Integrated building demands technology updates

Glaziers say success depends on industry involvement

A panel of building owners said the construction industry needs a major de-fragmenting, requiring improved technology for all players in the process, including glaziers.

The panel spoke during the ENR Top Firm Leaders Forum, Sept. 26-27, in Crystal City, Va., sponsored by McGraw Hill Construction and ENR magazine.
To maximize the efficiency of construction, all players, from the owner to the architect to the subcontractors, need to communicate closely and act as a team throughout the entire process, the panelists said.

One important element needed to achieve this communication is improved software technology that provides real-time access to drawings and specs for all project partners, said Stephen Makredes, director of construction for Target Corp. of Minneapolis.

“We need to try to elevate the level of technology, so [all players] have software that talks to each other, and we need the industry to come together to solve that piece,” Makredes said. “Already we’ve brought this requirement down to the subcontractor level. There’s a certain technology level they must have to get sourced on a job.”

Many glaziers say they have already made technology updates to meet this growing demand from architects and owners, including Ken Phillips, executive vice president of Magik Glass and Door of Palm Spring, Calif. However, more companies need to update to shared technology to achieve more integrated building, he said.

“The industry will need to regroup products and eliminate outdated methods,” Phillips said. “This is a mixed bag because there are computer systems out there but the software support is lacking because of small demand. Subcontractors will need to group together and not be so fragmented. By doing this there will be a greater demand for overlapping software.”

Fred Perfetto, vice president for Accurate Glass Works in Boca Raton, Fla., said the additional computerization of the process greatly improves his company’s productivity. But employees will require sufficient training on these systems, particularly because there is no industry-wide system in place, he said.

“All companies will have to get up to speed and invest in the electronic future to survive,” Perfetto said. “A key to this concept working is training. In South Florida there have been several companies stepping into electronic sharing. However there is no set standard and therefore many training hours need to be completed on each system.”

While both Perfetto and Phillips say an integrated construction process with technological advancements would maximize efficiency and profitability, they agree there is a lot of work to get more companies on board.

“This [transition] is like a cactus, very prickly,” Phillips said. “I believe the industry is going in this direction in small steps.”