Whether you are concrete, electrical, roofing, mechanical or other specialty contractors, there is one common bond you should know firsthand – that collaboration is the key to success. While you work with others, especially with prime contractors, suppliers, and even subcontractors of your own, it is already clear that the projects you and these people work on are a minefield of confusion, miscommunication, and many unique challenges.
By tradition, these project issues have been long tied to dissociated construction processes such as tracking data using spreadsheets, emails, and even pen and paper. Tons of disconnected data were also an issue due to multiple software programs being used. These make real-time decision-making more difficult and communication less consistent.
So what changes are you to integrate given with these issues? Today, cloud technologies like construction scheduling software have helped bridge the gap between office, field, and extended project teams. In this blog, we prepare for you a countdown of the top ten reasons you need to take action moving to the cloud.
What is Cloud Technology?
In the past, data was stored locally, which means it was kept on a hard drive and could only be accessed using the computer via email. Cloud technology, which is typically referred to as cloud computing, is the capacity to store tons of data in a software-based program. This means that anyone can easily access anything stored via the cloud for as long as there is Internet connectivity.
The construction industry is one of those that benefit from cloud technology like project task management solutions. As of the present, its rate of adoption is skyrocketing. A survey found that 85% of specialty contractors felt cloud computing was critical to their business.
Cloud computing has become the foundation of construction’s digital revolution. It reinforces all the most powerful software solutions and enables the sector to take advantage of the latest technologies.
Why Should You Move to the Cloud?
Cloud software programs can help your business in so many ways. We are convincing you to move to the cloud given with the top ten reasons cited below:
1. Become a Data-driven contractor
As a contractor, it is normal for you to make informed project and business decisions. However, analyzing project data, stats, results, and workflows has been a literal heavy lift, with tons of data produced per week after. Your work and responsibilities become even more overwhelming after every project stage completion.
The cloud and real-time data capacities that task management programs bring allow all specialty contractors like you to achieve real-time business operation intelligence. While modern analytical tools you have been using all those years are quick and easy to use, as anyone can do so virtually, cloud-based software tools prove to be much more powerful.
2. Ditch the Papers and Cumbersome Manual Processes
It’s already 2022. I hope you know that. Unfortunately, invoices, drawings, bills, and paper forms are still being used and relied on by many contractors. Are you one of them? If you are one of those folks who are still dealing with mountains of paperwork between the field and your office, searching thru rows of overflowing files, then it is the right time to consider an upgrade.
While some programs you have used can provide you with more digitized construction footprints, true digitization lies in the cloud. It is a powerful platform where a single set of combined data across all your construction disciplines, standardized workflows, methods of project management for construction, and hosted data storage and backups will make your everyday workloads a thousand times lighter.
3. A Dramatic Reduction in Risks
With full access to real-time information, the possibility of errors and mistakes from the office to the field is tremendously reduced. You and your team can spot issues before they turn into significant issues requiring expensive reworks.
Moreover, software-based in the cloud can also serve as a disaster plan. Flood, fire, and systems failure can ultimately bring your data to a screeching halt. You do not want that to happen, of course. That is why it is fundamental to have this cloud-based software tool integrated into your workflows.
4. Protect Your Data
With the increase in cybersecurity attacks these days, one of your biggest challenges is keeping your construction company’s data and overall business operations safe and secure. Moving your company data to the cloud can provide more security than other software programs. Why? Because hackers target vulnerable systems first. They know that these non-updated systems are not backed-up or designed with the latest data security.
But with connected, fully-integrated cloud solutions, your business and project data is well-protected from any threats.
5. Increase Efficiency and Construction Productivity
Cloud plays a crucial role in your operations, deploying your workloads to the most effective ways as cost structure, security requirements, and performance slowly shifts. Once you move your data and workflows to the cloud, it helps you have a far more personalized experience. You and your team can also access the client’s data in real-time, giving everybody a closer look at the needs and expectations. On the other side, it can help you make timely business decisions.
Moreover, operating in the cloud means that your teams can move faster, work better together with the correct data, and even realize new efficiencies. More efficient projects impress your clients and prime contractors, leading to repeat work; it also becomes your well-oiled machine capable of winning and bidding on even more extensive projects.
The cloud techs are the recipe for specialty contractors like you who want to improve efficiency and productivity.
6. Financial benefits
The optimization of your business requires the nimble, elastic system that cloud technologies support. As stated previously, cloud systems can replace your servers that typically require costly overhead and staff to maintain. It provides many operational benefits to your business. It also allows you to be more flexible and compatible in how you interact with your team and your clients.
7. Get Out of the IT Business
Let’s face the fact, your company’s trade work is your major specialty. Managing a ton of data, various processes, and systems is not even your forte. For instance, if someone is a mechanical contractor, he does not have any business in maintaining in-house servers. You find it funny right? You and your team can be at the same place as the contractor, which can be genuinely overwhelming.
And while your business grows, so does your need for IT resources. You hire these IT experts to help and assist you with the systems. Additional people mean more expenses in labor. That is why you should start considering moving to a hosted, fully-connected construction scheduling software. It effectively shifts the burden of all IT tasks. Here are a few benefits:
- No more systems to install and maintain
- No more servers to maintain
- No more daily back-ups
- No more step-by-step updates to roll out.
Having a cloud software solution integrated into your business will free you up. You can now focus more on bigger and better things, such as creating new construction workflows and processes.
8. Becoming More Responsive to Modern Construction Challenges and Demands
Almost everyone in the construction industry is moving to the cloud. You should make your move as well. You will eventually face modern data demands and all reporting requirements as soon as you start. Like everybody else, you will ask to provide real-time data and project updates, like dashboards and minute reports.
The anytime, anywhere access to project data that the cloud provides is crucial to meeting the demands. You can create informed decisions on the spot rather than enduring delays on the project while data is slowly collected from tons of manual and disconnected sources.
9. Attracting Talent
For many years, contractors have struggled to hire and retain top talents as young generations today pick careers in technologies over construction jobs. And so, by employing subcontractor scheduling software, you can be pretty better at attracting and training young generations. In turn, these young professionals will forge new innovations paths, helping you achieve even more profitability and productivity fully.
Upgrade to Cloud-Based Construction Software – Pro Crew Schedule
The results are in with everything stated above – you do not need mobile; you need the cloud. By moving to the cloud, you can demonstrate safer storage and robust data integrity. Go for the latest upgrade and switch to cloud-based project management software like Pro Crew Schedule. The boosted productivity, efficiency, security, accessibility – and the sheer convenience of this cloud makes it a worth it investment for your construction business.
Experience all the latest features and benefits of the Pro Crew Schedule. Click here to get started with a 30-day FREE trial!
Key Takeaways
The real power is in the cloud. There has been widespread adoption of cloud over the past years in the construction industry. Expect the trend to continue, and make sure to consider moving your specialty business into it. In this modern era of rapid change and data breaches, you cannot afford to be left behind.
