Technology in real estate and construction - by Rick Kaplan

Remember the days of the pink message pads, the receptionist would write down your missed calls and leave them on your desk. Then we had beepers, followed by emails and now cell phones and tablets. We’ve come a long way, and you are now connected 24/7. Is this a good thing or bad?

We all use a cell phone or tablet and it has become a part of our everyday life. There have been some incredible apps or software to improve your personal and business lifestyle efficiency and entertainment (scheduling, communication worldwide, help you manage your daily exercise and calorie intake, never miss a phone call or email, etc.).

I have seen so many new products that have helped make the construction and real estate industry more effective. Now we see Artificial Intelligence being implemented into some of the platforms to manage sales, follow up and lead generation like Skyler 360 and comp sharing software like Compstak, just to name a couple of companies out there. Architects and construction companies are now using 3D printing for design and building, and BIM (Building Information Modeling) software.

With all of the new technology, will this mean fewer needed in the workforce? I think not. We now have new jobs and re-training of old jobs, it is exciting time for young people coming into the industry. The Generation X and Y, Millennials, growing up with new technology and how fast things change, can easily adapt to the future of technology in the industry.

What do you think of all of the changes technology will create, will it be good or bad?

Rick Kaplan is media director at the New England Real Estate Journal, Norwell, Mass.