Top 5 Ways Rugged Devices Apps Are Changing The Construction Industry
Rugged devices are transforming the way the construction industry operates. In the past, mobile devices were only used for simple tasks such as providing a source of light in dark areas. However, with the rise of construction applications, rugged devices are now providing construction businesses with a more practical and robust solutions as there are so few device limitations when going rugged.
Rugged device apps are transforming the way construction businesses operate by providing a practical and robust solution for managing projects, enhancing safety, and improving equipment management. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovations in this space, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the construction industry for years to come.
Below we look at five ways rugged device apps are changing the construction industry.
Benefits of Using Rugged Device Apps
Rugged devices are known for their durable hardware and reliability, making them ideal for demanding environments such as construction sites. With |Ingress Protection ratings of IP65 and up these rugged devices offer extra protection and are routinely tested and will pass a drop test, offer dust resistance, and are water resistant making them ideal for the extreme conditions in this industry. With rugged devices, you can expect constant connectivity, which is crucial for completing job orders. Furthermore, rugged device apps streamline and improve the delivery of services, which saves both time and money.
The construction industry has seen a surge in powerful and unique solutions through rugged device apps, which offer a range of features from safety training to closing a job. In fact, according to research by Statista, more than 58% of construction companies and professionals relied on the performance of an application for daily reporting. These were run on rugged mobile devices.
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Improved Safety
Safety is a top priority in the construction industry, and rugged devices with safety-focused apps are helping to enhance safety and compliance. With features such as emergency alerts, GPS tracking, and safety checklists, rugged devices are helping construction professionals identify potential hazards and mitigate risks on the job site. This, in turn, can reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the job site, ultimately improving worker safety and compliance with industry regulations
Rugged device apps are essential for improving safety on construction sites. Applications such as Safesite and Procore offer solutions for digital checklists, safety inspections, and forms that are compatible with rugged Android devices. Safesite is a safety management app that aims to reduce work-related injuries and improve productivity. Meanwhile, Procore is a cloud-based service that improves communication in construction projects, allowing contractors to connect with other team members faster, ensuring safety when doing their tasks.
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Task Management
Rugged device apps such as Fieldwire and LetsBuild are ideal for improving task management on construction sites. Fieldwire allows foremen and project leaders to keep their team organized and delegate jobs easily, while LetsBuild allows teams to "see everything" and track work progress quickly.
These applications provide a wide range of features that enable foremen and project leaders to keep their teams organised and to delegate jobs easily, while also allowing teams to track work progress quickly.
One of the main benefits of using these applications on rugged devices is that they allow for real-time collaboration between team members. This means that everyone can stay up-to-date with the latest developments and changes, even if they are not physically present on the construction site. This can be especially useful for teams that are spread out across different locations or working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Another advantage of using these applications is that they help to improve communication between team members. With Fieldwire, for example, users can communicate directly with each other through the app, eliminating the need for back-and-forth emails or phone calls. Similarly, LetsBuild allows users to send instant messages and notifications to their colleagues, ensuring that everyone is always on the same page.
In addition to these communication features, both Fieldwire and LetsBuild also provide a range of tools that can help to streamline project management. For example, Fieldwire allows users to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, while LetsBuild provides a visual dashboard that allows users to see all of their projects and tasks at a glance.
Overall, these rugged device apps are an ideal solution for improving task management on construction sites. By providing real-time collaboration, improved communication, and powerful project management tools, they can help to increase productivity, reduce errors, and ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.
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Seamless Communication
Applications such as Buildertrend and CoConstruct improve communication on construction sites. Buildertrend allows team members to be involved in any type of project, facilitating faster and smarter information sharing. CoConstruct simplifies communications from pre-construction to building, allowing for customized estimates, proposals, bids, and subcontractor management. Overall, CoConstruct promises to forge better communications between clients, subcontractors, and team members.
Both Buildertrend and CoConstruct have several features that make communication seamless on construction sites. For example, both applications offer document management tools that make it easy for team members to share project-related files. They also provide messaging and notification systems that allow team members to communicate with each other in real-time. In addition, they offer scheduling tools that help to ensure that all team members are aware of important deadlines and can plan their work accordingly.
Overall, the ability to communicate seamlessly is crucial for any construction project to be successful. With applications like Buildertrend and CoConstruct, construction professionals can stay connected and share information easily, no matter where they are or what type of project they are working on. This can help to improve project efficiency, reduce errors, and ultimately lead to better project outcomes.
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Streamlining project management
Rugged devices equipped with construction apps are helping to streamline project management processes in the construction industry. With features such as scheduling tools, time tracking, and communication capabilities, these devices are enabling construction professionals to manage projects more efficiently. Real-time updates and access to critical project data on-site means that project managers can make informed decisions and communicate with team members instantly.
These devices come with a range of features that can improve project management, including scheduling tools, time tracking, and communication capabilities. With scheduling tools, project managers can create and manage project timelines, assign tasks to team members, and track progress in real-time. This helps to ensure that projects stay on schedule and any issues can be addressed quickly.
Time tracking features allow project managers to monitor how much time is being spent on each task, helping them to identify any areas where efficiencies can be improved. This can help to reduce project costs and increase profitability for construction businesses.
Communication capabilities are also crucial for effective project management. With rugged devices and construction apps, team members can communicate with each other in real time, no matter where they are on the construction site. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and any issues can be addressed quickly.
In addition, rugged devices equipped with construction apps provide project managers with access to critical project data on-site. Real-time updates mean that project managers can make informed decisions and communicate with team members instantly. This helps to improve project timelines and reduce costs associated with delays and errors.
Overall, rugged devices equipped with construction apps are helping to revolutionize project management in the construction industry. They provide project managers with the tools they need to manage projects more efficiently, reducing costs and increasing profitability for construction businesses. By streamlining project management processes, construction professionals can complete projects on time and within budget, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.
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Improving equipment management
The construction industry has been rapidly adopting rugged devices equipped with equipment management apps to improve equipment tracking and maintenance. These rugged devices are designed to withstand harsh environments and have become increasingly popular due to their durability and the range of features they offer. The equipment management apps that come with these rugged devices are particularly useful in helping construction professionals manage their equipment more efficiently.
One of the key features of these apps is inventory management. By providing real-time visibility of equipment availability, these apps allow construction professionals to keep track of their equipment and ensure that they are not over or understocked. This can help reduce the risk of equipment downtime due to a lack of available resources, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.
Another key feature of these apps is maintenance tracking. By providing automated reminders for scheduled maintenance and repairs, construction professionals can ensure that their equipment is always in good working condition. This can help to prevent equipment breakdowns, which can be costly in terms of both time and money. Additionally, tracking maintenance and repairs can help construction businesses plan their budgets and make informed decisions about equipment replacement.
Real-time equipment tracking is yet another valuable feature of these apps. By using GPS and other tracking technologies, construction professionals can monitor their equipment in real-time, even when it is in use at remote job sites. This can help to prevent equipment theft and misuse, while also enabling project managers to track the progress of their projects and ensure that they are on schedule.
Conker's Rugged Devices For Construction Apps
While the construction industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, the rise of rugged device apps has allowed businesses to improve their solutions and services. Conker, a technology company based in the UK, offers rugged devices for businesses that require mobility in tough environments.
Conker's range of rugged devices from handhelds to rugged tablets and wearables is specifically designed to meet the demands of the construction industry. With features like water resistance, shock resistance, and dust protection, put through routine testing methods these rugged devices can withstand extreme temperatures and the harsh environments that are common in construction sites. Rugged mobile devices also come with long battery life, ensuring that construction workers can use them throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.
In addition to their rugged features, Conker's rugged range are equipped with the latest technology, making them highly versatile and suitable for a variety of construction applications. From safety inspections to task management, Conker's devices are ideal for use in construction projects of all sizes.
The construction industry is constantly evolving, and businesses need to keep up with the latest technology to remain competitive. By investing in Conker's rugged devices, which operate on either windows or an android operating system, construction companies can improve their productivity, efficiency, and overall performance. These devices offer a reliable and practical solution for businesses that require mobility and connectivity in demanding environments, ultimately helping them to meet the demands of their clients and stay ahead of the competition.
Conker also offers a five-day turnaround time and always on technical support so you experience little to no downtime.
To find out how Conker can help with your rugged mobile device needs book a 15-minute discovery call with one of our experienced consultants here or alternatively contact us at this link.
4 Tips to Kick Start Productivity in the Construction Industry
“Action is the foundational key to all success.”
– Picasso
Achieving a greater level of 4 Tips to Kick Start Productivity in the workplace is something that all companies across a multitude of industries strive for.
But what if your company is in the UK Construction industry that has had for many years, and still remains to have a stagnant productivity growth rate?
With an estimated productivity gap of £15bn, it can often seem daunting for Management in Construction, who are trying to improve levels of productivity whilst maintaining staff morale - particularly given the political uncertainty and increased skills shortages in the UK - remains a daunting challenge to tackle.
If you’re experiencing productivity issues or feel like you are falling behind, then here we share tips to help replenish your faith in boosting productivity in your workplace.
Update in 2021:
In 2021, the entire world completely changed the way construction works, it becomes more crucial to equip your workers with the right tools. As the COVID-19 closures have affected this industry, how can you help your organization feel successful and accomplished even with these challenges? Using rugged devices can improve the overall delivery of services for the construction sector.
1. Technology is fundamental, but…
In a survey carried out by AIM, 62% of employers asked said that technology enabled them to “produce more goods or provide more services than a decade ago with the same or fewer employees”. Of the companies that could quantify the gains that had been made, many said their productivity was boosted by between 10 and 25%. One manufacturer said it had become twice as productive without taking on extra staff. Meanwhile, a not-for-profit company saw its productivity rates treble.
So why is Construction not keeping pace with other industries?
The answer lies not necessarily in technology, but in its Enablement, or in Construction’s case, the lack thereof.
2. Enable your workforce
Construction is notorious for its downtime. Downtime can be attributed to dozens of reasons. For example, waiting for skilled workers to arrive on-site, finding/misplacing timesheets, manually inputting data or giving adequate training to people entering a site (issuing Safety Regulations is a must). Tools not working the way they are supposed to work are also notoriously responsible for causing downtime. Innovation in technology such as AR, VR, BIM and AI now allows you to minimise all of the above downtime tasks. But the key here is Enablement
Enable your workforce, put the power in the hands of the individuals. You can enable one manager to become efficient by harnessing technology. But if you enabled an entire workforce, imagine the productivity benefits you could reap!
Let the carpenters be carpenters, allow the electricians to be electricians - utilise their time properly. And in the meantime, enable other individuals, upskill them so that their downtime can be filled with productivity, whether that is carrying out training on tablets, or filling in forms via a mobile device.
So yes, technology is fundamental but its Enablement is the key to unlocking productivity.
3. Be disruptive
“My advice to the construction industry is, disrupt yourselves before you get disrupted.”
- Bent Flyvbjerg
Be the change you wish to see in the Construction industry. Go against the grain by enabling your workforce, and by doing so, you create a portal to productivity and subsequently become the pioneering company to begin closing the productivity gap.
For companies that can disrupt with genuine innovation in technology (amongst other areas), the outcome could be as large as a 50-60% increase in productivity, the benefit of which is substantial profitability.
But, in order to leverage Enablement for better productivity, you must have the correct tool.
4. Find the right tool for the toolbag
Perhaps the most important factor in enabling your workforce is choosing the right technology. So many companies suffer from a lack of efficiency, productivity and profitability as an incidental result of being mismatched with the wrong tech.
This is why it is paramount particularly for companies in Construction to be partnered with the right tech. At Conker we take a consultative approach (something our clients tell us they love) that finds our customers tablets and mobile devices that are fit for purpose. They are robust enough to withstand the rigours of the Construction site, powered to last the entire working day, all whilst supporting the software you depend on.
As standard, we find out the end-users requirements, what environment the devices will be used in, what success might look like for your company, and match your devices accordingly.
The right tech matched especially to your business requirements is the most important tool in your toolbag.
4 Tips to Kick Start Productivity & More about Conker
Conker is a British producer of Business Rugged tablets, touch screens, and mobile devices, providing durable and reliable systems for successful digital transformation.
Our consultative approach delivers fit-for-purpose solutions that improve productivity and streamline business processes, supported by our easy-to-work-with UK-based service team.
Update:
Unsure of the real cost of bringing rugged devices into your business?
There’s $1.6 Trillion down the back of the Construction sofa - here’s where to look for it.
McKinsey have produced a report into the global construction industry – if you’re pushed for time and think TL;DR (too long, didn’t read it), then here are the nuggets of gold, mined by yours truly at Conker. There’s $1.6 Trillion down the back of the Construction sofa.
Productivity in your company can go up 50 to 60 percent, by enacting innovation across these 7 areas:
- Reshaping regulation
- Rewiring the contractual framework to reshape industry dynamics
- Rethinking design and engineering processes
- Improving procurement and supply-chain management
- Improving onsite execution
- Infusing digital technology, new materials, and advanced automation
- Reskilling the workforce
There is a way in which Conker can help you.
Infusing digital technology. As an official partner of the Chartered Institute of Building and a headline sponsor at the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, we have been privileged to meet with some of you and listen to the challenges you face and the pain those challenges cause.
If you are a Project Planner, Project Manager, Contracts Manager or Site Manager, then you know well, that you get more done with your PC than you ever did with paper and pencil.
The communication gap between site and office however, is still quite fractured and this leads to schedule and cost overruns, contractor disputes and a ton of duplicated admin.
A mobile computer with some nifty software could help that and the likes of Elecosoft, GenieBelt, Aconex and Viewpoint all do some smashing software. We reviewed the Elecosoft kit here last week and have Geniebelt coming in next month and have asked the others in to be weighed and measured too. Keep an eye out on our blog for those.
There’s $1.6 Trillion down the back of the Construction sofa
The problem then becomes, how do you get the software on to site? Consumer tablets are not built for construction sites. They break when dropped, they get filthy and can not be easily cleaned without running the risk of water getting inside, basically they are just not up to it.
One of our large construction sites also had a problem with security. If you hand a lovely iPad or Samsung tablet out to your subcontractors and they ‘forget’ to bring it back when they’re done, then you’ve just done your budget on tech.
If you want to ask them to sign for it, to make sure they are returned in one piece and on time, what happens when one of your young subbies, on not much money accidentally drops it or damages it – as will happen on a construction site? Are you really going to dock some 19 year olds wages for something that wasn’t fit for purpose in the first place? Thought not.
Bringing the oh-so helpful software to site and getting the benefits of improved communication, reduced admin, reduced contractor disputes, and avoiding cost and schedule overruns needs some tech that is up to the demands of a construction site.
It needs to work with whatever software you choose.
It needs not to disappear when out of site and not break or drown when in use.
That’s what Conker do. Construction-grade rugged tablets and smartphones, that can take the punishment of being just another tool in your toolbox.
Call us on 01279 295800 and ask to try our tablets and phones – seeing is believing.