- UK-based company Surespan constructs roof hatches and floor access covers for various infrastructure initiatives.
- It used a new security model and AR headsets to enable real-time communication on remote projects.
- This article is part of " Build IT: Connectivity a collection focused on technology driving improved business operations.
A stadium is built to attract notice, but one of its most intriguing features is frequently overlooked: the rooftop.
Surespan, a company based in the UK, has been involved in numerous large-scale construction endeavors worldwide, including the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the planet’s tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
It produces roof hatches and floor access covers — a minor yet crucial component of large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
Installing the system can be quite challenging. Field service personnel depend on the expertise of Surespan’s internal engineering team, typically situated many miles apart at the firm's main offices. Additionally, safeguarding confidential data is critical since the organization deals with classified details, particularly during projects involving governmental blueprints.
Surespan previously depended on phone calls and emails for collaboration among its team members. As the company expanded internationally, they sought a more efficient method. They adopted two technological approaches: implementing an advanced security system to securely access installation documents and utilizing augmented reality headsets to facilitate instantaneous communication during distant project assignments.
Although an engineer from Surespan informed Business Insider that the construction sector can often adhere to tradition and resist adopting new technologies, these methodologies have helped the firm save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Building a secure connection
Last year, Surespan set up an operational base in Argentina as part of its plan to expand its business in South America. But it wasn't a smooth setup: It experienced what Thomas Davies, the company's commercial director, described as a "nightmare situation" when the team in Argentina couldn't access critical design files for three days.
It had been using a virtual private network to manage digital connections.
"VPNs function on an implicit trust model," Spencer Summons, the founder of the cybersecurity firm Opliciti, said. "This approach can be likened to giving a user the keys to your office building, trusting they won't enter restricted areas."
As Surespan grew larger, its internalVPN started showing signs of strain and needed ongoing contractor assistance for setups at each new site. Additionally, the routing method used by this system funneled all traffic through overloaded central hubs, resulting in sluggish performance. This issue was particularly evident when they inaugurated their latest facility in Argentina; the heightened demand outpaced their capabilities, causing local staff to endure an extra three-day delay before gaining critical online access.
Robert Fletcher, who leads Surespan’s IT department, aimed to discover a more efficient method for users to access resources irrespective of where they were physically located. “It's essential to provide every user—whether they're at an office, working from a distant construction site, or on travel—with reliable, secure connectivity to corporate assets despite varying time zones and inconsistent local IT infrastructures,” Fletcher explained to BI.
Using Zscaler, a cloud security firm headquartered in San Jose, California, the organization transitioned to zero-trust network access. This security framework mandates ongoing verification and offers a more streamlined connectivity solution.
The company informed BI that ZTNAs operate under a “never trust, always verify” principle. He mentioned that businesses are actively looking for secure remote access solutions to safeguard their assets as they expand. Additionally, when operations span multiple countries, he noted, security grows even more critical since some areas are particularly susceptible to cyberattacks.
A 2024 survey from Gartner estimated that 63% of organizations worldwide had fully or partially applied a zero-trust strategy .
Although VPNs provide users with complete network access following the first login, ZTNA grants permissions solely to the required resources and continually authenticates them. According to Summons, this technology can be compared to "having multiple security officers verifying identification at every entrance, making sure that access to specific rooms and zones is restricted to individuals who have been properly authorized and authenticated."
Fletcher mentioned that Surespan’s latest system allowed staff members to reach essential tools, including design programs and project documents. He further noted that after the transition, problems related to dropped connections and sluggish performance have mostly been resolved due to the fact that ZTNAs link users straight to the required apps instead of directing them through an overloaded main data hub.
Introducing virtual assistance into the industry
A significant portion of Surespan’s operations relies on hands-on experience, involving field technicians who carry out installations at job sites for the company’s roof and floor hatches. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, they experimented with AR headsets as a means to link site personnel with Surespan’s engineering team remotely.
Mikolaj Wisniewski, a senior engineer at Surespan, stated to BI that due to severe travel limitations, they required a method for their seasoned engineers—who are frequently located in the UK—to provide remote assistance for the installation of intricate access systems at various global locations.
Field technicians utilize voice-activated headsets manufactured by RealWear, an augmented reality firm located in Vancouver, Washington. These devices enable office-based engineers at Surespan to view the installation location in real-time. Additionally, these tools facilitate document sharing, live annotations, and detailed guidance for addressing troubleshooting issues, conducting inspections, or executing intricate setup processes with the technician on-site.
Initially, the technique did not gain much popularity.
"Wisniewski mentioned that as with all emerging technologies, initial adoption faced challenges because of the steep learning curve and doubts regarding the use of the actual headsets. Construction typically adheres to conventional methods, so several team members preferred their accustomed practices—being present onsite or relying solely on voice calls and photographic updates," he explained.
Even though there was initial hesitation, Wisniewski mentioned that the team changed their minds once they tried out the headset. Nowadays, this equipment is utilized every time rapid remote assistance is required.
"Our site teams and our central engineering and support functions are now much more connected," Wisniewski added. "We receive instant visual context rather than having to deal with lengthy email chains or possibly unclear photos, providing immediate visual context."
Wisniewski mentioned that the use of AR headsets has helped the company save over $54,000 in flight and lodging costs that would have been necessary for engineers traveling to installation locations. Additionally, he noted that this technology led to a reduction in project delays.
Wisniewski further explained, 'It eliminates geographical obstacles and facilitates much richer, quicker collaboration.' He noted that the whole organization seems more agile and interconnected as an engineer based in the UK can offer immediate advice to someone located thousands of miles away.'
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