The ConTechCrew

EPISODE 421: Do you ever wonder why construction accounting is so challenging?

I did, too, and so did this week’s guest, who has not only lived through these challenges but also developed innovative solutions to tackle construction’s accounting and profitability issues.

Meet Chris Lee. Chris is an entrepreneur who transitioned from IT to construction and then to tech innovation–solving some of the most challenging problems in this industry. 

He’s the mind behind Esticom, a cloud-based estimating and project management software, and now CrewCost, an easy-to-use accounting software built for construction.

Today, Chris is here to share the unique challenges of construction accounting and why the industry should use specialized accounting software instead of a standard one.

We also explore Chris’s unique entrepreneurial journey, the development and eventual acquisition of his software Esticom by Procore, and the role of cloud technology in transforming construction management.

Tune in now and learn how specialized software can transform the construction industry.

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

How Chris Lee got into construction (02:11) 

From contracting business to construction tech (05:49) 

How Chris’s Esticom got acquired by Procore (12:02)

What it’s like working with Procore (15:14)

Why construction should stop using generic accounting software (23:16)

Difference between standard accounting and construction accounting (26:25)

Profitability, cash flow, and billing challenges in construction (30:00)

Keep up with Chris (39:43)

Construction technology news of the week (40:16)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clee512/

Check out CrewCost for more information: https://crewcost.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Quanta Services Climbs 7% on $1.5 Billion Cupertino Electric Acquisition

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/quanta-services-climbs-7-on-1-5-billion-cupertino-electric-acquisition-50407bbc?mod=mergers-and-acquisitions

➡️ A tech ethicist on how AI worsens ills caused by social media

https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2024/05/29/a-tech-ethicist-on-how-ai-worsens-ills-caused-by-social-media

➡️ New Registration Bomb Email Attack Distracts Victims of Financial Fraud (Just personally experienced with a client)

https://blackcloak.io/new-registration-bomb-email-attack-distracts-victims-of-financial-fraud/

➡️ Microsoft-CrowdStrike Outage Hits Airports, Banks and Hospitals, Causing IT Nightmare

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-global-outage-explained-911-lines-down-flights-grounded-and-more/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 420: How do general contractors (GCs) spend most of their time?

A recent study conducted on job sites reveals that GCs spend only 8% of their time in the field. The rest is consumed by tasks such as documenting discrepancies (16%), searching for the right information (15%), and meeting preparation (13%).

Why are we wasting so much of these skilled professional’s time doing paperwork?

Enter Trunk Tools–a platform designed to optimize workflows, enhance collaboration, and achieve a high level of efficiency.

In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host, Rob McKinney, and I are thrilled to speak with the incredible Dr. Sarah Buchner, CEO and founder of Trunk Tools.

Sarah’s journey is truly inspiring, from her beginnings as a young carpenter in Austria to becoming a leading figure in construction technology.

With a PhD in AI from Stanford and over a decade of experience in AI, she brings deep expertise in AI and data management, demonstrating how AI (or, as she calls it, IA–Intelligence Augmentation) can transform the construction industry by structuring unstructured data.

Curious how AI can simplify your next project?

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

From carpentry to construction tech (01:32)

The real role of education (05:52)

PhD in AI and its impact (10:19)

The mindset shift needed in construction (14:36)

AI’s role in structuring data (18:52)

Biggest problems facing contractors (20:19)

Reducing rework with AI (22:35)

Trusting technology in construction (24:23)

Creating data visuals (34:27)

What the future looks like for Trunk Tools (39:22)

Construction technology news of the week (43:19)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Dr. Sarah Buchner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-buchner/

Visit Trunk Tools for more information: https://trunktools.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Technologies That Rapidly Transform Construction Will Change Jobsites

https://www.enr.com/articles/58192-technologies-that-rapidly-transform-construction-will-change-jobsites

➡️ Technology That Can Prevent Worker Injuries: NSC

https://www.ehstoday.com/safety-technology/article/55094140/technology-that-can-prevent-worker-injuries-nsc

➡️ Meet the AI-powered robots that Big Tech thinks can solve a global labor shortage

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/08/why-amazon-tesla-and-microsoft-are-investing-in-ai-powered-robots.html

➡️Contech backer launches second, $100M fund

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/ironspring-ventures-contech-fund-investment/720583/

— 

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 419: Have you ever faced costly errors in your construction projects? Imagine if you could prevent them before they even happen.

In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I sit down with Shir Abecasis, an Israeli military intelligence and cybersecurity expert turned CEO of FIRMUS.

FIRMUS is an AI-driven pre-construction tool that analyzes PDF construction drawings and identifies potential design-related risks and errors at various project development stages.

Today, Shir discusses how FIRMUS is transforming construction risk management with its AI technology, the challenges her team has overcome in developing an innovative AI solution, and the future of AI in construction.

Curious to know more?

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Shir’s transition from cybersecurity to construction (02:11)

What is FIRMUS and how it works (06:14)

Importance of pre-construction (09:00)

Building trust in AI technology (13:13)

The Leapfrog Effect of AI in construction (19:20)

What the future looks like for FIRMUS (23:19)

The reality of using data and AI technology (26:49)

Construction technology news of the week (37:07)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Connect with Shir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shir-a-303088138/

Visit FIRMUS for more information: https://firmus.ai/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️‘Carbon-Free’ Cement Is Now A Step Closer

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewinkless/2024/05/31/carbon-free-cement-is-now-a-step-closer/

➡️America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2024

https://www.brimstone.com/

➡️Construction Technology: Imagine It Just Worked… Seriously!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/construction-technology-imagine-just-worked-seriously-chris-ovens-baqvc/

➡️Corning shares pop 12% as AI boom drives stronger-than-expected demand for equipment

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/08/corning-stock-up-12percent-as-ai-boom-drives-stronger-than-expected-demand.html

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 418: How can the construction industry become safer and more efficient?

When we talk about construction safety, the strict implementation of hard hats on job sites is the first thing that comes to mind. However, what’s happening under that hard hat is equally important.

In this week’s episode, my co-host Rob McKinney and I sit down with Sebastien de Ghellinck, founder and CEO of SkillSignal, to uncover the future of construction safety and well-being.

Sebastien, along with his co-founder Vivian, started SkillSignal–an all-in-one safety and compliance mobile platform that digitizes all your critical daily construction processes.

With a deep background in both construction and finance, Sebastien shares invaluable insights into creating safer job sites through innovative digital tools. He discusses the importance of combining physical safety measures with mental well-being strategies on job sites. 

We also talk about the role of AI in making these sites safer, the Personal Protective Mindset (PPM) concept and its impact on safety, the challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers in construction, and more.

Tune in now and discover how you can make your job sites safer and more efficient!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Sebastien’s ode to his grandfather (01:34)

From finance to construction (06:35)

Benefits in digitizing construction workflows (11:35)

Combining physical safety with well-being (15:14)

How do we make construction appealing (23:06)

Breaking construction barriers with technology (29:24)

Why prioritize employee well-being (33:41)

Challenges in digitizing workflows (36:52)

Construction technology news of the week (40:26)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

Listen to our interview with Cal Beyer: https://thecontechcrew.com/416-its-time-to-talk-about-the-opioid-crisis-mental-health-in-construction-cal-beyer

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Follow Sebastien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdeghell/

Sebastien’s collaboration with Princeton University: https://wellbeing.construction/

Visit SkillSignal for more information: https://www.skillsignal.com/

— 

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 417: We often view technology as a quick-fix solution, but it isn’t. 

Take AI, for example. 

Many companies rush to innovate and release AI-driven products to gain market advantage. 

However, this often overlooks the ethical and practical issues that should’ve been addressed first. This is exactly what our guest will unpack today.

Meet Ritwik Batabyal. Ritwik is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Mastek, a global IT company specializing in cloud and data migrations.

With over 30 years of experience, Ritwik shares his insights on the evolution of AI and data modernization. He discusses the importance of addressing ethical issues such as biases in AI algorithms and data privacy.

Additionally, we talk about the role of leaders in implementing AI, how to navigate job loss fears and task automation, and more.

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Ritwik Batabyal from Mastek (00:46)

The evolution of AI and data modernization (08:21)

Exposing the ethical roadblocks and biases in AI (17:11)

The battle for privacy and accountability (22:12)

Navigating job loss fears and trust in an AI-driven construction (25:02)

The future of jobs and tasks automation (28:32)

Leaderships’s role in AI integration (35:23)

Keep up with Ritwik (42:05)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Ritwik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritwikbatabyal/

Visit Mastek’s website for more information: https://www.mastek.com/

— 

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 416: The construction industry has the highest rate of overdose deaths among major sectors. Yet, there’s still a stigma in tackling this opioid crisis. Thankfully, this week’s guest and his team have done the groundwork for creating healthier and safer construction job sites.

To shed light on these critical issues, join me and my co-host, Nathan Wood, as we interview Cal Beyer, Senior Director of the SAFE Project.

Today, we’ll talk about the pressing issues of mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use disorders in construction.

This conversation highlights the progress made in holistic health approaches that connect physical, mental, and emotional well-being to create safer and more productive workplaces.

We talk about the pivotal role of Naloxone on job sites, the impact of peer-to-peer support networks in addressing substance abuse in the workplace, and more.

Don’t miss this special Pause for the Cause episode.

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Cal’s journey and impact in the construction industry (02:17)

From human risk management to partnering with SAFE Project (05:10)

The correlation between substance abuse and mental health (09:25)

Importance of peer-to-peer support networks (11:23)

The role of self-care in workplace productivity (19:13)

Work-life balance vs. work-life harmony (25:01)

SAFE Project’s comprehensive approach (28:21)

The impact of addressing substance abuse in the workplace (40:26)

Keep up with Cal and his works (48:41)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

Watch Episode 412 with Eitan Vesely: https://thecontechcrew.com/412-how-ai-and-data-analytics-can-help-manage-work-stress-eitan-vesely

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Follow Cal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinbeyer/

Check out the SAFE Project for more: https://www.safeproject.us/

— 

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 415: Have you ever wondered why some construction projects take so long and cost so much?

Join me as I sit down with the incredible Maria Davidson, CEO and founder of Kojo, a construction technology platform built for trade contractors to manage procurement, tools, and warehouse support.

Today, Maria and I talk about the critical role of materials management in construction delays and cost overruns. She shares how her company’s platform can streamline materials management for a transparent and more efficient process. Plus, we also discuss overcoming resistance to technology in the trades and the importance of data-driven solutions.

Curious to know more?

Let’s jump in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Maria Davidson’s transition to construction tech (00:39)

Focusing on trades rather than general contractors (02:34)

Debunking myths about trades’ resistance to technology (07:15)

Impact of materials management on project timelines (12:53)

The importance of integrating workflows in construction (18:20)

Why having a strong tech implementation strategy is crucial (24:55)

Solving the 3 biggest problems in construction (30:17)

Warehouse management and inventory tracking (36:33)

Advantage of having accessible data (42:48)

What’s next for Kojo? (52:49)

Construction technology news of the week (57:23)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Maria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-rioumine-davidson-801a1058/

Check out Kojo for more information: https://www.usekojo.com/

— 

See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ WELL building standard hits 5B-square-foot milestone | Facilities Dive

https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/international-well-building-institute-standard-adoption-milestone-iaq/709511/

➡️ Tutor Perini sees shift to owner financing on megaprojects | Construction Dive

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/tutor-perini-owner-financing-megaprojects-earnings/714511/

➡️ The largest commercial construction starts of April 2024

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/april-largest-commercial-construction-starts/717146/

➡️ Google using AI to Deprioritize AI generated Content

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katie-zeppieri-1b58983b_googlealgorithm-seotips-brandingtips-activity-7201620621535961089-Mzx1/

—

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 414: With today’s information right at our fingertips, a huge portion of the construction industry is still heavily reliant on siloed data. Could this be the hidden productivity killer costing the industry millions of dollars?

In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Bob Salaj,  Director of Customer Advisory Team at Quickbase, to explore the intersection of Lean principles and digital transformation in construction.

With his extensive experience across various industries, Bob shares his journey and how he discovered the power of low-code/no-code software solutions.

We talk about the importance of democratizing data and standardizing processes to reduce inefficiencies and improve decision-making in the industry.

Curious to know more?

Tune in now and learn how construction companies can leverage Lean techniques and digital tools to improve productivity and efficiency.

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Bob Salaj (01:59)

Challenges coming to construction from manufacturing (04:17)

Importance of standardization in construction (06:13)

Democratizing data and improving accessibility (11:03)

Poka-yoke and Gemba walk explained (12:40)

Identifying inefficiencies through Gemba walks (17:50)

The “gray work” concept in construction (21:16)

Impact of digital workflows on productivity (30:38)

Construction technology news of the week (47:25)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Bob Salaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-salaj-4585a79b/

The Gray Work Index: https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024

Check out Quickbase for more information: https://www.quickbase.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Breaking the Silence: LLMs Docode Enigmatic World of Animal Language

https://analyticsindiamag.com/breaking-the-silence-llms-docode-animal-language/

➡️ Lendlease to exit international construction, development

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/lendlease-exits-international-construction-strategy/717201/

➡️ Why technology has not transformed building

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8vzzjqyz5qo

➡️ Integrated Workflows: A Must In The Digital Transformation Of The AEC Industry- Salla Eckhardt

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/integrated-workflows-must-digital-transformation-aec-salla-eckhardt-5ywyc/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 413: The construction industry has been using prefabrication for years, but there’s always been a bit of a disconnect.

Typically, prefabrication doesn’t start until the bid is awarded to the fabricators. But what if there’s a way to speed up the process while building a sustainable future? 

In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I speak with Michael Gustafson, vice president of strategy and business development at Qnect.

As a structural engineer with extensive experience working with big names in the construction tech world like Trimble and Autodesk, Michael saw an opportunity to improve the steel design workflow with Qnect.

Qnect offers both software and services for optimizing steel designs, aiming to remove inefficiencies and reduce material and process waste.

Today, Michael talks about how integrating AI in construction can automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity. He also shares insights into the global engineering practices and the growing trend of prefabrication, particularly in structural steel, to reduce uncertainties and speed up project delivery, what Qnect brings to the table, and more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Michael’s transition to the construction tech world (02:25) 

The importance of steel in construction (04:22)

Qnect’s core mission and goals (07:46)

How Qnect is helping detailers (12:37)

Role of AI in enhancing construction processes (14:02) 

Benefits of using Qnect for owners (22:49)

Balancing cost and carbon ion construction design (27:00)

What’s next for Qnect? (29:54)

Keep up with Michael (36:32)

Construction technology news of the week (37:07)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gustafson-2047786/

Visit Qnect for more information: https://www.qnect.com/

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See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announced

https://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge

➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024

https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024

➡️Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtract

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/

➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownership

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/

—

The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 412: Burnout has long been a cause of higher suicidal rates in the construction industry. But what if there’s a way to detect burnout before anything worse happens?

Join me in this week’s episode as my co-host, Nathan Wood, and I speak with Eitan Vesely, a former engineer turned successful founder.

Today, we’ll talk about the world of employee well-being and how Eitan’s Watercooler, an AI-powered tool, helps companies detect and combat burnout in their employees. 

We’ll explore the balance needed in managerial interactions, the effectiveness of well-being programs, and their relevance to the high-demanding construction industry.

Tune in now and learn how you can proactively address burnout and foster healthier construction job sites.

Let’s jump in!

Key Takeaways: 

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Eitan Vesely and how he started Watercooler (02:43)

How Watercooler gathers and uses data (07:26)

Addressing privacy and ethical concerns during data-gathering (15:29)

Leveraging AI to stop employee burnout (21:14)

Watercooler vs. other personality test platforms (24:31)

Real-world applications and success stories (26:35)

How burnout is influenced by work demands and inflexibility (29:55)

The balance between over and under management (32:13)

Combining data science and tech with psychology (40:28)

Final thoughts (50:10)

Construction technology news of the week (51:13)

Additional Resources:

Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew 

— 

Follow Eitan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitan-vesely/

Check out Watercooler AI for more: https://www.watercooler.ai/

— 

See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️

➡️ Private equity's unlikely champion for giving workers a leg up with employee ownership

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/private-equitys-unlikely-champion-for-giving-workers-a-leg-up-with-employee-ownership-60-minutes-transcript/

➡️ Trimble acquires payments, compliance platform Flashtract

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/trimble-acquires-flashtract-contech/716106/

➡️ Microsoft Build 2024: everything announced

https://www.theverge.com/24161636/microsoft-build-2024-ai-copilot-windows-teams-edge

➡️ The Gray Work Index: Our Productivity Gap in 2024

https://www.quickbase.com/blog/gray-work-index-2024

➡️ AI and ROI: An Either/Or Scenario?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-roi-eitheror-scenario-robert-ioanna-w7gge/

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The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. 

Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!