What Is Mobile Construction Software?
In the past, construction software had to be installed on a construction business’s system, which put serious limitations on when and where it could be used. Traditional servers are common throughout the business world, but particularly problematic for construction businesses because of the nature of the construction industry with limited time spent in a physical office. Now, more and more construction software is being offered as web-based construction software, which has enormous implications for construction businesses seeking to make their revenue-earning operations as efficient and effective as they can be.
In short, web-based construction software means that the construction software is installed on the software vendors servers, but accessed using the construction business’ own computers via their internet connection. This means that the construction business’ own computers are nothing more than terminals that send in input and receive output, while the computing resources needed to run the construction software’s processes are provided by the software vendor’s servers.
One particularly popular form of web-based construction software is something called cloud construction software, meaning that it is hosted on a cloud network consisting of multiple servers rather than a single server. As a result, cloud construction software provides its users with better performance because there are more servers providing more computing resources. Better still, cloud networks are almost impossible to take down because the loss of a single server can be ignored by entrusting its task to the other servers, meaning that the users of cloud construction software will almost never be without access to their construction software so long as they have an internet-capable mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Combined with the recent rise of mobile devices, these factors have enabled the rise of mobile construction software. Like its name suggests, this means web-based construction software that can be used with mobile devices as well as PCs, meaning that it can be used even when a construction business’ personnel are out on construction sites. As a result, the rise of mobile construction software promises to enable its users to not just produce more results, but also better results as well.
How Can Mobile Construction Software Benefit Construction Businesses?
Here are some examples of how mobile construction software benefit construction businesses:
- Mobile construction software makes it possible for a construction business’ personnel to access all of the information stored using their construction software of choice whenever and wherever, so long as they have a mobile device capable of connecting to the internet. After all, their mobile device is nothing but a terminal, meaning that even its limited computing resources should be able to handle the demands of the mobile construction software with no issues whatsoever. For construction businesses, this is an incredible edge because it makes it possible for team members to act on accurate information on their own initiative without having to call back and forth with the office. This functionality is something that can make its operations both more productive and efficient, not to mention is much less frustrating for personnel on the construction site as well.
- With such high levels of security and multiple server locations, cloud networks are almost impossible to gain access to. This should come as welcome news to construction businesses that have ever run into serious computer issues in the past. After all, this means that they can count on their construction software to always be ready to provide them with what they need without actually having to pour a lot of their own resources on caring for their own systems. Better still, cloud networks can take care of having to create back-ups as well, which should be prioritized by construction businesses because of the frightening ease with which data storage devices can become either damaged or corrupted.
- There is a lot of sensitive information stored using construction software, meaning that construction businesses with compromised systems can ruin their reputation with their clients when malicious outsiders access their information without permission. Contrast this with software vendors, which have the expertise, the experience, and the interest in making sure that their cloud networks have the best protection possible. Summed up, mobile construction software can be a safer and more secure choice than traditional counterparts that have to be hosted on a construction business’ own servers.
- Finally, it is worth noting that mobile construction software is always up-to-date, which is important not just for the security of the information stored using it, but also for the usefulness of the features available to its users. This is particularly important because software vendors that use cloud networks to host their software tend to put more time and effort into providing support, meaning that their clients can expect more regular updates as well.
Of course, switching over to mobile construction software will not be without its costs and potential aversion for construction businesses. However, the sheer extent of its benefits means that it should prove to be an enhancement as compared to traditional servers, so long as a the construction business as a whole receives the proper training on how to effectively operate the software solution. If the time is taken to properly implement and learn how to use mobile construction software, most construction companies stand to benefit greatly with respect to productivity, profitability, and overall effectiveness as a business.
