The reality on German construction sites: An overview
The German construction industry lags behind in digitalization compared to other sectors. This leads to significant problems that directly threaten project success. A study from 2024 shows that 48% of companies are still struggling with supply chain issues. At the same time, the industry is short of around 300,000 skilled workers, which complicates the timely execution of contracts. The consequences are often costly rework, missed deadlines, and dissatisfied clients. Outdated communication methods are responsible for over 30% of construction errors. The insufficient networking of office and construction site leads to information silos and misunderstandings. This gap must be closed to ensure competitiveness.
Cost trap of paperwork: The consequences of missing digitalization
Every poorly documented instruction or unrecorded performance poses a financial risk. Without comprehensive digital construction documentation, necessary evidence is often missing in disputes, which can lead to high costs. Employees on the construction site waste valuable time manually creating daily reports and searching for information. Up to 5 hours of productive working time can be lost per employee each week. This administrative burden quickly adds up to thousands of euros per project. A lack of digital document management also makes it difficult to comply with legal requirements and significantly increases liability risks for construction and project managers. Digital order processing in construction is the direct lever to eliminate these hidden costs.
The transition: How digital order processing simplifies daily construction work
The solution does not lie in complex software that has a high acceptance barrier for employees. Successful digital order processing must be simple and intuitive. It should seamlessly integrate into existing workflows, ideally using tools that everyone already uses. The key is a central platform that consolidates all project-relevant information and makes it accessible to all stakeholders – from the office to the construction site. According to a PwC study, 81% of construction companies see cloud platforms as the greatest opportunity for development. Such a platform reduces administrative workload by up to 70%. The crucial advantage is the immediate availability of all data without the need for training. This enables a smooth optimization of construction processes and lays the foundation for the next steps.
Core features of a modern solution for order processing
An effective platform for digital order processing in construction must offer specific, practical features. These tools are crucial for success:
- Automated daily reports: Capture all relevant data like weather, personnel, and services performed with just a few clicks directly on site.
- Legally secure photo documentation: Each image is automatically timestamped and geo-tagged and associated with the correct project.
- Digital defect management: Defects are captured by photo, assigned to a responsible person, and tracked for resolution, reducing processing time by 50%.
- Central data storage: All documents, plans, and photos are stored in one place and accessible at any time, reducing search times by 90%.
- Live translation: Overcome language barriers on the construction site with an integrated translation feature in over 20 languages.
- Digital timesheets: Capture working hours on a mobile and project-specific basis, speeding up payroll processing by up to 15%.
These features form the foundation for an efficient and transparent digitalization of your construction projects.
Legal certainty as the standard: Minimize liability risks
Comprehensive documentation is your strongest protection against unjustified claims. Digital order processing ensures that every communication, every decision, and every construction progress is recorded immutably and traceably. This is crucial in disputes over defects, construction delays, or billing. A digital construction log with timestamp has high evidentiary value in court. The structured capture of measurements and documentation of additional services ensures you get paid for 100% of your work. By using suitable construction software for businesses you not only meet legal documentation obligations but also create a transparent basis of trust with your clients. This turns a tedious obligation into a strategic advantage.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon
Digital order processing in construction is the most effective way to combine efficiency, transparency, and legal certainty. With a simple, WhatsApp-based solution like Valoon, you overcome the acceptance problems of complex software and benefit immediately. You reduce administrative workload by hours, minimize costly mistakes, and create comprehensive, verifiable documentation for all your projects. Valoon is completely free for your employees on the construction site and can be used immediately without training. Take the decisive step and transform your construction site communication into a measurable success. Book your free demo now and discover how easy it can be to step into the digital future of construction.
More Links
de.digital provides insights into the digitalization index and measures the progress of digitalization in Germany.
Das Fraunhofer IESE publishes a blog post with research results on digitalization in the construction industry.
PwC provides a press release on its 2023 construction industry study addressing digitalization and sustainability.
Das Statistical Federal Office (Destatis) offers an article about the potential for digitalization in construction activity statistics.
Der Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) presents its positions and views on digitalization in the construction sector.
Statista provides statistics on the implementation level of digitalization in the construction industry in the DACH region.
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry offers comprehensive numbers and facts about the German construction industry.
FAQ
Is digital order processing also suitable for small construction companies?
Yes, it is ideal for small companies. Solutions like Valoon are cost-effective, easy to implement, and do not require significant IT effort. They help to work more professionally and securely with less administrative burden, providing a direct competitive advantage.
How is data security ensured with cloud solutions?
Reputable providers like Valoon rely on servers in Germany and GDPR-compliant data processing. Modern encryption technologies and strict access controls ensure that your project data is always protected.
Do my employees have to learn a new, complicated app?
No. Valoon’s approach is based on WhatsApp, an application already used by over 90% of smartphone users in Germany. Employees work in their familiar environment, without having to install or learn a new app, greatly increasing acceptance.
What are the costs of implementing digital order processing?
At Valoon, usage for construction site staff is completely free. Costs are only incurred for users in the office (e.g., site managers, project managers). The transparent pricing model lowers the entry barrier and ensures quick amortization of the investment.
Can I test the software beforehand?
Yes, we offer a free and no-obligation demo. In this personal presentation, we show you how Valoon can solve your specific problems and how easy the platform is to use in everyday life.
What hardware is required on the construction site?
No special hardware is required. Each employee can use their own smartphone (iOS or Android). This makes implementation extremely uncomplicated and cost-effective.
