MISSION CRITICAL
get the digitisation out to each of your sites ?”
While all of these elements feel very much like challenges , Jasper views them more as opportunities for greater change . “ Construction is one of the lowest adopters of IT , so why don ’ t we lift the general 1 % or 2 % spend on it to 5 % and we ’ ll see a massive benefit to the industry .”
“ We ’ re seeing some companies going out of business because they didn ’ t have control of their projects . Digitisation is also about mitigating risk ”
LEIGH JASPER CEO of Aconex
A TIME OF CHANGE With Industry 4.0 and increased implementation of machine learning , AI , drones , sensors and predictive analytics , it ’ s an exciting time to be involved in construction , according to Jasper . More than that , he ’ s keen to dispel the idea that people within the industry are reluctant to adopt technology . “ Look at mobile phones . People in construction were some of the first to start using them . These are practical people so if you can show them something works they ’ ll get on board . These are people who are rapidly changing with the industry because they can see the benefits .”
Finally , by way of a word of caution , Jasper does suggest that increased adoption of tech , including cybersecurity , is key to businesses surviving . “ We ’ re seeing some companies going out of business because they didn ’ t have control of their projects . Digitisation is also about mitigating risk and that ’ s one of the biggest problems you can face in our industry – when a project goes off the rails . Anything you can do that will give you visibility will save you time and money .”
43