Photo courtesy of Sensera Systems
Sensera’s solar-powered solutions offer up a comprehensive solution for anyone in construction.
In the not-so-distant past, jobsite monitoring systems were primarily used to capture grainy time-lapse videos of construction sites that developers often used for marketing. Although the need was there, a number of obstacles prevented their widespread adoption for additional use cases in the construction industry. “The cameras were expensive, difficult to install, and required an array of additional hardware to implement on-site,” says David Gaw, founder and CEO of Sensera Systems.
After interviewing general contractors and identifying technological solutions to these pain points, Sensera Systems launched its first product in 2014 and quickly grew to become North America’s leading manufacturer of solar-powered jobsite monitoring systems. The company’s suite of products utilizes wireless LTE and cloud technology, creating a comprehensive solution for all verticals within the construction industry. By integrating with Autodesk BIM 360, Procore, and PlanGrid, Sensera’s jobsite monitoring systems offer contractors a number of crucial benefits.
Sensera Systems’ products allow contractors to mitigate risks like workplace injury with advanced monitoring and high-resolution footage on the job site. Photo courtesy of Sensera Systems
1. Multi-Functional
Sensera’s portfolio of jobsite cameras, powered by its SiteCloud platform, offers a one-stop shop where users can monitor the progress of a project, collaborate across teams, and improve jobsite safety through livestream video. “We’ve been on the forefront of adding capabilities to our monitoring systems while educating the market on the potential for additional use cases,” Gaw says. Listening to contractors has been critical to this progress.
In one example, Gaw explains that contractors identified the need for higher resolution cameras to better capture workplace incidents or allow managers to track the finer details of a project. From there Sensera developed the PTZ500, which features ultra-high resolution capabilities and on-demand pan-tilt-zoom to view granular details on large sites. “Now managers are able to remotely zoom in far enough to read the bolt heads on a beam,” he says.
2. Risk Management
One of the top priorities for contractors is to mitigate the risk of workplace injury and improve safety standards by learning from incidents that do occur. “With Sensera’s monitoring systems, contractors can review high-resolution video footage of a workplace incident, determine root cause and any corrective action, and bolster training to prevent future incidents,” Gaw says. Managers can also better identify potential risks before an injury occurs.
Because of this, insurance companies are beginning to promote the use of jobsite monitoring systems as a way to reduce liability on construction sites. “The general legal environment is such that, if there was a reasonable way you could have reduced liability and didn’t, then you inherit that liability,” Gaw says. In the future, this could lead to a reduction in insurance premiums for contractors who utilize jobsite monitoring systems.
Photo courtesy of Sensera Systems
3. Environmental Sustainability
Sensera’s jobsite monitoring systems are powered by small solar panels that integrate with lithium iron phosphate batteries, helping to reduce power consumption to about one-tenth of comparable systems. Utilizing WiFi and 4G/LTE also eliminates the need for connective materials that would otherwise go to waste once the project is completed.
“With traditional jobsite cameras, contractors have to dig trenches in order to run direct power lines to the devices, which creates an additional disruption to the jobsite,” Gaw says. “With Sensera’s cameras, there’s no need to put in power poles or run conduit.” This helps contractors reduce both their energy and material consumption.
4. Increased Transparency
Large construction projects like skyscrapers or stadiums are the work of numerous stakeholders across a variety of verticals—including engineers, architects, and developers. To successfully execute such a colossal undertaking, collaboration across all teams is key. “Our cameras allow busy managers to monitor the progress of a project from any device, anywhere in the world,” Gaw says. “This type of transparency helps general contractors have a better relationship with their customers.” With tools like the MC88 16MP camera, owners can livestream 1080P video for real-time information on their project.
These jobsite monitoring solutions can be installed in as little as 20 minutes and offer serious peace of mind, as you can livestream video for up-to-date information on any project. Photo courtesy of Sensera Systems
5. Easy to Use
Even the best performing jobsite cameras can cause friction and unnecessary headaches for contractors. “Project teams are there to build a building, not mess with camera equipment, so contractors value the simplicity of our solution,” Gaw says. Sensera’s monitoring solutions are lightweight and easy to install; Gaw says one person can install a system in 20 minutes.
