digitalBAU 2026: Digitalization Becomes a Continuous Requirement

At digitalBAU 2026 in Cologne, one thing became clear: Digitalization in the construction industry has entered a new phase. What was once primarily driven by manufacturers and large construction companies is now extending across the entire value chain reaching all the way into the trades.

Stefan Jungen, Manfred Mayer, and Annika Müller attended on behalf of 4PACE, engaging with professionals from planning, industry, and execution.

The key takeaway: Digital processes are no longer a future topic, they are an expectation. The demand is for solutions that make information consistently available, reduce media disruptions, and efficiently connect all stakeholders within a project.

Four trends have become particularly apparent:

Digitalization reaches execution: Digital processes are increasingly impacting the trades. Information must be easily accessible, understandable, and directly usable, without system breaks.

Artificial Intelligence as a driver: AI is present across the industry. The focus is clearly on tangible value, such as structuring data, supporting decision-making, and increasing efficiency in planning and execution.

Modular and serial construction on the rise: Rising costs and efficiency pressure are driving standardized construction methods. This requires consistent data, clear structures, and scalable processes.

Partnerships as a key to successNetworking with existing and new partners also played an important role at digitalBAU. The discussions highlighted just how crucial a strong network is for the successful implementation of digital solutions.

Another notable aspect:

The next generation of professionals brings new expectations. Digital, intuitive solutions are becoming the norm, and the boundaries between B2B and B2C experiences are increasingly blurring.

Conclusion

The construction industry is moving toward end-to-end, data-driven processes. The demand is not for isolated tools, but for integrated approaches that connect product data, planning, configuration, and execution.

This is exactly where 4PACE comes in with solutions that reduce complexity, make data usable, and enable continuous digital processes.

Many thanks to all participants for the open exchange and valuable insights at digitalBAU 2026.