construction mobile apps and their marketplace impact

Construction mobile apps

and their marketplace impact marketplace impact

The growth of the mobile device market over the last five years is based off of one main principal: the faster you can transmit information, no matter where you are, the quicker things gets done – professionally, socially and personally. It is no surprise that estimates predict 50% of Americans to own a smartphone by the end of this year and one in five Americans will own a tablet device by 2015. By doing our own survey of construction industry professionals in our social network, from estimators to homebuilders, we found that most do not own a tablet device and most use their mobile phones for calls, texts and email but nothing more. Many are starting to hear about application capabilities and software extending services to mobile devices, but like any new trend in technology, it all looks a little complicated and maybe not worth their time to learn it. The majority of mobile device users are on one of following platforms (phones): RIM (Blackberry), Apple (iPhone), Microsoft (Windows Phone), Google (Android) and Palm (now part of HP). In 2010, the majority of users were on Blackberry and iPhone with Microsoft’s market share diminishing and Google’s share, with the introduction of the Android phones, quickly taking its place1. Since Oct 2009, all five of these platforms have a mobile application store with a combined total of over 500,000 apps available for download. Surprisingly, though, as of May 2010 only 30% of smartphone users were actually utilizing apps on their devices – but that 30% had an average of 27 applications each, accounting for the $2 billion in revenue brought in by North American mobile applications in 20102 . There are a growing number of people using smartphones, but the majority of apps being used are being used by

the same people. From our research, it seems the app user group does not contain a large amount of construction industry professionals. Maybe they do not know what is out there? Maybe they do, but they are not convinced of the value in researching, purchasing, downloading and learning to use an application? So for now, let us start with talking about what is out there. The AEC folks we know that are using smartphone applications are fans of the following (and where you can find them): • AutoCAD WS - Enables you to view, edit and share your AutoCAD drawings directly from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. (iTunes) • Autodesk Sketchbook – A full set of any and all sketching tools you could possibly need, ready to create, in your mobile device. (iTunes) • Google Earth– Google’s fantastic

Earth application brought to your smartphone. Fantastic for virtual site visits. (www.google.com/earth) • Unit Conversion – A unit conversion utility for calculating measurements, cost and currency conversions. (iTunes) • Spending Tracker Plus - Tracks business expenses, material and equipment receipts. (spendingtrackerplus.com) • Vela Systems - Enables users to create and update issues, reference project documents and run QA/

QC, Safety and Commissioning checklists throughout all project phases, from anywhere, with or without an internet connection. (iTunes) • SmartBidNet – Our own product that syncs to your SmartBidNet database of subcontractors, suppliers, and bid projects for onthe-go project management and communications. (iTunes) • Construction Master 5 – With the complete functionality of the handheld Construction Master 5 device, this app allows for quick and

easy construction-math calculation on-the-go. (iTunes) • LargeViewer – Allows you to view large/wide documents and plan files easily in your mobile device screen. (iTunes) • Google Docs – Manage, edit and share your Google Docs from your mobile device. (iTunes) • Various In-House Custom Apps –developed as extension of in-house applications and IT systems. These are only some of the construction related apps available today and do not include the many software companies that are developing apps that integrate with their platforms as we speak. So why are more people not using them? Let us assume any type of new technology is chosen or rejected based on one main factor: efficiency. And let us say the two main components of efficiency are the time and cost to analyze each in terms of utilizing a mobile app.

The download time of a mobile app is negligible at 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. We spend more time waiting for our Facebook profile to load. But I think the time component mobile users are concerned about is the time it takes to figure out how to navigate the application. Many users do not realize that the application is made to practically duplicate whatever software or system it is connected to. The interfaces are similar and the navigation has to be simple and obvious as app developers know you are working with a small screen. Many mobile device users also assume in the same amount of time it takes them to navigate a new app, they could have gotten to a laptop and completed the task. What they are not thinking about is when their computer is not close by, when they can not get WiFi or times when a mobile phone could actually get the task done quicker, especially when it comes to communications. Apps can integrate with your phones capabilities, allowing you to immediately call, text or email a contact or location you are viewing in an application.

What about cost? The apps listed above range from free to $14.99, a one-time fee (some have the caveat that you already have to be a subscribing user of their core software product). I would not say the purchasing cost is a deterrent but more the perceived cost of putting work matters into the hands of a mobile device. Many users and their companies are concerned about the security of data transmitted through a mobile device. A study by the Global Information Security Workforce shows that security professionals are hard at work over the same concern, 73% admitting that application vulnerabilities are currently their top security threat concern3 .

So it seems app producers need to do a better job of convincing people, and construction professionals specifically, that using their app can increase the efficiency of those using it. There needs to be more demonstration of app capabilities, more marketing and, especially, more integration with systems

“There are a growing number of people using smartphones, but the majority of apps being used are being used by the same people.”

“Many users do not realize that the application is made to practically duplicate whatever software or system it is connected to.”

professionals already use daily. They need to ensure the security of all data that passes through the app and offer a user interface that even the least tech-savvy can operate. Apps could be offered in bulk to companies willing to buy access for all employees or come custom on company phones. Apps need to be presented with IT packages as an essential tool and not just a techie luxury. The mobile industry and construction software have both come a long way and have an exciting future ahead of them.

End notes:

1 www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_

Releases/2010/7/comScore_Reports_

May_2010_U.S._Mobile_Subscriber_

Market_Share 2 www.dailyfinance.com/story/media/ mobile-application-growth-will-feedadvertising-revenue-profit/19627827/ 3 www.securityweek.com/application-andmobile-security-top-concerns-thinlystretched-security-professionals

Contributed by James Benham, President of SmartBidNet and Liz Welsh

Other good resources:

• www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2011/02/mobile-operating-system-marketshare-feb-2011-infographic.php • www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2011/02/mobile-operating-system-marketshare-feb-2011-infographic.php • www.businessinsider.com/infographics-everything-you-need-to-knowabout-the-mobile-appconomy-2010-7 • www.247venturesinc.com/blog/2010/7/24/history-of-apps-infographic.html

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