Applications of converged networks in construction

Abstract

Abstract:Converged networks which carry voice, video and data have promised cost savings for its users. Much of the construction industry spends over £1 million on communication, mainly from the construction sites to headquarters. With the use of IP telephony and converged networks, the cost can be reduced significantly. Using existing 802.11b/g wireless networks, access to the voice network can be delivered on a construction site allowing mobile users access to personnel as well as data instantly.Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) plays a major role as a catalyst for convergence. Although it is sometimes viewed as just another means of transporting voice communication, the use of one single network provides opportunities for advanced applications that can support and enhance the construction workflow. The introduction of Voice over a Wireless Local Area Network (VoWLAN) allows the opportunities to expand onto the construction site.This paper looks at the emergence of VoIP and examines how this can be brought to the construction site. The paper reports on research carried out with the UK construction industry, identifying communication trends as well as information storage of this communication. With this information, the paper attempts to identify processes where the technology can provide key benefits

Data acquisition technologies for construction progress tracking

“…Ahsan et al [30] studied the storage of communications produced during a project life and concluded that the importance of email usage increased in communicating and storing major information. Another study by Elamin et al [31] used different criteria in evaluating project communication tools and categorized email as an effective technique to track, store, and extract progress data.…”