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The construction industry is shaking off its image as a hidebound, somewhat reactionary group of people, reluctant to take on new technologies until they are tried and tested. Now, as some of the older members move upstairs or retire and the more dynamic workforce get to grips with the advantages of having construction information at their fingertips, the ability to interface directly with the building model and collaborators and make critical decisions in the field is becoming apparent.

Software developers have to reflect current trends as well, especially those concerned with supplying information management and control systems, and particularly those in the construction industry, where managers and their workforces are spread over a multitude of construction sites. Hence the decision by Viewpoint (the new owners of 4Projects) to acquire another UK company, MCS, to enhance its mobile capabilities.

PRIORITY1
MCS (Mobile Computing Systems) is a leading provider of mobile enabled construction project administration, enabling plans and forms to be used interactively on construction sites. Its leading product, Priority1, handles the paper-based work processes for things like defect management, snagging lists, quality control, auditing, compliance, health and safety and environmental issues.

Priority1 is a cloud-based task management, forms and process control system, which allows any paper-based operation to be quickly reengineered for use on a tablet or other mobile system via the web. Site-based personnel are able to gather information in real-time, make decisions, assign tasks, communicate with other team members and, subsequently, when inspections have been carried out and all tasks completed, to update the project model. Managers can keep an eye on ongoing operations and check on the performance of their teams across the entire project, allocating additional resources where necessary and generally improving the quality and safety of the working environment.

Priority1 has been designed to be as intuitive as possible. Schedules of activity outline work locations and activities. Once on-site, 2D plans are downloaded, together with associated forms and checklists, pinpointing items to be inspected categorised by type and status. Details of defects, H&S violations or any other notifiable conditions are appended to the inspection report, which is then used to update the project model or sent as ‘action required emails’ to the relevant subcontractor, attaching photos and drawings to the textual annotations to highlight issues wherever necessary.

The workflow can be configured to suit any on-site working process, and can include snagging, variations, incomplete works, clean-up notices, NCR's and other housekeeping activities. Additional forms can be devised easily and quickly, adding fields that need to be filled out on-site, for example if further sub-contractors need to be brought in and issued with a form contributor request.

Customising tasks to increase workflow involves using the Process Control features for constructing activities and checklists for repetitive inspection processes. These control the rules that dictate the types of forms to be used and when, which require signatures, or which will probably need photos to accompany them. Process Control reports, usually in Excel format with colour coded matrixes, keep site managers up to date with progress, with predefined formats that include ITPs, Progress Activity, Quality Check-sheets or Commissioning Checks.

As there are a seemingly infinite variety of paper-based forms, Priority1 offers a similar variety of electronic forms for use on tablets or the web, covering health & safety, accident reports, permits to work, site diaries and any other construction related activity. Quite apart from the real-time recording, distribution and access to information, there is the incalculable benefit of cutting out back office paperwork - the onerous task of transferring paper-based reports to computer-based spreadsheets in the office.

Updating in Priority1 is instantaneous, and it also eliminates any inaccuracies that might have previously crept in because the staff in the office couldn't read your handwriting! Tasks are accurately located, critical data is checked for errors when inputted, photos and drawings are used to identify problems, and the right people informed of progress or otherwise. The end result is a more efficient information workflow that helps contractors stick to budgets and timescales.

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