Conversations in Construction: Future-Proofing Your Tech Stack, Part 1
As part of the Conversations in Construction video series, Julie Adams, Senior VP of Construction and Real Estate, Product, and industry experts examine some of the unique challenges and ground-breaking innovations in the world of construction.
Welcome to the next installment of our Conversation in Construction series, where industry leaders share practical strategies to help firms navigate today’s challenges and build long-term resilience.
Part one of our last conversation led by Dustin Stephens, VP of Construction and Real Estate, focused on the unprecedented challenges firms face today and the role of technology in overcoming them.
Part two highlighted how finance leaders are adapting, driving agility, and positioning their firms for long-term success.
Now, we turn to how construction businesses can build a future-proof tech stack.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Learning from industry peers
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with two industry leaders to discuss how construction businesses are making moves today that will lay the groundwork for a future-proofed tech stack:
Matt Ables is the vice president of construction technology and innovation at Associated Builders and Contractors, a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members.
Cassi Schwoebel is the executive vice president at SynergyBuilt, a full-service general contractor based in Nashville, Tennessee.
The push for new technology
Construction firms are under pressure to do more with less. A labor shortage with an estimated more than 430,000 workers needed in the US over the next 12 months, combined with a new generation entering the workforce with higher expectations for technology, is driving urgency.
Manual processes and outdated systems can’t keep pace with the rapid advances in tools like AI, robotics, and drones. That is why many firms are turning to modern cloud solutions to improve efficiency and profitability, while giving employees time back to focus on higher-value work.
With thousands of options on the market, the real challenge is knowing where to start and how to choose the right fit. The good news is that the industry is investing in technology more than ever before.
Laying a strong foundation
Before firms make any decisions, they should ensure they have a strong foundation in place. This includes moving their technology to the cloud, if they haven’t already.
The cloud delivers many benefits, including anytime, anywhere access to data, automation, real-time insights for better informed decisions, and increased security and disaster recovery.
Making the move to the cloud can also position firms to take advantage of the latest technologies, including AI. Utilizing these innovations can fundamentally change how construction teams effectively collaborate to deliver projects on time and achieve business results.
Additionally, the foundation should be open and adaptable to the firm’s needs. Firms should ensure their platform is equipped with a robust set of APIs, so they can both maximize their investment and take advantage of new solutions. Open APIs allow information to flow freely between departments and systems.
Watch Conversations in Construction: Strong Foundation to learn how a solid foundation can help your firm embrace new technologies.
Striking the right balance
Once firms have a strong foundation in place, it is important to find the right balance. Construction firms face a constant tradeoff: the simplicity of an all-in-one solution versus the flexibility of specialized tools. No one wants to juggle a thousand disconnected apps, but no single platform can cover every need either.
The most successful firms start with their core processes – often preconstruction, financials and project management – then add niche solutions like equipment tracking, material tracking, or safety technologies where they add value.
Adoption is no longer limited to the largest players. Small and mid-sized contractors are investing in digitization, training, and culture change to make sure the tools they adopt deliver results.
Watch Conversations in Construction: Smart Balance to hear insights from Matt and Cassi on how to evaluate and balance new technologies.
Checklist for evaluating vendors
When evaluating technology vendors, it is essential to ensure their solution will address business needs.
To determine whether a solution is the right fit, it helps to ask:
- Does this solve a real problem for our team?
- How well does it integrate with the systems we already use?
- Will it scale as we grow and take on more specialized needs?
- Is the provider invested in partnership, training, and support, or just making a sale?
- How are they preparing for shifts in the industry, from AI and safety tech to changes in the drone market?
Final thoughts
Selecting the right technology isn’t about chasing every new tool. It’s about building a foundation that improves efficiency today and adapts to what’s next. Firms that prioritize cloud-based solutions, open integrations, scalability, and strong partnerships, will get more from their tech investments now and stay ready for the future.
Watch Conversations in Construction: Strong Foundation and Conversations in Construction: Smart Balance to hear directly from industry leaders on how a strong foundation can open the door for innovation.
