Here are six recent announcements from software makers and other tech providers about new products or updates to existing products that are designed to smooth out the construction process for contractors, subs and owners:

Autodesk

The company’s new AutoSpecs in ACC automates the manual and error-prone submittal log process and allows customers to generate logs in minutes, according to the firm. 

For use in the Autodesk Construction Cloud, the feature also helps construction teams leverage artificial intelligence to identify missing items. AutoSpecs’ suggested submittals analyze the current project specification against historical project data to suggest potentially missing items from project specifications. 

In addition, users can push the submittal log into Autodesk Build — enabling them to track submittal statuses, create custom review processes, annotate and mark up submittals and even save closed submittals, the company said.

PlanHub

The cloud-based software-as-a-service preconstruction company has launched Lead Finder, a program that provides general contractors access to not-yet-advertised or open-for-bidding commercial construction projects with complete contact information of key decision-makers. Its breaks projects down by type, building use, ZIP code and distance. 

When jobs are uploaded to Lead Finder, general contractors can view the contact information for various project members, including architects, developers, owners, subcontractors and suppliers. In addition, Lead Finder provides access to project contacts ahead of time, allowing contractors to quickly contact key decisionmakers.  

Trimble

The firm’s new Siteworks Machine Guidance Module extends the capabilities of its Siteworks Software from surveying and layout to support excavator guidance and operator assistance. Contractors can use the program’s Site Positioning Systems hardware and software to perform a variety of tasks on the jobsite, including surveying, machine guidance, in-field design and reporting. 

Designed specifically for small site and utility contractors, the module gives users the ability to move the system between multiple excavators and jobsites as a combination machine guidance and construction surveying tool. Current Siteworks users can utilize their existing technology on-machine quickly and easily, with the addition of a simple-to-install machine kit and the software module, the firm said.

Kojo

Materials management platform Kojo’s new Automated Invoice Matching streamlines the accounting process for commercial trade contractors, helping eliminate billing mistakes and saving money, the company said.

The tool allows customers to manage the full end-to-end materials procurement process with fewer systems and errors by automating the three-way reconciliation process, comparing the vendor invoice to the purchase order and then to proof of delivery. The program scans an invoice PDF and automatically matches it against the purchase order and delivery receipt, with no data entry required.

HCSS

The software provider for heavy civil firms has announced an integration with bid solicitation software PipelineSuite to help contractors streamline the bid solicitation process and save time and money.

PipelineSuite allows contractors to quickly and easily send bid solicitations and addendum notices, the company said. It contains a searchable directory of subcontractors in the U.S. and Canada, augmenting current databases when there is a lack of coverage in a particular area or trade, the firm said.

In addition, DOT contractors can prove they meet government requirements to solicit bids from a certain percentage of minority, women-owned or disabled veteran firms, for example.

eSub Construction Software

The construction management platform has launched a new construction drawing capability to simplify the workflows for users in the field or office who need easy access to plans and drawings without needing multiple apps. 

The drawing tool, which will be offered as an add-on to eSUB Cloud, is different from similar drawings management solutions in that it will allow users to facilitate the RFI workflow by taking a snapshot of the drawings to send a request for information, the firm said.