Bruder - Databases in Construction Firms

For this blog post we were to research databases, and their use in different situations. My group, Group E, was required to research the uses of databases in construction firms. A database is ‘a usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)”. (Merriam-Webster)

Databases can be used in many different occupations and many different applications. The more advance technologies get the larger their file size becomes. Using a database reduces the need for multiple copies of a particular file. As construction companies transition into more technological advances like Archicad, Revit, and other BIM services, they are using more mobile computing devices that cannot hold the information they need without using databases. Construction companies can use databases just as efficiently as any other companies.

“Construction projects inevitably generate enormous and complex sets of information. Effectively managing this bulk of information to insure its availability and accuracy is an important managerial task.” There are many different ways for a construction company to use databases. They can use databases in the more general sense, or they can use a database that is over a cloud service. Both have their benefits over another, such as a cloud service does have limitations on storage amounts and download speeds, while an in-house database has larger storage capabilities but you have to be connected to that database through Ethernet or Wi-Fi, which requires you to be within close proximity.

I think that databases are an essential part of a construction company, especially now a days. I remember my second co-op where their database was just a row of filing cabinets with a bunch of unorganized documents and drawing. This made it very difficult to find a particular drawing of file that I would need and took up valuable company time. With databases that are well organized, data can be found quickly and efficiently, which will save time thus improving overall company efficiency.

In conclusion, I think it is imperative for construction companies to have a very formal and well organized database. It makes finding information quick and efficient. There are different types of databases to choose from, so some research should be done to find the best database that suits your companies’ needs.

Comment on other posts:

Comment on Ian’s Post: I had a similar experience as your first co-op with my second co-op. It was really a shame since a lot of companies are willing to distribute tablets as a company expense. So you are pretty much getting a free tablet. It was good to find out that during your third co-op they were more open to the idea and were starting to convert to digital. Good post though!

Comment on Matt's Post: Thank you Matt for that very informative blog post. Do you have any ideas of what the next file storing is going to be? Do you think that the next big thing is already here with cloud databases? I like how you included photos for a more visual representation of how a database works.

Resources:

1.    ASCE. "The Vision for Civil Engineering in 2025." Asce.org. ASCE, 2007. Web. 10

Feb. 2014. <http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Vision_2025_-_New/TheVisionforCivilEngineeringin2025_ASCE.pdf>.

2.    "14. Organization and Use of Project Information." Project Management for Construction: Organization and Use of Project Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

3.    "Database." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.