3 Important Things To Know About Technology and Construction Apps

It seems like there’s an app for everything.

Even in business, and especially in construction. As an IT professional in construction, we’re pretty sure it can appear mind-numbing when you’re trying to figure out which technology and which apps are right to use.

As IT and technology advances, more and more construction companies are moving towards devices to help manage their business tasks, instead of paper.

But before you dive into the app and software foray, there are some things you need to know about applications in construction.

Here are some things to consider:

• How should you evaluate software, which you plan to use?
• How do you identify which types of apps or software is needed?
• How will you manage security and permissions of these pieces of productivity software?
• What are the mobile requirements for this Saas?
• How much time will you be spending managing them?
• Will you choose a Saas-based app, or a standalone application?

What’s the difference in technology and Saas?

Saas is an acronym. It stands for software-as-a-service, aka Saas. Saas is a way of delivering software applications over an internet connection. Common examples of Saas companies are Netflix, LinkedIn, and Dropbox. Saas is simply accessed over the internet, with no heavy installing and maintaining of memory-heavy software. Saas is also great for hardware because it needs less memory requirements.

Billing is also a bit easier to manage with Saas-based applications. Saas is typically billed on a recurring monthly basis. Sometimes certain Saas applications are billed per seat, or license, but often times this bill is set up to invoice monthly, automatically.

Usually, Saas equates to zero downloads for desktops and laptops. Other than a thin client for updates, there’s very little downtime from lengthy installs/updating.

(Remember the days of CD-ROM? We do)

The other difference in software, from Saas, is called standalone.

Standalone apps are downloaded from some sort of app store and used independently. These types of apps are great when there is a function to be done without the need for collaboration, i.e. apps for taking photos, calculating concrete estimates, project notes. These apps are usually a one-time payment and can range from free to $100.

While there’s no standards when deciding which type of mobile solution to deploy, there are some criteria you can use when choosing.

• If your business needs require software that gives you collaboration from multiple parties, over an internet connection, then opt for Saas.
• If your business needs require software that can be completed independently, then standalone apps will likely get the job done for a flat one-time cost.

Either way, using apps in the end will be more efficient than using Excel spreadsheet to run your construction business.

Get to know us.

Now that you know a bit more about apps for construction companies, take a look here at how we’ve helped other construction businesses. Or better yet, email us here to learn how DigiSync can help your construction company, through outsourced IT services.