Dramatic increase in construction industry data usage

It has been reported that the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is experiencing a surge in the amount of data it is using. Egnyte, a US-based software company, has found that organisations increased their storage by a 31.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2017 to 2021.

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Ronen Vengosh, vice president AEC and Life Sciences at Egnyte, says, “Digital transformation has increased dramatically over the past few years due to the pandemic. The AEC industry in particular has experienced exploding growth in data volume with the adoption of advanced, data-intensive technologies like drone video and laser scanning.

“Such a rapid increase is not without its challenges. It can be difficult for AEC firms to effectively store and manage large amounts of data across disparate locations - a problem commonly known as ‘data sprawl’.”

Vengosh adds that ‘data sprawl’ can quickly become an issue for companies, “AEC firms rely on large digital files from various sources, and a rise in the use of specialised applications has resulted in the constant movement of files from one location to another. Data sprawl can lead to an increased risk of errors on a project, meaning more rework, lost time, and higher costs.”

Finding better ways to manage and optimise data – without disrupting productivity or project outcomes – is a business imperative for AEC firms says Vengosh. “Organisations should look to create a data management plan that aligns with business objectives, in addition to putting systems and processes in place to protect data and comply with industry and government regulations.”

Vengosh suggests that it is important for IT organisations to understand that policy-based automation is crucial for a successful data management and governance strategy, as manual processes cannot effectively handle the current data volumes.

“The explosion in the amount of data has offered a wealth of opportunities for AEC firms,” says Vengosh. “However, it also resulted in a number of usability and management issues, which can cause wasted time, labour, delays, and rework. By utilising the proper tools, AEC firms can ensure their data is managed effectively and safely.”

Read the full 2022 AEC Data Insights Report here.