Construction relies heavily on its IT systems. It’s one of modern constructions most important elements, keeping projects on track and communication flowing throughout the construction process. Which is why it’s important to choose your IT support carefully.
IT support for the construction industry differs from regular IT support used for most businesses. Teams are often spread across several locations, staff regularly work remotely and construction sites may need to be connected from scratch with every new project. It can be a very hands-on IT support approach, which is why it’s best to let a specialist Construction IT support company such as Inventas look after your sites.
Here are some of the ways our IT support differs for the construction industry.
Construction Teams Aren’t Based in One Office
One of the biggest differences between construction and many other industries is where employees actually work and the different members of the team that need to be connected.
You might have staff working across various areas, such as:
- Head office
- Temporary site offices
- Construction sites
- Client premises
Rather than simply maintaining an office network, your IT infrastructure needs to work wherever your employees happen to be. Your IT support needs to consider how construction employees securely access files, emails, drawings and business systems from multiple locations.
Setting Up New Construction Sites
When you start a new construction project, how often is there an existing IT infrastructure waiting for you? A temporary site office will need internet connectivity, Wi-Fi, laptops, printers, telephones and secure access to company systems usually before the project can properly get underway.
Inventas can help plan and install the technology required for a new site, including temporary broadband or 4G and 5G connectivity where traditional fixed-line services aren’t available.
Site mobilisation is an important part of the services that specialised IT support for construction businesses offers. The aim should be to get teams connected quickly without compromising security.
Supporting Mobile Devices
Construction increasingly relies on mobile technology.
Your site managers may use tablets to access technical drawings, supervisors might complete inspections digitally and employees could be uploading photographs or updating project-management systems directly from site.
These devices also operate in considerably tougher conditions than computers sitting safely on an office desk.
Your IT support provider needs to think about device management, security, connectivity and remote support so employees can continue working even when they’re away from the office.
Managing Large Construction Files
CAD drawings, BIM models, site photography, surveys and other project documentation can take up substantial amounts of storage and require reliable internet connections to access.
Poorly configured cloud storage or slow networks can quickly become frustrating when employees are waiting for important documents to download.
Effective IT support for construction therefore needs to consider and effectively implement quality storage capacity, information organisation, synchronisation, backed ups and access.
Controlling Access for Contractors and Subcontractors
Main contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, consultants, suppliers and clients might all need access to certain information throughout a project. It can be challenging to give people access to what they need without giving them access to everything else.
A construction-focused IT strategy can introduce appropriate permissions and access controls, allowing external users to collaborate securely. Access can also be removed quickly when somebody leaves a project.
Cybersecurity Is Particularly Important
Construction businesses can be attractive targets to cyber criminals because you regularly process high-value invoices, communicate with large numbers of suppliers and exchange commercially sensitive information.
Your IT support should therefore include proactive cybersecurity measures such as:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Email security
- Managed software updates
- Secure cloud systems
- Access controls
- Cybersecurity awareness training
- Regular backups
The objective isn’t simply to respond after something goes wrong. It is to reduce the likelihood of an incident happening in the first place.
Choosing IT Support for the Construction Industry
The best IT support isn’t simply about fixing laptops or resetting passwords. You need technology that can operate across offices, temporary sites and mobile workforces while remaining secure and reliable.
A provider offering IT support for construction industry should understand these challenges and build an IT strategy around how the company actually operates.
From setting up connectivity for new sites to supporting remote workers and securing project information, specialist construction IT support can help ensure you technology becomes something that keeps construction projects moving rather than something that holds them up.
