Tech firms in the construction space often join forces to marry their niche solutions with other technologies and provide more comprehensive and interoperable tools. Every few weeks, Construction Dive provides a roundup of the most recent mergers, acquisitions and integrations in the construction technology space. To view the entire series, click here.
DroneBase scales 4D insights to national pilot network
Global drone operations company DroneBase announced yesterday its partnership with Austin, Texas-headquartered Hangar Technology, which automates the collection of spatial data to generate 4D visuals. By scaling Hangar's platform nationally through DroneBase's API and pilot network, the companies aim to provide construction firms a "reliable alternative to adopting an internal drone program," according to a press release.
Customers put in a request for a location they want monitored as well as their desired insight types, the announcement said. Hangar and DroneBase then capture the data, convert it to the requested specs and deliver analytics in 48 hours or more.
Dan Burton, CEO and founder of the Santa Monica, California startup, said that drone data provided through this partnership can facilitate real-time decision-making on critical project assets. Hangar's director of operations, Chris Haines, said that enterprises can access these insights without the hassle, training and investment that's required for an in-house drone program.
Bangert touts the cloud with Acumatica partnership
Construction software provider and consulting firm Bangert Inc. last week announced its partnership with Acumatica, a cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider targeting small to mid-size firms. Acumatica Construction Edition, a fully cloud-based accounting software, is now part of Bangert's portfolio of tech products.
The software-as-a-service (SAAS) product allows companies to manage data in real time from any device, according to the Bangert announcement. In addition to job cost and accounting functions, users can access customer relations management, distribution and sales solutions through the same login. Acumatica is subscription-based, and therefore does not require hardware or periodic updates.
Bangert CEO Kurt Bangert called the partnership an opportunity for construction clients to ensure their data is "streamlined, organized and available," by moving from traditional on-premise solutions to a cloud-based option. Acumatica, according to the announcement, also includes a "large ecosystem of integrations" with products like Procore, Docusign and more. The company recently secured $25 million in a Series C funding round which it intends to use to stimulate further growth.
BuildingIQ makes new and existing buildings smarter
BuildingIQ, which offers an intelligent energy and building management platform, today announced its acquisition of smart building solutions provider Buildingsense.
Until recently, BuildingIQ has focused on retrofitting existing buildings with smart optimization systems. The Buildsense acquisition, according to BuildingIQ vice president of products Steve Nguyen, will allow BuildingIQ to strengthen its greenfield business (installing networks where there were previously none, such as in a newly constructed building.)
BuildingIQ plans to embed its 5i suite of services in both new and existing buildings with the goal of maintaining a "high level of operational, comfort and energy optimization," according to the press release. The central cloud-based platform collects data from the earliest phase of a building's life cycle, then catalogs and analyzes it to help owners lower costs and increase efficiency.
CEO Michael Nark says the partnership "creates a platform for global growth in the greenfield space" and will expand the Australian company's reach "to service new construction in North America," where it already operates.
Solibri bolsters BIM customer experience with usage analytics
Building information modeling software provider Solibri has implemented Revulytics usage analytics to get a more comprehensive view of customer's experience with the software.
Solibri is using Revulytics Usage Intelligence, according to a recent Revulytics press release, to better understand how architects, engineers, trade contractors and other typical users are engaging with the software while protecting user anonymity.
Data aggregation through the Revulytics platform "enables Solibri to quickly recognize usage shifts, anticipate new requirements, and customize products and communications for the unique characteristics of diverse geographical markets and types of user," said Keith Fenech , Revulytics' vice president of software analytics, in the release.
The partnership also frees up Solibri developers to implement new and advanced features, said Solibri product manager Juan Rodriguez, without the danger of customers being left behind without the support they need.
