It shouldn’t come as a
surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the use of mobile
apps in construction. However, the 2020 JBKnowledge ConTech Report
shows that data sharing and integration amongst company software
and other apps is still behind.
The survey found that 92% of
workers in the construction industry are now daily using a
smartphone on the job, and one in five workers utilize at least six
construction apps in the field. The use of mobile devices ranges
from viewing project documents (78%), service billing and dispatch
(74%), the creation of project documents, such as emails and RFIs
(71%), loading time for payroll (71%), BIM model viewing (65%), and
viewing installation drawings (63%).
That said, 27% of those surveyed
mentioned that none of their apps actually integrate data. 34% say
three or less apps integrate at all. Therefore, half of these
workers have to manually transfer data use spreadsheets, CSV (37%,
custom built integration (29%), email (16%) or XML (5%).
The report noted the following:
“ConTech influencers are rather candid in explaining how
manual entry and spreadsheets are the antithesis of innovation.
Perhaps this notion isn’t widely known yet, or people are
unbothered by the redundancies caused by manual entry and
spreadsheets. The time has come for smarter solutions, and placing
integrations among the most critical features for app and software
solutions.”
A few more key elements found in
the survey include:
- For
daily reporting, the top mobile apps were almost the same as prior
years. PlanGrid, Procore, Bluebeam (Revu) once again took the top
three positions. All three of these apps indicated increased usage
from 2019 to 2020 (18.6%, 14.4%, and 9.5%, respectively.) The
app Procore saw a nearly 19% increase in users over the past
year.
- Almost half (45%) of project management
workflows still depend on spreadsheets. This includes estimating (62%),
accounting/ERP (51%), bid management (36%), takeoff (27%), project
scheduling (27%), tracking data/performance metrics (26%), field
data collection (14%), project management (45%), client
relationship management (11%) and CAD/BIM (6%).
- Software specifically dedicated to estimating,
project management, bid management, and takeoff had growth in 2020.
The report continues: “While the changes aren’t
staggering, the small conversions from spreadsheet to software
should not be overlooked. Whether it’s a better understanding
of how to use software or respondents finally appreciating
the ROI of software, the needle is
moving forward.”
- Almost one-third (29%) of the survey
respondents claim to not bid on projects involving BIM, and 12%
outsource part of their BIM, and 13% entirely outsource BIM to
someone else. Many companies are utilizing BIM mostly for
coordination/clash detection (61%), visualization (53%), project
planning (48%) and virtual mock-ups (37%).
- The
hardware that technology survey respondents are using include
robotic total stations (45%); 3D scanners (43%); HoloLens, XOi or
augmented reality devices (14%); virtual reality goggles (4%); RFID
or other tracking devices (6%); and TigerStop (27%).
- Approximately a quarter (24%) of survey
respondents made use of off-site construction more frequently in
the year 2020 than they did prior due to pandemic restrictions.
Overall, 40% of construction workers using prefabrication claim
that it has given their company a strategic
advantage.
- 13%
of respondents say that in 2020, they experienced a data security
breach. Less than 10% are not currently using any data security
solutions. Tools such as two-factor authentication, training, and
mobile device management are currently being put to use by more
than half of all respondents.
The report’s authors had
the following comment: “It was disappointing to see simple
yet invaluable solutions like cyber liability insurance coverage,
cloud liability insurance coverage and cross-platform
authentication under-utilized.”
Charter Estimating is a professional electrical and
pre-construction estimating company that offers long term and
short-term estimating solutions for contractors around the nation.
Whether you are looking for part-time, full-time, or more than one
estimator, we are always here to help you further your
company’s goals. Get in
touch with us today!