Insights from the FCON-Tech summit signal construction leaders want technology that delivers, not dazzles.
By Ian Moss, marketing leader for Australia & New Zealand at Payapps.
At this year’s FCON-Tech summit, I had the pleasure of listening to a panel of construction CEOs and CIOs cut through the buzzwords with a refreshingly honest message: technology in construction must solve real business problems.
Throughout the discussion, three priorities stood out as the lenses through which technology decisions are made: efficiency, cost and user experience. These principles are shaping how Australia’s top builders choose and scale digital tools.
Efficiency
Rising project complexity, tighter margins and compliance pressure are forcing contractors to look for efficiencies beyond the job site. Many are finding them in the back office, particularly in how progress claims, contract variations and approvals are managed.
Manual systems create friction: duplicate data entry, missed timeframes and inconsistent documentation. By contrast, digital claim management tools like Payapps automate submissions, approvals and compliance checks, cutting administrative time and freeing teams to focus on project delivery.
Efficiency is one reason why 28 of the builders named in BCI Central’s Construction League Australia 2025 report use Payapps to manage claims more efficiently across their projects.
Cost
For executives, technology investment comes down to measurable return on investment (ROI). Does it save time, reduce disputes and deliver a financial return?
Builders such as ADCO Constructions (#7) and Buildcorp (#12) have answered that question through results. Claims that once took days to process are now approved in minutes. Fewer errors and disputes mean lower project risk and more predictable cash flow.
At Sarah Constructions (#29), digitising claims has improved visibility for subcontractors and strengthened commercial relationships. It is a reminder that cost control isn’t only about dollars saved, but also trust maintained.
User experience
The panel also made it clear that technology shouldn’t add complexity; it should remove it. For teams under constant pressure, usability is critical.
“Technology doesn’t have to be complex to be impactful,” says Mark Ballinger, director of product strategy at Payapps. “We see builders streamline claims and approvals in a matter of weeks, freeing their teams to focus on more strategic work.”
Payapps’ simple interface, built-in compliance prompts and ERP integrations are examples of design that supports users.
Delivering value
The message I took away from FCON-Tech 2025 was that construction leaders want practical, proven technology that drives measurable outcomes. They’re not chasing the next shiny app; they’re backing tools that integrate seamlessly, deliver ROI and make life easier for their teams.
That philosophy is already playing out across the country. The builders setting the pace on productivity aren’t just digitising for the sake of it; they’re adopting construction technology that helps them work smarter, faster and with greater confidence.
And that’s exactly what technology like Payapps was built for.
Want to see how other builders are working smarter with progress claims? Explore more real stories at payapps.com/customer-stories.