The construction industry is at a turning point. While other industries have raced ahead with digital transformation, the construction sector has taken a more measured approach - and for good reason. Complx operations, demanding environments, and practical challenges mean that digital tools must truely understand life on the job site.
The reality is: digitalization isn't coming - it's already here. The question is no longer if you should digitalize, but how to do it the right way.
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The challenge: Not all digital solutions are created equal
Too often, construction companies end up with software that doesn't truly fit their daily operations. These solutions, despite being technologically advanced, miss the mark because they lack real industry insight. It's like forcing a square peg into a round hole - technically possible, but far from ideal.
The power of industry collaboration
This is why collaboration makes all the difference. When software developers work hand in hand with the industry, something remarkable happens - solutions emerge that actually work in the real world.
Take Stangeland, one of Norway's leading construction firms. Their decade-long partnership with Barde demonstrates how industry-driven development leads to effective solutions.
"Working with Barde has been a completely different experience," says Olav Silde, HSE-QA-EM Manager at Stangeland Maskin. "We’ve been customers for almost ten years and have been active development partners throughout. The result is a digital tool that doesn’t just work in theory but delivers exactly what we need in practice. It’s rewarding and motivating to see our feedback directly shape the solutions we use every day."
Innovation through independence
What makes Barde unique is our role as an independent software provider, collaborating across the entire industry. Our independence gives us the freedom to work with companies of all sizes, allowing us to gather diverse perspectives that shape our solutions. We're proud of our partnership with Stangeland, but they are just one of many voices in our broad industry dialogue. By building multiple partnerships, we ensure that our solutions serve the entire construction sector, not just a select few.
More than just software
“What makes our approach powerful isn't just delivering the right features - it's about truly understanding the rhythm of the industry. Construction software must be as robust as the machines it manages and as practical as the people who use it. That's why we embrace agile development, working in short sprints and adopting quickly when customers identify needs or suggest improvements. This approach means we deliver value faster, reduce risk, and ensure our solutions evolve in step with the industry's demands,” says Erik Sundt Hansen, Operations manager at Barde.
Looking ahead
As the industry continues to evolve, the gap between digitally advanced companies and those lagging behind will only grow. The road to digitalization doesn't have to be painful. By choosing solutions developed in partnership with industry leaders, construction firms can confidently step into the digital future without compromising operational efficiency.
The key is finding partners who understand that in construction, practical value always outweighs theoretical people to work smarter, not harder.
Want to learn more about how industry-driven digital solutions can transform your operations? Visit barde.ai.
Foto: Geir Arne Løland