The beginning of a new construction project is an exciting time. However, that excitement can change to frustration and become a reason for conflict if construction documents contain errors and discrepancies.
In order to be competitive, contractors, architects, and developers need to improve their efficiency. For that reason, many professionals are considering online software solutions to manage their submittals in construction.
Submittals are essential to an early construction project and outline how the project is executed. These documents are sent to an architect by a contractor asking for approval for certain equipment and materials before they are installed and sent to the site.
Submittals are necessary to regulate the timely flow of materials that must be incorporated into work. Moreover, they enlist the proposed materials, tools and equipment required for the construction project.
Hand-written documents are usually disorganized and at a high risk of being misplaced, lost or overlooked. Unfortunately, many construction professionals still use paper-based systems for submittals, leading to inefficiency, reduced productivity and slowing down of the project.
So what’s the solution? Well, the answer is quite simple! Switch to software specifically designed to resolve these construction project complexities.
Here are some significant benefits of using a software solution for managing your construction submittals; continue reading!
Increase accessibility
Fortunately, online systems efficiently overcome some significant limitations of e-mail and faxes. While the traditional means of communication rely on pushing the information out to the people, online systems pull people to the information.
When using software solutions, all the information is made accessible to everyone who needs it. With online systems, it is much faster and effortless for the construction team to browse the web and download information as and when required.
Reduce your workload
Software solutions allow construction team members to input construction submittals details directly. With software solutions, you can make all the necessary information (such as answers to RFIs) available to your construction team faster, thus helping them complete the project on time.
When using software, your construction staff need not reformat and contract administration spreadsheets, which is undoubtedly a cumbersome and error-prone process. Real-time, online logs eliminate the need to reconcile records in meetings or re-input and reformat the materials.
Increase your accuracy at work
The software allows you to enter the information directly at the source; that means the need to retype or copy the data is eliminated, increasing your accuracy. For example, a field superintendent can enter an RFI question using a simple online form.
The RFI is relayed to the engineer or architect, which can answer the question online. That information will become immediately available to everyone who needs it. All users will see identical details, making it possible to resolve issues quickly.
Manage all information in one place
These software solutions enable you to keep all your project information up-to-date and accessible anytime, anywhere, without requiring direct contact with key individuals. They provide users with a real-time view of the latest information, which in turn helps reduce delays in correspondence.
The systems are made to keep eliminating confusion about whether (or when) users received the information such as:
- Architect’s Supplemental Information (ASIs)
- Submittals of material samples
- Construction change directives (CCDs)
- A date-stamped log of each online document as Requests for information (RFIs),
- Installation drawings, and similar construction documents
Hence, it can be concluded that software designed for submittals in construction can help construction teams improve their efficiency, save time and reduce costs. So if you are planning a new construction project, switch to submittal software solutions and take the hassle off your work.
