Smart Foundations: The Role of IoT and AI in the Evolution of Building Material Industry
Author Article by Vishal Kanodia, Managing Director of Kanodia Group
Building material supply and efficiency in its planning is the backbone of any construction project, whether large or small. Productivity and efficiency are two major factors which decide the overall capability of a building material company. While major avenues are being reached in the construction and real estate segment, one such achievement is the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the supply and management of building material projects. It is not just convenient but impacts the working of a construction project in many ways, making it a more viable and profitable venture. It is one thing which pleases all the stakeholders of a project, with its multidimensional approach that saves a lot of funds. So, what are the many advantages of the use of IoT and AI in the building material segment, and how is it shaping the future of the construction industry?
Supply Chain Optimization
In the building material segment, managing the supply chain is one of the biggest challenges. AI and IoT tools are very helpful in this direction, and construction companies and building material suppliers gain the maximum benefit in scheduling the material. A building construction project is carried out in stages, and each level requires different kinds of materials. It is never the same combination of materials, as a particular stage of the project a particular quantity of a material, which can be high or low. It involves a lot of permutation combinations, and achieving perfection with the involvement of so many factors is impossible to achieve by the simple human mind. That’s where AI tools and IoT programs come to the rescue and help in the planning of building material supplies as per the requirements of the project milestone. The supply plan thus made is impeccable, which not only allows the construction company to plan the material in advance but also helps in easy sourcing of the material for the building material supply company.
Preventing Material Loss
AI and IoT understand the project way better than humans. While human planning involves an element of speculation, machine-based projections are based strictly on the basis of facts and logic. There are materials and chemicals that are prone to get damaged or spoiled if exposed to sunlight, moisture or even air. While unplanned deliveries of such materials not only increase the chance of such damage, they also incur an additional cost to the project. AI and IoT-based software and programs ensure optimum quantities of such materials are planned and ordered only as and when required. This removes the possibility of building materials getting damaged and prevents financial losses to a great extent. Both the construction company and the material supplier can plan the delivery of materials according to the needs of each project milestone.
Increased Efficiency and Productivity
In a building construction site, the efficiency of the labour force is directly proportionate to the availability of building materials. The lag in supply and operations negatively impacts the workability of the workforce. AI and IoT-based construction programs help in overcoming such situations and align the collection of material with the demand as per the tasks on site. The material is supplied well in advance and in optimum quantities, which helps the workforce maintain the pace of activities and avoid lag time. This not only impacts the project timeline but also positively affects the Return on Investment (ROI) of the project, as stakeholders are keen to invest their money and efforts in projects that function seamlessly.
Increased Safety and Compliance
One very crucial aspect of supplying building materials at construction sites is that of delivering hazardous products. Certain project requirements involve the usage of material that negatively impacts man, animals and even the environment. However, in most projects, such material is used despite there not being a need for it. Every project is affected by different factors thus, the very nature of each project is different from the other. AI and IoT-based programs allow the project managers to avoid using such material if not required for the particular site. Even if it is required, the minimum and optimum quantity is given for the said material. This allows the management to put a minimum impact on the environment and contribute towards sustainable practices in building construction. Further, the project is classified as per the compliance of the local authorities and is cleared for commercial use easily.
In Short, It Saves Big Bucks
A significant chunk of the funds involved in a building project depends on the supply of building materials. AI and IoT-based programs are primarily focused on reducing costs by avoiding incidents of material wastage and damage. This allows the management to save a lot of money from the project and make it a more financially viable venture. The projections can be made to investors, financiers and other stakeholders with lesser cost and better ROI, which further impacts the financial turn-around of the project.
AI and IoT are the future for not just the building material sector but for the infrastructure and construction sector as a whole. With new achievements being made by AI every day, the best is yet to come for the sector.
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