Construction Technology: Year of The iPad

There is no question that Apple, www.apple.com has ushered in a new age of portable devices.  With the launch of the iPad this year, more and more companies are empowering their employees with the new mobile device.  While the iPad is not a fit for all construction companies, it does have the industry discussing the use of tablets out in the field.

Since the launch of the iPad in April, needs for construction companies have relatively stayed the same.  Contractors still require timely communication with field employees; access to realtime information including, payroll, daily logs, work orders and schedules.  Prior to April of this year there were solutions available to contractors that could help accomplish all of these items; how is the iPad any different?

Prior to iPad's launch, field employees had to work with limited graphical displays of mobile phones.  Trying to find the right solution was tough.  The alternative to a tiny mobile device was the laptop which is bulky and comes with a relatively high expense.  The great power of the iPad is its ability to deliver a full desktop experience regardless of location.

The iPad paired with the right web solution can provide realtime access to information from remote time keeping and field reporting, to service management.  hh2 Web Services has seen the continually growing trend of mobile solutions in the construction marketplace and recently announced full iPad integration for Sage STE Service Management with the release of hh2 Field Service.  hh2 plans to release other remote applications supported under the Apple iPad platform.

Construction companies are acknowledging the lower cost of entry when compared to other tablet devices on the market.  Although, there have been some concerns in the field regarding the iPad's durability and glare issues.  For more information on how to address these issues, refer to my prior blog entry "iPad Built for Construction" 

With the technology advancement of the iPad, construction companies will have greater options when it comes to remote time entry, field reporting and service management.

Jason Morrison
hh2 Web Services
www.hh2.com