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

iPad Built for Construction

Just like the iPhone being used in the construction industry, the question most often that comes up is "what kind of abuse can it take"?  Is the iPad worth the investment to construction companies looking for a mobile field solution?  Just how durable is the iPad on the job?

I have now owned my iPad for a few months since it was first released.  After seeing several durability tests performed online, it was apparent that the iPad with it's large screen is more acceptable to damage.  Small drops on to pavement showed glass damage to the screen.  The durability of the iPad was not near the same as the iPhone when dropped from the same distance on to a hard surface.

The following video demonstrates the durability of the device from a small drop:



The device clearly does not hold up to any hard surface drops. The alternative is to use a durable case such as the new Otterbox Defender series for the iPad.  Using the case now turns the the iPad into a valuable field solution that can hold up to the daily abuse on a construction site.

This next video reviews the Otterbox Defender case for iPad:



The case appears to be solid  and the price of $89 is relatively inexpensive for this type of solution.  You can see in this next video a much better outcome when using a durable case like the Otterbox:



Drops from the same level using a durable case prove that the iPad can hold up to a beating on the job.  Always protect your investment. With proper care these devices can last a long time and prove to be a great tool out in the field.


Jason Morrison
hh2 Web Services
www.hh2.com

A Better Way of Field Reporting

Ensuring that a job is completed effectively is not based solely on a finished product; there are lots of factors that need to be considered.  Managing a job requires the collection of field information at every stage throughout the project.

This single task can be a very time consuming process that involves creating hand written reports, which then have to be submitted back to the main office.  This process makes it difficult for construction companies to review different stages in the project life cycle because they do not have immediate access to the data.

Through technology and the use of hh2 Web Services, construction companies can better assess their jobs through web based field reports.  Hh2 Field Reports enables field workers to replace paper with netbooks and tablet PC's.  Valuable job information along with photos and other project -critical data is shared remotely using the web.  Company management is then  able to analyze the daily information in  real-time  and print out the reports using Adobe PDF or Microsoft Excel.

Having field reports is an important component when analyzing project quality and safety.  Incidents and safety issues can be documented instantly.  This information can be very useful in future projects and occurrences of litigation.  With the ability to collect job information from the field in real-time, construction companies can be more effective at identifying performance trends as they occur.

In conclusion, there is no longer a need to fill out handwritten reports … be sure to visit http://www.hh2.com and see how hh2 Field Reports can help your construction company better manage field reporting over the web.  

Jason Morrison
Director Project Implementation & Training
www.hh2.com

The Impact of Mobile Apps

Whether you are looking for a better way to log employee time on a project, take measurements on the jobsite, or access important hr documents, the right tool for the job is one you most likely already have: a smartphone.  With advancing cell phone technology, the industry is benefiting from the development of construction productivity tools found in mobile applications.

Photo courtesy of Toolmonger (http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/05/five-toolmonger-uses-for-your-iphone/ )

For jobsite field employees looking to simplify a day on the job, there are a number of simple, mobile construction apps available in the marketplace.  Recent examples are applications that can turn your phone into a ruler, a unit converter and calculator, or a leveling device.

Mobile app developers such as hh2 Web Services  has also led to an array of new apps with much more complex functionalities.  These solutions take construction productivity software to the next level by integrating key aspects of the jobsite onto a mobile platform which enables businesses to be more efficient and cost-effective.

Apple (www.apple.com) has recently unleashed the Apple  iPad.  The iPad is quickly becoming a staple technology for the construction industry with it's amazing power and price.  The iPad's mobile technology is ideal for construction companies, where portability and accessibility is key.

hh2 Web Services has recently released their iPhone and iPad, "My Documents" app that allows hh2 users to access their paystubs, company documents, employee benefits and the ability to submit a change request to the home office.  Employees having access to their information in the field proves to be invaluable and has an immediate cost savings to the company.  Examples include the discontinued use of mailing paper paystubs and miscellaneous company forms to employees.  hh2 plans to release a mobile app for Remote Payroll which will give office and field employees the ability to job cost time from their iPhones.

Jason Morrison

hh2 Web Services

Director Project Implementation & Training

www.hh2.com

Forecasting Your Way to Efficiency

Service Management,  Payroll, Field Reporting, and Human Resources are four areas that have a huge impact on the construction industry.  I am always amazed by the cost savings and efficiency gains achieved when I help implement one of these four web based solutions at hh2.  I work with clients every day that are managing their projects the "old school" way and are looking for change.  Although the construction industry has been built around brick, mortar, steel and hard labor, technology has a huge role in this field.  

Wireless technology has changed the playing field in the construction industry.  Project  Managers and field superintendents are no longer tied to a desktop, or lugging around large laptops to access or update job information.  Gone are the days when construction technology amounted to faxing in paper time sheets.  Consider new alternatives to managing your business through the latest technology.

 The use of advanced technology has lagged in the construction industry.  Several reasons include the boom and bust economic cycle to which the industry is subject, which can make it difficult for companies to maintain consistent technological progress.  Also, it takes time for technology to be embraced on the jobsite.  While this is partially true, in my experience I have found that contractors are quick to adopt new technologies once they discover the dramatic effect it has on their job efficiency.  

If these obstacles can be overcome, the application of web based technology will have numerous benefits. Something as simple as communication between the office and field employees has been revolutionized by technology.  hh2's success in web based construction services is a testament to the many construction companies who use our products remotely.

A recent success story includes a testimonial from a large contractor who was able to cut payroll processing time from 30 hours to three.  The time saved using hh2 Remote Payroll,  was rolled over to  other office activities sensitive to tight deadlines.  

In conclusion, let hh2 Web Services help you implement and change your business by managing information in new, dynamic ways and by creating collaborative data paths to interact with crews, contractors and customers.  Isn't it time you take advantage of technology and find ways to be more efficient?

Jason Morrison

hh2 Web Services

Director Project Management & Implementation

www.hh2.com