Mobile Device App Strategy Part 3

Last week I continued my series on App Strategies…

This series has led to a round of conversations with App Developers about the topic. One example of this is a discussion via email with Kyle Slager, the founder of Raken (http://www.rakenapp.com), which I’ve mentioned previously as our top pick for Daily Reporting software. We discussed the pros and cons of both point and integrated solutions. The following is what Kyle had to say about the topic…

“We’re continuing to see a move away from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and more towards best-in-class solutions. Construction being one of the last industries to do so primarily due to timing — collapse in construction as mobile use in the field was in its early-adoption.

The reason for this move is two-fold.

1. Best-in-class solutions entering the market & proving their value

A swiss-army knife is only helpful when you don’t have anything better.

When was the last time you used the scissors in your swiss-army knife to cut something? It’s great when you’re in a pinch and it’s all you have, but it’s not a best-in-class tool.

Our commitment is to remain the #1 Daily Reporting Software for Construction. Because that’s our only focus, we can react quickly to customer feedback. Many of the one-size-fits-all project management solutions have over 30 different products in their suite of software…including CRM, ERP, Accounting, Scheduling, & Estimating which are very large, highly complex systems on their own. Daily reporting can’t be their #1 priority.

We’re continually getting feedback from project managers ecstatic that they now have 100% compliance for daily reporting, superintendents on big jobs stating that Raken saves them 2hr/day, and CEO’s stating that by sharing how they are now documenting the jobsite to owner/developers, they are winning more jobs.
These results are because daily reporting is our #1 priority.

2. Cloud + API’s

To be truly competitive, you must be able to choose best-in-class services. APIs are allowing companies like ours to integrate with a variety of data sources. Take Raken for example, we use Zen Desk & Olark for customer support, Jira for technical project management, HubSpot & Mail Chimp for marketing, and Elastic for CRM (just to name a few). We are far more efficient in terms of customer support, product development, communication, accountability, and transparency using best-in-class services.

Under the one-size-fits-all approach, companies can’t take advantage of best-in-class solutions. You should be able to complete your daily reports using Raken, mark-up your drawings using Bluebeam/PlanGrid, or handle accounting, scheduling, estimating on whichever platform you choose. Simply put, best-in-class services are what power best-in-class businesses.”

This debate about point solution versus integrated solution apps is a rather interesting one.

On one hand you can look at it from the perspective of a small company just starting out without a lot of resources. On the other you can look at it from the perspective of a large company that already has a strong mobile program looking to stream line it’s processes

At the end of the day the questions each company must ask are…

What are you trying to accomplish with apps in the field?
How much are you willing to spend?
What results do you want to achieve?

Next week I will focus on my past and future strategies.

Top 5 Apps Review 1 Safety Reports (iAuditor)

Safety Reports (iAuditor) Review:

Remember the old days old triplicate forms that you tried to keep clean and sweat free as you documented your safety inspection findings? Remember the old days of typing in data to a copied version of an excel spreadsheet and trying to send it out in an email on a dial up internet connection. Remember the old days, when you printed out a form and tried to complete a checklist and fax it to your office and hope they could read it, find it, or receive it? In the era of the iPad, those old ways have come to an END!

There are now numerous apps that allow a user to document a safety inspection with a few simple gestures or entry points for data. There are paid apps, free apps that charge your use their higher functions, and FREE apps. Now granted, the free apps only do so much. BUT I would wager that any effort to use an iPad app to document safety items is better than any of the old days scenarios!!!

This brings me to the iAuditor app from Safety Culture that is available on both iOS and Android devices. This FREE form generator app lets you create and distribute forms to your team. After completing the inspections and reports these items can be converted to a PDF and emailed to the office. There is also a cloud based management system that provides real time back-up, and syncing of all connected devices, and this allows you to effectively manage workgroups across your organization. This is a subscription service and costs $5 per worker per month..

My primary experience has been with the iOS version on my iPad, but I have also tried it on my iPhone as well. The app was fairly easy to learn how to use, they also have a good resource page built into the app for guidance. To create a new form you simply use the + button at the top of the app to open a new template. From there you can add category or question fields.

To learn more about the go to their website at…
http://www.safetyculture.com.au/iAuditor/