Ready to wear

Impossible? Not if the current development of so-called enabling technologies currently sweeping through construction is more than just a passing fad. For enabling technologies, read bar coding of construction elements, smart cards, radio frequency transmission systems, and, of course, the wearable computer.

All technologies have their shortcomings and revenge effects, and for this reason the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) is currently evaluating the use of wearable computers in other industries, and how the benefits might be transferred to electrical contracting.

Wearable computers in use
Safety and environmental consultancy OHS has been using wearable computers to allow its staff to input survey data at the point of activity. The software functionality includes the ability to view and revise CAD drawings and integrate digital photographs into reports.

Before the wearable computers were adopted, the surveyors used A4-sized clipboards to annotate blank datasheets. Paper reference drawings were taken to site and photographs were taken using a conventional camera. All this information was converted into a client report back at the office – an extremely slow, labour intensive and potentially error-prone process.

The surveyors initially migrated to using rugged, handheld computers running Windows CE. However, this didn't solve all the problems. The surveyors found that the software made it difficult to organise the flow, quantity and quality of data. Second, despite there being many identical rooms in the buildings surveyed, the Windows system didn't enable the surveyors to cut and paste room data. Third, the point-of-use data still had to be downloaded into MS Office and converted back at the office.

The current solution – a Xybernaut wearable computer with dedicated software – has led to several key benefits. First, the surveyor is able to directly download and transfer survey data over the Internet to head office. Second, the dedicated asbestos survey software allows the surveyor to cut and paste data for identical or similar rooms. It also enables CAD drawings to be viewed on site. The final report can be delivered to clients in electronic format over the Internet or by CD.

In terms of costs, the Xybernaut wearable computer comes in at around £5500, although a monthly lease is about £170. The specialist software used for asbestos surveys is around £295 per user.

And the savings? According to OHS, the wearable computers and the dedicated software have delivered a 25% improvement in site survey times. At an average hourly rate of £20 per hour, the savings are around £9600 per surveyor per year.

Ruggedised computers
On a typical construction project, BSRIA research has shown that 8% of the average working day is lost due to the non-availability of materials, tools and equipment. Across the pipework and electrical trades studied, 75% of the total was consumed by delays associated with support fixtures, fittings and sundries – the typical components provided by an organisation such as Hilti.

By collaborating with specialist trade contractors and using design and procurement tools and the technical data available on ruggedised computers, Hilti technicians are now able to deliver prefabricated support structures for services on a just-in-time basis.

The ruggedised computers are designed to survive the construction site environment. The field failure rate for the Panasonic CF72 Toughbook, for example, is claimed by the firm to be around 2%. The CF72 technical specifications include an 850 MHz processor, 128 Mb SDRAM, 30 Gb hard disk drive, and a 338 mm TFT touch screen.

Each Hilti ruggedised laptop is loaded with the firm's product catalogue and design software. The design software enables field workers to enter the specific and detailed needs of the construction team and configure a design solution from standard Hilti products. The software carries out all structural load calculations and can accommodate design variables such as vibration isolation and thermal expansion criteria, assorted material types and different types of insulation.

The design software can generate material schedules, drawings and load-calculation sheets.

On the Osram Regensburg project in Germany, resident Hilti technicians attributed savings of 75 minutes per day (300 hours annually) per technician to increased productive time by use of ruggedised computers. This equated to a reported annual cost saving of around £4500 per technician.

Success factors
So what are critical factors for success? First, proper training and on-site support is needed, without which the users could reject the system and abuse the hardware. It's also important to involve the workforce during the software and hardware development phase, and encourage feedback on its use in the field. A data back-up regime must also be introduced.

Companies considering the adoption of wearable or ruggedised computers should always be aware of the reluctance of site operatives to accept new technology into their environment. This reticence can be due to bad experiences with other handheld devices. Many handheld devices use cut-down versions of Windows for their applications, when it would be better to have a full version of the software and exactly the same package that engineers are familiar with from their office pcs. Once these barriers are removed, the ability to input data including photographs, the editing of CAD drawings and the quick input of long descriptions should quickly convert the doubters.

What these and other case studies demonstrate is that the application of appropriate technologies can have a significant and positive effect on project management. Savings can vastly outweigh the capital investment and lead to improved quality and reductions in project time and materials.

But although enabling technologies are often thought of as methods by which project costs and times can be slashed, the social dimension must not be forgotten. Fewer delays, higher quality and less aggravation will create an empowered, motivated and happy workforce. And that has to be worth something in itself.