Another blog about BuilditLive

Seems we are getting increased attention these days. Here is a recent blog post about BuilditLive.

http://www.constructionknowledge.net/phone-apps-blog/?p=75

BuilditLive versus the rest of the industry

Interesting blog discussing BuilditLive.

http://www.extranetevolution.com/extranet_evolution/2010/12/builditlivecom-targets-ipad-collaborators.html

Here is my reply to the original post:

As the President of BuilditLive, I'd only take exception to the comment that BuilditLive 'replicates and repeats' what some other solutions offer. Part of what makes us different is what we DON'T offer. We don't offer estimating functionality, we don't schedule projects, we don't manage time cards -- we are not project management software. All we do is construction document management. For small-to-medium AECs, it is this last mile of communication that is so broken today and where their core need lies. Today most of the industry relies on email to communicate thousands of ever-changing documents on a single project. We greatly reduce the reliance on email by centralizing documents and making them accessible 24x7 from any computer.

BuilditLive requires no installation of software, requires no training, and you pay as you go. For $35 per month per project you get unlimited users and 2GB of storage (2,000+ documents). Unlike some 'free' solutions, we plan to be around a long time and aren't reliant on advertising to generate revenue. And unlike some generic solutions, BuilditLive is designed just for construction. Users don't have to develop their own file structures and document organization - we've done all that.

We've made BuilditLive super intuitive to use. In fact, 99%+ of users never receive any training but use it successfully.

We've got customers signing up all around the world (which is easy since you pay with a credit card). And once we close our current round of capital raising we'll be expanding into to some very exciting areas.

I'd be glad to arrange an online demo for anyone. Just send me an email: marcus@builditlive.com

iPad Case for Construction - product review

We recently received a clipboard like case for the iPad. At first glance, the case looks like a 1.5 inch thick clipboard, with a sturdy 'clip' on top for attaching papers. Opening the clasp at the bottom reveals two compartments. The upper compartment is about 1/2 inch thick with room for paper up to 8.5 by 12.5 inches. The lower compartment is padded on all sides with soft foam with a cut-out for the iPad to fit into. With the lid closed the iPad sits securely in place, there is no slippage or movement of the iPad in any direction. There is also a compartment for holding pens, pencils, and/or other items.

This is a great case for anyone needing to bring an iPad onto a construction site.

For more information, please visit:

www.HardCaseForiPad.com


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About us:

BuilditLive is construction management software, construction software, management construction software, construction project management software, available in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Israel, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and internationally anywhere there is internet access and construction projects. BuilditLive is easy to use, very affordable, web based, or otherwise referred to as SaaS which is software as a service, which means you pay as you go. It is the best Plan Room we have seen, and so much more. It is much better than an FTP site that requires a construction firm to host and manage it. Again, BuilditLive is web based, construction management software, management construction software, construction project management software, construction software, and a plan room for construction. We also have an Apple approved iPad App called Mobile PlanRoom. Because it is web based there is no software for anyone to install, it is cloud computing for the construction industry. We provide mobile access to drawings via the Mobile PlanRoom App on the iPad. You can use your iPhone or Droid phone to browse to BuilditLive and thereby access drawings from even smaller devices. BuilditLive hosts drawings, blue prints, specifications, pictures, change orders, RFIs request for information, schedules, punch lists, work orders, and much more. It is an unmatched construction communication tool for contractors, architects, and engineers, as well as building owners and their property managers.

ENR reports on BuilditLive and advances in cloud computing for construction

There is an updated link to a story about BuilditLive in ENR magazine:



http://enr.construction.com/technology/information_technology/2010/0728-CloudsandiPads.asp


BuilditLive is construction management software, construction software, management construction software, construction project management software, available in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Israel, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and internationally anywhere there is internet access and construction projects. BuilditLive is easy to use, very affordable, web based, or otherwise referred to as SaaS which is software as a service, which means you pay as you go. It is the best Plan Room we have seen, and so much more. It is much better than an FTP site that requires a construction firm to host and manage it. Again, BuilditLive is web based, construction management software, management construction software, construction project management software, construction software, and a plan room for construction. We also have an Apple approved iPad App called Mobile PlanRoom. Because it is web based there is no software for anyone to install, it is cloud computing for the construction industry. We provide mobile access to drawings via the Mobile PlanRoom App on the iPad. You can use your iPhone or Droid phone to browse to BuilditLive and thereby access drawings from even smaller devices. BuilditLive hosts drawings, blue prints, specifications, pictures, change orders, RFIs request for information, schedules, punch lists, work orders, and much more. It is an unmatched construction communication tool for contractors, architects, and engineers, as well as building owners and their property managers.

BuilditLive featured in ENR magazine

BuilditLive is featured today in ENR's online magazine with an article in print to follow shortly. Here is a link to the article.

http://enr.ecnext.com/coms2/article_teit100728CloudsandiPa

Below is some information about BuilditLive.

BuilditLive is construction management software, construction software, management construction software, construction project management software, available in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Israel, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and internationally anywhere there is internet access and construction projects. BuilditLive is easy to use, very affordable, web based, or otherwise referred to as SaaS which is software as a service, which means you pay as you go. It is the best Plan Room we have seen, and so much more. It is much better than an FTP site that requires a construction firm to host and manage it. Again, BuilditLive is web based, construction management software, management construction software, construction project management software, construction software, and a plan room for construction. We also have an Apple approved iPad App called Mobile PlanRoom. Because it is web based there is no software for anyone to install, it is cloud computing for the construction industry. We provide mobile access to drawings via the Mobile PlanRoom App on the iPad. You can use your iPhone or Droid phone to browse to BuilditLive and thereby access drawings from even smaller devices. BuilditLive hosts drawings, blue prints, specifications, pictures, change orders, RFIs request for information, schedules, punch lists, work orders, and much more. It is an unmatched construction communication tool for contractors, architects, and engineers, as well as building owners and their property managers.

BuilditLive leading construction software move to the clouds

The Wall Street Journal today (7/13/10) had a big article about Microsoft and their partners and their initiatives to expand cloud computing.

"Cloud computing has grown in popularity because of the cost savings it offers companies, as well as the speed it promises to give them to develop applications and services." - Cheng and Borzo, WSJ.

BuilditLive.com is completely cloud based, with no software for users to install. BuilditLive makes it easy to contractors, architects, and engineers to collaborate on projects because all the participants, regardless of their operating system or hardware, can access BuilditLive from any internet browser. Any because BuilditLive relies on cloud infrastructure it can be offered for only $35 per month per project, not per user. That is an incredible savings over comparable but inferior applications costing $2000 per user per year.

BuilditLive is an effective communication tool, with much more to offer than construction industry FTP sites. Here is a link to the benefits over FTP sites: http://www.builditlive.com/Features/ReplacesFtpSites.aspx

Legacy software vendors are going to struggle mightily to compete with cloud based solution providers. BuilditLive is the future.

Construction Software BuilditLive delivers efficiency to construction projects

Comstock's magazine recently published an article about BuilditLive and how users are realizing substantial efficiency gains and cost savings.

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.comstocksmag.com/Articles/0710_F_Building-Efficiency.aspx

Emailing construction documents is very inefficient. FTP sites are poorly designed and not user friendly. BuilditLive is a new breed of construction document collaboration tool.

iPad on Track to be Fastest Selling Mobile Device Ever; Good News for Construction Software BuilditLive

iPad on Track to be Fastest Selling Mobile Device Ever; Good News for Construction Software BuilditLive

http://link.businessinsider.com/h/0004c23e75f88895/by6cx/p/2f867f9c

BuilditLive not only has the best plan room and collaboration tool for contractors, engineers, and architects, it also works with the Mobile PlanRoom App designed for the iPad. This means that BuilditLive users (BuilditLive is a construction software tool that is 100% web-based, meaning there is no software to install, and is extremely easy to use and buy, with no long term contracts. It is pay as you go.) can access their files from the desktops and laptops, and also from their iPads.

Construction software BuilditLive covered on radio broadcast - have a listen

At a recent PCBC trade show there was so much interest in construction software BuilditLive and the iPad App Mobile PlanRoom that a radio show wanted to do an interview. Have a listen.

http://benchmarkradio.com/downloads/Home-Live/2010/061910/HL_061910_04.mp3

Construction iPad Accessories

It didn't take long for someone to build a special case for the iPad to be used on construction sites.

www.hardcaseforipad.com

Mobile PlanRoom plus BuilditLive.com make accessing drawings via the iPad in the field easy and much cheaper than printing drawings. Furthermore, BuilditLive.com is a powerful tool for managing and distributing construcion information to all the project's participants. Stop emailing and hoping everyone finds the most current files. Instead, post them to BuilditLive and know for sure that everyone has access to the latest drawings, schedules, and more.

5 Ways Apple’s iPad Can Help You as a Contractor

Here is an interesting article also speaking of how the iPad can help contractors.

http://www.centernetworks.com/apple-ipad-contractor#comments

The article pre-dates the release of the Mobile PlanRoom iPad App which is specifically designed for construction.

BuilditLive.com is a construction software tool that works in conjunction with Mobile PlanRoom to manage and distribute all your important construction project information.

Contractors Buying iPads - iPad Sales Top 3 million in 80 Days

iPads are continuing to sell at an amazing rate.

Wall Street Journal Article

Contractors are buying them too as many of our newest users of BuilditLive discovered BuilditLive because they were using their iPads to browse for iPad construction Apps in the Apple App Store and discovered Mobile PlanRoom.

Contractors want to reduce waste and become more efficient.  The iPad together with Mobile PlanRoom and BuilditLive allow them to reduce the amount of paper printed for a construction project.  Furthermore, BuilditLive cuts down the time spent distributing project information to project participants and reduces the risk of the wrong drawings being used.

Stop emailing and start to BuilditLive

Most contractors, architects, engineers, and sub-contractors rely of email programs, like Microsoft Outlook, and Windows Explorer to organize drawings and other construction documents.  The problem with this is that the files received via email are often times zipped files filled with dozens and dozens of documents, many of which are not pertinent to the receiving party.  To reduce the risk of liability, those responsible for distributing documents err on the side of providing too many documents.  Specifically, they send everyone everything.  This way, no one can claim to not have received the documents.  The problem for the recipients is that they must sort through a lot of documents to find theirs.

Each project will have drawings, specifications, RFIs. punch lists, change orders, and many more documents.  Multiply this by the number of projects going on at the same time, and you have a lot of electronic information to organize.  The reality is that a lot of emails get ignored due to the shear volumes.  As a result, incorrect and/or outdate information is often used to construct a portion of a project, resulting in rework.

A better way is BuilditLive (http://www.builditlive.com/).  With BuilditLive, documents are posted into intuitive folders one time, and then all project participants can access exactly what they need, anytime.  It is a powerful solution to the frustrating and costly problem of email distribution of construction drawings.

And now, BuilditLive syncs with the iPad via our Apple App call Mobile PlanRoom.  Once you load your drawings at BuilditLive, they can be accessed via the iPad too.  It is an incredible way to view drawings in the field and the first of its kind App for the iPad -- just for construction.

iPad: New App just for construction industry

Today we were interviewed by a local business magazine.  The focus of the interview was our iPad App called Mobile PlanRoom.  It's creating quite a stir.  That isn't surprising given the power of the App, combined with the native functionality of the iPad, together representing the opportunity to eliminate a lot of wasted printing of construction drawings.

Here is how it all works.  Our flagship product is BuilditLive (http://www.builditlive.com/) and BuilditLive is a construction document communication tool.  It goes way beyond an FTP site or do-it-yourself collaboration sites.  It is an easy to use, construction specific tool that we host, meaning there is no software for anyone to install.  General contractors, architects, and/or engineers begin by posting their drawing and other documents to BuilditLive.  They then use our invitation process to 'invite' other project participants, like subcontractors and consultants, to their BuilditLive project.  All the parties to the project can then access and collaborate on documents in one central location.  No more need to email huge zipped files of dozens of files.  As we like to say, 'stop emailing and start to BuilditLive'.

So most of the document management and collaboration takes place at BuilditLive.  Now for those who want to access their documents in the field, they can use any internet browser and go to http://www.builditlive.com/ and access the files from a laptop with a wireless card, or other mobile devices with a browser.  In addition, if you have an iPad, you can use our App called Mobile PlanRoom, to directly access drawing via powerful thumbnail previews that you can rapidly scroll through.  It's much faster than browsing the site.  Very powerful and innovative.  The potential exists here to transform the construction industry away from costly printed drawings.

First comprehensive construction industry App for the iPad

June 2, 2010

Mobile PlanRoom is now available from the Apple App Store.  Mobile PlanRoom is an App that enables construction professionals to access critical construction documents via their iPads.  It works in conjunction with BuilditLive.  BuilditLive hosts and organizes the drawings, Mobile PlanRoom makes them easily accessible via the iPad.

Best Practices - Mandate Usage of builditlive

builditlive organizes all a construction project's critical information - drawings, specs, schedules, etc.  All the participants on a project can access this information 24x7, from any internet accessible device with a web-browser. 

An important best practice is to require all the project participants to share documents via builditlive.  Do not allow documents, schedules, specs, etc to be emailed as attachments.  When this happens, documents are not accessible by everyone and a record of the most recent version is not stored centrally.  If someone attempts to email a drawing to you, respond to the email with clear directive to upload the drawing to builditlive.  Keep things simple, use builditlive.

BuilditLive is unique

BuilditLive (www.BuilditLive.com) is a construction document communication tool. What does this mean?

1. BuilditLive is not limited the way SharePoint is, to within the confines of a corporate firewall. It can be accessed by anyone invited to the website whether they work for your company or not.
2. It is web-based, that means there is no software to install. Never. None. And since nothing resides on your hard-drive, you can access your information from our servers from any internet browser.
3. BuilditLive is not an FTP site. It facilitates multi-path communication between participants on a construction project.

Visit www.BuilditLive.com for more information. Or, email me at marcus@constructionconnect.com