Construction Law

Updating Your Construction Firm’s IT Infrastructure Part 1

While improving productivity on the project site is a daily concern for contractors across the nation, many contractors neglect to contribute the same level of concern to their operational infrastructure. In this two-part article, the Jacksonville construction lawyers at Cotney Construction Law are going to step away from the project site to focus on ways construction firms can update their information technology (IT) infrastructure to better serve their day-to-day operations.

Rapid advancements in technology have changed the way contractors do business. Failure to get ahead of the curve can restrict your firm’s success. Similarly, relying on antiquated technology can cause you to fall behind your competition and limit your ability to procure new contracts. More importantly, contractors who can’t manage, store, and disseminate records, design plans, and statistical information could find themselves in violation of their contract or even federal labor laws. To add insult to injury, the Department of Labor (DOL) is cracking down on contracting firms who don’t keep accurate records, so it’s imperative that contractors partner with a Jacksonville contractor lawyer to maintain compliance.

Keeping Up with an Industry in Flux

Let’s face it, there’s a quagmire of outdated technology and inefficient processes built upon years of tradition in the construction industry, but things are changing. And they’re changing quickly. New devices and software are introduced every year, and it’s the contractors who embrace these changes that are finding themselves perched at the top of the pile. IT is an important part of every industry, which means contractors should employ someone with formal IT training on their staff to bolster their business on the backend.

Invest in New Software

Many companies are vulnerable in the area of cyber security. Their valuable data might seem like it’s protected, but a simple password isn’t enough to keep prying hands from gaining access to digital design plans, employee records, and more. With notable innovators in the technology sector, like Apple CEO Tim Cook, calling for legislation similar to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law, it’s only a matter of time before data protection becomes more than just a courtesy. Even without such a law in effect, the latest software is designed to make compliance with federal labor laws simple. In other words, it can help contractors accurately track everything from time worked to project milestones and even workers’ compensation claims. Outdated software is not only a risk because it can be hacked, it can also cause a breakdown in your workflow.

Embrace Flexibility

Although the lionshare of work on a construction project will be performed on-site, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. From tracking supply shipments to hiring new workers and managing schedules, a contractor is often forced to work at the computer to keep everything running smoothly. On large projects, correspondence between multiple parties may be the only way to reach a successful outcome, which means utilizing technology to keep everyone on the same page. Contractors should embrace flexible work arrangements to keep management-level employees productive and positive.

To learn more about updating your construction firm’s IT infrastructure, read part two.

If you would like to speak with a Jacksonville construction lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.