Rise of the Vertical Cloud: The Value of Purpose-Built Online Infrastructure for Construction
In an industry that has been largely resistant to transformative change, we are now starting to see the needle move in construction. The need for improved productivity is clear for all to see, and major enterprises are turning towards integrated cloud solutions due to cost and efficiency benefits.
One industry term that is often heard but rarely understood is the vertical cloud. For our latest blog post, we have detailed the function of vertical cloud solutions and explained why the innovation is driving a better-connected construction industry.
What Is the Vertical Cloud?
In simple terms, a vertical cloud environment is optimised or built around the specific needs of an industry. Cloud technology has matured to the point where robust, tailored solutions are now readily available for different sized enterprises.
Standard or horizontal cloud platforms are used to support common office applications, products and services, but there are certain industries where a standard cloud computing structure is not optimal. For example, industries such as finance and healthcare have particularly stringent requirements when it comes to handling confidential data and preventing unauthorised access.
Specific regulations and compliance measures are enforced, so cloud service providers in these industries need to manage this data in a specific way. Other industries such as utilities and even government have similar requirements. Vertical cloud solutions allow service providers to host applications and analytics that are of specific relevance to the customer, with aspects such as regulatory environments and security catered for. Because providers have a clear picture of the customers’ unique requirements, they can collaborate with their customers to create an online environment that ticks every box.
Suitable for a Fast-Moving Industry
With digital technologies such as 5D BIM, big data and artificial intelligence (AI) being rapidly adopted in construction, the need for a flexible online infrastructure for major enterprises is plain to see.
When it comes to implementation of new technologies, the vertical cloud is far more flexible than horizontal configurations. In the past, industry-specific capabilities were layered on top of generic cloud infrastructure – the downside of this was the need for extensive reprogramming when upgrades were required. Cloud computing is built around immediate access to real-time information, so such downtimes could prove disruptive. You are less likely to encounter unexpected problems with a vertical cloud subscription service for this reason.
Suitable cloud support is integral to a digitised construction industry. Our industry combines the work of architects, engineers, developers, owners and numerous other stakeholders, and real-time collaboration is vital for the health of this ecosystem.
A vertical construction cloud platform may integrate a variety of solutions; everything from model management and quantity takeoff to site scheduling, data analytics and procurement can be managed on a single platform. Project managers using a vertical cloud can access tools that assist with various stages of a project lifecycle. With this power at their disposal, the inefficiencies that plague a project can be effectively uncovered and rectified.
Experience MTWO, the World’s Number 1 Vertical Cloud for Construction
RIB launched a game-changing vertical cloud solution for the global construction industry in April 2018.
MTWO represents a significant step forward for our industry, integrating more than 100 modules in a vertical cloud enterprise solution. MTWO combines RIB iTWO 5D BIM technology in a Microsoft Azure environment, allowing developers, contractors and owners to transform their processes.
Built to support real-time collaboration and drive efficiency, the end-to-end MTWO platform serves as an ideal platform for an evolving industry. To learn more about the vertical cloud solution, feel free to check out our recent blog post on the subject or reach out to our local team today.
