COVID-19 transformed the construction industry. The pandemic forced companies to fast-forward technology implementations to cope with stalled projects, funding shortages, staffing challenges and supply chain issues. The result? A rapidly automating industry.

Job sites are utilizing cloud-based technologies to keep up with digital transformations. These effects are evident in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), including those in the construction industry.

IDC’s 2021 Digital Transformation Executive Sentiment Survey reported that medium-sized construction companies planned to dedicate 34% of their technology budgets to digital transformation in the coming two years. Of those companies, 55% planned to increase spending on digital transformation.

“Meanwhile,” the survey said, “small and midsize construction firms often lack continuous collaboration from design to project to owner and reliable and consistent connectivity — which is essential to executing efficient, safe, quality, cost-effective, on-time construction.”

To overcome these obstacles, companies should strongly consider investing in digital technology. For instance, today’s cloud-based technologies for construction organizations, such as Headlight and Acumatica offer myriad benefits.

Specifically, Headlight offers visual inspection technology, connecting the office to the field and allowing companies to capture, share and act on visual data, giving owners confidence that onsite work has been done well. (To learn more about Headlight, please check out this blog about the results we’ve garnered for them.)

Tools such as Acumatica have the capability to unify disparate applications under one umbrella, allowing companies to connect applications and gain a complete, real-time view of their business. Acumatica’s construction accounting solution includes robust financials and reporting, job cost accounting, project management and payroll integration. (You can see our recent coverage for Acumatica here.)

By investing in technology, SMBs can compete and collaborate more effectively, secure new business and attract workers interested in using digital tools. This kind of connectivity ensures quality, safety, reliability and productivity. If a construction organization is to transform digitally, it must possess these fundamental capabilities.