Mobile technology continues to surge in construction. Understanding current trends and where the market is headed in the future can help operators know how to best leverage mobile technology at the jobsite.
This trend is only going to continue to grow in the years ahead. In fact, IDC anticipates spending on mobility-related hardware, software, and services will grow 2.7 percent between 2016 and 2021, while worldwide mobility spending will increase 4.3 percent between 2016 and 2017. Nearly one-quarter of this will be in North America.
While consumers still make up the largest share of mobility spending, construction is one of the fastest growth industries, with mobility spending expected to increase 7.1 percent.
Technology out at the jobsite can help complete jobs faster, more accurately and more efficiently. The challenge is there is a wide range of technology that can be used out at the jobsite and selecting and implementing it is not easy. It requires a solid strategy and integration into the everyday processes of workers.
Interestingly, in the years ahead, smaller companies will be more likely to implement mobile devices, connectivity services and mobility services, as an affordable alternative to traditional IT solutions. In fact, IDC predicts small offices with between one and 9 employees will account for roughly three-quarters of all mobility spending worldwide.
This makes implementing a solid strategy for how it will work within the business even more important, as small companies need to be as efficient as possible. Workers also need to be trained on the technology and incentivized to use it. The end result will be a highly mobile workforce that is able to complete projects on time and on budget.
