BY ROB MCKINNEY

The construction industry is in the middle of a major change in how tasks are accomplished in the field. The traditional paper-based means to accomplish tasks are fading away and being replaced by innovative mobile-based ways. In the current climate many construction firms have gone the route of utilizing mobile devices and apps to solve for workflow issues. In order to leverage these new apps and devices a company, must first make the decision to try them out! So the question is: how do the companies create a program do that?

First things first. Take a look around your company and find those technology-friendly individuals that are willing to try out new mobile devices and apps. Set up a meeting to discuss the different app platform and hardware options. I would recommend using the same platform for smartphones and tablets. Next, create a meeting agenda and set up a regular meeting to investigate all the options available to you.

After you form the Technology Committee, the first task it should tackle is to map out your current workflow processes you wish to improve. A few examples would be how does your field crew...

• Generate an RFI in the field?
• Document safety meetings?
• Take and share progress photos?

The committee needs to search the app marketplace for keywords such as construction, safety, and quality. There are hundreds of choices out there for apps at the moment. It will take time to evaluate the app options that work best for you.

Once you have identified the workflows you want to improve, the technology committee must select the initial apps you want to try out in a beta test. Give your committee members access to the new apps on their mobile devices. Set a trial period of 90 to 120 days to see how they work out and select the most suitable.

Now that you have selected and tested your apps, you are now ready to deploy the apps to the rest of the company. This process is different between the Apple, Android and Windows stores. You may want to research gift cards or Mobile Device Management software to help distribute the apps. You may want to consider bringing in an outside consultant to train your employees on the new mobile devices and apps to bring your employees up to speed quickly.

Once a year it is a good idea to evaluate the apps that you are using and make sure they are still working the way you intended. The world of apps is very different from the traditional software. Software may have one or two updates a year, but apps are updated on a monthly or quarterly basis. It is important to stay on top of these updates. Depending on the platform, you also have to be aware of platform updates that may affect app performance.

Visit Rob's blog, www.conappguru.wordpress.com, for more reviews on construction apps.