EADOC Blog

Archive for March, 2011

Construction Project Management Software Comparison – What Questions Should You Ask Before Buying?

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Today, there are now a few great construction project management programs available. Choosing what program is best for your construction project should be similar to the interview process a human construction manager would go through. Consider the following dissection of these program options to be a written resume and references rolled into one for 5 popular construction project management software programs: EADOC, Autodesk, Trimble Navigation Meridian Systems, Oracle Primavera, and Microsoft.

Here are the top 8 questions you should ask before purchasing a construction project management system.

1. What does the construction project management system cost?

The cost involved in buying and using the construction project management program itself varies between the different options. EADOC is the only construction project management software available whose cost is based on a per project (per program) basis. On the other hand, Microsoft charges for each individual user as well as for each server license. The price of the other programs mentioned is determined by the number of users. The only way to truly know what cost is most efficient for your construction project is to compare prices and evaluate that number based on the number of those involved in the project. We created a great construction project management comparison chart here.

2. Do they offer a demonstration of their project management system?

A very useful way to help you compare construction project management systems would be instant access to an online demo. This allows potential users to get a “feel” and understanding on whether or not the software will be the most helpful. Many construction project management websites do not offer this option. However, EADOC and Microsoft are among the few as they both offer website demos for those looking into their product. We created a great construction project management comparison here.

3. Is the construction project management system web based?

Having a web based construction project management system is what allows speedy communication and universal access to important documents and information anywhere there is internet access. This is especially important for construction projects that involve numerous departments and contractors that may not be housed within the same office building. Construction project management programs that offer this option are EADOC, Autodesk, and Trimble Navigation Meridian Systems. Oracle Primavera and Microsoft do not offer this service. You can view more about our construction project management comparison here.

4. If the construction project management system is web based, which browsers can you use?

Which browsers a construction project management is accessible through is important, especially for the sake of inter-office coordinating. Four of the construction project management software programs mentioned are only completely accessible through Internet Explorer, while half of those must be run on Windows. EADOC is the only construction project management program whose server can be accessed through Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

5. How much time, energy, and resources does it take to be trained on the construction management system?

Because construction project management programs can be complex, there is training time required to allow each user to fully understand and take full advantage of everything this type of software has to offer. Eadoc boasts the shortest average training time for construction project management software. Generally, all they really need to train their users is 2-4 hours. The longest amount of time required for each person to learn Autodesk can last anywhere from 5 to 10 days. Another option, Oracle Primavera requires at least 5 days of training, usually longer. Individual training in Trimble Navigation Meridian Systems takes 1 to 5 days. The training time needed for Microsoft depends entirely on what you build with their platform.

6. If you use sub-contractors and sub consultants, can they have access to the construction project management software as well?

Sub-contractors are a large part of a construction project and they need the ability to access information just as often as the rest of those involved in the construction project. This is another area of a construction project management software program that should be a requirement. Both EADOC and Trimble Navigation Meridian Systems agree with that logic. However, for those construction projects using Autodesk or Oracle Primavera, an additional application is needed to allow sub-contractors access to the construction project management software. Microsoft also makes this step more difficult by requiring this function to be built by the client requiring significant time and expense.

7. Does the construction project management system allow document linking?

The reason you would purchase construction project management software is to allow access and provide a central place for all the documents involved in the project. One of the advantages of this type of program is the option of document linking and document logging, allowing information to continue to flow smoothly and continuously up-to-date. All the construction project management software programs mentioned here do allow for document logging, however, only EADOC has document linking available. We have assembled a construction project management comparison chart here.

8. What sort of reporting tools are available?

Reporting is a vital way of keeping all involved in the construction project on-track and up-to-date on current changes. Both EADOC and Autodesk have a reporting tool built directly into their construction project management software. On the other hand, Trimble Navigation Meridian Systems and Oracle Primavera also offer a reporting tool, but they use outside sources such as Crystal Reports and Sybase InfoMaker. Like many of the options available with Microsoft’s construction project management software, their reporting tool must be hand-built.

For more information, please view our construction project management comparison chart.

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3 Ways to Save Time and Money With Construction Project Management

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

In a construction project, design plans can be altered mid-stream (sometimes multiple times), materials may not arrive on time or be available for ordering and delivery, inspection regulations can change, and people are unreliable and forgetful. Technological advances were supposed to have made all the communication involving the many pieces of a construction project puzzle easier, more thorough, and faster. Technology has provided some time saving graces, however, cell phones, emails, electronic documents, and jump drives have also just provided more opportunity for important pieces of information to get lost, buried, or to be in the wrong location at the wrong time.

A New Way to Save Time on Construction Project Management

EADOC has created the ultimate, web based construction project management tool that is easier to integrate into your construction projects than any other software on the market. Here is how construction project management software can prevent headaches while saving time and money.

1. With web based construction management software, time is not wasted by looking for important information or documents.

Online construction management programs are completely customizable. Documents can be moved, files re-named, and the whole project can be altered according to the project’s needs. This allows users to put information and documentation where they think it is best suited, and in areas that make sense to them and others. If project management documents are where they are most needed, no time has to be wasted in locating an important piece of information.

2. Online construction management prevents time wasted waiting for the most up-to-date information.

Because construction management software is online and the information held in a server, those on the construction team never unnecessarily sit around, unable to do their jobs because of delayed information. Traditionally, documents, blueprints, and files would have to make their way from point A to point B through mail, carriers, or inter-office hand delivery. Through the use of the internet, updates and changes are available to all project participants immediately, meaning team members have the ability to continuously do their jobs instantly.

3. A web-based construction project management system saves time lost by mis-communications.

Construction projects involve many designs, deadlines, notes, and schedules. Then there are the alterations to those designs, deadlines that get moved, notes that seem to communicate conflicting information, and schedules that are re-scheduled. All this provides for amply opportunity for needless misunderstanding. Cleaning these messes eats up valuable time. A construction project management program provides a hub for all your project information to be instantly stored, accessed, and easily updated by and for all involved.

In the end, all this time-saving enabled by an online construction management software program leads to dollar savings. All these time wasters mentioned result in late fees, penalties, fines, rush orders, over-time compensation, and other general productivity leaches. But the prevention of time wasted provides an opportunity for money saved. The saying “time is money” could not ring more true than in the construction business. Therefore, the reversal of unnecessary time lost easily allows budgets to be met.

Tags: construction management, construction project management
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Kennedy Jenks saves $100K with EADOC’s Construction Management Software

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Jennifer Coker with Kennedy Jenks gave a presentation at the 2010 PNCWA conference titled “Getting the Best for Less: Partnerships Pay Off in MBR System”. The presentation covered the $12.8M Expansion of the City of La Center’s WWTP and highlighted many of the Cost savings achieved on this project. During the Construction phase Kennedy Jenks estimated savings of $100K using EADOC’s web based construction management software. The Presentation slide and a link to the complete presentation is included below.

Jennifer listed the following benefits of using EADOC in her presentation:

Immediate access with Internet Connection
Required filing as you go
Searchable
Immediate distribution of documents
Saves paper filing and shipping
Document History
Increased Accountability

Readers should note EADOC did not participate in the cost savings calculation or the presentation given by Jennifer Coker at PNCWA’s 2010 conference.

Kennedy Jenks 2010 PNCWA presentation slides for cost savings achieved using EADOC’s web based project management application.

Kennedy Jenks full presentation on City of La Center’s WWTP Expansion project

Tags: construction management, Construction Management cost savings, construction management software benefits
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How To Customize A Response Grid in EADOC’s Construction Management Software

Monday, March 14th, 2011

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How To Succesfully Implement collaborative construction project management software

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Implementing a collaborative construction project management application takes an up front time investment to ensure the application is configured correctly for your project or program. Here are some of the steps we take at EADOC to ensure clients are successful with our collaborative construction management application:

1. Review your current project management processes and procedures for managing information
We will review your current forms, document review procedures, terminology, organization of your team, your role in the project, and your project participants, along with other project or program specific information. Using this information we will customize your EADOC site to meet your project management requirements.

2. Upload project and program specific content
We will show you how to start adding drawings, specifications, and current documentation to your project. You will be able to create reference locations and materials for linking with project documents. We will show you how to create organizations and users and how to set their permissions.

3. Create a practice project
We will train you on your EADOC account with your exact configuration. This greatly reduces the training time and learning curve for your participants compared to being trained on a vanilla version of the software. With thousands of configuration options and many different ways to manage the varying types of projects it is critical that the application be configured for your requirements and your team be trained on your configuration. This practice project will also give your team a test area to evaluate changes made to the EADOC application, as well as, allow you to play with the features and functionality without impacting your actual project.

4. Training
You need to get your project team to attend training classes. These classes are only a couple of hours long and will save users exponentially more hours then they spend in the class. Attendees should include: the General Contractor, Designer, Engineer, Construction Manager, Client and anyone else that is part of the core team. You should also have sub contractors, sub consultants and major material suppliers attend a separate training class.

5. Review your project performance
After your training is complete and there are project documents going through the review process, we will check to make sure you are getting the expected results from EADOC. While other software vendors omit this process of review, we work with our clients to make changes to the processes or forms within EADOC to ensure your expectations are met. This makes the client’s job easier, and leaves them preaching the benefits of EADOC.

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The Top 9 Must-Have Features for Your Construction Project Management System

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Web based construction management software provides an easy way for anyone involved in the project to communicate, collaborate, and work together as a team. Here are 9 technical features only the best web based construction project management software will have.

1. Look for a Construction Project Management System with a Web Based Interface
This is the simplest and easiest way to ensure that all necessary team members have instant access to your project management system. A web based interface means there is no software that needs to be installed, and it also allows for multiple access points that each individual team member can use at any time. When all you need is a computer and an internet connection, work and updates can be completed from almost anywhere.

2. Encryption is a Must Have for Any Construction Project Management Software
In following with the first point, multiple access points can create for multiple security risks. To ensure the safety of the information, it is essential for your web based construction project management system to have SSL encryption, protecting the information exchanged between any access points and the project management server.

3. Look for a Solution with Individual Profiles and Security
A construction project is made up of many teams and moving parts. Within those teams are various team members. Teams (and all team members) may need to have their own profile which they can then individually access the secure web based construction project management software and all the information it holds. To protect both the project and the individuals, everyone will need a secure login and profile.

4. Automated Email Notifications Are a Must for Any Project Management Software
With so many files and documents being viewed, used, and edited by many team members, online construction management software needs to have the option of automatic email alerts, configurable by each team on the construction project and each team member’s individual profile. To be fully helpful, all alerts should arrive with a direct link to the indicated file.

5. Your Business Needs a Completely Customizable Construction Management System
Every construction project is unique; you should never be required to take time and energy trying to make a project fit into a management program. It should always be the other way around, where the construction management system is easily adjustable to fit the construction project’s needs.

6. Adaptable Automated Process Flow Which Will Simplify Project Management
Once the web based construction management system has been appropriately adapted to the construction project, it should be very easy to set up an automated process flow based on the specific project’s structure.

7. Look for An All Document Word Search in Your Construction Project Management Software
With all the files, documents, and images associated with a construction project, it can sometimes be difficult to locate a specific piece of data. This is why no web based construction project management software is complete without the ability to perform a keyword search across all the project information stored in the application.

8. You Will Need Project Management Software that is Printer Friendly
The project’s information needs to be accessible in more ways than just a computer and internet connection; it must have the option to allow you to communicate offline. The software’s web-based interface must be printer-friendly and be compatible for export to off-line programs such as Microsoft Office, PDF, etc.

9. Exportable Files Are a Must for Construction Project Management
Whether it is keeping the general public informed of progress or for any other reason, all data secured in a web-based construction project management system needs to be easily exported and posted to public websites. Most commonly, the need is to have the ability of posting pictures, schedules, and projected time-lines. You should also be able to archive a completed project to your own servers after the project is complete.

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Top 5 Benefits of Construction Project Management Software

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

A construction project is a big undertaking – requiring time, energy, money, and resources. There never seems to be enough time to manage them all. Combining the power of the internet with new software technologies has made an easier way. Collaborative computer programs are now available specifically for construction project management. This type of software enables everyone involved with the construction project (such as contractors, engineers, architects and facility owners) to be on the same page and have up-to-date information on the project, not just for their specific roles. Organizing all of this data can be a pain and can quickly become very unorganized without the proper software. That’s when you need web based construction project management software. Here are 5 benefits to make sure your new software has before you purchase.

1. Construction Project Management Software Should Allow for Quick Solutions to Time Consuming Tasks

With web based construction project management applications information is instantly updated providing instant access for your entire team. Your project information should travel through your defined work flows ensuring the right information is provided to each project participant. Wireless technologies enable your field staff to receive instant updates and provide field information back to the office. This is especially useful for instantly uploading pictures or video files on-site of the project so that everyone involved in your construction project can be on the same page.

2. Web based project management solutions should be configurable to meet your Construction Management requirements

Construction management software can be used (and is incredibly helpful) in all aspects of the construction management process because the applications provide an easy, all-inclusive, multi-reference point for all of your information on a project. A correctly configured application reduces training time, improves cost savings and delivers the benefits you expect

3. Construction Project Management Software should be easy to use

A construction project, has many professions involved spanning multiple industries. But a program would be pointless and useless if those who needed to use the software found it difficult to work with. The good news is that it is very easy to find a web based construction management program that is easy to use so that those working spend less time on learning a new piece of software and have more time for the construction project at hand. The application should be easy to setup and training should be completed in several hours meaning everyone can be on board right away, and team members can instantly get to work repeating the benefits of the application.

4. Customized Construction Project Management Software Eliminates Time Wasted on Useless Features Your Business Will Never Use

Every aspect of this type of software can be customized to fit the individual needs of each client or project team individually. Labels, files, sections, fields and forms should all be configured within the program to best suit the needs of the individual project. Each building project is unique and the software that helps to manage it should also be unique so that all aspects of the program correspond to the tasks at hand and cutting out useless or irrelevant aspects.

5. Having a Secure Construction Management System Means You Can Spend More Time Focused on Your Projects

All your important and sensitive information being stored in these applications and accessed over the internet means you will need to ensure your software vendor has taken adequate security measures. Those using an online project management system need to be confident in the security of the program. Server encryption, Encrypted data transmission, use of unique user names and strong passwords along with multiple data centers containing redundant hardware should provide for a safe and reliable service.

For more information on the best web based construction management software, please contact EADOCSoftware.com.