no one reported that their organisation’s software solutions were fully integrated with one another at present. On average businesses are using seven different industry-specific solutions, the majority (57%) of which are not integrated or talking to each other. One of the most shocking results from the research was that respondents thought employees are spending an average of 48% of their time moving data between industry-specific software solutions. Every organisation surveyed also said that they customise these software solutions to some degree to meet their needs – and 54% say the products are completely customised. This is even when customising solutions frequently leads to higher costs, compromised quality, and a lack of data cohesion. Rob Ramsay, Product Director at Causeway said: “The headlines from this research confirm that, although every business we spoke to considers itself somewhat or very digitally mature, the reality is less clear-cut, with common challenges across the sector when it comes to the consistent adoption and use of new technology. “Industry-specific software solutions lack integration, with employees spending a shocking amount of time moving data between different systems, rather than making use of their time for more productive tasks. “Meanwhile, the over-customisation of software and the lack of integration present big challenges to construction companies, including increased costs to maintain and update software, reduced data visibility and continuity, and security concerns. “Customisation culture is holding us back. The UK construction industry urgently needs a more integrated, standardised approach that covers all aspects of an organisation’s processes.” Sustainability goals The survey also explored the relationship between digitalisation and sustainability targets. A third of respondents reported that meeting sustainability and ESG goals are among their organisation’s greatest challenges and the survey results suggest many are looking to digital technologies to support this. 94% say that technical innovations are key to driving decarbonisation and 96% of respondents agree that their organisation would benefit from the use of digital tools to help drive decarbonisation and energy efficiency. David Emery, a consultant at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, comments: “People really struggle to calculate a return on investment for digital tools, particularly in terms of sustainability. And it’s really hard to make the business case sometimes. But what we often hear from our members is that, when they do invest in digital tools, they usually exceed the return on investment because things happen that you didn’t anticipate.” To support this move towards digitalisation in sustainability reporting, Causeway is currently working on a collaborative venture with major contractors and suppliers to develop an automated, real-time solution for Scope 3 emissions reporting. The Causeway Insights research was conducted in April 2023 among 175 respondents, all of whom authorised or influenced the purchase of software in their organisation. Companies ranged from SMEs to Tier 1 contractors, spanning construction, housebuilding, building services, infrastructure and civil engineering. The research data was then reviewed by three experts, including Rob Christie at EKFB, David Emery at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, and Barry Desmond, finance director at John Craddock Ltd. Full findings of the research have been published in a report called ‘Beyond the Basics – how UK construction is using digital solutions to achieve efficiency, integration and sustainability’. The report unlocks a deeper understanding of the current state of play in terms of digitalisation in the construction industry. It features data and analysis, with feedback and commentary from industry experts, and looks at how principal contractors and large subcontractor companies are approaching the common challenges that come with digital transformation. ‘Beyond the Basics’ is available to view and download at: https://campaign.causeway.com/beyond_the_basics_report_2023 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops resulting from curtain wall façade and building movement, and the consequential performance requirements for providing effective compartmentation. This includes examining the test standards to look out for when specifying these products. With one set to be released bi-monthly, these Technical Deep Dives break down key application issues in an easy-to-understand and visual way. They have been created to share the knowledge, experience and insights of the manufacturer’s Technical Experts who have worked on all kinds of projects all over the world helping designers and contractors to understand how they can deliver best practice passive fire safety and noise control. Explore the first edition: https://knowledge.siderise.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dundee-based M2M Cloud sees its tech successfully installed across island sites An intelligent monitoring system has been successfully introduced by Scottish Water across rural locations in the Highlands and Islands, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. Using a device developed by CENSIS for M2M Cloud – Scotland’s innovation centre for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies – Scottish Water can now automatically collect information on the temperature and flow of water in Scottish Water buildings as part of routine quality assurance checks. Any unusual readings could point towards a potentially harmful bacteria outbreak, including legionella. Until now, the process was carried out manually with employees travelling the country to undertake regular testing. Working as a supplier to Scottish Water’s Digital Framework partners, Atos, M2M Cloud’s Gemini devices have so far been deployed across all Scottish Water sites in Shetland, Orkney and Islay. The next phase of the roll-out will extend the deployment to a further 300 sites, covering around half of the network. The installation of the smart water monitoring systems forms part of a wider commitment to digital transformation at Scottish Water, led by Atos. The first of its kind device fits on to the surface of pipes to remotely take temperature readings, notifying building managers if the water system is out of specification. Readings are taken every 10 seconds, looking at minimum and maximum temperatures, as well as detecting any issues with water flow events. This latest generation of the rechargeable battery-powered device was developed CENSIS for M2M, after receiving grant funding from Scottish Enterprise last year. The device is now capable of operating on both cellular Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) and LoRaWAN networks, making the system easier to set up in hard-to-reach areas. The addition of Bluetooth connectivity has cut installation times by one-third. Chris Butchart, director at M2M Cloud, said: “Water monitoring has typically been a carbon-intensive, resource-heavy process involving engineers taking manual readings monthly. For Scottish Water, the ability to gather that data on a continuous basis will be transformational in terms of the way it operates remote sites and ensures safe conditions are met. To have Scottish Water as the first organisation to use our latest generation device is a huge vote of confidence and we look forward to the next stage of the roll-out.” M2M Cloud’s system can reduce carbon emissions associated with water monitoring by up to 75% – around 300kgs of CO2 per year for each monitored asset – by removing the need for travel to the site and the necessity to overheat water supplies, which organisations often do to avoid the risk of bacteria outbreaks. Water wastage is also reduced by around 225,000 litres per asset, per year. The device’s battery can last for up to five years before needing recharged, rather than replaced, and can be charged while the device remains in situ attached to the pipework. It is also the only water safety device to have been awarded IASME Gold level certification – an industry-recognised measure of IoT cyber security. Monitoring water systems in UK non-domestic buildings is a statutory requirement costing around £140 million per annum, while financial estimates put the healthcare and workplace impact of legionella alone at £1 billion per year across Europe[1]. It is anticipated that the Health and Safety Executive compliance legislation will soon evolve to include remote technology-led monitoring as part of legionella prevention. Kevin Power, system architect at CENSIS, said: “It is great to see the successful use of a 5G ready IoT device wholly designed and manufactured in Scotland, by one of our biggest utility providers. We have supported M2M Cloud since the early stages of development and the business continues to go from strength to strength. The latest generation of the technology represents a big step forward in terms of ease of connectivity and will support the growing demand from businesses for digital transformation and IoT.” Archie MacGregor, Property Manager, at Scottish Water added: “The remote temperature monitoring sensors have been a major step forward in enhancing the management of H&S in our building water systems as well as offering significant benefits in reducing journeys to site and related carbon emissions. We are delighted to have M2M and CENSIS working with us in delivering these innovative solutions which completely align with our Strategic Ambitions of Net Zero Emissions and providing Great Value for our customers.” Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said: “This is an excellent example of how Internet of Things technology can provide smart solutions to monitor essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. “Collecting this information remotely can transform this previously carbon-intensive process and demonstrates the potential for innovations to support our net zero ambitions. The deployment across all Scottish Water sites in Shetland, Orkney and Islay, with plans to extend the roll-out to a further 300 locations, shows the opportunity to scale up this technology. “Ensuring Scotland can realise the full economic benefits of the digital and data economy is fundamental to the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. As a key enabler of sustainable economic growth, digital infrastructure is a critical part of our plans for a fair, green and growing economy.” [1] Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309771205_The_cost_of_Legionellosis_and_technical_ways_forward Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative real estate cloud solution used by leading property owners and operators in the private and public sectors to manage complex lease portfolios, improve business performance, and reduce operational risk. The decision to deploy Horizon was part of ScotRail’s digital transformation strategy, implemented after the company came into public ownership in 2022. After reviewing its processes and deciding to bring previously outsourced activity in-house, ScotRail needed to find a property management solution to gather data into a new, easy-to-use centralised system. ScotRail chose Horizon after a competitive and regulated procurement process. “Everyone involved was immediately impressed by how user-friendly Horizon was and the functionality available,” says Kerry McKerron, Senior Product and Revenue Development Manager at ScotRail. “Our team could quickly and clearly see how Horizon would fit with our processes and benefit the business. After speaking with other MRI Horizon users in the same industry who successfully use the solution, it wasn’t hard for our team to make the decision.” ScotRail has already deployed Horizon, with a team of five successfully using it day-to-day after the company and MRI worked closely together to get the system up and running as quickly as possible. ScotRail is now using Horizon to manage lease agreements with tenants that are using station spaces to run cafes, shops, and other retail outlets. Since implementing MRI Horizon, ScotRail has experienced several benefits across the organisation: “ScotRail joins a growing number of UK public sector organisations that use Horizon in different ways to manage the complexities of their property portfolios – either as landlords or occupiers,” says Garreth Cosgrave, Business Development Manager, Strategic Accounts at MRI Software. “What makes Horizon so useful for companies like ScotRail is its scalability and flexibility. It is a cloud-based solution that can fit into any organisation’s existing processes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
