7 Ways Mobile Apps Are Transforming the Construction Industry

The construction industry is constantly evolving, and now that most construction professionals have smartphones with them at all times, there is a great opportunity to improve efficiency, reduce costs and speed up project timelines with mobile solutions.

Construction managers have a lot to keep track of - teams, subcontractors, daily progress, equipment, quotes, bylaws, hours, and the list goes on. When some or all of that information requires juggling spreadsheets or a paper trail, it increases headaches and hurts productivity.

Mobile technology that allows real-time information to be collected and sent to the office is changing the face of the construction industry. This technology is being used to track daily activities and critical information and streamline collaboration between teams in the field and at the office.

Here are 7 ways mobile apps are making a difference in the construction industry.

1. Reduced construction delays

Gathering real-time information at the job site, such as trades and contractors present at the site, construction progress, or incidents can reduce overall project delays. This critical information helps to bring issues to light that might put projects on hold, and keep construction on schedule.

2. Improved communication with owners and project stakeholders

Completing daily reports at the job site on mobile devices and sending automated emails can tighten the communication loop with project stakeholders. When all parties involved in the project have access to the same information at the same time, errors are reduced and issues requiring attention can be addressed faster.

3. Increased back-office efficiency

By eliminating the use of paper and spreadsheets, construction companies can save hundreds of hours spent on data entry, collating information for reporting, or looking for paperwork that has been lost or filed away. Increasing back-office efficiency allows projects to be run leaner, and completed on time and on budget.

4. Better accountability of field staff

Staff travel times, GPS locations and time spent on-site can all be consistently monitored with mobile apps. This improves accountability and reduces labour costs. Costs can be also reduced with mobile timesheets that record clock-in/clock-out times to the minute.

5. More accurate project documentation

Using mobile apps to capture information at the job site improves accuracy and reduces issues that arise from illegible handwriting, inconsistent data, and information gaps. Photos, GPS, time stamps and signatures captured on-site to provide an accurate and indisputable audit trail for the project, delivering accountability to clients or evidence in legal disputes.

6. Better equipment management

Construction companies that use a database-driven mobile solution can maximize the use of equipment through better management and tracking. Real-time information about maintenance schedules, availability, and equipment locations help to improve inventory planning and use.

7. Real-time mobile access to plans, bylaws

With apps that provide two-way access to information, construction companies can file electronic versions of drawings, plans or bylaws for quick offline access by teams in the field. This improves productivity and reduces the need for re-work. 

Reblog from: Flowfinity,. "7 Ways Mobile Apps Are Transforming The Construction Industry". Flowfinity.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.