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Are phone and cloud apps important to the construction industry? The answer is undoubtedly a yes. But how do GCs, subs, and the rest of the project team take advantage of these technologies?

We talked to Rob McKinney, a leading expert and consultant on construction apps and technology, and came up with 5 keys advantages that these 21st century tools will give you and your team.

Getting Rid of Paper

McKinney, who’s been in the industry for 12 years, began working when there were no computers on the jobsite. It’s only been in the last five years that he’s seen computers take on a greater role on construction sites. Up until recently, jobs were completely paper based. With the advent of the cloud and mobile technologies, the medium has quickly evolved into the digital space. Less paper means increased efficiency  as documents can be easily duplicated and searched. There’s also the added value of saving money on paper, one of the great hidden costs at most companies.

Work from Anywhere

As less paper gets used on the jobsite, mobile technologies like smartphones and tablets have become more common. These devices continue to be further integrated into everyday operations, allowing those in construction more flexibility. Contractors and their teams are no longer forced to work from a desktop computer in a jobsite trailer, but can take a tablet into the field to look at problems and find solutions.

Safety Increase

While not an app exactly, drones and wearables powered by apps are beginning to show a lot of potential in the construction space. The advance here is about making jobsites safer. McKinney sees drones being used to check on team members or inspect the integrity of a structure without having to put a person in harm’s way. Wearables could detect movements and hazardous conditions, increasing the safety precautions at a team’s disposable.

More Cloud Means Less Errors

Along with the popularity of mobile devices on the worksite comes the adoption of cloud technology. The cloud means one important thing for contractors: everyone is working from the same “page.” Instead of carrying multiple sheets of construction documents and worrying whether the whole team is on the most current set, all information can be uploaded to the cloud and made instantly accessible on any device, anywhere.

Greater Collaboration

Cloud-based platforms allow contractors an easy way to share and distribute project documents. Since all team members are working from a single source plan that lives in the cloud there’s no need to manually ensure that everyone is working from the latest set.

The trend forecast shows that construction firms are adopting the latest software and hardware to streamline their project operations. In many cases, these technologies are completing the same old processes. It’s become apparent that even though the methodologies are changing, the work remains the same. Before it was printing; now it’s cloud. Cloud apps are simply a new and easier way to get the job done.

Learn more about SKYSITE, ARC’s own construction cloud, and see these 5 advantages in action:

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Shea

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