Construction Business Owner, August 2007 

Ask most professional contractors today if they use a computer and they'll look as if you've asked if their homes had indoor plumbing. But mention online construction management applications and the responses become more mixed. 

If you're uncertain of the value of going with a web-based technology, consider that even the most rudimentary applications enable authorized users to access all project information from any web-connected computer. One central online location enables contractors and site superintendents to communicate with architects, designers, employees and trade partners.

The best systems on the market automatically distribute information through whichever channel users prefer (fax, e-mail or both). If any topic is private, the communication can be "hidden" so that only authorized users can view it.

Then again, you may already be sold on the value of an online application but aren't sure of the criteria for making a good purchasing decision. Wherever you are on the spectrum, it's important to begin the technology discussion by identifying what specific problems you want to solve. Here are some of the most common problems for which construction business owners seek solutions:

• How do I get Requests for Information closed faster so I can keep my projects on schedule?
• How do I find critical information faster?
• What are the alternatives to hiring an IT staff and buying IT equipment?
• How can I cut down on paperwork and run my business more efficiently?
• How can I ensure greater clarity and accuracy in project communications?

Begin your technology initiative by recognizing your specific needs; you'll be in a better position to curtail the information run-around as you navigate through the many technology options. Plus, doing an inventory of needs keeps you honest. Construction business owners who objectively assess their operations tend to arrive at the same humbling conclusion: The greatest obstacle to keeping projects productive and on budget is not the weather, the client or the price of materials-it's the lack of efficient team communication.

However, the right online technology application will measurably improve the flow of communications. When everyone on the project always has the latest information at their fingertips, mistakes and costs are reduced and productivity increases. If you choose well, your application will be easy to learn and use and will save you time and money.

Avoid Unnecessary Costs

If you're serious about cutting out unnecessary time and costs, avoid construction project management applications that require purchasing computer hardware. Steer clear of any software that requires an investment in "server" computers, "network drives" or any equipment that requires you to hire a new employee to operate it. Unless you're a Fortune 500 company, you should no longer have to make investments in software packages that require their own machines, attendants or instructors.

Instead, narrow your search to project management applications that are hosted, which means they are delivered to your users over the Internet through a web browser. Hosted technology requires no additional equipment or staffing for you and no software to install or maintain.

Web-based applications are maintained by the vendor, so you don't have to worry about tech issues. High-tech leaders from Microsoft to Google see the future of software as being one of hosted applications. Both companies now sell hosted applications such as spreadsheet and word processors.

In the world of construction project management software, a new generation of vendors offer some impressive hosted applications. In fact, the construction project management software market has seen enough innovation in the past year to launch a new site that reviews only this type of software-www.softwareadvice.com offers a great comparison of the different construction software products available in today's market.

When Shopping for Project Management Applications, Remember:

• Avoid client/server based software, which requires too much training, staffing and the purchase of unnecessary equipment. Tech leaders including Google and Microsoft see hosted software applications as the future and so should you.
• Hosted software applications require little or no IT staff to implement or maintain, a cost savings that can really add up over the long-term. When budgeting, consider the costs of not only purchasing a software application but of implementation and maintenance.
• Today's Internet is safe enough for online banking and bill payments, but you should still make sure that any hosted application you choose uses some form of secure communication protocol. The most common is called "SSL" and provides you with a high level of security.

 

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