Page 31 - IEC Insights Mar-Apr19

FEATURE

Competing in

Today’s Electrical

Construction Industry

Opportunities and Challenges

with Technology

BY MELISSA GRIGSBY

It’s no secret that the nature technologies and the impacts on the IEC accounting and job cost information
of our work is shifting. Not membership and the industry as a whole. for effective project and financial
just in the electrical industry Technology is inescapable and the management. Email correspondence
that alleviates the need for paper and
but across all industries. electrical trade is on the cutting-edge optimizes communications with customers
of these advancements. Electricians and suppliers. And the use of the internet
The makeup of the workforce are dealing with higher demands, to research products, order materials,
continues to change and to evolve as more complex systems, and difficult and check on deliveries, all assist to get
the baby boomers increasingly retire integrations in projects ranging from more accomplished at a quicker pace.
and millennials become the largest high-tech installations to smart homes.
demographic among U.S. employees. These advanced systems bring their As technology changes, the list of
Along with the change in the workforce own set of challenges for electricians, opportunities will continue to expand
comes added pressure from businesses but they can also bring opportunities both in the field and in the office. As it
to implement new ideas and technologies to grow the industry. is further implemented, contractors will
that will improve the bottom line and face new challenges and opportunities for
create additional value for customers, In the field, tools continue to evolve as growth; including a better educated and
while adhering to budgetary restrictions. they are made for specific tasks making trained workforce. Luckily, electricians
it easier for the fieldworker to complete are ready and able to take on the
The Independent Electrical Contractors their work. Electrical equipment is being challenges that new technologies can
(IEC), a national nonprofit trade redesigned with the installer in mind, and bring and welcome the opportunity to
association for merit shop electrical communications have improved with the do and learn more. IEC is positioned
and systems contractors with over 50 use of the smartphones and tablets. All of and poised to lead the industry to new
chapters representing over 3,300-member these advances support getting the job heights with education, training, and
businesses recently developed an completed quicker and under budget. exposure to growing technologies and
emerging technologies sub-committee business practices in this new and ever-
to explore issues relating to emerging In the office, the increase in technology evolving frontier in the construction
technologies in the industry. Made up has infiltrated every aspect of our industry. The future is electric.
of contractors and manufacturers, the business. There is estimating software that
sub-committee’s goal is to monitor the is customizable and assists with quicker
changing landscapes relevant to emerging and more efficient takeoffs. Accounting Melissa Grigsby is the Director of
software that can give you real time Communications and Events at IEC National.

www.ieci.org | March/April 2019 | Insights Magazine 29