Construction has always been mobile by nature. After all, the pyramids were built thousands of years ago and most certainly required some form of project coordination and management to erect such enormous structures. But now technologies can help access and share information in new ways that makes planning and managing work on both small and large construction jobs even easier.
With mobile project-management technology, construction professionals can track and report progress, which ultimately leads better project delivery. Have you looked for a way to do this effectively and efficiently on your projects—but are still searching for the right tool?
Consider the example of Fieldwire, which coordinates crews in the field on large construction operations. Since 2013, the company has served the North American market and later expanded to Europe, Australia, and Japan. The tool has enabled project teams to come together in one online location to collaborate and share information in realtime—giving teams the ability to better manage projects.
Hilti recognized the value in the technology and had initially made an investment in Fieldwire back in the 2017-2018 timeframe. In November 2021, Hilti decided to make an even deeper investment in the product and announced it would acquire Fieldwire to combine Fieldwire’s product with Hilti’s brand to expand its customer base and help new and existing customers drive productivity in their field operations.
So, what makes the Fieldwire product standout? First and foremost, it provides the construction industry with some very notable pillars that are worth mentioning. More specifically, Fieldwire has three different value pillars. And for the sake of this news analysis, let’s examine each of these pillars and the benefits these features offer to the industry.
The first pillar is accessing and sharing of information. With this, construction workers can leverage digital plans, markup tools, and version control. This also includes files, reports, RFIs (requests for information), and submittals. Sharing data is essential to completing construction project on schedule and on time.
The next pillar addresses planning and managing work. Here construction professionals can perform task management, Kanban, calendar, and Gantt charts. The product also offers the ability to do realtime messaging, checklists, and punchlists. Today’s construction professional needs to improve workflows and optimize productivity. The best checklists help reduce errors, improve processes, and increase efficiency. When time is money, and the worker shortage is putting a strain on the tasks at hand, reducing repetitive tasks means increased uptime and increased productivity.
The final pillar is track and report progress. Contractors can use custom forms such as timesheets, T&M tags, and safety reports. The product also includes photos, 360-degree photos, and video. Users can also do daily reports and inspection reports. When we share data, we are streamlining communication and collaboration between suppliers, trades, and project managers, keeping everyone aware of what needs to be done to meet project deadlines in a timely manner.
The construction industry is in the midst of a transformation. As it evolves, construction professionals need to remain educated on the latest tools and techniques to better manage projects. Improving uptime, optimizing projects, and reducing errors to ensure construction projects are finished on schedule and on budget is no easy task. Therefore, understanding the emerging tech trends and incorporating the right technology in your toolbox will enable you to succeed. How you move forward in a new era of work is really up to you.
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