Should Your Construction Business Rely On Mobile Technology?

With eight out of 10 construction managers managing their projects through mobile devices, the industry has seen a strong adoption of mobile technology in construction. Mobile technology has radically changed the way of functioning for almost all the business sectors and the construction industry is no exception.

Today, around 79 percent of construction companies agree that mobile apps are important to their business.

How mobile phones and apps can impact building and construction

• Enhanced Communication. Communication is cited as one of the three top challenges construction managers face. Most construction projects require constant communication among multiple stakeholders, and any delays can prove to be counter-productive. Mobile technology facilitates immediate communication between the relevant parties via real-time document submission and mobile email that helps resolve conflicts efficiently. It is also important to note that adequate internet security measures should be in place while establishing mobile phone-based communication for enterprises.
• Better Organization of Data. Mobile phones and applications offer easy creation and organization of documents at a single-shared location, with quick access and easy retrieval. Thus, you can avoid the hassle of searching for documents or having to deal with incomplete documentation. However, it is important to note that some documents such as blueprints may not translate well to mobile devices in every given situation.
  The construction industry can also take advantage of the easy integration of the mobile apps with existing organizational systems in supply chain management, accounting and payroll.
• Increased Productivity and Accuracy. You can create and submit a report or send an email while on the field without having to drive back to your office. This eliminates the possibility of forgetting or missing anything to report due to the passage of time between the occurrence and reporting. Additionally, documentation can automatically be timestamped with the location and thus, could work as evidence in the event of legal disputes.
  There are also estimation apps that can help your business with cost-estimation. These applications are four times more likely to be accurate and help you stay ahead of the competition by allowing you to provide bids ahead of other companies.
  With Business Intelligence and Big Data in construction, supervisors can track team performance, project costs and field conditions with real-time reporting tools on their mobile devices. Innovative self-service business intelligence mobile apps help project managers to take corrective action and keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Saves Time. With less communication barriers and a reduced need for time-consuming phone calls, your team members can save a lot of time on the job with the right applications. Tracking time is challenging at job sites. Time tracking apps capture accurate data and help companies reduce payroll costs by up to eight percent.
• Improved Project Management. Statistics show that poor project management adds 27 percent of your project cost. Ninety-seven percent of business leaders think that the success of a project depends on efficient project management. With mobile technology at their disposal, supervisors and managers can immediately request for assistance or new equipment when needed to avoid project delays.
  Estimation apps for business construction technology can save almost six hours every week. Project managers can keep all the stakeholders informed of updates and changes, and track equipment and employees efficiently with fewer inaccuracies or loss of resources.
• Lower Costs. Around five percent of construction project costs are attributed toward errors. According to 65 percent of construction professionals, rework is the top reason for costs incurred during projects. With enhanced and accurate communication, there are fewer errors. Mistakes caught in the early stages of the project drastically reduce the chances of rework.
• Better Safety and Compliance. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in 2015, two-thirds of the top most commonly cited violations were found on construction sites. SiteDoc apps assist businesses to track worker certification, facilitate real-time safety monitoring and help businesses stay compliant by tracking more new documents each month.

While there are many benefits, employees at all levels should be trained to ease enterprise level transitions and make the adoption of mobile phones and applications successful. As with all technology, nothing can replace face-to-face communication. Thus, businesses should ensure that mobile phones and apps are support structures for clear and effective communication that should be the norm at any job site or boardroom.

The cost and time-saving features of mobile technology can be combined with modular construction to minimize construction time and project costs. Mobile Modular uses environment-friendly modular construction methods to reduce construction time and costs.

To learn how mobile and modular buildings can save you time and money on your next project, contact us or request a quote.