The Best Cloud Construction Apps and Services: A Guide for Every Building Professional
Managing all the ins and outs of a project is no small feat. Scheduling, budgeting, managing subcontractors and employees spread across different sites — and sometimes different countries in the case of international companies — all present challenges. In the modern construction field, it is no longer acceptable for critical documentation, checklists, emails and software programs and more to be limited to a single computer, accessible from a single location. Today, with the help of cloud-based services and apps, project team members can connect and collaborate without being tied to a physical location.
GetApp, a site dedicated to helping professionals discover, compare and chose the right business apps, shares some of the best cloud construction apps on the market now.
The All-In-One Solution
As one of the most widely used construction management software systems, Procore’s cloud technology allows team members using any standard Web browser or any Internet-connected device to access critical project information regardless of location and operating system. Budgeting, document management, bidding, email tracking, change order and contract management — it’s all part of Procore’s platform.
Managing Mobile Workers
This app steps in to help project managers more effectively manage crews on the go. Create a Synchroteam account in less than a minute and begin to schedule, dispatch, track and report mobile worker updates.
Automating Processes
Corecon V7’s award-winning cloud-based suite of software provides construction and engineering firms the tools to track leads, create estimates, manage vendor bids, collaborate on documents, track schedules, manage contractor budgets and changes. It’s specifically designed for users looking to automate their entire field and back-office operations.
For Custom Builders
This homebuilder and remodeler specific software is one of the top rated in the industry and designed to accommodate plans and materials with useful tools to manage scheduling, client correspondence, budgeting, photo sharing and product warranty tracking.
The All-Around ERP for Construction
PENTA is a construction enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. It combines advanced enterprise technology with 40 years of construction industry experience into one integrated system. PENTA helps contractors and engineers unify management of construction accounting, financial management, payroll, projects and service operations into one database. The system helps reduce paper and manual process inefficiencies and also includes mobile field management.
A Dropbox Alternative for Construction
SKYSITE promises to supercharge construction projects by creating a central repository to access the latest set of construction documents from any device, any time. Contractors can search, share and organize up-to-date drawings, specs and other documents in real time. All documents uploaded to SKYSITE are backed by enhanced security and IT protections.
Visual Solutions for Better Built Projects
Incorporating state-of-the-art construction photography, webcams and video documentation with Multivista helps combat a wide variety of construction issues. These services come in packaged solutions, tailored to fit the project — K-12 education, multifamily, custom housing, commercial, healthcare, industrial and more. The video and webcam services offer on-demand access to sites at anytime, anywhere and photographs are inspection-grade quality.
An Offline Solution
While most of these apps only work when online, harmon.ie is the solution for offline project integration. On-the-go construction workers in the field need to find relevant information quickly from project plans to emails, tasks and schedules — with, or without network coverage. harmon.ie is a digital workforce innovator looking to empower construction personnel with mobile and offline access to critical documents, checklists, emails and more by increasing collaboration capabilities and breaking down productivity barriers.
The harmon.ie enterprise collaboration hub helps empower construction personnel to edit, store, classify, retrieve and collaborate on large amounts of data, in both emails and documents, with a few simple clicks on the desktop or from mobile devices. This simplification and automation of the process encourages rapid user adoption and widespread, consistent use of Office 365 and SharePoint in the office and on-site.
A Go-To Source for Online Training and Education
In the same way project management is turning to the Web, so is training and education. From specific trade skills to business management practices, safety and equipment training and so much more, Construct-Ed is one of the first online training platforms serving the construction industry. Construct-Ed works with field experts, expo speakers and associations who want to publish their training and lesson plans in the form of online courses. To date, Construct-Ed has 15 instructors and more than 100 courses as the company rapidly grows its library of knowledge.
