How Has VR Affected Construction? (And 5 Reasons to Outsource Your VR Work)
Virtual Reality is leaving its mark on the construction industry.
It is making the design process easier and more affordable. Here is a look at the benefits of using this technology. We also explore why many companies opt for VR outsourcing. The construction industry is approaching a watershed moment. Keeping up with emerging tech is becoming a prerequisite for success in construction. Changes are happening at a rapid pace.
According to the Robotic Industries Association, construction is still way behind in automation. But there is a growing variety of construction and demolition robots that deserve attention. Automated vehicles make transportation safer and more cost-effective. This will have a significant impact on the logistics of construction in the coming years. 3D printing is also changing the face of the industry. It’s also important to note the changing trends in preferred construction materials. New materials to look out for include air-cleaning bricks. We can also expect self-heating concrete that contains spores and water capsules. These new construction elements may solve some ongoing problems in the industry. They are both eco-friendly and affordable, so it’s no surprise that customers gravitate to them. There are exciting innovations that are yet to become well-known. But the biggest change we’ve seen in construction is the introduction of virtual reality (VR) technology. VR solutions are already here. They contribute to the rise of outsourcing in the construction industry. So every major construction firm needs to understand how they work.
What is VR?
Though VR glasses are a sought-after gadget, many people still aren’t sure what virtual reality is. In the simplest terms, VR means a computer-generated 3D environment. With VR, we can explore a simulated reality that our senses perceive as real. This often includes more senses than just sight. But VR is more than just a three-dimensional projection. What makes it truly interesting is that we can interact with it. VR work means performing actions and manipulating the environment within this simulated reality. One of the most obvious uses of VR is entertainment. As it stimulates our sight and hearing, it can provide an entirely new way to enjoy films, music, and the visual arts. Considering the way it allows people to interact with simulated objects and settings, VR is especially popular in video games. However, the technology has a wide variety of other uses. In medicine and sports, it allows experts to develop new assistive devices. It plays a significant role in patient rehabilitation. Its industry uses are still in exploration. VR is one of the biggest innovations in the architecture of the 21st century. With this invention, the design process became easier and more comprehensive. It’s no surprise that many construction firms embraced VR solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the changes this has brought.
How is it Affecting Construction?
Industry experts agree that VR is becoming essential in the world of construction. The crux of the change is simply that VR work is efficient and provides amazing results. In order to keep up with their competitors, construction firms need to make full use of the possibilities that VR offers. Let’s look at some of the current trends that construction firms need to watch out for.
1.Clients Enjoy Immersive Walkthroughs
First, let’s look at the impact of VR on customer satisfaction. The dynamics between a construction firm and its clients aren’t what they used to be. Building owners are becoming more involved and more informed, and it’s important to include them in the design process. They want transparency and to make sure the construction job is progressing well. Providing them with dry data isn’t going to cut it. With virtual reality walkthroughs, it’s very easy to involve the customer in the process. You can explain any problems or new ideas. These are detailed 3D models, and creating them is much faster than before. You can also implement design changes without needing to rebuild a model from scratch. Your customers can experience a few different options before they make their choice. This makes communication smoother and lets you match their exact needs.
VR Walkthroughs Make Selling Easier
We all know how difficult it is to sell units and houses that are in development. VR can help with that. This technology also makes it easier to prepare effective sales pitches. You can use these walkthroughs to paint a comprehensive picture of what the upcoming building could be like. It’s a good idea to include furnishings and other elements to make the designed property look appealing. VR tours are extremely popular among people looking for a home. In part, this is because of the novelty. But people also find it easier to make choices when they can visualize the completed building.
2. Your Team Has Detailed Models to Work with
All the benefits of an engaging 3D model apply to in-house work too. The flexibility of VR models streamlines collaboration and cuts down on mistakes and delays. It is far easier to incorporate feedback from your team into the improved model. The amount of rework that they have to do may go down significantly. These models go into great detail, and they have excellent scalability. Traditional models can’t keep up with the amount of information VR models can convey. Fewer experts need to visit the building site. VR models allow them to see the current progress of each project. To create an up-to-date simulation, many construction companies use drones to take videos. The footage makes it possible to notice problems before they have serious consequences.
3. VR Helps You Stay Competitive
Companies that use VR have a head start because the design process is quicker and more efficient. We’ve already covered the reasons why you can create more effective pitches by using virtual reality. But this technology has another positive impact on your budget. VR improves collaboration and communication within your firm. But it also helps you work around logistical hurdles. Many construction companies today employ international teams. VR tech makes outsourcing and international collaboration considerably easier and more affordable. Hence, it gives construction firms a chance to lower labour costs. We should also note that many firms use VR simulations for training and safety seminars. You can provide your employees with crucial skills that will keep your company ahead of the curve.
Reasons to Outsource Construction Jobs that Involve VR
If you’ve decided to introduce VR solutions in your construction firm, you have two options. Some firms train their own VR teams, while others outsource VR work to an experienced third party. Which is the better option for you? For construction companies, outsourcing this process is typically the better choice. VR is often a part of construction project management outsourcing. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider that option.
1. Saving Time
While it may be possible to train up or hire a team with adequate knowledge, this typically takes a great deal of time and resources. Why not make use of outsource efficiency gains? The construction industry is becoming faster-paced all the time. You should ask yourself if you can risk falling behind.
2. The Benefits of Experience
VR technology is sophisticated, and it’s still in development. Building VR models requires an in-depth understanding of the process. You need scalable, accurate, and comprehensible models. Your team might not be able to create these with the level of professionalism you require.
3. VR Work Can Receive Absolute Focus
Multitasking leads to unexpected delays and error. It can cause a decrease in work quality and motivation. So stop splitting your team’s attention with this new technology.
Instead, you can work with experts who can dedicate their full focus to the task at hand. It’s better to outsource construction design tasks that fall outside of your experience. When you focus on your core tasks, you’ll achieve better results.
4. New Ideas
If your firm hasn’t used virtual reality before, you might not realize its full potential. By choosing prestigious VR experts, you can learn about the ways you can augment the design process and improve collaboration. Outsourcing in the construction industry has led to significant innovations already.
5 There Are No Constraints
Many firms still hesitate to outsource construction tasks. They tend to want to do everything in-house. Some think that outsourcing is too complicated to use in this industry. Offshore security concerns may outweigh the benefits in their mind. But remember that the benefits are real and the concerns you can mitigate. If you take the time to select a professional and experienced partner, you have nothing to worry about. Outsourcing construction project management improves the quality of service that you can provide. Outsourced VR work is a major part of that. Your VR team can be anywhere in the world. They can keep their full attention on creating amazing walkthroughs for you.
In turn, using VR makes it easier to outsource other parts of your design process too.
Conclusion
Outsourcing in the construction industry is closely tied to VR work. This tech makes collaboration much easier. But you before you outsource construction jobs, you have to choose the right partner. Read up on any risks and red flags before you hire anyone, and always make sure you understand what’s on offer. At Cybalink Solutions, we have extensive experience in providing outsourcing solutions. Many of our clients are successful construction companies. We also help firms hire remote engineering staff and more. VR work is only a part of the service we provide. We can help your company outsource construction tasks of various types. You will save time, reduce overhead costs, and continue to provide exemplary quality.
Get in touch today to book a confidential call with our co-founders Kim Lombardi and John Rodgers.
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7 Red Flags to Look for When Hiring an E & C Outsourcing Company
Outsourcing is one of this decade’s top industry trends.
Engineering and construction companies are beginning to embrace these solutions. But how do you make sure outsourcing doesn’t compromise the quality of your work? The benefits of outsourcing aren’t immediately obvious in some industries. This is particularly so for industries that focus on on-site work. Construction and Engineering companies are good examples. But engineering and construction outsourcing companies are experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity. In these competitive industries, it’s important to stay ahead of the game. Outsourcing can give companies an edge. Engineering design/drafting outsourcing and construction project management outsourcing are becoming commonplace. You can also rely on third-party support for administration, finances, and marketing. Outsourcing gives companies a chance to focus on their core task. It helps reduce overhead costs significantly. It can also help speed up deliverables. So, working with outsourced employees leads to improved customer satisfaction. However, not every outsourcing partner provides reliable results. It’s natural to approach this with some hesitation. Some Companies expect that outsourcing will bring down the quality of their work. Offshore security concerns are widespread. It can seem daunting to find an outsourcing partner that you can rely on. But it’s possible to separate the wheat from the chaff. We prepared a list of red flags about outsourcing in the construction industry, mining, and engineering. We based this on our experience as one of the top E&C offshoring companies in the Philippines. If a potential partner exhibits these behaviours, you’re right to be wary.
Red Flags
Working with an insufficiently qualified outsourcing partner leads to considerable difficulties. Here are some of the problems you may have to deal with:
- Missed deadlines
- Lack of understanding in your industry
- Lower client satisfaction
- Inconsistent results
- Errors that go unnoticed for too long
- A lack of motivation or initiative
- Communication problems and misunderstandings
- Scheduling issues and time zone incompatibility
- Empty promises
But none of these has to be present in a good outsourcing relationship. In fact, choosing the right partner can help your Company avoid these problems. As you save on overhead costs, you can invest in development and improve the work process. Your current team may become less overwhelmed with multi-tasking. You can make use of fresh perspectives and avoid thinking too much about the details. Your bottom line should improve, and you can expect consistent and reliable results. To recognize a good outsourcing partner, you need to learn the hallmarks of a bad one. So let’s go over some danger signs. Any of these may be present in companies that offer engineering and construction outsourcing. If they are, consider looking for a better fit.
1. They’re a Jack of All Trades
Some outsourcing companies offer a wide range of services. This is not in itself a danger sign. You can benefit from working with offshoring firms that cover different needs. Ideally, you’ll rely on them to take care of HR for you and make sure collaboration runs smoothly. But it’s highly advisable to work with Companies that specialize in your industry. Engineering and Construction all come with some unique challenges and requirements. It’s important to find a partner who can keep up with that. You need people who understand the big picture. This is true whether you’re looking for design work, administration, or other services. Perhaps you need a specific project completed and parts of it are beyond your experience. In this case, you may have better luck with a more general company. But the best offshoring partnerships provide long-term collaboration.
2. No Track Record of Previous Client Successes
Ask questions before you hire remote engineering staff or outsource construction tasks. Take note of excessive vagueness or platitudes. A reliable outsourcing company offers case studies and testimonials. While the details may be obscured to protect the clients’ interests, you’ll want to look for concrete proof of past successes.
Pay attention to the specifics. Did the outsourcing company help their client free up valuable resources? Did they have a positive impact on the success rate or timeline of projects? They need to quantify and back up claims of outsource efficiency gains.Many companies rely on outsourcing for sales and customer service. But before you choose a partner for that, you have to know what to expect. Learn which strategies your prospective partner uses to improve sales. You want to know how they interacted with their clients’ customers in the past. If you’re thinking of offshoring, you may worry about cultural differences. In this case, it’s important to ask whether the firm has worked with companies in your area.
3. They Offer No Sample Work
In addition to case studies, an offshoring company should have a portfolio. This applies to engineering design outsourcing, web design, marketing, etc. It’s also important to consider whether the company’s own marketing is acceptable. Do they have a website optimised for different platforms? If you’re going to rely on them to represent your company, start with their own presentation. It should match the quality of what they offer in their portfolio.
4. They are unclear about Employee Qualifications
When you hire remote engineering staff or architects, you want qualified professionals. That’s true for finance and accounting tasks too. So it’s important to know your potential partner’s hiring practices. Make sure to ask about the degrees and training that their employees receive. It’s a red flag if the company deflects or refuses to give you information. The same applies if you’re looking to outsource tasks that don’t require formal training. Your firm needs experts who know what they’re doing and who’ve had great results in the past.
5. They Don’t Ask a Lot of Questions.
It’s clear that you want to work with an outsourcing Company that answers all your questions. Deflection and ambiguity are warning signs. But at the same time, you should choose a partner who asks you questions about your business. Before they agree to work with you, a responsible outsourcing partner will ask in-depth questions about your company. This will give you a good idea of whether they have experience in your field. Remember that it’s better to choose partners who specialize in construction or engineering. If they don’t understand the inner workings of your industry, their questions will be generic. Asking questions can also reveal the integrity and attitude of a company. If they agree immediately to every service you inquire about, odds are that they’re planning to improvise. This is an unacceptable approach to take. Unfortunately, many outsourcing companies will try to overpromise and dazzle potential partners. You should watch out for unrealistic promises. If they make everything sound easy without asking for information, you’ll encounter problems down the line.
6. The Estimate’s Lower Than Expected
Research costs before you outsource construction or engineering jobs. Reducing costs is one of the top attractions of outsourcing. In the case of offshoring companies, the payment should fit the cost of living in the country in question. If a potential partner offers an estimate that seems too low, they’re cutting corners somewhere. This might go beyond underpaying the employees. For example, you should be wary of companies that might use cheap or outdated software. You may even risk legal issues if you choose a partner that undercharges for design work. Once again, you want to avoid outsourcing that sounds too good to be true. Another situation to consider is companies that immediately give you an estimate. If they don’t ask any questions first, they aren’t really considering the amount of work that lies ahead.
7. They Don’t Provide You with Enough Information about Security
In the engineering and construction industries, discretion is of the utmost importance. Every business partner needs to respect your customers’ data. Plans and designs must stay confidential. The same applies to your finances, methods, and staff information. But some outsourcing companies don’t have adequate measures in place to protect your data. Even if they have no malicious intentions, they could leak information. You want to choose a partner who fully understands and respects this aspect of your business. So make sure to ask enough questions about security. Your prospective partner should give you a detailed roadmap of their usual security measures. If you have additional requirements, they should be willing to consider them.
A Note on Problems That Appear Later in a Partnership
Sometimes, the quality of outsourcing work declines over time. This could have various reasons, and you don’t always notice it in time. One of the first signs to watch out for is missed deadlines. Customer satisfaction, leads, and sales can go down. If any of this happens, you need to look into the situation. If solutions aren’t obvious, you may need a different outsourcing partner.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand the standards of quality that you can expect from a good outsourcing partner. When you see how well this arrangement can work, you will know how to recognize any duds right away.
But at first, it can seem daunting to look for an adequate partner. There is a world of empty promises to navigate.
Get in touch today to book a confidential call with our co-founders Kim Lombardi and John Rodgers.
If you are considering outsourcing and find talent like Karl, start your outsourcing journey today with this e-book.
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Discover how Cybalink Solutions can help you achieve up to a 70% overhead reduction through our Philippine outsourcing solutions. Let's explore how to optimize your operations, lower costs, and increase margins.
Book a free consultation!