#ifieldsmart technologies

The construction industry is one of the most complex industries with a wide range of activities and multiple players involved in every project. It involves a lot of paperwork, communication, coordination, and management of various tasks. With the advancements in technology, many construction companies are adopting various software solutions to streamline their processes and increase productivity. iFieldSmart Technologies is one such software solution that is designed specifically for the construction industry.

iFieldSmart Technologies is a cloud-based construction field productivity software that enables construction companies to manage their projects efficiently. It is a comprehensive software solution that offers a wide range of features to manage various aspects of construction projects. The software is designed to help construction companies save time and money by automating various tasks and improving communication and collaboration between various stakeholders.

One of the key features of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to manage project schedules. The software allows construction companies to create and manage schedules for various tasks and activities involved in a project. The schedules can be easily updated, and the software will automatically adjust the schedule to reflect any changes. This feature helps construction companies to manage their projects more efficiently and ensure that they are completed on time.

Another important feature of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to manage construction documents. The software allows construction companies to store all their documents in one place and access them from anywhere at any time. The software also offers version control, which ensures that all stakeholders are working with the latest version of the document. This feature helps construction companies to save time and money by eliminating the need to manage multiple versions of the same document.

iFieldSmart Technologies also offers a mobile app that allows construction workers to access project information from anywhere at any time. The app allows workers to view project schedules, update their progress, and communicate with other stakeholders. This feature helps construction companies to improve communication and collaboration between various stakeholders, which is essential for the success of any construction project.

The software also offers a task management feature that allows construction companies to assign tasks to workers and track their progress. The software provides real-time updates on the status of each task, which helps construction companies to identify potential delays and take corrective action before they become major issues.

iFieldSmart Technologies also offers a quality control feature that allows construction companies to track the quality of work being done on a project. The software allows companies to create checklists for various tasks and activities involved in a project. Workers can use the checklists to ensure that they are following the required procedures and standards. This feature helps construction companies to maintain the quality of their work and ensure that they meet the expectations of their clients.

Another important feature of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to generate reports. The software allows construction companies to generate reports on various aspects of their projects, including progress, costs, and quality control. These reports provide valuable insights into the performance of the project and help construction companies to identify areas for improvement.

The construction industry is one of the most complex industries with a wide range of activities and multiple players involved in every project. It involves a lot of paperwork, communication, coordination, and management of various tasks. With the advancements in technology, many construction companies are adopting various software solutions to streamline their processes and increase productivity. iFieldSmart Technologies is one such software solution that is designed specifically for the construction industry.

iFieldSmart Technologies is a cloud-based construction field productivity software that enables construction companies to manage their projects efficiently. It is a comprehensive software solution that offers a wide range of features to manage various aspects of construction projects. The software is designed to help construction companies save time and money by automating various tasks and improving communication and collaboration between various stakeholders.

One of the key features of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to manage project schedules. The software allows construction companies to create and manage schedules for various tasks and activities involved in a project. The schedules can be easily updated, and the software will automatically adjust the schedule to reflect any changes. This feature helps construction companies to manage their projects more efficiently and ensure that they are completed on time.

Another important feature of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to manage construction documents. The software allows construction companies to store all their documents in one place and access them from anywhere at any time. The software also offers version control, which ensures that all stakeholders are working with the latest version of the document. This feature helps construction companies to save time and money by eliminating the need to manage multiple versions of the same document.

iFieldSmart Technologies also offers a mobile app that allows construction workers to access project information from anywhere at any time. The app allows workers to view project schedules, update their progress, and communicate with other stakeholders. This feature helps construction companies to improve communication and collaboration between various stakeholders, which is essential for the success of any construction project.

The software also offers a task management feature that allows construction companies to assign tasks to workers and track their progress. The software provides real-time updates on the status of each task, which helps construction companies to identify potential delays and take corrective action before they become major issues.

iFieldSmart Technologies also offers a quality control feature that allows construction companies to track the quality of work being done on a project. The software allows companies to create checklists for various tasks and activities involved in a project. Workers can use the checklists to ensure that they are following the required procedures and standards. This feature helps construction companies to maintain the quality of their work and ensure that they meet the expectations of their clients.

Another important feature of iFieldSmart Technologies is its ability to generate reports. The software allows construction companies to generate reports on various aspects of their projects, including progress, costs, and quality control. These reports provide valuable insights into the performance of the project and help construction companies to identify areas for improvement.

iFieldSmart Technologies is a leading provider of Construction collaboration tools and services for the construction industry. iFieldSmart has developed state of the art software solutions that enable construction teams to collaborate in real time on projects, track progress and project costs, share documents and files securely, manage projects and costs, capture time efficiently and coordinate work through our solution.

The As-Built model illustrates the entire structural system in an “As-Built” condition or the way it was built. The outcome is a universal 3D model that is composed that depicts the process and the existing state of a building or facility. As-Built documentation is a crucial deliverable at the end of the project and during handover as it contains detailed documentation and technical possibility for further verification, maintenance, or renovations.

What is As-Built documentation?

Regularly recording the building progress to track the construction state can help stakeholders manage defects on the field and during operations. As-Built documentation is also used as a guide to managing building inventories and comparing data with 3D models, photos, or other 2D plans. As-Built documentation makes sure the actual state corresponds to the 3D model.

How is As-Built Documentation created?

In As-Built documentation, the site is measured using various laser scanning techniques. Terrestrial laser scanners or Drones are used to measure structural progress and build a point cloud around it. After the installation of the building services, fast and accurate scanners are used to capture the existing conditions of the project. In this way, the construction progress is monitored and recorded in stages for validation and can also be used as a digital twin.

As-Built documentation supports whom?

·         Construction companies

·         Building Owners

·         Buyers

·         Contractors

Top 5 directions through which Reality Capture has transformed the construction industry.

A myriad of stakeholders has heard and adopted reality capture to transform design and construction. Capturing accurate and quick site data for use and conversion into usable 3D models has evolved workflows. But, there are 5 crucial directions wherein reality capture has truly transformed the design and construction sector.

1.   Accuracy Improvements

Present-day reality capture technology makes outdated 2D and manual measurements obsolete. Cutting down on numerous site visits to verify site measurements is replaced by terrestrial or drone scans to generate a Point Cloud in a blink of an eye enriched with the highest level of detail. Accuracy enhancements have set a higher expectation bar through lower rework and reduced timelines. This supports General Contractors (GCs) to streamline and improve business workflows. Turner Fleischer Architects adopted Reality Capture to record existing conditions which led to a significant reduction in issues and change orders.

2.   Efficiency Acceleration

Significant reduction in site visits and accelerated data collection has led to enhanced project efficiency at multiple levels. A hospital project by Bates Architects using 3D laser scanning tools encouraged 50% cost reduction. Capturing identical information via traditional methods would have caused greater numbers of site visits and higher costs.

|Marin Pastar, Bates Architects, Innovation Director quotes “ The biggest savings was the time savings – this was probably the shortest time frame project of the largest scope which Reality Capture helped us deliver.”

3.   Reduction in tedious manual activities

While traditional 2D CAD would involve tedious manual workflows, present-day Reality Capture manages to automate a myriad of design and construction activities. Stream of data from scanners or drones is directly fed into 3D models via various BIM software. Designs created through these 3D BIM models are fed into construction workflows leading to a reduction in tedious tasks and constructible plans. Reality Capture was deployed by McCarthy Building Companies for their construction projects and came up with a comparison vs traditional tools. Reality Capture deployed for the Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto recorded 155 scans in 13 hours (for beams, steel, and concrete floors) vs 64 hours to only scan steel camber beams via traditional methods. The comparison in survey and time savings was exponentially reinforced with accurate calculations for dimensions to create RFIs.

4.   Significant Collaboration

Easy to use Reality Capture tools and software have made it possible for global AEC firms to adopt this technology to utilize, change, share, and feed into design and construction processes. In a digital workspace, stakeholders across various project phases can record feedback, write notes, quantify site conditions, and reinforce them in existing workflows. Data streaming into 3D models in real-time makes the entire process collaborative for the entire project team.

5.   Construction Validation

Validating design before actual construction begins is crucial for the preconstruction stage. Making sure the design intent aligns perfectly with actual construction reduces rework by identifying problems early on. It also ensures project progress stays aligned with planned expectations.

iFieldSmart Technologies supports field personnel with a single dashboard to manage all their reality capture needs for improved project coordination.

Conclusion.

BIM tools reinforced by digital As-Built documentation improve management and information control for construction projects. As-Builts help detects numerous defects between planning documents and As-Built drawings. Digital visualization enriches As-Built documentation to mitigate rework and resolve issues before they even occur. Change orders can be lowered with preemptive clash visualization and resolution and accuracy through continuous improvements in productivity, efficiency, and delivery.

Reality capture isn’t new, yet the equipment, processes, and tools are superior in the present scenario. Setting yourself on construction sites with Lens360 tracking to actionable insights, managing risks, track progress is key to achieving positive onsite outcomes.                 

For more information: +17034688575

Construction projects can be extremely complex, given the cost and time to build them. To successfully and safely complete these projects requires every piece of the puzzle to be synced, including teams and third-party firms. Stakeholders need to be completely aware of how the project will unfold at every stage of the project. Changing parameters during the plan, bid, and construction phase can take projects in different directions, leading to wavering project scope.

“Reviewing and responding to each RFI can cost a construction firm $1000 or above, while the accumulated costs for a project could be more than $900,000”

It is impossible to keep projects on track and people on the same page without accurate, complete, and valid RFIs. A Request for Information (RFI) form or document supports people and projects with time and cost-efficiency. An RFI streams information from design and engineering teams to identify project parameters that have evolved since the contract or original bid. RFIs serve as communication channels to drive dynamic planning and informed decision-making to complete costly and fast-track construction projects.

Let's understand how construction RFIs are utilized in the AEC industry. Here we incorporate granular details on where RFIs become uncertain and analyze the RFI structure. We will also consider the use of construction management apps like iFieldSmart Technologies to create and manage RFIs to streamline design and construction.

RFI creation – iFieldSmart Technologies.

What is a construction RFI?

An RFI serves as a crucial document to extend the horizon of the project through details shared between designers, engineers, and construction teams. In essence, an RFI is documented communication utilized by contractors and subcontractors to assemble additional information as the project evolves. Information within an RFI is data that wasn’t initially incorporated into the project contract scope. RFIs are also created to –

§  Collect information on the surrounding parameters that cannot be concluded from the original contract

§  Clarify other aspects of a construction project

§  Make changes wherever required

An RFI can be or is used with other documents that include,

(RFP) - Request for Proposal

(RFT) - Request for Tender

(RFQ)- Request for Quotation

Various Types of construction RFIs.

RFIs can be classified into a myriad of types, but we would be listing and discussing the most commonly used in construction projects.

1.   Changes in Design.

2.   Clarification on incomplete data for specs, plans, etc.

3.   Changes in materials

4.   Time-centric RFIs

5.   Onsite conditions

6.   Constructability problems

7.   Coordination (Design, Construction)

Why do construction teams create and send RFIs?

Contractors or subcontractors create and communicate RFIs to include diverse information or details to move ahead in a project.

§  Clarify or change design elements or conflicts   - clarify design elements, resolve design flaws, and request information on incomplete plans.

§  Request changes in materials or suggest substitutions – request information on changes in planned materials or resources, and introduce new variables to proceed within budget.

§  Outline issues based on constructability and achieve greater details – clarify constructability issues through greater information clarity.

How to create an RFI?

§  Begin with a question that is clear and concise to remove confusion

§  Build a strong context around the question with easy-to-understand language

§  Ask for information through visuals including drawings, sketches, or videos

§  Make recommendations for a solution in the RFI

When should RFIs not be used?

§  RFIs should not be used to communicate regular information

§  RFIs should not be used to include the design or engineering elements that were unaccounted for during initial bidding and planning  

§  RFIs should not be used to share safety plans

§  RFIs should not be used to submit scheduling data or information

§  RFIs should not be used to seek approval on modifications

§  RFIs should not be used to provide general comments on a construction project

Using construction management software to create and streamline the RFI process.  

RFI Management – iFieldSmart Technologies.

A myriad of construction firms leverage powerful construction management tools to facilitate improved project planning and management. Each submitted RFI can cost at least $1000. The scope and size of the project can lead to millions of dollars in RFI creation leading to extensive cost overruns and project delays. Utilizing construction management software from iFieldSmart Technologies supports contractors and subcontractors reduce admin costs.

Looking for your next construction management software to streamline your RFI needs?

Explore our construction management capabilities for RFI management.

Contact Us: - 703-994-4242

Even though construction projects need to be managed efficiently, contractors are challenged by inaccurate and outdated drawing sets. Learn how iFieldSmart Technologies supports teams with QR code integration to get the latest drawings sets to avoid onsite challenges that lead to rework, project delays, and cost overruns.

Construction drawings or building drawings are created by Architects to showcase their ideas, project nuances, and other information required onsite for installation and record keeping after a handover. Construction drawings are a holistic term that structures a specific part of building data, that is enriched into crucial documentation and later on as agreement data sets for construction work. This means they hold law-driven importance and form between the general contractor and the client.

While the creation and use of construction drawings are important for construction activities, project stakeholders need to store these datasets in an organized and updated manner. A myriad of cloud-based construction management tools offers capabilities to store 2D deliverables, yet the design and construction teams fail to utilize an updated set of drawings. This leads to poor communication, collaboration, rework, and cost and time delays. Construction management apps from iFieldSmart Technologies understand design and construction pain points to store, download, and access 2D drawings.

QR code integration from iFieldSmart Technologies supports construction teams with new technology and solutions to access and use a fresh set of drawings that ensure time and cost savings and improved construction quality.  

 Here are the top 3 reasons why construction drawing sets are important for modern design and construction.  

Construction drawings produce a realistic representation of actual construction.

Construction drawings provide an accurate and realistic representation of what needs to be assembled or installed. These drawings are coordinated and condensed to consider multiple opportunities and remove uncertainties, and confusion. Delays and ambiguities can be lowered by appropriately coordinating a set of construction drawings.

iFieldSmart Technologies deliver best-in-class 2D storage and access capabilities that filter 2D files by revision number, version, drawing date, last updated, trade name, etc.    

Construction drawings deliver accurate and complete specifications.

Construction drawings pack in accurate and detailed specifications including materials, procedures, principles, etc. to complete onsite installation. A graphical representation indicates the course of action for building components, measurements, detailing, and more. Appropriate coordination between construction parts leads to mitigated ambiguities. An updated set of drawings with the latest project information promotes a precise and complete instruction set. This prompt spending lower time on onsite installation and construction.  

Construction drawings ensure streamlined and required onsite construction.

The significance of construction drawings lies in the seamless and streamlined execution of onsite construction. Information stored in these drawings has to be sufficient to drive project execution. Before assigning construction drawings for onsite construction, each 2D dataset needs to be investigated and approved by the concerned designer and other specialized personnel to mitigate ambiguities onsite. Data represented on engineering drawings portray specific directions, dimensions, titles, etc. that need to be executed as per required instruction.

Conclusion

With years of expertise and experience in the field of construction management, iFieldSmart Technologies provides best-in-class cloud-based 2D storage and access for multiple teams. Keeping track of 2D deliverables promotes higher working productivity, time, and cost savings, reinforced by enhanced construction quality. Schedule a demo to unlock construction management capabilities and achieve a seamless 2D experience.

Contact Us: - 703-994-4242

Is your construction project getting boxed through dumb construction project management apps? Is your existing AEC app suite blowing financial holes?  The AEC sector is complex and counts on advanced processes and tools for accelerating construction projects to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale.

Construction project management reinforced with powerful software can assist AEC professionals to reduce rework, diminish project delays, lower material wastage, and mitigate cost and time overruns. iFieldSmart Technologies offer comprehensive project management capabilities to connect onsite teams with remote stakeholders. As a single secure cloud-based platform, tools integrated into iFieldSmart connect every aspect of your AEC project, integrate seamlessly with other apps and coordinate people and projects.  

Project managers and other construction stakeholders are perpetually challenged by fragmented communication, flawed data storage tools, information loss, disjoint processes, and a lack of accurate task management. iFieldSmart Technologies enables various teams to achieve greater project visibility, streamline bidding, centralize data storage, improve job site productivity and diminish silos for enhanced collaboration. Listed below are the top 8 tools that can help you transform the way you work with cloud-based construction project management and digital workflows.

§  Leverage greater project visibility into project breakthroughs with secure and cataloged 2D storage

 2D drawings are dominant deliverables for any AEC team or firm. Architects, general contractors, engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders face continuous project setbacks as a consequence of substandard data storage platforms. Analyzing real-world challenges, iFieldSmart Technologies has derived the ultimate solution to store, access, and share updated drawings from a single secure interface.

 Through powerful annotation tools, and greater capabilities that include drawing markers, layer editing, file export, etc. teams can coordinate and collaborate on a single source of truth to stay on track. Teams can leverage cloud-based technology to store and catalog drawings based on various disciplines viz. Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, etc. with quick search capabilities amongst thousands of drawing sets.

 §  Powerful RFI tools to create, record, and assign RFI’s

 Get quick answers to costly RFIs. Diminish excuses to streamline projects and complete them on schedule with proactive RFI management. Inefficient management of RFI’s can lead to project delays, cost overshoots, and lower business profits. iFieldSmart Technologies helps stakeholders achieve accurate and efficient time management for holistic project wins. AEC professionals and firms can leverage cloud-based RFI management to create new RFIs and turn them into actions with collaboration, integration, updates, and distribution lists.

 Assigning RFIs to various professionals or teams highlighting its cost impact can reduce project costs by taking informed decisions. Powerful search tools make it easy for contractors and other stakeholders to search from thousands of RFIs for various projects. Quickly creating or identifying a status change helps deliver the right response and manage a cataloged history of RFI’s.    

 §  Approve the right set of components for installation with effective submittal management

 Construction submittals are crucial deliverables that are created by contractors to general contractors. Managing submittals like shop drawings, material samples, cut sheets is imperative for Architects and Engineers to accurately verify building components and their quantities in compliance with design or contract documents.

 iFieldSmart Technologies understand the importance of submittals to ensure design intent, adhere to codes, and project safety. With the right set of capabilities like specifications, submittal package, issue date, etc. teams can create, manage, and streamline the submittal management process.    

 §  Detailed reports drive greater project tracking through real-time visualization

 In-depth project reports based on levels and trades assist project managers to track project progress. Proactive clash management helps visualize viewpoints, RFIs, and other parameters for various trades viz. mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, etc. Reports based on status events like Open, Closed, and Overdue make visualization comprehensive.  

 §  Encouraging construction flexibility on the go with Cloud Conferencing

 iFieldSmart Technologies integrates cloud conferencing capabilities to drive greater collaboration amongst remote teams. Getting multiple teams on a single screen helps multiple teams and stakeholders share project deliverables like drawings, documents, and other deliverables. Users can annotate and markup plans to enable real-time discussions and feedback for quick project execution. Creating multiple project agendas can help teams stay on track and drive a seamless meeting experience.

 Recording digital versions of meetings help stakeholders keep a copy of crucial meeting discussions that can lead to better decision-making. Going back to recorded discussions can clear out ambiguities and regular communication keeps construction sites connected with back-office teams. Communicating in real-time enables greater flexibility for remote teams through various devices and platforms.  

 §  Manage users and file activities with premium Cloud storage

 Storing large CAD/BIM/Point Cloud files is a challenge for design and construction teams. iFieldSmart Technologies can help AEC stakeholders store, share, and access crucial construction documents. With unlimited storage and high bandwidth, teams can store project photos, 360 images, videos, and other formats. Workplace productivity and enhanced tracking enable secure file storage with encrypted linking and file sharing. File versioning capabilities with timestamps help store multiple versions of files with quick restore capabilities and greater collaboration.

 §  Manage multiple construction tasks with proactive Task management

 Assigning tasks with iFieldSmart Technologies is quick and easy. A simple form with task name, due date, status, and assigning capabilities can help track project activities and tasks. Tracking work progress with time sliders can help teams follow task duration with precise descriptions for other stakeholders to follow.  

§  Improving construction photos for documentation & tracking with Lens 360

 360 - Degree photo documentation has gained significant popularity amongst construction firms to represent the entire view and navigate to various and specific components. Reinforced with construction management software, this rich source of visual data can be leveraged to capture and track project progress.

 Scrap attachments through email.

 While it seems easy to send onsite photos through email, it is an inefficient method to transfer photos as it creates a trail of confusion and inaccurate data. Images can lack the right context or meaning if not delivered at the right time through emails. Capturing and sending onsite photos directly from the field to a mobile platform or device and mapping them to drawings, reports, and documents through cloud-based software delivers an accurate and clear reference.

 With construction management software like iFieldSmart and its integrated tools, contractors can tag and annotate photos with 2D drawings to achieve greater viewer context. Capturing As-Built details, and identifying & resolving issues helps contractors and other stakeholders make informed decisions. RFI’s raised on issues can be solved quickly through greater depth of context.      

 Greater structure for file storage.

 Fragmented photo storage can be misleading, and consumes a lot of space. Automated or AI-based photo documentation software can save time and promote greater usability. Pushing photos to a centralized storage system reinforced with tagging can help identify locations, work type, onsite conditions, subcontractor location, etc. Photo filtering capabilities through advanced tagging can help general contractors and sub-contractors better search results and build imagery reports.

 Tagging imagery to specific onsite locations.

 Tagging photos with GPS systems can help contractors access the job site remotely. Geo-tagging onsite photos can diminish manual work and stakeholders can get a perspective through various map views.

 Conduct hassle-free site inspections.

 Site inspections can be taken to the next level with highly detailed 360 – degree photo documentation. Up-to-date and accurate 360-degree photos can help teams draw up schedules, track progress, resolve RFIs, diminish change orders, and mitigate disputes. Controlling project progress can streamline site inspections to stay on budget and schedule.    

 Achieve proof of progress.

 Recording a job site in 360 – degree helps teams view multiple job sites from any location. With photos being available instantly, teams can validate proof of progress – whenever it is required. Performing side-by-side comparisons of photos with 3D BIM models and drawings helps contractors identify and achieve planned progress around a single source of truth.

 Making a lasting impression with accurate As-Builts.

 Contractors looking at making a high-impact impression with As-Built documentation can leverage accurate and complete field documentation during the handover process. Precise project close-outs can help the FM team access complete data with dimensions, locations, specifications, descriptions, dates, etc. By the time, As-Builts are exported, onsite photos are ready for quick access for multiple teams.

Conclusion.

iFieldSmart Technologies helps every stakeholder connect on a single platform. With complete coverage from preconstruction to closeout, projects, and teams can stay away from risks and leverage greater profits. Higher team focus and efficiency reinforced with productivity reduce overruns, reduce administrative budget, and enable greater project tracking. Achieve complete oversight over your project with real-time data analytics, cost intelligence, and automation and identify the effects of issues on schedules with advanced project management capabilities.

For more information: +17034688575