Just as a construction worker requires a certain set of tools to successfully perform his or her work, information technology (IT) in a construction company also requires specific tools. And, when used well, IT can create a competitive advantage.

Regardless of whether IT is performed in-house or by a third-party, CFMs must understand the following essential components of their IT toolkit in order to lead their organizations forward in leveraging technology:

• Hardware
• Reporting
• Software
• Communication
• Networks
• Security
• Databases
• Disaster Recovery
• Integration

Hardware

The first major tool is hardware – the physical aspects of computers and related devices, such as:

• Servers: Computers (or computer programs) that manage access to a centralized resource or service in a network (e.g., databases, accounting, or e-mail).
• Desktops or laptops: Computers used by individuals to store, retrieve, and process data.
• Mobile products: tablets, cell phones, or wearable devices often used for information consumption and increasingly for data generation/capture in the field.