Purpose Based Software and What it Means for Construction

Productivity in construction is a huge problem that economists and other business leaders point to as one of the reasons for the cost of homes has not kept up with the rest of the economy. Regularly technology and software is lifted up as the golden opportunity to increase productivity and drive construction to catch up and even overtake the historical loss in productivity. But not done correctly and with the right processes and planning software can just become part of the problem.

In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, we welcome back one the original guests on the podcast; Dennis Stejskal the director at Sage Construction and Real Estate. Dennis was originally on the show for episode #3 where he discussed the value of construction data. Dennis uses his 40 years of experience in the construction field to share the new developments in software technology, the need for purpose-based software, and how implementation matters.

Key Takeaways:

1. All of the technology is going to the cloud. Having technology to drive your construction business is nothing new but having technology that connects all of your teams is the new standard in the industry. Taking your technology from the back office to the cloud is the best and most direct way to push your data and software out and into the hands of all of your workers.
2. General use software is being replaced. General use software, even construction based general software is being replaced with purpose-based software. For a while a roofer, a painter and a general contractor could use the same version of software and make it work to keep their company ontrack. Today the need for focused data and tracking has driven technology to be focused on the subcontractor role, the employee position and or the size of the business.
3. Overcoming the productivity challenge is not just a technology game but it is a big part of it. Blaming a lack of technology on the productivity of the construction industry is a simple explanation, you need to look at all the aspects of the industry to find the multiple solutions for the multiple challenges we face. One example is the fact that construction happens outside of the four walls of an office that other industries get to experience. Weather, lack of infrastructure and unpredictable and complex labor and asset pools create needs that are outside of just getting a new piece of hardware or software. Get creative and take every aspect of your job site into consideration.