Categories
Industry Insight

Improving Your Construction Software System to Handle Growth

A growing business is an exciting time with lots of great new opportunities, but will your current construction software be able to handle this? Many companies might take the ‘wait and see’ approach, which may be pragmatic, but also might leave your company behind and struggling to catch up.
The importance of accounting for growth when determining software needs
There are a variety of factors that may come into play that can force your company to enhance their software solutions – whether you are ready or not. It is not enough to simply maintain the status quo, you want to stay ahead of the curve. Understanding the needs of your business and the level at which your business is growing can really help to determine whether it is necessary to upgrade your software needs.

Signs growth is on the horizon
Construction Global recently explored some of the key indicators which may help to understand if your business, and therefore software needs, are growing. Taking on a big job can instantly increase your company’s software needs. As the amount of employees grows, your construction solution may need to grow as well, to be able to perform tasks such as accounting, payroll, inventory and equipment, reporting, and document management. Analyzing your current system is another important determining factor. Outdated systems and processes may hold your company back, and if there is a change required down the road, may prove to be even more costly. “Seventy to eighty percent of….IT spending was on maintaining legacy systems rather than investing in improvements. That may actually be an under-estimate.”

Using software that doesn’t align with your business needs can be another sign your system is ready for growth. When you are having to modify your processes to accommodate your current system, it may be an indication that your current system is not adequate. As your business continues to grow, simply patching these growth areas with a variety of different software packages can end up creating more problems than it solves. The issue is that data will be spread out amongst multiple systems, which makes it harder to attain a single version of the truth. Think about how much time and effort would be required importing and exporting data just to achieve this. By consolidating these systems into one integrated solution, decision makers will have a more clear understanding of their business.

For any company considering serious growth, having the right software system in place is an integral piece of the puzzle to achieving success. Companies who resist or delay this change, may find themselves on the outside looking in.

To get more information about our solution and how we can help you plan and manage your growth click HERE.

Categories
Trends & Technology

Mobile APPs

The availability of high-speed internet on smartphones has allowed construction professionals to gradually increase their use of mobile devices on the field. The types of applications that are being used in the industry range from Invitation to Bid, Field Data Collection, and BIM, to Estimating and CRM.

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The top 10 FREE desktop & web-based software APPs are described below:

  • Dropbox – Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them easily. Never email yourself a file again!
  • Google Earth – Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.
  • GoToMeeting – Work can happen anytime, anywhere. GoToMeeting with HD video conferencing is a simple yet powerful way to collaborate in real time.
  • Google DriveDrive starts you with 15 GB of free Google storage, so you can keep pictures, stories, designs, drawings, recordings, videos – anything.
  • Skype – Skype is a telecommunications application software that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls from computers, tablets and mobile devices via the Internet to other devices or telephones/smartphones.
  • Box – Box Inc. is an online file sharing and personal cloud content management service for businesses.
  • SketchUpSketchUp is 3D modeling software that’s easy to learn and incredibly fun to use.
  • Microsoft Office 365 Live – From home to business, from desktop to web and the devices in between, Office delivers the tools to get work done.
  • Join.Me – Instant screen sharing with powerful meeting tools and unlimited audio.
  • YouSendit – A cloud service that lets users send, receive, digitally sign and synchronize files.

construction Apps

A few more cloud-based construction software related APPs:

  • AutoCAD 360AutoCAD 360 is a free 2D CAD software that lets you create and share stunning drawings and DWG files from any device.
  • Bentley Navigator – Bentley Navigator is used by infrastructure teams to review and analyze project information.
  • BIM 360 Field – BIM 360™ Field is field management software for 2D and 3D environments that combines mobile technologies at the construction site with cloud-based collaboration and reporting.
  • BlueBeam – Bluebeam Revu combines powerful PDF editing, markup and collaboration technology with reliable file creation.
  • Construction Master 5 – The Construction Master 5 is the essential tool for serious building professionals. Easy-to-use in the field or office it meets the need for fast, accurate construction- math solutions.
  • DeWALT Mobile Pro – A calculation and reference tool for construction pros.
  • MagicPlan – Create an inside map with your mobile device without measuring nor drawing.
  • Onsite Planroom – Access your plans and files for viewing, sharing and commenting from the convenience of your iPad.
  • PlanGrid – PlanGrid is a mobile construction blueprint replacement app and platform that provides real-time updates and seamless file synching over Wi-Fi and cellular radio.

Take some time to research the above applications in more detail and see how they can be incorporated in your construction business.

Stay tuned for more news regarding the Jonas Premier Field Mobile APP!