From Game to Reality: What a Professional Construction Simulator App Delivers
Unlike gaming applications, professional construction apps are not aimed at entertainment but rather at solving concrete problems. 82 percent of construction companies see great potential in simulation and visualization. These tools allow for digital modeling of construction processes, precise planning of resources, and early detection of potential conflicts. They act as a digital twin of the project, reflecting progress in real time. In up to 41.5 percent of projects that utilize Building Information Modeling (BIM), such a digital twin is already in use. Such a digital construction planning helps to avoid mistakes that would otherwise lead to costly rework. Digital transformation is no longer a distant trend; it is a necessity to remain competitive. The true strength of these apps lies in data-driven forecasting and control, which far exceeds what is possible with pen and paper. This technological advancement is a crucial step for the future of the construction industry and lays the foundation for more efficient construction projects.
The high costs of unplanned processes and inadequate documentation
Faulty planning and insufficient communication cause immense costs on German construction sites. The total damages caused by construction defects amounted to approximately 16.5 billion euros in 2021 alone. This corresponds to a share of error costs of 11.4 percent of total industry revenue. Often, it’s small misunderstandings or incomplete documentation that set off a costly cycle of errors. A powerful construction app combats this by ensuring a seamless flow of information. The most common causes of avoidable costs are:
- Inadequate communication: Leads to misunderstandings and errors that can cause 26% of all rework.
- Insufficient documentation: Complicates the proof of deficiencies and changes and jeopardizes compensation claims.
- Delays in the construction process: Poor coordination can extend project time by up to 20%.
- Inefficient defect rectification: Without clear documentation, rectifying defects takes on average 3 weeks longer.
Many companies underestimate that a lack of a digital communication platform can cost them up to 17 billion dollars annually. A proactive simulation and documentation of construction events is therefore not a luxury, but an economic necessity. Only through a transparent and verifiable data foundation can these expensive pitfalls be avoided.
Real-time simulation through seamless construction documentation
A modern construction site app like Valoon acts as a permanent real-time simulator of construction progress. Every piece of information sent from the construction site—be it a photo, a voice message, or text—is automatically and legally secured in the construction diary. This process reduces the manual effort for creating construction reports by up to 5 hours per week and project manager. Employees on the construction site simply use WhatsApp, an application that already has over 2 billion daily users worldwide. There is no need for a new software installation or training for the on-site team. This simplicity ensures an acceptance rate of over 95% among employees on the construction site. All data is collected centrally and structured in the office, allowing for immediate evaluation and response. This creates a digital mirror of the construction site that accurately depicts the current state at any time and provides a solid basis for all decisions. The bridge between the construction site and the office is thus designed to be seamless and efficient.
Creating legal certainty: From data entry to legally valid evidence
A seamless documentation is the best protection against legal disputes. According to the Construction Contract Procedures (VOB), clean documentation is crucial for enforcing claims. A specialist lawyer can only enforce compensation claims 100% if the evidence is legally secure. A digital solution like Valoon ensures that all entries are immutable and timestamped, meeting GDPR requirements. The following points are crucial for legally secure construction documentation:
- Completeness: All relevant events, from weather data to material deliveries, must be recorded.
- Traceability: The information must also be understandable to third parties, such as experts or judges.
- Irrefutability: Entries must not be tampered with retroactively; changes must be logged.
- Timely recording: Documentation should occur daily to ensure accuracy.
By automatically saving all communication content, the proof of deficiencies, delays, or changes becomes significantly simplified. This transforms daily communication into a powerful tool for risk minimization and protects your company against unjustified claims. Thus, the investment in such a digital construction documentation quickly pays off.
Increasing productivity through simple communication and less bureaucracy
The productivity of the German construction industry has stagnated for years, partly hindered by a shortage of skilled workers and bureaucracy. 64% of construction companies see a shortage of skilled workers as a business risk. At the same time, communication deficiencies lead to significant friction losses and costs. A construction simulator app that focuses on simplicity addresses both problems. Valoon bridges language barriers through an integrated live translation feature in over 20 languages and ensures all employees, regardless of their background, understand instructions correctly. This reduces misunderstandings by up to 70% and increases safety on the construction site. Since employees on the construction site do not need to learn a new app, there is no training effort. This low barrier to entry is crucial, as employee acceptance is key to the success of any digitalization strategy. By simplifying processes, productivity is not only increased, but also the attractiveness as an employer is enhanced.
Conclusion: With Valoon, intelligently and efficiently manage the construction process
A professional construction simulator app is much more than a digital gimmick – it is a strategic tool for managing and optimizing your construction projects. It transforms unstructured data into valuable, legally secure information and makes construction progress traceable in real time. Valoon proves that such a solution doesn’t have to be complex. By using WhatsApp as an interface to the construction site, a high acceptance rate among employees is achieved, and the training effort is reduced to zero. The core benefits for your company are clear: You save up to 5 hours per week on documentation efforts per project manager, minimize costly errors through clear communication, and establish a seamless, legally secure documentation in case of disputes. Increase your project efficiency by up to 20% and secure your profitability. Take full control of your construction processes and make the crucial step into a digitized future. Book your free demo now and discover how easy it is to get started.
More Links
Fraunhofer IESE offers a blog post about a study on digitalization in the construction industry.
PwC publishes a press release on a study about the construction industry 2023, highlighting the state of digitalization.
Der Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) provides a position paper on the topic of digitalization.
Das Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers an article about the digitalization potential of construction activity statistics.
de.digital, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, provides information on the Digitalization Index.
Statista offers statistics on the implementation rate of digitalization in the construction industry in the D-A-CH region.
Das Institute of the German Economy (IW) publishes an article about digitalization in Germany and international learning potentials.
handwerkdigital.de provides information about the Digitalization Barometer for the skilled trades.
FAQ
Is Valoon a typical construction simulator app?
Valoon is not a simulation software for construction planning but acts as a real-time simulator for construction execution. The app documents actual construction progress and communication live from the site, making the process as transparent and controllable as if simulating it live.
Do my on-site employees need to install a new app?
No, and this is the key advantage of Valoon. Your on-site employees communicate as usual via WhatsApp. All messages, photos, and voice notes are automatically and legally archived and processed by Valoon. No download and no training is required.
How does Valoon ensure the legal certainty of documentation?
All data captured via Valoon is timestamped and stored immutably on German servers. This ensures GDPR-compliant and legally secure documentation that meets VOB requirements and can serve as evidence in legal disputes.
Does Valoon support multilingual teams?
Yes, Valoon has an integrated live translation feature for over 20 languages. Instructions and messages can be delivered in the recipient’s native language, breaking down language barriers and significantly facilitating collaboration in international teams.
For what company sizes is Valoon suitable?
Valoon is suitable for construction and craft companies of any size, from small craft businesses to large general contractors. The platform is scalable and adapts to your company’s needs. Costs are incurred only for users in the office, while the construction site is completely free of charge.
How quickly can I get started with Valoon?
The implementation of Valoon is straightforward and quick. After a brief setup in the office, you can create your projects and immediately involve employees on the construction site via WhatsApp. Typically, you are ready to start within a day.
