A selective study of Information technologies to improve operations efficiency in construction

Abstract

Today, information technologies (IT) are used in almost every production industry. While the aspects of IT are well studied and discussed in relevant monographs, articles, web sources, etc., this paper reviews the performance improvement options in the construction industry by leveraging IT. From a wide range of information technologies the author has picked the most relevant solutions, from his point of view, based on several considerations, the most important one being the lack of adequate attention to these technologies specifically in the construction industry. The paper covers the following technologies: Big Data (a smart technology for high-speed processing of huge and diverse data arrays); situation centers (SC) for construction and operations projects (SCs are successfully used in other industries for operating control of sophisticated facilities); data warehouses (DW) for the construction industry (DWs are viewed as a standalone project rather than a supplement to Data Mining or Big Data); operational and dispatch radio communication service (radio communication can ensure instant connectivity between several subscribers); VSAT (a satellite technology for prompt connection of a distant construction site with the 'outer world' when no alternatives are available). The paper briefly presents the essence of each technology, describes the pre-requisites for its use in construction, outlines the key advantages, limits and shortcomings, and lists construction projects where it shall be worthwhile to use a specific technology projects.