News

Construction workers dig kiosks

February 20, 2011

Contractors are using kiosks in the field to speed up projects.

According to a story in Constructech magazine, the kiosks allow superintendents and subcontractors access to documents and modeling information at jobsites. And although kiosks in the field aren't necessarily a new phenomenon, their new roles are a bit different.

The building information model, the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle, is taking shape in all areas of business and expanding at a rapid pace. Some companies find Apple's iPad and similar tablet devices great tools for enabling the BIM process in the field. But instead of giving everyone tablets, some construction companies deploy digital kiosks throughout the jobsite to provide workers with the most current modeling information.

The kiosks typically house large computer monitors and wireless Internet, giving everyone access to information. Companies such as Skanska in Stockholm, Sweden, McCarthy Building Companies in St. Louis, Mo., and Webcor Builders in San Mateo, Calif., are using the kiosks.

Modulus Consulting in San Francisco, Calif., uses a ruggedized, industrial-grade computer and wireless connectivity. The kiosk has Windows 7 Operating System, Navisworks Freedom, Adobe Reader, Autodesk DWG True View, and Kiosk Mode software with links to the current BIM model and PDFs of the design drawings.

According to the company, there are two modes—Kiosk Mode and Workstation Mode. The Kiosk Mode is intended for access by all subcontractors with a limited amount of functionality. The general contractor can preset the information available for each particular project. The Workstation Mode is a standard workstation, similar to the functionality that would be available on computers in the home office.

In addition to the touchscreen computer, construction companies can add printers, document scanners, LoJack computer tracking software, larger screen monitors and alarm systems.