Mobile Device Photo Apps Part 5

In my current series I have been pointing out the use of mobile devices that document construction projects for weekly updates. This week I will discuss the use of mobile field management app FieldLens.

Over the past few weeks I have described several ways to use a tablet (iPad) to take project progress photos. There are basic methods that one can use such as the inboard camera and Dropbox to designed solutions such as FotoIn Mobile. This week I will discuss the benefits of a different platform that creates a collaborative platform to discuss project issues through photos.

The FieldLens platform allows users to document field conditions using multimedia like photos, videos, voice notes and more which can be shared with other team members to alert them to particular issues. The idea is to create a online collaboration hub for all team members on a construction project to share and discuss project issues. With the recent proliferation of mobile devices in the field all project team members can now stay informed in real time about issues as they occur. For example if there is a safety hazard on a project, one team member can take a photo and alert the team so it can be corrected in minutes not hours!

There have been several attempts in the past to create a collaborative internet based hub for communications. The first attempts were primarily desktop/laptop based. In these attempts a person in an office or trailer setting would take items sent in from the field and enter them into the database so they could be shared with other team members. In today’s mobile device driven world the need for instant communication and the ability to share information quickly between team members is vital. FieldLens helps users accomplish this with their collaborative online communication hub.

This innovative internet platform and mobile app allows users to…

Take project photos on a mobile device (smartphone and tablet).
Add voice notes, video notes, and assign responsibility for correction.
Issue and track jobsite items such as safety hazards or punch list.
Create reports and distribute to anyone on the project team whether or not they use FieldLens.

The FieldLens team recently did a very interesting Google Glass demo at CONEXPO. Take a look at the following link to see how FieldLens and Google Glass work together:

To learn more about this platform and app take a look at their great blog series:
http://fieldlens.com/blog/building-better/

To use FieldLens, download the app and install it on your mobile device and log in with your account information and you’ll be able to sync all your photos and reports to your online account. If you have not already signed up please go to http://www.fieldlens.com to sign up for a free trial account.

Mobile Device Photo Apps Part 4

Mobile Device Photography Part Four:

In my current series I have been pointing out the use of mobile devices for documenting construction projects for weekly updates. This week I will discuss the use of the app FotoIn Mobile. This app has recently been updated. It works on IOS and Android devices and includes a web interface.

After working with Dropbox, Photopen and a few other apps I found this innovative app. The apps that we used initially improved our photo processes from the old way of digital camera to computer upload.

The FotoIn Mobile solution lets you take project progress photos and sync them back to your server automatically. After taking your photos you can tag the photo by construction trade, categorize it by type such as safety, or annotate it with notes. The app embeds the photo metadata into the photo file, then automatically syncs it to your Cloud account into the appropriate project and finally sync the files back to your server. You can choose form Box, Egnyte, or Sharepoint to move the photo files from your device to your server.

You can search the FotoIn mobile website for recent photos. The website offers many filter options such as date, device, and location to search for project specific photos. The website also let’s you create grant permission, register devices and create custom tags.

This photo solution helps companies with the work flow issue of how to take multiple project photos, tag and annotate them with site specific details, and automatically sync them to a company server. I am working on a ROI time trial comparing the digital camera/laptop method versus the iPad/app method. I have completed two rounds of photo documentation on the same project, 17 apartment units on one floor with 6 standard pictures.

In Round One I used a digital camera to take the photos, uploaded the files to a lap top, organized the files into folders and renamed them, then transferred to my server. This process took 94 minutes. In Round Two I used my iPad and the FotoIn Mobile app. I took the same pictures, tagged and labeled the photos, and started syncing the files as I went along. This process took me 54 minutes. That was a 40 minute reduction inn time to complete the same task!

I am still conducting the time trial and will share more information in the future about my time savings. To learn more about my time trial take a look at the attached video clip for my recent presentation for the AGC of America Technology Showcase…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTsLPbKU7Fg

To learn more about FotoIn Mobile and the recent updates go to their website blog at: http://www.fotoinmobile.com/blog/

News from CONEXPO

I was lucky enough to attend both the AGC of America Annual Convention and CONEXPO events recently. I spoke at the AGC event about the uses for mobile technology on construction projects. I specifically focused on my top 5 apps that my company uses daily on construction processes. You can view a couple of clips of my presentation at..

One day during the convention I was able to break away and check out the CONEXPO. I was amazed to see so many amazing product demos, training classes, and equipment in one place. A few the big take aways for me were several new apps such as…

Fieldlens App: This was one of the standouts for me. Doug Chambers the CEO and co-Founder did a Google Glass demo with this app that was amazing. This is an innovative mobile device solution for tracking job site issues through management system. This platform works on IOS and Android mobile devices along side a website for laptops and pc’s. It allows project team members to connect and collaborate on project issues in a unique way. All team members with access can create field issues or tasks and add a photo, video or voice note. They can then assign responsibility for item correction to the appropriate company. Because the platform works in real time all team members on site and off can stay informed about issues and track their resolution. The platform allows the controlling company to assign and manage team member access and permissions.

 You can learn more about the innovative mobile platform at their website:

http://fieldlens.com

Notevault: This is a unique app that records your voice to create notes about project issues. It works on IOS and Android.  The way the app works is that you create voice notes and can add photos or video to document field issues. There is a website portal for laptop and pc’s also. There is a website portal for laptop and pc’s also that collects, organizes, and transcribes the filed notes into reports that you can email.

You can learn more about this unique app at their website:

http://www.notevault.com/index.php

The Halo Light by Illumagear: This was a stand out product for me. In a nutshell it is a series of LED lights built into a ring that attaches to a hard hard to help bring light to a workers areas or make them more visible in low light situations like road work. The Halo Light works off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that runs for up to 12 hours. It has four different setting to provide settings for work or emergency. The Halo can be seen from up to a quarter mile away!

You can learn more about his amazing product at their website…

http://www.illumagear.com/products/the-halo-light

If you are ever able to attend a CONEXPO event is well worth the time, money and effort to see such an amazing collection of equipment, products and services in one place. I can only imagine what one will see at the next one in 2017 hosted by Santiago Chile!