For the last 8 years or so, John Andres, Director of Technology at ANDRES Construction, has been building a team and company culture that is leveraging technology to streamline project delivery processes, enhance overall efficiency, increase on-site safety, and meet the ever-evolving needs of their clients in the construction industry.

Founded in 1991, ANDRES Construction is a 100% employee-owned Texas-based company specializing in constructing multifamily, retirement centers, hospitality, and student living spaces. The company operates in major Texas markets including Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston.

Andres' role as Director of Technology has been instrumental in the company's tech-driven approach. He advocates for problem-driven adoption, implementing technology only when it provides a clear solution to a specific issue. This has resulted in a standardized approach where each project utilizes the same technology, thereby reducing the need for decision-making regarding software choice and streamlining operations.

“We’re huge on giving the team access to cmBuilder as an integrated planning software. Rather than logistics planning in 2D and then separately viewing a 4D schedule with no logistics on it, we have been bringing it all together into one place with cmBuilder, which has been really, really helpful.”

- John Andres - Director of Technology at ANDRES Construction Services

The construction industry has seen significant changes in the past decade, with projects becoming increasingly complex and schedules tighter. As Andres points out, the use of 3D BIM by the design team on their projects has increased significantly over the past few years, with approximately 75% of projects now incorporating some form of modeling, as opposed to only 25% 4-5 years ago. These models aid in understanding complex structures and how different materials and details interact, which can be used as aids helping to visualize the construction process.

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When asked about the value of 4D simulation, or site logistics planning, Andres details that the, benefits are realized by different project parties in different ways. These processes provide a visual way to understand the building process over time, which is especially useful for clients and the contractor's executive team. The use of cmBuilder at ANDRES Construction has played a significant role in facilitating 3D logistics planning, identifying and mitigating project risks and integrating the 3D site logistics model with the project schedule for a “lite” 4D. One of the challenges Andres faces is managing the constant changes to the project plan and "what-if" scenarios. With cmBuilder, the team can easily create and manage different scenarios, studying different access points for trucks, excavation sequences and crane locations, making it easier to adapt to changes in the project plan and maintain project progress. This was extremely difficult when using 2D PDF workflows before adoption the cmBuilder platform.

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Andres also spoke about how they use a variety of software tools like cmBuilder, StructionSite, DroneDeploy, Procore, SiteAware, and Provizual. Each of these tools has a specific role in improving efficiency and managing construction processes. For instance, SiteAware assists in creating exterior punch lists and pre-pour punch lists by comparing drone photos with models to detect construction defects.

Looking forward, Andres envisions a shift towards more people building around the major platforms like Procore, similar to an "Android-like revolution". This involves creating widgets and smaller tools for existing software rather than developing new standalone platforms. An example of such a tool is cmBuilder.io, which solves specific problems without trying to be an all-in-one solution and has a Procore integration for seamless workflows.

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As for the future of the construction industry, Andres hopes to see an increased role for robots in assisting and enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them. From material shakeout delivery systems to providing on-demand supplies, robots could revolutionize the construction process, helping to meet the growing demand for construction as areas like Dallas Fort Worth continue to expand rapidly. The future of construction, as envisioned by Andres, involves an even deeper integration of technology into everyday practices. Tools like cmBuilder will continue to play a vital role in this evolution, providing solutions that enhance efficiency, manage logistics, and ultimately, help build a more sustainable, productive future for the construction industry.

“cmBuilder is fantastic at managing changes. Projects are changing up until the moment we start putting a shovel in the ground and the ability to quickly change elements of the logistics plan or simply do a new scenario for “what-if” planning has been great.”

- John Andres - Director of Technology at ANDRES Construction Services

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