The need for mobile systems has always existed in the construction industry. After all, projects aren't completed in the office. Construction company teams find themselves across the region, sometimes in remote locations, needing to communicate with owners, architects, project managers, and the home office, all from a distance. As such, technological advancements are welcomed with open arms by contractors, home builders, and others in the construction sector. Mobile computing and remote access are two prime examples.
In 2018, over 90% of respondents to JB Knowledge's Con Tech Survey said a mobile plan or app is a must-have for their current processes. Another survey from Viewpoint found 100% of construction workers carry smartphones, enabling the use of mobile and web-based apps to power communication, data collection, and real-time reporting. So, what benefits can a firm expect if they pursue con tech with fervor? Here are the top five.
1. Streamlines Workflows
Crews in the field have a lot on their plates, from the actual construction process to the data collection and reporting procedures that can bog down their schedules. However, with intuitive interfaces and built-in functionality for collecting data and automating repetitive processes, implementing the right mobile app into your team's day will help simplify and reduce the workload of field crews.
Purchase orders can be sent with a single click, issues can be logged with ease, and up-to-date documents and drawings remain at a contractor's fingertips. This automation and simplification ensures that the crews on site, the teams at home, and all stakeholders in between have the information they need to stay on track for on-time and on-budget completion with fewer communication gaps and delays.
2. Reduces Human Error
No matter how diligent we are, some degree of human error is inescapable; the introduction of automation is the only thing that can truly prevent it. By utilizing apps that automate data collection and reporting, your crews will no longer have to rely on pen-and-paper or spreadsheet reporting. Eliminating the use of disconnected software saves them time and reducing manual input improves accuracy and speed across the board.
By incorporating automation, a construction company will also see fewer delays and mistakes as a result of late, lost, missing, and inaccurate data. When it comes to auditing internal data, automation even negates the need for someone to chase a paper trail or hunt down answers — simply search digital records to pull the necessary information.
3. Aids Collaboration
Construction projects can grow massively complex with dozens of internal and external stakeholders wanting information and input, presenting the biggest challenge: Staying on the same page. While it sounds simple on paper, keeping teams aligned is tough. The right project and document management system makes it easier, as it will connect straight to your ERP software, ensuring everyone has access to the most up-to-date information in real time.
The crew in the field can be alerted to updates coming from the home office as soon as they're live, eliminating the need for the actual home builder to wait around for an email or phone call — and vice versa. Meanwhile, the system can alert subcontractors, project owners, architects, and others whenever data or updates that are relevant to them go live.
4. Cuts Administrative Work
Automation and real-time collaboration reduce back-office administrative work, as your team will no longer need to chase down reports, send emails, or make phone calls looking for the latest information. Nor will they need to process and review reports that various teams send in, or go through the trouble of forwarding them to the subsequent parties.
Using the desktop or mobile app, everyone can enter data quickly and conveniently, and it will be instantly retrievable and reviewable for all departments. So, instead of dealing with the touch labor associated with traditional reports, your team can spend more time on what matters — analyzing highly accessible data and extracting insights to inform future decisions.
5. Boosts Profitability
By increasing productivity across the board, mobile technology automatically works to boost profitability for every project your team completes. Cutting out paper and manual processes saves time, but improving data capture and information accessibility further streamlines operations while helping stakeholders identify and avoid potential delays and hurdles well in advance.
With the construction industry operating on thin margins, mobile technology can give your firm the cutting-edge approach it needs to reduce costs, save time, and ensure client satisfaction by keeping your teams on time and on budget with greater ease.
Supporting Modern Construction
There's no question that mobile technology has a major role to play in boosting the efficiency and competitiveness of any modern construction firm. Without it, your teams will continue to waste time on manual processes that are prone to error and bound to cause delays and result in unnecessary costs. With the right mobile solution, you can ensure improved productivity, helping everyone stay in-the-loop and on schedule.
Interested in learning more about how a mobile solution can help your construction firm sharpen its competitive edge? Contact Dymin Systems for more information.
