This is an article written by ABC Strategic Partner Viewpoint, on technology in the construction industry. The below case study comes from a real-life example of using technology on a jobsite and was written by Viewpoint’s Mobile Product Manager Brian Fangipane.

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While on a large jobsite, marking off and photographing completed punch list items on a tablet, a project manager (PM) is interrupted by a video call from a foreman in another area of the site. It appears that a large object is obstructing the planned path for the access road and the foreman advises the PM of the impending delay. After reviewing the issue with the foreman, the PM studies the blueprints on his tablet and alters the path of the access road. Meanwhile, workers are still clocking in and out on a set of Android tablets set up in the back of a truck at the edge of the site. Their time is recorded and immediately sent to the cloud for office administration. 

Once the PM finishes reviewing the punch list items, a notification is sent to the owner who can review the list and any accompanying pictures in his office and approve with a digital signature. At the end of the day, the telematics units in each piece of heavy equipment transmit the day’s usage and other readings to the cloud so the foreman can review the crew’s time and record the field units put in place, all using his iPhone. 

The PM reviews the Daily Owner’s Report showing percent complete, labor hours, equipment usage, and the daily log summary, approves the hours from his tablet, sends the report via automatic routing to the owner, and waits for the owner’s digital signature. The construction business’ software sends a notification of the approval to the PM, generates an invoice automatically, and transmits it to the owner’s purchasing department for payment. 

At the end of the day, the PM can review the Work in Progress analytics and find that the project is under budget and ahead of schedule. 

Inspiration or Frustration?
Every day, more contractors—including your competitors--are leveraging contemporary construction software and mobile technology to effectively collaborate, speed up processes, increase cash flow, minimize risk, improve productivity, and deliver successful projects to satisfied clients for maximum profitability. 

When you’ve realized that your business will benefit from being mobile, you will want to be sure you invest in technology that allows you to accomplish a variety of tasks, including:

• Timely collection and analysis of accurate labor hours, equipment usage, and production units
• Video calls to more effectively illustrate problems and discuss solutions interactively
• Telematics for automated equipment usage and readings collection
• Mobile tablets used as time clocks set up near the work, rather than having to go to the trailer to clock in
• Review and approve documents in the field
• Interaction with the owner for faster payment
• Collecting, documenting, and approving punch lists
• Job site webcams, and using them to keep track of the job
• Capture photos to document job percent complete

It’s time to incorporate leading technology that empowers your workforce—your most valuable asset— and improves your competitive pace, which is essential for success and growth. 

If this isn’t your story, then you’ll find it as a source of inspiration or frustration because you’re limited with your current programs, wasting time, and not investing in the essential technology to move your business forward for best profitability.  

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About the Author
Barry Frangipane is Mobile Product Manager at Viewpoint. Viewpoint is a recognized leader in meeting the collaborative and information needs of the AEC industry, providing construction-specific software addressing all points of the construction lifecycle from preconstruction to building maintenance. For more information on Viewpoint, visit www.viewpoint.com.