The use of databases is essential to nearly every industry
in the world today. This is especially true for the construction industry and
construction firms from local outfits to international companies. The use of a
database currently serves the construction industry in the form of a network
server at an onsite office or trailer. These network databases provide storage
for and access to virtually all project documents and models, with the ability
for access through computers, phones, or tablets. These databases are useful
for storing information from software used in accounting, project management,
scheduling, and BIM modeling [1].
Also being utilized in the construction industry are
handheld devices that can be used to scan material codes and track their inventories
on the site in real time [2]. This is especially useful for large jobs and has
the potential to not only track material inventory, but also its current
fabrication or installation status along the construction process.
Perhaps the most useful function of databases in the
construction industry is the cost estimating ability. With databases, a
virtually infinite guide to construction costs is easily obtainable. This
provides construction professionals the ability to perform cost and scheduling estimates
more efficiently and consistently [3].
References:
Comments:
Derek Zaccheo:
Derek-
Derek Zaccheo:
Derek-
I had no clue as to how relational databases worked, but the column example that you gave clarified it pretty well. You also made it clear how databases function internally and why they are able to store such large amounts of data. The abilities of this type of software seem to be endless, but there still seems to be progress made almost every day in this field. Interesting post.
A.J. Kuzniarowicz:
A.J.-
This was an interesting post. I especially liked enjoyed the discussion of the LYNX system. I discussed a similar ability in my post, but the LYNX system sounds like a much more advanced and user-friendly application. It seems as though when this technology really starts to become a standard throughout the building industry, construction projects will go much smoother and more accurately to their schedules.
A.J. Kuzniarowicz:
A.J.-
This was an interesting post. I especially liked enjoyed the discussion of the LYNX system. I discussed a similar ability in my post, but the LYNX system sounds like a much more advanced and user-friendly application. It seems as though when this technology really starts to become a standard throughout the building industry, construction projects will go much smoother and more accurately to their schedules.
You make some very interesting insights into the uses of databases in the construction world. At a first glance, it is easy to not recognise the usefulness of databases and to see where they are being utilised. I would agree that they have and will be very useful in the construction industry.
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteThis is a simple and straight forward introduction of how the database is used in construction firms. Needless to mention how important it is to keep track of all the documents and inventory during construction. But I would love to find out how much more different and efficient this is comparing to traditional construction process.
Great work!
Jon,
ReplyDeleteThis is true I'm not sure if we would be able to function as a society without databases and certainly not in industry. The absence of these tools and information at our fingertips would be detrimental to the progress benchmark that we continue to set. Even the loss of this information for a couple of hours provides to be a real hindrance to operations.
I agree that the most useful function of a database in our fields would probably be cost estimating. Another (which has a bit to do with cost) function could be tracking production and conducting manhour studies. This was all done by paper and not automated where I did my last co-op, and it might be a good idea to instead input this information in a database.
ReplyDelete