New Tablet PC applications could drive building industry's use of wireless
UP UNTIL NOW, I'VE BEEN LUKEWARM ABOUT Tablet PCs. Not because a “digital clipboard” wouldn't make sense for a home builder, but because there hadn't been any applications for the Tablet PC that made it any better than a regular laptop—or, for that matter, an inexpensive PDA.
That's no longer the case. Field2Base has developed ConstructConnect software that may speed up the home building industry's use of wireless computing for field communications and managing documents.
ConstructConnect is two applications in one: Project Communications and Forms Engine. Using Project Communications, project managers can snap photos, make notes, execute some sketches, and mark up a drawing—just like they would on an old-fashioned clipboard. Say there's a big problem on the jobsite, and nothing else can happen until it's fixed. The application lets users generate a “digital envelope” that can contain digital photos taken with the Tablet PC's built-in digital camera, sketches of the problem—or of the fix—drawn right on the Tablet PC screen, and copies of the CAD drawings. The CAD files can be viewed, zoomed, and marked up using Field2Base's built-in drawing and handwriting recognition tools. Except now, instead of running back to the office to find a printer and the FedEx person, the project manager can just tap “Send” and the information gets delivered to a coworker, subcontractor, or architect electronically, via fax or e-mail.
06-16-2004, 02:13 PM
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