What 1,000+ Builder and Supplier Conversations at IBS 2026 Reveal About Construction Technology 

The Reality Behind the Buzz 

IBS 2026 was loud. AI was everywhere. New Software. Bold claims. Big promises about transforming the construction software landscape. 

But when you stepped off the show floor and into real conversations with Builders and Suppliers, a different story emerged. Across more than 1,000 conversations, the themes were consistent and far more grounded than the headlines. 

This wasn’t about chasing the next big thing. It was about something much more fundamental: 

          certainty, efficiency, and control in an increasingly complex environment. 

As one of the longest-standing providers of residential construction software, Hyphen Solutions has a unique vantage point across both sides of the supply chain, Builders and Suppliers, which continues to shape how we see the market evolving. 

ROI Is the Starting Point for Residential Construction Software Decisions 

One of the most common reactions we heard was: “This looks great… but what does it actually save me?” 

That question didn’t come at the end of the conversation; it came at the beginning. 

Builders and Suppliers are evaluating software through a financial lens from the very first conversation. CFO-level questions are showing up earlier, and decisions are being shaped by cost control, cash flow visibility and risk reduction. 

There’s also a clear underlying tension. Many Builder teams are navigating tighter margins, slower demand, and increased pressure to do more with less. That’s translating into heightened price sensitivity and very little appetite for surprises when it comes to onboarding new software. 

We’re seeing this shift play out across the residential construction software market. ROI isn’t a differentiator anymore; it’s the price of entry. And increasingly, the expectation is that value should be measurable, visible, and understood before a decision is even made. 

At Hyphen, this is exactly why we’ve been focused on helping Builders and Suppliers quantify value through connected data, real-time visibility, and automation across the construction lifecycle. 

AI in Construction Is in Demand, but Automation Is the Real Need  

Most teams asking about AI aren’t actually asking for AI, they’re asking for fewer manual steps. 

Nearly every conversation included some version of: “What are you doing with AI?” But when we dug deeper, what Builders and Suppliers really wanted was simple: 

• Automate manual work 

• Get faster, more accurate reporting 

• Simplify day-to-day operations 

AI dominated the messaging at IBS including talk around assistants, copilots with bold promises. But in real conversations, the need was far more practical: streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve visibility into the business. 

AI has become branding. Automation is still the unmet need. 

Builders and Suppliers want to make sure they’re not falling behind, but many are still working through what “AI” should actually do for their business. That gap between expectation and execution is where real opportunity exists. 

From our perspective, as a solution provider supporting Builders and Suppliers across millions of homes, the focus isn’t on adding more AI for the sake of it. It’s about embedding intelligence into the workflows teams rely on every day, where automation, reporting, and decision-making happen seamlessly in the background. 

 Builders and Suppliers Are Experiencing Tool Fatigue 

Another theme that came up repeatedly: “We already have too many systems.”  

Tool fatigue is real. 

Builders and Suppliers are juggling multiple platforms, logins, and disconnected workflows. Data lives in too many places and teams are stretched and the idea of introducing another system feels more overwhelming than exciting.  

The result is where the real problem begins. The more tools you add, the less any of them get used and the less value they deliver. Adoption drops, data becomes fragmented, and ROI starts to disappear. 

More tools, less adoption. More systems, less visibility. 

What stood out is that people aren’t looking to add, they’re looking to simplify. 

• fewer systems 

• easier adoption 

• solutions that fit into how they already work 

This is where the idea of a connected ecosystem becomes critical but only if it reduces complexity, not adds to it. 

This is the thinking behind the Hyphen Hub, a connected ecosystem where Builders and Suppliers operate on shared data across construction management, supply chain, and financial workflows, without adding more disconnected tools. 

 Integration Has Become a Baseline Expectation 

One of the most telling shifts: Many conversations started with the question about software integrations before they asked about functionality. 

Questions like: 

• “Does this have accounting system integration?” 

• “Can this connect to our warranty solution?” 

• “How easy is it to plug into what we already use?” 

This reflects a major shift, and one of the most significant changes in how Builders evaluate residential construction software. If a system can’t clearly connect into existing accounting, warranty or ERP workflow, its quickly ruled out. Construction software is no longer evaluated as a standalone solution; it’s judged by how seamlessly it fits into an existing ecosystem. 

At the same time, competitors are getting very good at positioning integration. Open APIs, plug-and-play messaging, seamless connectivity, it’s setting a new expectation, regardless of what’s happening behind the scenes.  

This is something we’re paying close attention to. Because while connectivity has always been a core strength within the Hyphen ecosystem, particularly through solutions like SupplyPro and SupplyPro Connect – the expectation now is not just that it works, but that it’s clear, simple, and visible from the very first conversation. 

Trust and Proven Results Matter More Than Ever 

There was a noticeable shift in tone this year and conversations felt more focused, more intentional and less exploratory. Buyers are no longer impressed by speed claims. They’re questioning them. Proof is replacing promises. 

We heard hesitation around: 

• “Fast implementation” claims 

• bold promises without proof 

• newer solutions without a track record 

In a crowded market filled with new players with bold messaging, trust has become a critical differentiator. Prospects are looking for confidence in their software solutions and they want to know: 

• who has done this before 

• what the real outcomes are 

• whether it will actually work for their business 

That’s where experience, scale, and long-term partnerships start to matter more than ever.  

With more than 565 Builders and 18,000 Suppliers connected through the Hyphen network, and powering 1 in 3 new homes built in the U.S., we see firsthand how critical trust and proven results are in driving adoption and long-term success. 

The Challenge Isn’t Software, It’s Adoption 

One comment stood out: “We bought BuildPro in 2021… and now we’re finally trying to use it.” 

This wasn’t an isolated moment. Many teams are still working to fully adopt the solutions they already have. And at the same time, there’s a growing demand for better reporting, clearer insights, and more centralized data. 

The issue isn’t access to software, its’s turning that software solution into real operational value. This is where the conversation is starting to shift. It’s not just about what a residential construction solution can do. It’s about how quickly teams can adopt it, how easily they can use it, and how effectively it supports decision-making across the business. 

At Hyphen, we see this as a critical opportunity, helping customers unlock more value from the solutions they already have by connecting workflows and centralizing data across the lifecycle. 

The Supply Chain Remains the Foundation of Construction 

One thing that hasn’t changed and that is the supply chain remains a foundational driver of value when adopting new residential construction software. 

Builders continue to rely on connected Supplier networks and we see this every day across the Hyphen network, where Builders, Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Trades collaborate in real-time. 

At the same time, Suppliers are evolving. Many are now focused less on Builder integration and more on solving their own internal challenges, particularly around order management, billing, and operational efficiency. 

This shift reinforces something we’ve seen for a long time: when both sides of the network are connected and optimized, the entire construction process becomes more efficient. 

There’s Still a Gap Between Construction Software and Understanding 

As software offerings expand, clarity and adoption become harder. 

Builders and Suppliers aren’t just evaluating features, they’re trying to understand where solutions fit, how they connect, and what role they play within their broader ecosystem. 

That showed up in conversations in a few different ways: 

• Uncertainty around where solutions fit within existing workflows 

• Difficulty identifying which solution is the right starting point 

• Questions around how systems connect and work together 

Even for established solutions, this gap still exists. We heard variations of: “What exactly does this platform do?”; not because the value isn’t there, but because the ecosystem is growing and becoming more comprehensive. 

At the same time, we saw increasing interest from adjacent markets such as Remodelers, Service Contractors, and Trades who aren’t traditionally part of the new residential construction conversation. 

This creates both a challenge and an opportunity. 

As residential construction software solutions continue to expand, how they are positioned and communicated becomes just as important as the technology itself. Clarity drives adoption and without it, even the most connected solutions can feel complex. 

Innovation in Construction Tech Must Be Visible 

IBS made one thing very clear: Perception is moving fast. 

There’s an influx of new companies entering the construction software space, many of them leading with modern interfaces, strong messaging, and heavy AI positioning. 

Even without long-term proof, they’re capturing attention and this creates a new dynamic. It’s not enough to innovate, you have to show that innovation clearly and consistently. 

This is something we’re actively focused on, continuing to invest in innovation across our solutions while making those advancements more visible and tangible to our customers and prospects. 

Why This Ultimately Comes Down to People 

Among all the conversations, one moment stood out: “You may have just saved my marriage.” It was said half-jokingly, but it captured something real. 

Behind every conversation about residential construction software, efficiency, and ROI is a human reality: 

• long hours 

• operational stress 

• teams trying to keep up 

When systems work better, everything works better not just the business, but the people behind it. 

Where Construction Software Is Heading Next 

If there’s one thing IBS 2026 made clear, it’s this: The residential construction industry is shifting from exploration to execution. 

• From features → to outcomes 

• From curiosity → to caution 

• From adding tools → to simplifying solutions 

• From hype → to proof 

Builders and Suppliers aren’t asking, “What’s new?”. They’re asking: “What works and how quickly can it deliver value?” 

And for us, that’s the opportunity. At Hyphen, we’re focused on continuing to deliver exactly that – helping Builders and Suppliers operate more efficiently, reduce complexity, and make better decisions through connected data across the residential construction lifecycle. 

If these themes sound familiar, you’re not alone. These are the same challenges we’re working alongside Builders and Suppliers to solve every day.