The construction industry has come a long way in the last five years, technologically speaking according to Paul Brady, executive director of Connecticut Engineers in Private Practice and Connecticut Building Congress.

"Five years ago, only about half of design was being done on computers, but today that number is more than 90 percent," Brady said. "Now almost all work is being done on some sort of computer. Technology is definitely where people's initiatives are going, but the industry is still a little bit behind," said Tricia Johnson, MIS director for Fusco Corp. in New Haven and president of the Construction Institute's technology committee. "Construction tends to be a conservative industry People are not out there adopting the latest technology. Many are more likely to spend extra money on an excavator." "This industry has a history of family run businesses, some of which started in the backyard with a wheelbarrow and a pick-up truck," explained Minh Mai, MIS director for Haynes Construction Co. in Seymour. "With the current technology, every job site could be considered a job office. Technology can make communication more efficient with clients, as well as with others involved on a project."But if some companies are slow to change old habits, technology is changing construction work nonetheless.