A controller was spending 3 days a month just reconciling Excel reports across 80 projects.

And that's just one person. Imagine the time sink across the entire org.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Joe Wilson from PROJEXION and we got to learn about the real state of construction data (spoiler: it's a disaster), why hiring data scientists isn't solving the problem, and how teams are finally breaking free from the endless cycle of firefighting... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why the 2018 point solution boom created a data fragmentation nightmare

✅ The gap between builders and data scientists that nobody talks about

✅ How one plug-and-play module gave an entire company their time back

✅ What happens when your data goes from "collecting dust" to actually alive

Joe's perspective is refreshing—15 years as a builder before jumping into tech means he actually gets what it's like on the ground. No fluff, just real talk about real problems. Watch now! Link in the comments!

Our Sponsors:

Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/

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📲 Follow us:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod

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Chapters

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:30 Introduction and Background

00:06:29 The State of Construction Data

00:09:35 Data Fragmentation and Its Impact

00:12:32 Journey from Construction to Software

00:15:12 Building the Solution

00:17:41 The Leap of Faith

00:20:19 Finding the Right Co-Founder

00:23:17 Cultural Shifts in Transitioning Industries

00:26:34 Lessons Learned in Product Development

00:32:43 Transitioning from Construction to Sales

00:37:15 Building Relationships in Sales

00:41:55 Navigating the Sales Cycle

00:45:03 The Importance of Timing in Fundraising

00:46:52 Understanding Projection's Functionality

00:53:11 Integration and Onboarding Process

00:56:05 Real-World Use Cases and Impact

01:01:26 Overcoming Skepticism in Technology Adoption

01:04:47 Future Developments and Opportunities

"I remember just breaking down and crying when the announcement went live."

That's Rob Philpot describing the moment he sold Aconex to Oracle for $1.2 billion—still the biggest acquisition in construction tech history.

The twist? He wasn't even looking to sell.

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Rob Philpot, founder of Aconex and now investor at Glitch Capital, and we got to learn about billion-dollar exits, why construction tech hasn't seen another mega-acquisition since 2018, and what's next for the industry.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Oracle got Aconex at exactly the right moment

✅ The reality of losing control when you go public

✅ Why great construction software doesn't need to be sexy

✅ How AI will eliminate data entry and make tools predictive

Watch now on Youtube! Link in the comments!

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:10 The Emotional Journey of Selling Aconex

09:08 The Landscape of Construction Technology Acquisitions

12:10 Life After Aconex: Transitioning to New Ventures

20:11 Key Factors Behind Aconex's Growth

36:16 Navigating Go-to-Market Strategies

41:03 Navigating International Markets

47:19 The Evolution of Digital Marketing

51:59 The Impact of Short Sellers

59:08 Transitioning from Founder to CEO

01:06:51 Innovations in Construction Technology

"We're always running at 100%. Some people love that. I think it's like an adrenaline rush."

That's how Katie Coulson describes leading Skanska Advanced Technology—where construction projects that typically take 2-3 years get done in a fraction of the time.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Katie Coulson from Skanska Advanced Technology and we got to learn about how they're building data centers and semiconductor fabs at tech company speed, why they're often starting construction before the design is even finalized, and what 31 years in construction has taught her about the future of the industry... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Skanska's vertical unit model combines national tech expertise with local market knowledge to deliver high-speed projects across the US

✅ Why the traditional construction bell curve doesn't exist in data center and semiconductor work—and the type of people who thrive in that chaos

✅ The sophisticated subcontractor relationships that make it possible to mobilize quickly across different markets

✅ Katie's predictions on AI, offsite manufacturing, and robotics as solutions to construction's labor challenges (especially as remote work isn't an option for field teams)

If you're building in the data center or semiconductor space, or just curious about how construction is adapting to move at tech speed, this one's for you. Watch the full episode now. Link in the comment!

📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/

🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/

📲 Follow us:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.

Our Sponsors

Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:20 Introduction to Skanska Advanced Technologies 06:12 The Evolution of High-Tech Construction 09:06 Speed and Efficiency in Construction Projects 12:12 Stakeholder Engagement and Subcontractor Relationships 15:01 Client Demands and Market Dynamics 17:59 Procurement and Buyout Strategies 21:04 Offsite Manufacturing and Prefabrication 23:55 Technology Integration in Construction 26:59 Safety Measures and AI in Construction 30:06 Data Management and Quality Assurance

33:37 Innovations in Construction Technology

37:32 The Role of AI in Streamlining Processes

39:26 Comparing Traditional and Tech-Driven Construction

42:43 Balancing Innovation with Project Constraints

47:31 Managing Client Expectations in Tech Projects

50:42 Structure and Strategy of Advanced Technology Division

54:23 Building Trust and Team Dynamics

57:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals in Data Centers

59:04 Future Predictions for Construction Technology