Using construction management technology to increase customer engagement By Elissa Arms
Good communication is a key element of any successful construction project. While most subcontractors recognize the importance of clear, consistent communication between members of their own teams, there is another audience to consider: the customer.
Engaging with customers and making sure they stay involved in each step of the construction process keeps projects on track and helps build better business relationships. Likewise, a lack of good communication can hurt productivity and lead to your company losing out on future opportunities. Customers want to know what’s going on in the field. Keeping them informed goes a long way towards ensuring they’ll be satisfied with the final outcome.
But, even when workers are following best documentation practices, it’s not always easy to share daily reports or progress from the field. How can busy subcontractors improve customer engagement without overburdening their workload?
The answer is: by leveraging technology. That’s why California-based developer Raken designed its innovative construction management software to make both collecting and sharing information with customers easy. Using technology like Raken’s custom industry-specific solutions, subcontractors can quickly and efficiently collect, review, and share daily reports—including photos and videos—with partners in and outside of their organization.
These are the ways modern construction management tools can help subcontractors engage with customers.
Real-time Reporting
Daily progress reports can take hours, especially when they need to be completed with pen and paper, but they are one of the most valuable customer engagement tools. Field-first construction management software replaces the need for paper reports, reduces manual data entry, and streamlines the documentation process—saving valuable time for contractors in the field and office.
Using a mobile device and Raken’s app, subcontractors can quickly and easily complete daily reporting tasks in standardized, compliant manner. The data collected is used to publish detailed, automated reports that provide pertinent information to internal and external stakeholders alike.
Automated reporting allows customers to follow along with projects as they progress. When offsite partners consistently receive reports and updates, they won’t feel the need to constantly chase down answers about the status of a project. The peace of mind that daily reports deliver provides better visibility into the work and in turn increases trust in the partnership.
Streamlined Photo Documentation
Field-based construction management technology like Raken doesn’t just make reporting faster, it also improves the quality of information collected. What’s even better than a detailed, text-based report? Pictures.
Adding photos and videos to daily reports gives customers a clear view of what’s going on at the jobsite. With Raken, contractors are able to easily snap photos or capture videos using a mobile device and instantly upload them to the app. Any visual data collected through the app is stored on the cloud in a project gallery, allowing teammates to view new media as soon as it’s uploaded.
Photos and videos uploaded to Raken are automatically time- and date-stamped, making them easy to locate and search. Contractors are also able to add and edit detailed descriptions attached to each file or markup photos directly to highlight important details. Even if the photos are general, the markup feature can be used to draw attention to a specific area or item.
Once descriptions and markup are added, contractors can select key photos to manually add to reports or email to clients directly. Visual data makes customers feel like they are right there with the field team, engaged and involved in the building process.
Enhanced Tracking
Construction management software helps keep projects organized thanks to enhanced production tracking. With a host of easily accessible data collected straight from the field at your fingertips—including overtime hours, materials used, and unforseen delays—contractors can more accurately predict potential changes to schedule or budget and then communicate those changes to customers alongside supporting documentation.
Working relationships are extremely important in the construction industry. Building a good reputation starts with improving your communication and documentation processes. When customers see that you accurately collect and store tracking information, can back up any need for budget adjustments or scheduling delays with hard data, and openly communicate potential issues, they’ll know you’re a trusted partner.
Automated Compliance Notifications
Customers greatly appreciate timely notifications when it comes to compliance concerns. In construction, safety is of the utmost importance, and when a compliance issue happens that requires immediate attention, it’s not always easy to make sure everyone that needs to know is notified as soon as possible.
Some construction management software, like Raken’s app, includes mass notification capabilities. Subcontractors can send compliance notifications to a predetermined audience with a single click.
Customers are generally grateful for the update and will be able to react quickly to help resolve any problems.
Invest in Engagement
Construction management software improves customer engagement, which in turn increases customer satisfaction. When you share real-time data about project progress with your customers, you prevent misinformation and maximize a project’s potential to be a success.
Raken can help construction companies keep their teams and their customers better informed through easy real-time reporting, photo and video documentation, enhanced tracking capabilities, and mass notification features. This comprehensive app helps you build a reputation as a trusted company with exceptional communication practices.
About Raken
In 2014, Raken was founded with the idea that better projects start with the field. Our industry-specific app is the most efficient construction management technology on the market. Raken helps onsite crews engage their offsite customers by providing better insights and visibility for every part of a building project.
Located in Carlsbad, California, Raken is used by more than 34,000 construction contractors worldwide. Our core functionalities include daily reports, production tracking, safety documentation, and more.
Learn more at www.rakenapp.com
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