Construction Automation Software: The Future of Jobsite Efficiency

Technology is just another tool on the jobsite — its value depends entirely on how it's used. In recent years, we've witnessed a dramatic increase in technology adoption across construction projects. While some innovations fail to gain traction, others succeed magnificently. Among the successful technologies, some genuinely improve processes, while others... not so much.

The Evolution of Construction Technology

Other industries have long been "data hungry," routinely incorporating information into their operations. In construction, however, data must be immediately useful and meaningful to justify adoption. Fifteen years ago, the most advanced equipment on a jobsite was typically a total station (a surveyor's essential!) and a floor flatness machine. Some "fancy" contractors might have had lasers and battery-powered tools.

Today's jobsites feature an impressive array of technology: 3D Lidar scanners, smart hardhats with integrated displays, virtual reality goggles that visualize stud placement, and various applications of artificial intelligence. Construction automation software has transformed from a luxury to a necessity for competitive operations.

Balancing Technology with Traditional Skills

The continuous integration of technologies can inadvertently diminish important traditional skills. Consider architectural drafting. Very few professionals today know how to create scale drawings by hand. Similarly, modern fastening methods have largely replaced knowledge of specialty knots that were once essential skills. With virtual reality tools becoming commonplace, some newer engineers rarely reach for measuring tapes.

This evolution raises an important question for the industry: How do we embrace field and laboratory management technology while preserving fundamental construction knowledge?

The Value of Meaningful Technology

For construction automation software to be truly valuable, it must withstand two critical tests: durability and relevance. Most tools are sufficiently rugged to endure jobsite conditions, but more importantly, they must provide meaningful assistance. If technology merely reassigns blame or scrutinizes minute details without adding value, it becomes a hindrance rather than a help.

Technologies like Omnant, which streamline scheduling and inspection reporting, have secured their place in modern construction. While some emerging technologies aim to replace human workers altogether, the reality is that the most effective approach combines human expertise with technological efficiency.

The Power of Construction Automation Software

Construction automation software enables us to advance with meaningful automation. By automating repetitive tasks, we free up time and energy for more specialized work that requires human judgment and creativity. Omnant has partnered with Forney to harness this power of technology integration.

When combining Omnant with Forney Vault, laboratory technicians simply scan the Q-bar code on concrete samples before placing them in compression testing machines. Once initiated, the Forney Vault system conducts the break test and transmits results directly to Omnant's lab testing and reporting system. This integration:

• Saves valuable time
• Enhances technician safety (those 21,000 psi cylinders can be intimidating)
• Improves testing efficiency
• Increases data accuracy

Tasks that previously consumed nearly an hour, including report generation, are now completed within minutes — with enhanced safety, accuracy, and reduced physical strain on testing professionals.

Embracing a Technology-Enhanced Future

A well-maintained quality system supported by construction automation software ensures both compliance and efficiency. For construction material testing labs, integration with testing equipment represents a significant competitive advantage.

Embrace technology, use it wisely, and explore how automation can grow your construction inspection and materials testing business. Schedule your Omnant demo today! And check out our integration partners at Forney Vault!