For the team, iKont is not just a job, but also a challenge to shape the future and provide solutions for sectors that are not yet digitalised. All colleagues have an important role to play in the creation of iKont smart containers and software, and thus in the development of digitalisation in the construction industry. In our blog series, we introduce the key persons behind iKont, starting with one of iKont’s masterminds, Péter Szabó.
1. If you were to describe yourself in one sentence, what are you like?
I’m a dreamer and a constant learner, I don’t really accept when someone tells me that there is no solution to something.
2. What experience do you have in the construction industry?
I’ve been working in the construction industry for almost 10 years at a construction company. My business card has always had the title of project manager on it, but I’ve actually done everything that a construction company might ask for. From material packaging, task and financial planning, site and quality control, to company website development, I have had the opportunity to work in many areas. My background is in information systems management, so I have a pretty good understanding of different systems, even independent of IT.
3. What is your role in the development of iKont, who are you in the team?
As technology manager, I am responsible for both software and hardware development. In the beginning, I was the one who figured out how the functions should work, in coordination with my partners, because of my understanding of the day-to-day processes of the construction industry. Since then, new colleagues have started to work at the company who can be entrusted with the deeper functional designs that have been discussed. Thank you again for their work!
When it came to hardware, Sanyi had an idea from his experience of what would be worth placing at a construction site. We are developing this concept further and tryto implement the solutions we have in mind according to the technological possibilities. We also brought in external partners to help us, as we had less technical knowledge in this area at the beginning, but we dared to dream big.
Our team is constantly growing as we want to do most of our work in-house, but we continue to work with external software and hardware developers. We try to be agile in these areas, too.
4. What problems can be encountered during the construction works?
This could be listed day in and out, but I will highlight a few that the iKont system provides or will provide solutions to. Without being exhaustive:
- workers often don’t know what to do, what the next task will be,
- improper storage of work equipment,
- the “disappearance” of low and high value tools,
- work stoppage due to lost tools,
- inadequate management of staff check-ins and check-outs, incorrect management of wages and payments,
- lack of documentation of construction defects,
- slow reaction to the introduction and rescheduling of inappropriate or new tasks,
- inadequate management of materials and resources,
- lack of occupational safety
5. What other developments are planned for iKont?
Based on our experience and feedback, we see what the market needs are, and we have a basic functional and hardware concept. This development will be suitable for the digitalisation of construction companies, enterprises and, of course, large investors. In the future, we want to remain flexible and constantly improve the iKont system, both in terms of hardware and software solutions. We plan to implement a range of functions from materials management to project management and the connection between BIM and ERP systems. These are also shaped to a large extent by feedback from iKont users and emerging customer needs.
An additional feature will be, for example, a self-developed access control system, where customers will be able to choose from a variety of solutions. It will be available in probe and solar versions, with or without display, and even with a built-in image recorder. Or there is the camera system, where functional expandability is of paramount importance. Optionally, it will be possible to connect a drone to the system. In addition, we are also planning to use AR/VR technology.
6. Which of iKont’s current solutions is your personal favourite?
Software solutions are my basic favourites, but we can also be very proud of our hardware, for example the iKontBox. There is no other tool storage solution on the market that is modular and allows the customer to customise it as they wish, as their machine fleet requires (sizes, volume, colour, etc.).
7. Where do you see iKont in 10 years?
As the market leader in Hungary and the dominant construction system in many foreign markets, it is now referred to almost as a standard when the words “digitalisation of the construction industry” are mentioned. It’s almost impossible to start construction without at least one iKont smart container with iKontBox and iKont system to manage it all. On-site workers and subcontractors now specifically request that they would like to use iKont if they are not present.
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