Construction is one of the top performing industries in the United States. In spite of, or perhaps even because of, COVID-19, this industry has swiftly adapted to recent social and economic upheaval. As many industry sectors struggled through the last quarter of 2020, private development of single-family homes and construction for home improvements surged. “The biggest differentiator for builders and developers this year is likely to be technology in construction—specifically, the innovations that can enhance efficiency,” predicts Neda Imbimbo, CFO at BigRentz.
The use of drones, block chain technology, and Augmented Reality (AR) in construction may have once seemed like science fiction. But in 2021 these technologies are becoming ever more prevalent. Block chain technology, for instance, supports smart contracts. This enables multiple contractors on a project to share one system to buy, track, and pay for services.
Drones provide a literal birds-eye view—so companies can track, map, survey, inspect, and manage worksites more efficiently and safely. Using goggles, masks, or glasses, AR combines the real world and the virtual, enabling contractors to “see” the exact location, size, and style of elements like windows, doors, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical components. In the midst of the pandemic, Mobile Technology allows workers to use their mobile phone camera for applications like real-time inspections and on-site surveillance.
As industry experts assert this is just the tip of the iceberg, large format printing technology—with its strong track record in the construction industry—continues to flourish. “One thing that has changed over the years is the process of how construction plans are shared among subcontractors,” explains TAVCO VP Kevin Vaughn. To bid a job past, architects and general contractors had to print multiple sets of plans and distribute them to subcontractors. Now, using PDFs, “They can dispense these files digitally via an online plan room. This enables them to quickly share the file with their Subs and other parties while greatly reducing overhead,” says Vaughn.
Copiers Plus is especially enthusiastic about Canon’s imagePROGRAF TX Series, an economical large format printing solution for architects, general contractors, and subcontractors alike. Core technologies of the imagePROGRAF TX Series printers include a proprietary ink system, print head, and mechanical platform, all designed to produce images that are exceptionally accurate so the integrity of the scale remains intact on blueprints and schematics. The following features make this versatile series a smart choice for construction companies large and small, assuring fast, high-quality large format image capture-to-output.
With major construction projects underway in North Carolina, as well as numerous single-family homes and home remodeling projects, Copiers Plus is pleased to provide the technological expertise the industry demands.
