HOW DIGITALIZATION IS RESHAPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

THE STANDARD EXPLANATION CONCERNING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS THAT IT IS A CUSTOMER-DRIVEN, DIGITAL-FIRST APPROACH TO ALL ASPECTS OF A BUSINESS. BUT WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN IN THE REAL WORLD? SAUDI PROJECTS SPOKE TO RICHARD ABBOUD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP AMANA, TO FIND OUT MORE, DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER INTO HOW IT LEVERAGES DATA, FOSTERS FASTER AND SMARTER DECISIONMAKING, AND ULTIMATELY CHANGES CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS AND ENHANCES NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

Saudi Projects: Digital transformation is a ‘hot term’ but seems to sometimes confuse, so how do you define it at AMANA?

Richard Abboud: Digital transformation refers to the full spectrum of technologies companies employ to improve processes and deliver better customer outcomes, including AI, ML, IoT, and cloud computing. Yes, there is some confusion around ‘digitization’ and ‘digitalization’. The former refers to the process of converting analog data into digital form. The latter refers to embedding digital technologies to improve business processes. For example, in the construction industry, IoT can simplify the procurement, distribution, and tracking of goods and services.

AMANA champions intelligent solutions to improve efficiency in construction, ensuring time savings and cost reductions.

The focus of our digitalization initiatives have been to enable collaboration through cloudbased and network servers and enhance project coordination between teams and clients.

SP: What does ‘going digital’ mean for the industry’s skills needs and how is AMANA approaching this in terms of training and managing change for employees?

RA: Going digital encompasses deploying connected construction technologies across the value chain. This includes integrating assets, people, and processes into a single intelligent and secure platform to improve operational efficiencies and transparency. With increased digitalization, the skills gap is widening. This is a key concern for construction leaders as the skills gap negatively impacts project timelines, agility, growth, and innovation. Looking ahead, attracting talent, upskilling, and reskilling the workforce will be critical.

There is also an urgent need to focus on diversity and inclusion in the GCC construction sector. AMANA has prioritized increasing gender diversity within the workforce, fostering an appealing organizational culture, and increasing digitalization as it continues to build on its leadership in 2023 and beyond.

SP: What is the most influential digital technology in implementing digital transformation?

RA: For AMANA, it is a combination of technologies driving digital transformation. For example, AMANA has deployed Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) to deliver a secure and modern user experience with automated service requests for all employees, and develop an approach with a supporting training platform. The applications also help in automating employee onboarding, enhancing productivity, and reducing administrative costs.