A Look at the Capabilities of IFS in the Construction Industry’s Sub-Sectors

The construction industry is rapidly evolving with the development of modern technologies, which in turn presents unique challenges for companies in all the industry’s sub-sectors.

IFS software has become an invaluable asset to many organizations within the building sector, providing the capabilities needed to keep up with the pace of change.

In this article, we will take a brief look into the various abilities of IFS and how it can benefit building businesses, from nationwide construction giants to smaller, local subcontractors.

What exactly is IFS?

IFS is a suite of software applications designed specifically to meet the needs of the building sector. It enables firms to manage the entire life cycle of a project from planning and design, to actual construction and commissioning. It also helps to manage financials, human resources, and inventory and can be used for project planning and scheduling, resource optimization, and project tracking.

Overview of the construction industry's sub-sectors

The construction industry is divided into four main sectors: residential, non-residential, heavy, civil engineering, and specialty trades.

• The residential sector consists of home building, renovations, and remodeling
• The non-residential sector includes construction for commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects
• Heavy and civil engineering involves large-scale projects such as bridges, roads, and tunnels
• Specialty trades include activities such as plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

 

Benefits of IFS Software for Construction Companies

The points below are a roundup of some of the most critical benefits found when using IFS software as a building company.

1. Improved Collaboration

IFS provides a streamlined process for construction project collaboration, allowing teams to communicate and share information quickly and efficiently.

By eliminating manual data entry and enabling teams to track the progress of projects in real-time, IFS helps reduce costs, minimize human errors, and increase overall accuracy.

With the use of IFS software, teams can easily collaborate and coordinate their efforts to ensure project deadlines and budgets are met.

2. Enhanced Project Management

IFS enables construction projects to be managed more efficiently, allowing for better control and more accurate project tracking. This can reduce the risk of delays, cost overruns, and other issues that can occur during a building project.

Additionally, IFS can help contractors and project managers maximize the efficiency of their resources, allowing them to complete projects on time and within budget.

IFS can also provide comprehensive reporting and analytics, allowing stakeholders to monitor and analyze the progress of the project, ensuring that all tasks are completed accurately and promptly.

3. Cost Savings

IFS helps to reduce the costs of construction projects by streamlining operations and improving visibility into the project's progress. This software enables building teams to access project information in real-time, which helps reduce costs associated with time spent on administrative tasks. IFS software also enables teams to make more informed decisions, resulting in better resource optimization and cost savings.

Examples of IFS Software Applications in Construction

In this section, we have broken down some of the most typical and useful examples of IFS software being utilized within various sub-sectors of the building industry.

1. Residential

IFS can be used to generate detailed estimates for residential construction projects, allowing contractors to accurately predict the cost of materials, labor, and other associated or miscellaneous costs.

IFS software can help contractors manage project timelines and schedules, track progress on tasks, and help ensure that projects are completed on time.

IFS can be used to create detailed overviews of residential projects, providing helpful visual aids for both contractors and homeowners.

2. Non-residential

IFS can be used to manage the production of materials and components for non-residential construction projects, ensuring that the right materials are delivered to the right place at the right time.

It can also provide real-time data on the progress of non-residential construction projects, including labor costs, material costs, and project timelines, allowing for better project management on a day-to-day basis.

3. Heavy and civil engineering

Site Grading and Earthworks - IFS can be used to calculate site data quickly and accurately for earthworks projects. This includes quantity take-offs for material, cut and fill volumes, topographical mapping, and more.

Project Planning and Scheduling - IFS software can be used to develop comprehensive project plans and schedules. This includes creating task lists, assigning resources, and tracking progress to ensure projects stay on time and within budget.

4. Specialty trades

Automated scheduling of specialty trades for complex building projects - IFS can be used to effectively manage the scheduling of specialty trades for large and complex construction projects. The software can be used to track the progress of individual trades and ensure that all deadlines are met.

Utilizing IFS to streamline the specialty trade bidding process - IFS can be used to manage the bidding process for specialty trades as well. It can be used to provide detailed information about the scope of the project, the timeline, and the estimated costs associated with the project. This helps to ensure that all bids are accurate and that the best specialty trade is chosen for the job.

Challenges of Implementing IFS Software in Construction

Below we have touched on some of the most encountered challenges during IFS implementations for construction firms, regardless of the sub-sector.

1. Cost

Implementing IFS can be a costly endeavor for building companies due to the cost of purchasing the software, as well as the costs associated with training employees on how to use it.

Additionally, companies must invest in ongoing maintenance and support for the software, which can be costly if they don't have the in-house expertise to handle it.

Finally, the cost of transitioning existing systems and data to IFS must be taken into consideration, as this can be an expensive process that requires additional resources.

2. Complexity

Implementing IFS within construction firms can be a challenge due to the complexity of the industry, which can require customization of the software to meet the unique needs of each company.

It can also be difficult to manage the integration of IFS with existing systems and platforms, as well as train staff on how to use the software effectively.

Additionally, companies may need to update their IFS software regularly to ensure it is up to date with industry regulations and standards, which can add to the complexity of implementation(s).

3. Training Needs

Training staff to use IFS inside building companies can be a challenge, as the software can be complex and requires a certain level of technical knowledge.

It can also be difficult to ensure that all staff members understand the unique features and functions of IFS software, as well as how it can be used to improve the efficiency of construction workflows.

Conclusion

IFS offers construction companies a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions that can improve efficiency and provide better visibility of operations. However, along with the many benefits of using IFS, there are also challenges to implementations and transitions from existing systems, such as the need to customize the software to fit a company's specific needs and the potential for a high upfront cost. Ultimately, IFS software can help construction companies save time, money, and resources while providing better insight into their operations and projects, but it comes with substantial up-front, and sometimes ongoing investment.

If you'd like to find out more about IFS within construction or how RutterKey can help support you with IFS, fill out the form below and someone will be in touch!