Dive Brief:

• A study from Dodge Data & Analytics, in partnership with B2W Software, found that mobile technology significantly improves contractors’ ability to collect and distribute timely and accurate data from the jobsite. Nearly half of the 153 construction companies surveyed said mobile technology increases the volume of quality data they can obtain onsite.
• Survey respondents said improved access to project data trends was the top benefit to mobile connectivity on the jobsite. Eighty-four percent of respondents said mobile technology improves communications between the field and office and 74% said it increases access to data for those who need it.
• According to Dodge, a significant number of contractors said mobile technologies help them complete projects within budget and on schedule, and 71% said they help control project costs. In addition, 64% said mobile helps them manage fleet equipment, maintenance, efficiency and uptime, and 59% said it increases field staff productivity by gathering logging and inspection data.

Dive Insight:

The construction industry has a reputation for lagging behind the tech curve, but Dodge’s study shows that mobile technology has been widely adopted by contractors and effectively used to cut costs and streamline processes. Eighty-nine percent of contractors surveyed said they use mobile devices, with iPhones and iPads dominating over market alternatives.

On Center Software surveyed 900 construction executives, managers, project managers and others, finding that reworks due to errors in the field were a top concern for 65% of respondents. Budget projections and project timelines don’t typically account for reworks, which can simply stem from miscommunication or limited access to information on the jobsite. Connected mobile devices can help eliminate the risk that part of the construction team is working from out-of-date plans, for example, by ensuring members can access the most recent versions from any location.

Not only do mobile devices improve a team's ability to communicate and exchange information, they can also be used with applications that capture data and track workflows. Construction Dive put together a list of eight mobile applications that can help construction teams make informed, data-driven decisions on and off the jobsite.