Why invest in tailored software?

The construction industry has seen a constant flow of software promising to deliver results for thousands of contractors like you. I've seen the industry take off since PlanGrid hit the market around 2012 (it was rare to see foremen carrying iPads in the field then). Since then there's been thousands of apps that promise results. While many of these are great, there's often gaps in what they deliver versus what your team actually needs.

Often times, off-the-shelf apps either:

1. Have 20% of features your team actually uses, leaving the other 80% of buttons and menus untouched (and you're paying for 100% of this)

2. Have 80% of the features you need. But lack key features that hold your team back from industry-leading performance (and the developer won't customize the app for you)

Custom software bets that the up front investment will bring your team the most powerful tools available that solve challenges in the most ideal way possible. This investment will pay off in a few ways:

1 - Less time managing software, more time focusing on jobs and clients

One of the most significant advantages of tailored software in the construction industry is its ability to streamline operations. From superintendents to accounting to resource allocation, custom solutions empower your team to work smarter, not harder. By automating repetitive tasks and centralizing data, more time becomes available to work on higher value tasks. For field teams, this means more time in the field to QC work, and less time managing software.

Real world example: A project manager with 10 jobs takes a week to prepare billings each month. Having better tools to streamline billings means this process is reduced to just a few days each month, and could maximize the amount billed since they're not forgetting any change orders. They've now got extra time to go walk the site with the client and keep that relationship healthy.

2 - Better customer experiences and company reputation

Custom software can bring seamless collaboration between stakeholders, both internal and external. Whether it's pricing approvals, coordinating schedules, or punch lists, a custom solution can bridge all communication, fostering transparency and accountability across the board.

Real world example:  As a subcontractor, you're getting asked to perform work on time and material (field tickets) often. A custom field ticketing solution could handle this process from superintendent ticket creation, to creating the change order for the project manager. This would also notify the Owner and General Contractor as early as possible, to avoid any disputes or amnesia over authorizing the work to proceed. This prevents any relationship strains and protects you from risk.

3 - Powerful insights to job performance data

We all know that construction software data is only as good as the person entering it. Custom software empowers you with actionable insights derived from real-time data analytics. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), monitoring project progress, and identifying potential risks, you can make strategic decisions that drive profitability and mitigate challenges before they escalate.

Real world example:  With a custom interface, you can monitor things such as monthly billings due, average change order approval time, costs to date, etc. You could have alerts sent for early indicators of issues. Example: "Job X has > $50,000 in outstanding change orders!" which goes to the proper upper management for action.

So what's the ROI?

When evaluating the ROI of custom software, you have to look at the long term impact. For field ops, clients will prefer you more because your crews just seem to require less baby-sitting and are prepared for each day. The other guys can't find their plans, lack safety JHAs, etc.

When your safety, admin, and project management teams are running like a well-oiled machine, it flows to your monthly profits and customer satisfaction.

These examples could be the difference in one or two key project wins each year. These impacts don't happen over night, but over the course of months and years.

The long term result Pangolin strives to bring our clients is better industry reputation, increased market share of the good jobs, and healthier profit margins for jobs won. I have seen first-hand how good software can impact these areas when done properly, and love finding ways we can drive results for other builders like you.