This story is based on actual events. While on a large job site marking off and photographing completed punch lists items on his tablet, the project manager 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. The PM reviews the issue with the foreman, studies the blueprints on his tablet, and alters the path of the access road, noting the change on the blueprints. Meanwhile, workers are clocking in and out on a bank of Android tablets set up in the back of a truck at the edge of the site, adjacent to the day’s work. Their time is recorded immediately and sent to the cloud for back office administration.
With the PM having completed his review of the punch list items, a notification of the finished punch lists items is sent to the owner. The owner reviews the list and accompanying photographs in his office, and approves the completed items 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. The foreman has reviewed time for the crew and has recorded the field units put in place, all using his iPhone.
Just before dinner, the PM reviews the Daily Owner’s Report showing percent complete, labor hours, equipment usage, and the daily log summary. Approving the hours from his tablet, he sends the report via automatic routing to the owner, who reviews it and digitally signs it while heading out of town on an airplane. 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.
The PM reviews the WIP analytics, sees that the project is under budget and ahead of schedule. With peace of mind, he shuts off his tablet and calls it a productive day.
Inspiration or Frustration?
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. More contractors (think of your competitors) are leveraging contemporary construction software and mobile technology to effectively collaborate, speed processes, increase cash flow, minimize risk, improve productivity, and deliver successful projects with satisfied clients for best profitability.
When you’ve realized it’s time that your business reaps the benefits of being mobile, you want to 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
How will you turn the page in your business? It’s an exciting time to incorporate leading technology that empowers your workforce (your most valuable asset) and improves your competitive pace (essential for success and growth).
This content is sponsored by Viewpoint in collaboration with CMD Media. To learn more about Viewpoint, visit www.viewpoint.com.
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