Page 4 - REI Corporate Newsletter_Q1 2018
P. 4

Driving Results with                                                                                                           into practical use to solve problems or invent useful tools.
                                                                                                                                         The definition of technology is science or knowledge put

        Technological                                                                                                             Technology is not something new; in reality it has been around for a very long time in forms that


                                                                                                                                  may not be recognizable by today’s modern view. Technology has been changing the way we do
                                                                                                                                  business since the early 1900’s and will continue to do so well into future generations. It is very
        Innovations                                                                                                               difficult nowadays to go an hour or two without hearing the word “technology,” which attracts some
                                                                                                                                  and repels others. How do we make sense of this paradox? After asking myself and pondering
                                                                                                                                  this question, I came up with two key driving factors: 1. The rate at which it [technology] grows; 2.
                                                                                                                                  The rate at which we consume it [technology], or, more importantly, are able to consume it.


                                                                                                                                  Before we pass judgment on technology being good or bad, we should break the definition down
        By Fred Meeske, Corporate Director BIM Services                                                                           into simpler terms of what “it is” that we can then agree upon. First, let us acknowledge that
                                                                                                                                  technology does have a great deal to offer society, but also comes with its own set of unique
                                                                                                                                  challenges to be aware of in order to succeed. The technologies that we utilize on a daily basis
                                                                                                                                  do not come from magic beans that grow vines into the clouds, or allow us to leap buildings in a
                                                                                                                                  single bound; a better way to think about technology is a tool that allows us to be more efficient
                                                                                                                                  when used correctly.

                                                                                                                                  Each day, new software technologies are rapidly coming to market ,creating both unique
                                                                                                                                  challenges and amazing potential benefits for our project teams. With this also comes
                                                                                                                                  hundreds of different ways to do the same or similar task which, many times, causes
                                                                                                                                  software interoperability gaps that need to solved. When one combines this with today’s
                                                                                                                                  fast paced construction/design environment, the perfect storm develops due to a
                                                                                                                                  lack of time available to work through the interoperability differences in advance of
                                                                                                                                  construction or design. The result is negative impacts on business operations,
                                                                                                                                  design planning, efficiency, quality, and the client’s projects while, having the
                                                                                                                                  best intentions.  When we understand these things about technology, we will
                                                                                                                                  have  greater ability to see the process and challenges associated, well in
                                                                                                                                  advance of construction. Lessons learned and historical data that is taken          "Each day
                                                                                                                                  from each experience, allows us to share and educate our collaborative
                                                                                                                                  teams, ultimately benefiting all project stakeholders.                           new software

        Utilizing emerging technologies                                                                                                                                                                         technologies are
           in mixed reality (virtual and                                                                                          Trial and error, lessons learned, experience, successes and                  rapidly coming to
                                                                                                                                  failures, will all differ between groups and individuals.
         augmented) to design and build                                                                                           Comparing these best practices and alternative methods                         market creating
            faster and more efficiently.                                                                                          to improve time and/or costs on a project, for example,
                                                                                                                                  allows us the ability to standardize our processes more                           both unique
                                                                                                                                  efficiently and validate needed changes before,                                 challenges and
                                                                                                                                  during, and after construction. Simultaneously, the                          amazing potential
                                                                                                                                  company’s brand and mission are continuously
                                                                                                                                  improved upon.                                                                   benefit for our

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 project teams."





        4    The Feeder | Q1 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         Q1 2018 | The Feeder    5
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9