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Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks (In Construction)

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The labor shortage plaguing the construction industry isn’t exclusive to those working in the field. As companies manage with fewer workers in the office, part of survival and success is using new technology and tools that allow them to do more with less. There is a sea of estimators, supervisors, and project managers stuck in traditional methods of an older generation – using paper or desktop software, each outdated and riddled with inefficiencies (time and money).  

The good news is old dogs can learn new tricks. There are better tools on the market, particularly cloud-based preconstruction software, that are easy to learn and will provide not only benefits of speed, accuracy and profit growth, but will leave old school thinkers with confidence that technology can help them professionally (and personally). With the technology adoption lifecycle, do you want to be an early innovator or a laggard? 

Traditionalists Take Note: Literally, on Paper

The tried-and-true method of doing takeoffs and estimates on paper has kept companies afloat for many years. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is the mentality often shared when introducing new methods to these old school thinkers.  

Unfortunately, using the manual technique of pen and paper leaves your business exposed to costly risk. Human error, lost documents, and mathematical mistakes can all lead to huge time and profit losses. We are now in the internet age, and the younger workforce expects quick, efficient technology. 

Why Desktop Software Is a Thing of the Past

Desktop software was revolutionary for its time, in 1990. Decades later, we are seeing issues arise time and again relying on one person or computer as the single gatekeeper of data. Only one person can use the system at a time, which puts a pause on workflow in both the office and the field. Not being able to access documents while on a job site can mean hours of workers standing around waiting for their next move. This can cost you a lot of money and frustrates laborers who want to complete the job and move onto their next project. 

Desktop software can also cause issues with losing documents. If a file is saved onto a PC and not a shared drive, the version being shared with colleagues and project managers in the field could be outdated. Here’s an example of how this can be detrimental to a job: A drywall subcontractor is installing walls to build four offices. The final screw is in place, and they find out the plans they were referencing were three days old. They must now demolish that work, clean the job site and start from scratch. If this was your business, that labor time and lost materials would come out of your pocket. 

Is Your Head in the Cloud? It Should Be!

Cloud-based construction software offers the benefits of flexibility, efficiency, mobility, and collaboration. Choosing the right technology is important for the future growth of your company. It should adapt to your business processes and help achieve goals. 

Cloud-based technology can help track and analyze performance. Being able to review past bids, reference statistics, and analyze estimates vs actuals will increase efficiency and profit on future jobs. 

Why It's So Important to Use Cloud-Based Technology

Accuracy and Efficiency Will Help You Stand Out

Cloud-based software significantly reduces the likelihood of errors since it is a single source of all your company’s data. Traditional methods of estimating like pen and paper leave you exposed to losing documents and even trouble reading handwriting. Using a calculator can mean missing a simple zero, which becomes not so simple thousands of dollars lost for your company. New cloud technology eliminates human error – no missed decimals, forgotten takeoffs, or accidents working off of old versions. 

With everything in a single platform in the cloud you improve accuracy by allowing all users access to the features and files on a shared system, anywhere in the world. With the rise in remote work, your employees in the field, the office, or at home can access vital information simultaneously. It’s not just convenient, it allows for better work-life balance. 

Cyber Security

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), there is a ransomware attack every 11 seconds, with 43% of those attacks targeting small businesses. It is essential to safeguard your company’s data and networks, and the software you choose should have an iron-clad plan in place to make sure of that. 

Make sure you choose a cloud-based platform that provides reliability and security as well as backups and watchdog protocols that protects your company from cyberattacks. Ask where your data is hosted, who has access to it, and how many backups are in the storage system to avoid any data loss.

Find Your Competitive Edge

When there are challenging business climates or labor shortages, the most common reaction is for companies to reduce spending, halting investments in technology and employee training. This is actually a counterintuitive and shortsighted approach. Upgrading the technology your company uses gives you a competitive edge in general and will leave you better prepared for when the economy regains strength and companies are clamoring to win bids again.  

Differentiate your company from the competition by adopting new cloud-based tech that will position you for future growth. You’ll also begin to attract a younger workforce who are tech savvy and tech reliant. They expect impactful and efficient technology.

Integration and Streamlining Data

As your business grows, so too do your needs for smooth, efficient processes throughout the company. Cloud-based tools are a way to connect all business operations to one another so each department has access to the data and insights they need at any time. A tool that offers existing integrations with other platforms, such as a CRM, can help you to automate tasks and evaluate team performance. 

Additionally, if you choose software with an open API, your tech team can make connections between systems your company already uses – easily transfer data to and from finance and accounting, field teams, and other stakeholders. With your data at your fingertips, you can be ready to take your business to the next level. 

There’s No Reason You Can’t Learn New Tricks (Skills)

Choose a cloud-based option that: 

  –  Offers extensive training: Look for companies that offer great customer service, live chats, webinars, onboarding and support. 

  –  Is user-friendly and intuitive: The software you use should save you time, not take it all away by trying to learn the ropes. The interface and design should be easy to navigate. 

  –  Provides top notch security: Find a platform that safeguards your data, provides continual backups, and has internal safety procedures in place to play watchdog for any suspicious activity.