Standing Around

Tracking, documenting and managing a project from start to finish is a huge task.  It takes multiple people to complete a single project.  Each person has a specific role to play from design through completion. Everyone involved in a project cannot be at the project site full time to make sure that it is progressing correctly.   At the same time, everyone on the project needs to know what is happening on the job site to make sure it is progressing correctly. 

It goes without saying, standing around and watching workers do their particular job is the least effective way to manage a project, especially when there are multiple projects running simultaneously.    Not only is this ineffective but it is impossible. 

So how is it possible to proactively manage remote job sites without actually being on the job site?  TECHNOLOGY!  Using mobile resource management software in conjunction with smart phones and other mobile devices, information can easily be gathered and documented in the field and delivered in “Real-Time” directly to office staff.  This allows various staff members to make immediate, sometimes critical, decisions regarding the project.  

With the use of technology, the office can easily communicate with field staff, keeping the flow of communication open.  “Real-Time” means that the information is delivered “as it happens,” completely doing away with the need for office staff to physically be on site. 

Construction, Technology and Playing Tetris

Historically the construction industry has been late to embrace new technology.  Many new technologies that were designed for recreation have benefits that far outreach their original use.    Playing Tetris may not help you to actually operate a crane, but using an iPod, originally intended for enjoying music, can help you to proactively manage remote projects.

Right now you are laughing and wondering if that steel beam in the picture was accidentally dropped on my head.  No, it was not dropped on my head, and YES you can proactively manage remote projects using an iPod.  In fact, you can proactively manage projects using any “smart device. “

Companies who recognize the benefits of using technology in their business are gaining a huge advantage over companies who continue to operate using the same outdated methods they always have.

To Download Click Here

Time and Attendance Part 5: Integration

A study done by Aberdeen research group published in 2011, “Time and Attendance Strategies: Beyond Accuracy and Compliance,” found “organizations using automated time and attendance solutions integrated with payroll saw a 61%improvement in compliance audit scores over companies that did not automate time and attendance or integrate time and attendance with payroll."

Automating the collection of time and attendance is the first step to gather accurate information, but what happens to the data after it is collected?   If it is sent to the office and then entered by hand into accounting, all of the other steps to compliance are void.  Data entry is where the largest number of mistakes happen. 

 

Integrating your time and attendance system with your accounting system eliminates the need to re-enter information.  Data entry pollutes your data by allowing room for error.   Keep your data pure by using a time and attendance system that has the ability to push and pull critical information from job costing or accounting systems without using data entry.