Worker shortages. Rising material costs. Tight project deadlines. Construction managers have their hands full these days.
Technology can help in a multitude of ways.
"CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 had well over 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest software, data analytics tools, and other technology solutions construction managers are looking for to help streamline workflows, improve decision making and control costs," said Dana Wuesthoff, show director for CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
Estimating Automation
Software can help set construction firms up for success before a project even begins. Estimating software, for example, can improve accuracy while speeding up the bidding process. It can also make things a whole lot easier on estimators.
Case in point, InSite Software's recently updated Elevation Pro Earthwork & Utility Takeoff Software can auto-generate detailed cut-and-fill quantities on a jobsite. It can also merge multiple documents, such as CAD drawings and utility maps, into a single takeoff, helping estimators slice takeoff time in half.
"This is important because these types of jobs are bid lump-sum," said Steve Warfle, president and CEO of InSite Software. "A contractor has to generate all kinds of quantities and turn that into a single cost. They won't get paid anymore money if they underbid. If the overbid, they might not get anymore jobs. This type of software provides a breakdown of every possible number a grading contractor could have on a jobsite."
Streamlining Workflows
There also is construction software designed to streamline workflows and improve visibility into projects as they unfold. This can make or break a project's bottom line, especially when you're talking about formwork.
"Many jobsite processes are still surprisingly analog today," said Michael Kennedy, CEO of Doka USA, a provider of scaffolding and formwork solutions. "Formwork is often ordered by phone, data lives in spreadsheets and emails, and planning is done across disconnected apps. This fragmentation costs the industry valuable time, productivity and money."
Doka USA's new connected digital platform, Doka 360, streamlines the entire formwork process from planning, ordering and onsite activities to material management and delivery. This helps improve project visibility while reducing time spent on laborious administrative tasks.
Data-driven Decision Making
Construction managers also can leverage technology to gain insights into projects that enable better real-time decision making. This is also true for aggregate operations.
"As aggregate demand grows and margins tighten, intuition is no longer enough," said Ravi Sahu, CEO of Strayos, a developer of visual AI solutions for mining, aggregates and construction.
According to Sahu, the typical quarry uses less than 1 percent of the data it generates. But the other 99 percent, generated by things like on-site sensors and geospatial analytics, can help a quarry begin to think, predict and optimize itself.
"It all starts with building and understanding digital twins," Sahu said.
A digital twin is a digital replica of a person, object or process contextualized in a digital version of its environment. In the case of a quarry, a drone can generate imagery in less than 30 minutes. Then managers can gain access to 3D photogrammetry, automated detection of stockpiles and terrain features, and survey-grade accuracy.
Furthermore, AI can analyze rock mass characterization to make predictions about things like fragmentation and vibration.
"By understanding the rock mass, we stop guessing and start understanding the engineering process," Sahu said, adding that drilling and blasting operations could see savings up to 30 percent as a result.
Taking Telematics to the Next Level
There also is an evolution taking place within the realm of telematics. One advancement relates to equipment data accessibility.
"There are many operational systems a construction contractor or rental company uses," said Rob Stamper, vice president of sales for Incus5. "They may also use several IoT and telematics providers, including OEM systems. The challenge is that these systems don't always talk to each other, at least not very well."
Incus5 unifies all the data into a centralized view so it's easier to see and understand. Now, AI-enabled dashboards with analytics and reporting make it even easier for fleet managers to understand what's going on with their equipment so they can make better decisions.
Another telematics advancement is the shift from simply providing data to resolving issues.
"Data doesn't fix downtime, action does," said Alejandro Rico, director of large accounts and connectivity solutions at Cojali USA. "There's a difference between having a fault code detected and having one cleared. The clearing action has historically been handled by a technician on the jobsite."
But that isn't very efficient.
The next level of telematics, according to Rico, involves OTA (over the air) actions and remote commands, such as remote resets and forced DPF regens. Rico called it "telematics with the touch of a master technician."
"By being able to remotely diagnose and repair equipment, we've seen a near 40 percent decrease in breakdown time, and a cost reduction of around 30%," Rico said.
Improving workflows, saving time and reducing costs are three reasons why construction managers are looking to digital tools to make their lives easier — from the office to the job site.
