It’s no surprise that mobile technology has revolutionized every industry, including the construction sector. When you visit a construction site, you will find workers, contractors, and project managers using smartphones and tablets to accomplish their tasks.

You will see contractors maneuvering drones using tablets and workers tracking their time with mobile timecards. You would also find construction managers monitoring the work schedule and budget using tablets, and contractors compiling project reports using smartphones.

With the help of construction apps, mobile technology can improve efficiency in construction sites. Be it project scheduling, project management, risk management, or back-office work; these apps can be helpful in numerous ways. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) can act as intermediaries for various software from different teams to work together or be a central data collation point. Provided that proper network security is adhered to and measures are put in place to combat the owasp top 10 list of vulnerabilities which could damage businesses, having mobile technology and software as part of construction is a large step into the future for the industry with boundless potential for making the job more efficient and accurate.

Adoption of Mobile Technology in Construction

Adoption of Mobile Technology in Construction
It is undeniably clear that mobile technology is transforming the construction sector. Many construction firms continue to adopt technology due to its lasting benefits. Mobile technology can help companies improve their productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

While most construction companies are aware of how mobile technology can be helpful, it is quite challenging to understand why it is still underutilized. One of the possible reasons for that could be the failure to understand the impacts of digital solutions on construction.

Key Drivers of Mobile Technology in Construction

The construction industry is currently experiencing problems such as low productivity, skilled labour shortage, and the lack of trust among workers. That explains the need for mobile technology to streamline construction workflow.
Key Drivers of Mobile Technology in Construction
The global growth in labour productivity in construction hasn’t met the one per cent average for the last two decades. Considering that, we look at mobile technology as the most resourceful tech at hand.

According to a report by IDG Research Services, some of the key drivers of mobile tech in the construction sector include:

  • High demand for real-time data and information
  • Increasing mobile-savvy workforce
  • Executive demand for mobile tech

Driven by factors mentioned above, mobile technology is expanding construction capabilities on all fronts. Be it employees working in the field; construction mechanics repairing equipment in shops; or in-office managers supervising projects.

Why Construction Firms Should Adopt Mobile Technology

Adoption of mobile technology in construction processes can tremendously streamline workflow in the field, office, and mechanic shop. For that reason, construction companies need to adopt mobile tech to improve their productivity and quality of services.

Mobile technology grants construction firms an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage in the market. That is because it helps general contractors keep good records of project reports, schedules, time tracking sheets, progress reports, equipment, and invoices.

Benefits of Mobile Technology in Construction

Benefits of Mobile Technology in Construction
Now that you understand how mobile technology plays into improving efficiency and accuracy in construction, let’s delve a bit deeper into its applications and advantages.

1. Promotes Real-Time Collaboration

Mobile construction apps provide a collaborative platform that brings together contractors, supervisors, construction managers, engineers, architects, and project owners. By involving every stakeholder in decision making, it promotes integrated project delivery (IDP) in construction. Click here for more info about IDP systems.

With a well-established collaborative system, workers can quickly report problems to their supervisors who will, in turn, respond promptly. There is no need for employees to wait for contractors to review and send paper sheets. Employees can send online documents and collaborate in a paper less way with Microsoft Teams which is a cloud based team collaboration tool. They can directly feed information in workers’ tablets or smartphones.

2. Increases Productivity and Efficiency

When it comes to project management, mobile technology has helped many construction managers streamline processes and workflows on construction sites. Contractors can now use cloud construction apps to manage and supervise projects remotely.

With the help of construction apps, project managers can quickly assign tasks, evaluate equipment, schedule activities, track time, manage orders, and conduct field inspections. That allows general contractors to make informed decisions, improving their productivity.

Improved project management also promotes efficiency across project teams. A report by On Center states that 80 per cent of construction companies are already using mobile technology to manage projects.

3. Promotes Quality Record Keeping

Like any other project, better record-keeping in a construction project is essential. With mobile technology, project managers can collect real-time data from the field and analyze it. Contractors can use the construction apps in their tablets to keep track of employee performance, construction costs, and site conditions.

One of the greatest ways to promote better record keeping is by using cloud construction apps. With cloud-based solutions, you can access all the project data from anywhere using any device. It also allows workers on-site to file their daily reports, work records, and time cards using tablets or mobile phones.

4. Enhances Health and Safety of Workers

Mobile technology in construction is not all about using construction apps to manage and supervise projects. You may also use it to improve the safety of workers on construction sites to reduce injuries and fatalities. Using the data from construction equipment like drones, contractors can create measures that will help in mitigating risks facing workers.

Workers can install safety apps on their smartphones to help them monitor their working conditions. An excellent example of such an app is the OSHA heat safety software for workers vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The software tool offers safety advice to employees. Besides that, there are many more construction safety apps to use.

5. Provides Real-Time Access to Accurate Information

Construction apps with cloud-based solutions allow all construction stakeholders to share and access accurate real-time information. Workers can submit their field reports to the central information systems to enable employees back at the office to review them.

A shared information platform keeps construction managers informed about all field operations. Using mobile technology, they can offer direct input to issues arising on job sites. Workers can also request information they need in the shared platform.

6. Improves Communication

Effective communication is a critical element in construction. During construction, unforeseen events like on-site accidents can happen any time, necessitating a robust communication system to address such concerns.

When there is a change of events in the construction site, field supervisors can use mobile apps to communicate promptly to project managers. After receiving alerts, the manager can also respond quickly.

7. Integrates Well With Other Systems

Construction apps for contractors can easily integrate with other systems, like accounting software and payroll systems. Construction firms have adapted themselves to such robust accounting tools such as quickbooks enterprise solutions hosting which have high compatibility with other construction related apps. For that reason, project managers can use mobile apps to simplify their management practices.

Final Words!

Mobile technology can simplify construction processes and enhance coordination among project stakeholders in several ways. With the help of construction apps, firms can now improve their productivity and workflow to gain a competitive edge in the market.

When adopting mobile technology in your company, consider using the best construction apps for quality performance. To get started, find out if your employees are already using smartphones. Can they embrace mobile technology without training? That will help you customize training sessions in a way that every worker will respond to.