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I saw a crew using tablets instead of blueprints and it got me thinking | Construction Tech - Vivisector

I saw a crew using tablets instead of blueprints and it got me thinking

Last week, I walked by a construction site on my way to work. The crew was using tablets to look at plans instead of paper blueprints. I always thought blueprints were the standard, so this surprised me. They were tapping on screens and sharing notes instantly. It made me wonder if this is how all jobs are done now. Has anyone worked with this kind of tech? I'd like to hear if it really helps or if it's just more stuff to break.

4 comments

4 Comments

lane.jenny7mo ago

I read about a big contractor in Phoenix that switched to tablets last year. Their project managers said it cut down on rework because changes get pushed to everyone at once. But the guys on site complained about glare in the sun and dropping a $1,000 device in wet concrete. Seems like it's good for coordination but still has some real world problems paper doesn't.

wesleyj197mo ago

Our crew on a hospital job last year used iPads with those big rubber cases you can buy at any hardware store. We put anti-glare screen protectors on them which helped a lot when we were outside. The foreman made a rule to keep them in the site office when pouring concrete, we just used printed checklists for that one task. It was a good mix because we got the instant updates but didn't ruin expensive gear.

amy_flores7mo ago

That hospital job Wesley mentioned still needed paper checklists for concrete work. Sounds like the tablets can't handle the messy parts of the job. If the tech fails when things get real, how much time is it actually saving? I doubt those instant updates stop many real mistakes.

jessica9217mo ago

That point about the Phoenix contractor cutting down on rework is interesting. My cousin works for a builder in Texas that tried tablets, and they had the same issue with plans getting updated after guys already built the wrong thing. He said it saved maybe two days over a whole house project because the electricians and plumbers stopped fighting over outdated drawings.