پشتیبانی ICT موبایل برای بهبود فرایند ساخت

This paper brings together the visions for information and communications technologies (ICT) in construction and the changing requirements of the construction industry. Drawing on case studies, previous research and future scenarios outlined by research road mapping projects, it illustrates how the areas identified as having potential for improvement can be addressed through the use of mobile IT. This vision is then developed into a scenario for communicating to industry professionals the construction site of the future. Their feedback on this scenario is used to assess the viability of the research propositions within mainstream construction. Finally, the paper examines the implications for the construction industry should the vision for the future be adopted; the potential for new islands of automation; the effects on our human resources; and the potential impact on knowledge management initiatives.

Global economic competition has compelled many organisations to explore all possible options for improving the delivery of their products or services [1]. This trend has also become apparent in the construction industry, with clients expecting a better service and projects that meet their requirements more closely. This has challenged the industry to become more efficient, integrated and more attractive, both in the eyes of society and its potential workforce. In response, government, industry or research-led construction change initiatives have emerged in most developed countries [2]. In parallel with, and to serve, these initiatives there has been a concerted effort, within the research and academic sector, to explore and implement existing and emerging information technologies that facilitate the improvements required to modernise the construction industry. Progress has been driven by a combination of technology push and demand pull. Several authors have argued that construction typically lags behind other industries in its use of IT and hence one could deduce that the primary driver is technology push. However, more recently many would argue that the reason the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies is that they have not yet been developed to suit the needs of the industry, hence there is a strong demand pull which is yet to be satisfied. For example, it is relatively easy to implement new technologies in a manufacturing production line where it is a clean, stable environment and the work travels to the worker. However, on a construction site the worker has to travel to the work and take the technology with him/her and is subject to the natural elements. The continuing development of affordable mobile technologies such as handheld computers, SmartPhones and Tablet PCs alongside the latest generation communications infrastructure (3G, WLAN and GPRS) could provide the ‘last mile’; connection to the point-of activity and hence provide the missing link to help address the ongoing drive for process improvement and re-valuing construction.

This paper has illustrated that many of the improvements wished for in construction change initiatives can and are, in isolated cases, already being facilitated by enabling point of activity workers to participate in the electronic flow of information using mobile technologies. Although this is not the only solution to the problems to be addressed, it does offer the potential of significant improvements in reducing construc- tion time and cost, defects, accidents, waste and operation and maintenance costs whilst improving predictability and produc- tivity through for example: & access to accurate up to date information at the point of activity reducing the cost of remedial work through doing it right first time; & auto-ID of materials enabling faster location and accurate identification, reducing wasted materials through loss, damage or oversupply; & real-time accident and near miss reporting enabling a proactive approach to health and safety on-site; & reduction in down-time due to unforeseen problems through enabling instant and meaningful communication with off- site personnel; & proactive maintenance scheduling and remote delivery of work orders; & provision of accurate real-time progress and cost informa- tion which can inform later project stages and/or future projects. The industry response showed that although there was great enthusiasm for the future vision, not everyone agreed that these technological improvements were viable even though some companies were already looking at implementing some of the proposed solutions. The barriers identified were common to many IT applications in construction; therefore the achieve- ment of the future vision will be dependent on demonstra- ting tangible benefits at an individual, company, project and client level.