RFID technology allows construction companies to track and manage resources at the jobsite, which includes everything from materials to workforce. With a tag placed on the resource, data is gathered and sent to the office so supplies and workers at the jobsite can be tracked to better maintain the job and comply with government regulations.

Contractors such as Kiewit, www.kiewit.com, Omaha, Neb., Twin Contracting, www.twincc.com, Alexandria, Va., HITT Contracting, www.hitt-gc.com, Falls Church, Va., and Turner Construction, www.turnerconstruction.com, New York, N.Y., are such companies using tracking technology today.

This week, ADR Software, www.softwareadr.com, Reston, Va., announced all four of these large general contractors are now using technology specifically to monitor the workforce.

Picture this: Tags attached to hardhats send data about workers’ whereabouts for reporting and tracking, eliminating the need for manual data entry. From Web-based devices, including smartphones and tablets, project managers can track real time workforce information. The data gathered from the technology can also integrate with daily reports, work schedules, and accounting.

For construction companies, this helps make better decisions, improve workforce documentation, and manage risk on a job, which provides a competitive advantage during the bidding process. Some organizations even use the technology to insure compliance with local economic development and hiring objectives.

Beyond tracking the workforce, the technology can also be used to track materials and supplies on a job. Leighton Contractor, www.leightoncontractors.com.au, Chatswood, Australia, is a recent example. This construction company is using technology to track materials and fabrication for a SMP (structural, mechanical, and piping) contract on an iron ore mining project in Western Australia.

The technology it is using comes from Saleem Technologies, www.saleem.com.au, Perth, Wash., which provides Web-based, GPS, barcode, and RFID material-tracking technology, and recently upgraded its fabrication module to monitor fabricated structural steel.

This is not Leighton’s first foray into the technology. In 2011, the construction company used similar software to track and manage materials for a civil and underground construction project.

More contractors are turning to RFID, GPS, and barcodes to keep track of materials, people, and even vehicles on construction projects. Want to see more case studies and an in-depth dive into what this technology will mean for the construction industry going forward? Check out Jobsite: The Next Generation in the Jan/Feb issue of Constructech.

American Automation plans to be a specialty subcontractor on the security systems and energy management. The goal is to design and build a “LEED Platinum” facility.

We also had a guest speaker from Fort Irwin reviewing how Lutron’s lighting controls play a major roll in their quest for a NETZERO base.

Here are some of the sights from the week’s event.

The two companies plan on formalizing this alliance at AABSI’s corporate office within the next two weeks.

American Automation will be a sponsor of the City Year Women’s Leadership Breakfast as a Corporate Sponsor on May 11, 2012. “Our commitment is steadfast in supporting education causes,” stated Company CEO Lisa Buckley. “What is so significant about this is that it helps children in the community in which we live.” It is crucial that as business and community leaders, we provide as much support as possible to meet the challenges of our education system today to meet global competitiveness tomorrow.

On April 26th, 2012, we will have a pre-event reception at the Denver Hyatt and anticipate over 100 guests. This will be a great celebration of women in leadership. The event will be hosted by Mrs. Lisa Buckley CEO American Automation, and Ishmail Nassardeen-Buckley Company President.

“Although American Automation is not on the list, we are committed to be on it in 2013 for the first time,” stated Mrs. Buckley. We were not eligible since Mr. Buckley in 2011 was our CEO. However, we are so proud that during that time, he was nominated for CEO of the Year for 2012. The ownership for American Automation was changed in February 2012 electing Mrs. Buckley as CEO.

Our CEO, Lisa Buckley had the honor of serving on a women’s panel on March 12 at University of Denver. Women sharing insight on Global Women in Leadership, sponsored by the US State Department. Along with DU Women’s College Dean, Dr. Lynn Gangone they shared many insights into what it takes to be a successful business and community leader. In addition, there were women leaders from Eastern Europe — Russia, Bosnia, Ukraine, and other countries.

“What an honor to share our insights with these great leaders”. Participating during Women’s History Month, made it all the more exciting. It was very interesting to hear them speak that to even start a business in many of their countries takes months, if not years. The same thing was true if they closed a business. And, unlike in the United States, where groups like ABLE from DU are focused on women owned businesses generating more than $1.0mm in annual revenue, that is a number, for now, that women business owners in Eastern Europe are aspiring to.

In addition the group shared some of the challenging social issues they still face, such as human trafficking. Of note that “this is a problem that we also have seen here in Colorado especially due to our transportation corridors I-25 and I-70 and DIA”, stated Dean Gangone.

American Automation will continue to celebrate the role of Women in Leadership throughout 2012. Next we will be a sponsor of Top 100 Women – Owned Companies Reception, the Athena Awards for the Colorado Women’s Chamber April 26, 2012 at the DCPA. As well as the City Year Denver, Annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, May 11, 2012.

We hope to see you there.

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American Automation Building Solutions Inc (AABSI), adds a strategic partner to support continued growth and capabilities in the physical security business sector. OnSSI one of the world’s best Video Management Systems providers has signed a channel partner agreement with AABSI.

With the modern world’s needs for proactive results, oriented security solutions can help prevent incidents, instead of merely recording them, this security software partnership is key to AABSI solution orientated approach to security.

OnSSI points the way to the future, with software designed to meet increasingly complex global security demands that go beyond traditional hands on surveillance models. AABSI will be focused on several upcoming design build public transportation projects in addition to its thieving Federal business. OnSSI’s software is a key component to our innovation in this arena. Look for more news about AABSI public security projects in Q2 2012.

Ishmail Nassardeen-Buckley supports STEM in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_xJAsnSF7Y