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CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY32 CPI %u2013 Concrete Plant International %u2013 4 | 2025 www.cpi-worldwide.comThe implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) has led to significant optimization of production chains in various sectors. In industries such as machinery manufacturing, IoT has played a central role in enabling the shift toward Industry 4.0, resulting in measurable productivity gains. The construction industry presents unique challenges, as each building is a one-of-a-kind structure, created under unique conditions. Unlike in manufacturing, its production steps are rarely interconnected. This article explores the benefits of embracing data-driven optimization in concrete construction and highlights HUCKEPACK, a real-world example of how retrofitted sensor modules and smart analytics can piggyback on existing machinery to drive productivity, reduce costs, and ensure quality.Advancements in digitalization in the construction and craft sectors in Germany have long lagged behind other industries in terms of investment and productivity gains, there is a growing recognition of its potential to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and efficiency. Recent studies highlight that while current digital initiatives often focus on basic technologies, the outlook is shifting toward integrated, service-oriented platforms and end-to-end digital value creation systems as key drivers of future transformation [1, 2]. The challenges of adopting digital technologies affect the construction industry in general and are not limited to countries like Germany, where overly complex regulations lag behind technological developments and hinder innovation. As highlighted by Lu et al. (2024), technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly seen as key enablers of sustainability and efficiency. Their adoption frequently faces systemic barriers inherent to the industry, including poor data quality, lack of standardization, limited interoperability, high costs, and a shortage of digital expertise. Additionally, fragmented stakeholder collaboration and organizational resistance to change remain persistent issues. These global patterns underscore the need for a more integrated, data-driven, and collaborative approach to fully unlock the potential of digital technologies in construction [3].The construction industry is on the turn of a digital transformation. Across the entire value chain, from how concrete is produced in plants to how it is delivered and placed on site and emerging data regulations, the EU Data Act for example, are actively shaping how data governance is handled, imposing obligations like open data accessibility [4]. Combined with advances in connectivity and edge computing [5], these developments are breaking down data silos and accelerating the shift towards smarter, more efficient operations. The production of concrete (ready-mix concrete) at the plant is typically disconnected from the sourcing of the raw materials, the transport to the construction site is often unmonitored and once the concrete arrives, the pump receives the material without any real-time data context. The casting and curing processes, in turn, are treated as yet another separate stage. The information produced in the production chain is not linked. While fresh concrete properties are typically evaluated using standardized tests, such as slump or consistency measurements, these are based on isolated samples and offer only point-in-time information. In contrast, inline monitoring provides continuous data throughout the entire process. This fragmented approach can be significantly improved. By connecting these stages through data and smart monitoring, construction workflows can become more productive, consistent in quality and safer.Despite the mentioned challenges, emerging examples from both research and practice demonstrate that the effective implementation of digital technologies in the construction sector can deliver substantial benefits, from improved sustainability and efficiency to enhanced safety on construction sites. The push for digitalization in construction extends to each stage of the concrete value chain. In production, concrete batching and precast manufacturing are becoming more data-driven. Sensors embedded in mixers, concrete trucks, concrete pumps, molds, and curing chambers continuously log parameters like moisture, temperature, and strength development. These data streams feed into production control systems, helping operators optimize mix designs and timing. Optimization in Concrete Construction %u2013 Across the Production PipelineDigitalizationn Daniil Mikhalev, Roman Rezaev, Viktor Mechtcherine, Institut f%u00fcr Baustoffe / Technische Universit%u00e4t Dresden, Dresden, GermanyDario Cotardo / Liesen...alles f%u00fcr den Bau GmbH, Lingen, Germany