7 Ways Mechanical Contractors Can Utilize Software Everyday

7 Ways Mechanical Contractors Can Utilize Software Everyday

Mechanical contractor software is an incredible and often underutilized tool. Contractor software improves access to information, eliminates duplicate forms and reports while improving data integrity and timeliness. Here are seven ways that mechanical contractor software is used every day to get these results.

1. Field Service Management

Mechanical contractors benefit from field service software and apps. Field service software allows field teams to view and update project data from the field as well as the office. Most field service software and apps are cloud-based, which is what allows for documents created in the field to be viewed in the office. Teams can create and upload RFIs and change orders, which can be viewed instantly in the office. Reducing the number of steps necessary in a project.
And with real-time project tracking in the field, the back office will know how teams are faring on different projects.

2. Labor Management

Labor management is a crucial part of any business, but especially with mechanical contracting. Using real-time project information and project schedules, mechanical contractors can see which projects are still open. Then using labor management software, contractors can schedule employees to different projects. Using construction scheduling software means it can set notifications if someone is about to be scheduled for more than one project. Or if someone is about to go into overtime.
When using scheduling software with an e-timecard, it allows for timecard information to be exported directly into payroll software.

3. Materials Management

Labor and materials are two of the most important things for any job site, and this is why it’s important for a mechanical contractor to use software to manage the volume of activities. Having an accurate digital inventory helps you know when and if you need to order more piping or something. Then, by marking which materials or tools are going to a site your business will have greater accuracy of inventory. With this insight, you’ll know when you need to order more and can schedule the shipment before you run out of a specific material. This way there are no avoidable material delays for projects.

4. Financial Management

Keep track of change orders, purchase orders, and equipment rentals with your mechanical contractor software. By inputting all project costs into your project file, you have all the information billing needs by the end of the project in one place.

And with e-timecards, it’s easier to export the timecards into your payroll software. Some timecard software even shows which projects employees were on and how long so that information can be easily added to project costs. With all of this information at your disposal, it will make future project estimates easier and more accurate.

5. Cloud-based Project Management

Mechanical contractors who use cloud-based software are already at an advantage. Cloud-based software connects office computers with field technology. Documents created in one location are viewable and editable in another, which will save a savvy mechanical contractor both time and money in the long run. And unlike paper documentation, documents backed up in the cloud aren’t susceptible to the elements or getting lost.

It’s also safer than having paper documents lying around because documents can be lost or stolen. But cloud-based software companies dedicate time and resources to protecting all of your business’s information.

6. Documentation Management

One of the biggest benefits of mechanical contractor software is the document management. Using building information modeling software is great for a mechanical contractor. It provides a unique look at the building plans and information on equipment and systems already in place, and according to the MCAA, it’s beneficial for mechanical contractors. All of this is great, but it’s important to also upload drawings and models as well as revisions into the contractor software. This helps everyone on the team because they can view the drawings.

But contractor software can also help keep project documents in a central location. So, everything from building models to purchase orders is kept in one folder. Which keeps your mechanical contracting businesses organized.

7. Productivity Management

Contractor software with real-time tracking is an invaluable tool in any mechanical contractor’s toolbox. Between scheduling and real-time tracking, it is easier to see how a project is going. Because you can see if a project is falling behind schedule and what’s been done in the project overview, you will know how productive your team has been on a project. And with daily field reports, you know what happened on the job site that might have caused things to fall behind.

But it isn’t just for knowing why a project is falling behind. It also allows for better scheduling of equipment and staff. You can schedule projects so that the tools and people you need will be on the project when you need them to.

With consistent use,  mechanical contractor software improves access to real-time critical information and eliminates duplicates by improving data integrity. Today is the day your mechanical contractor business needs to consider these benefits and adopt software to remain competitive.