COVID-19 Reinforcing the Benefits of Off-Site Reporting

As COVID-19 continues to impact general contractors, companies that rely on sharing information via traditional methods, like paper or in-person, struggle with restrictions on numbers and the increase in work-from-home activities. This has significantly impacted field supervisors and other key project roles as those who would usually drop off timesheets, daily progress and safety reports can no longer do so.

Before the pandemic, general contractors had begun identifying lag issues getting the field data to the business office. Those who did not invest in technology solutions have grown into an even greater problem as central business offices may not deliver the field data.

For some GCs, Ontario’s 6-month shutdown of ICI construction presented the perfect time to update data collection methods and sharpen the office’s digital toolbox. By implementing real-time resource management solutions, such as cloud-based labour tracking, field reporting, project tracking and system integration, managers ensure that critical functions are performed seamlessly from any location.

Even when field employees are working in remote locations or working from home, data is captured as it happens and can be shared and synced with other systems as soon as there is service. It also eliminates manual data entry, keying errors and reallocation of job costs, and it connects your employees with accurate field progress data to make them as efficient as possible and keep projects on budget.

For a list of platforms that provide off-site reporting, visit the OGCA Innovation website and the AON Technology Corner.