Know what to expect from construction-specific software and how changing tech trends will impact your business.
Companies must find ways to work smarter. One way to do this is by taking advantage of construction-specific software and BIM (building information modeling) technology.
Many contractors have abandoned the traditional way of managing construction projects—using spreadsheets and off-the-shelf generic software. “Estimating, project management, accounting and now even mobile devices are available to help contractors increase their efficiency and improve their processes,” says Fred Ode, CEO of Foundation Software.
Software systems can have a powerful impact, especially for construction firms doing more work with fewer staff. “Today’s project CRM (customer relationship management) tools track all the opportunities being pursued, what the next step is and even activities and reminders for those next steps…More importantly, others in the firm have full visibility, so you don’t end up dropping the ball on a project,” says Hugo Dorph, executive vice president and general manager of professional services of Deltek.
Some contractors feel now is the time stick to familiar processes, but the opposite is true. “This is exactly the time they should be reworking or finessing their processes and methods (training, upgrades, etc.) to make the most of what they already have,” says Jim Flynn, president and CEO of Maxwell Systems.
Software Gets Social
The way people communicate and work together has changed. The best software developers today incorporate ways to let people connect with each other and share work though applications. John Chaney, president and co-founder of Dexter + Chaney, explains that until recently, computing and communicating were in two different worlds, but now these worlds have come together. “Since 2005, Internet traffic has increased over 800 percent, and in the same time, traditional voice network traffic has decreased by about 25 percent,” he says.
Features that encourage collaboration will work in programs that can be accessed on the go, which has increased the popularity of portable devices such as tablets and smartphones. “There are significant changes to the way information is presented and optimized for the Web and for use on smaller, portable devices. So it’s fair to say that the advent of the tablet and mobile computing (and other supporting technologies) had a fundamental change on the way we looked at our user interface and the ease of use of our products,” Chaney says.
In general, these delivery devices have forced software developers to create a more intuitive, accessible product. “The smaller screen sizes of most mobile devices create the need for a simple, efficient approach to design in order for the software to be effective,” says Steve McGough, chief operating officer of HCSS.
Technology Takes a Business-Centric Approach
Some believe the IT Industry has moved toward solving customers’ business problems before technology problems. “This move of IT becoming more business-centric is much healthier for the industry in the long run,” McGough says.
Imagine an environment in which a small contractor with a little software skill could translate a great idea into an “app” that could be sold for use on multiple enterprise platforms. Chaney would like to see the industry move in this direction, though he acknowledges that the current environment does not provide the platform for a small company or individual to invest time developing these types of applications. “With the advent of cloud computing, I think we’re getting closer to realizing this type of open environment,” he adds.
Software Moves to the Cloud—and Into the Field
Savvy business owners have started realizing they do not need to spend money on constant upgrades, hardware and operating systems. In fact, some experts have characterized new technologies that reduce this overhead cost. “The software industry has been talking about ‘connecting the field and the office’ for years—I believe that using the Internet as the delivery platform for software applications will be the means through which that promise
