How a Construction Technologist Role Can Help Your Business

Advancements in the ever-changing construction industry can be overwhelming to some—especially when it comes to searching out and implementing technology in ways to advance a business.

To market their companies, business owners are developing professional websites, using social media, creating blogs and videos, and linking company portfolios to other resources to display their business expertise.

However, technology in the construction industry isn’t stopping at the office. On-site project technology in the form of equipment, tools, materials, methods, safety, communication, and project management has made job sites more efficient, resulting in minimized risk, time savings, and increased bottom-line profits.

As a construction company expands, implementing technology is foundational to staying ahead of competition and being a leader in the industry. However, for some, the thought of learning new technology can be daunting. That's where a construction technologist comes in.

The term construction technologist may be new to some, but it has been around for some time in the arena of government projects. Typically, a construction technologist provides technical support and service to construction engineers and contractors in the design and construction of building structures so they can be built economically, yet strong enough to withstand all expected loads. Some construction technologists are hired by private engineers and consulting firms.

A construction technologist can help your business in many ways. The person who understands the basics of your company, researches technology to improve the quality and efficiency, and provides the technical support in implementing the technology may be seen as the company’s construction technologist.

The construction technologist who has the technical abilities must work with the employee who has the hands-on mechanical abilities. For example, when new accounting software is implemented, the technician would work with the company’s in-house accountant to ensure the software works properly.

When implementing technology in the field, the foremen, mechanic, or layout person must work closely with the technician. For example, Robotic Total Stations that started out being used for surveyors have now been developed and used by many contractors, saving considerable amounts of time and money. Used to lay out walls, ceilings, and mechanicals with an accuracy within 1/8 of an inch, tape measures and snapping lines are greatly reduced, but the construction technologist who programs the device must work with the layout person who has the layout experience to properly implement this technology.

With companies racing to develop new technology for contractors, it can be a challenge to efficiently implement new technology. It is important to bring together the technical aspects along with the hands-on reality of what is needed. Who knows, maybe that construction technologist you're looking for has been one of your employees for years.

Sources: 

http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/careerprofiles_details.cfm?carid=274