8 Mobile Tools Every Subcontractor Should Be Using

Nowadays, you don’t have to be on-site or in the office to oversee every aspect of your business operations. Mobile tools and resources have revolutionized the way subcontractors can coordinate with clients and manage projects, and more and more contractors are implementing mobile-friendly general contractor software into their existing business models.

In fact, 93% of construction-related businesses are already using mobile devices, with 75% of contractors reporting improved accounts of client support since adopting mobile technologies.

In today’s rapidly evolving contractor industry, you need access to real-time information and communication capabilities more than ever to stay afloat amidst the sea of competition. But what specific features of mobile tools are truly beneficial to subcontractors?

For those who are still hesitant when it comes to adopting mobile technologies, here are eight essential mobile tools that every subcontractor should be taking advantage of. 

1. Automated Service Management

The less project management tasks you have to worry about, the more time and focus you can spend toward all your other daily duties at hand.

Mobile apps specifically designed with subcontractors in mind allow users to automate essentially any and all tasks, without having to waste time double checking for accuracy or manually entering any data.

From updating work order details to adjusting schedules to sending invoices, mobile solutions help subcontractors increase overall productivity and efficiency by freeing up precious time overseeing any given project.

2. AP Invoice Routing & Approval

Manual processes can be eliminated with a paperless solution that automates your AP invoice approval process. By implementing AP invoice approval into your mobile operations, you’ll reduce the cost of invoice processing and ensure prompt payments with quicker approval of invoices.

Plus, you sleep easy knowing that your business isn’t wasting reams of paper to get these tasks done.

Taking advantage of AP invoice routing and approval processes can help you with everything from:

• Increasing efficiency across your organization with automated AP invoice approval processes

• Automatically capturing vendor invoices via email, then simply routing them to PM’s for approval via smartphone

• Saving time by eliminating the paper chase and wasted effort looking for lost or misplaced files

• Improving productivity by providing easier access to company or and project-related documents

3. Real-Time Notifications

Being as up to date as possible is an absolute must in today’s general contractor industry. One slight miscount in inventory or delay in communication can prove costly, especially when considering that every bid you take on has its fair share of competitors waiting next in line.

By setting up real-time notifications across your mobile devices, you can instantly become aware of any updates or changes to your bids, contracts, or projects, so you can quickly make any appropriate adjustments to keep everything on schedule and under-budget.

You can also instantly create and send daily reports on any mobile device, so you can keep everyone from field technicians to customers constantly in the loop.

4. Smartphone Time Card Apps

You can start freeing up your team from the hassles of paper time cards, while also saving time and money in the process. All the important information of time cards can now be accessed in the palm of your hand when it comes to entering labor information for jobs and cost codes.

With easy to use entries for field personnel, smartphone time card apps help you save significant time and collection headaches by eliminating data entry.

5. Project Field Management

With one source for the truth, your company will always be on the same page regarding a project’s status and direction. Give foreman and superintendents the right tool for improving all their responsibilities, with mobile tools such as daily field reporting via smartphone.

This is how you can easily manage plans, documents, change orders, pictures, etc, all from the palm of your hand.

6. Cloud-Based Solutions

Accessing files, saving contracts, backing up important data; All of these essential IT-related tasks are easier than ever when you can implement cloud-based solutions into your current business operations.

Nothing gives subcontractors more peace of mind knowing that every report they create, every estimation they share, or every invoice they send can be instantly saved or shared via cloud-based platforms that power their mobile devices.

Plus, cloud-based services offer subcontractors more flexibility and scalability when it comes to their IT resources, making them as cost-effective as possible.

7. Mobile Accounting Services

More efficient and accurate bookkeeping, all on your smartphone or preferred mobile device. Sounds too good to be true, right?

With today’s mobile solutions and resources, you can oversee and manage every facet of your accounting and bookkeeping needs, with just the flick of a thumb or the touch of a finger.

Mobile accounting apps allow subcontractors to perform everything from:

• Track real-time expenses and budgets

• Instantly create and share invoices and send invoice reminders

• Record all expenses on-the-go

• Add files or images to any invoice to improve documentation process

• Generate quotes, bids, or contracts from anywhere

The more mobile-friendly your business operations are set up to be, the easier it is to monitor and process all of your accounting tasks.

8. Instant Communication

Mobile tools have revolutionized the way subcontractors can stay in communication with their team and clients. In fact, 77% of contractors report that mobile devices have had a positive impact on organizational productivity, improving overall efficiency, and enhancing workplace communication.

Whether it’s sending instant updates to field reports or spreadsheets to your on-site consultants or providing customers with any up-to-the-minute information regarding project status, there’s no question that mobile services are what allow subcontractors to stay on top of all their day-to-day operations.

Upgrade Your Mobile Tools With Sage 100 Contractor

If your mobile resources aren’t up to par, there’s no question that you’re missing out on imperative tools and services that will only work toward improving your company’s overall efficiency and productivity.

At Software Consultants, we help subcontractors take advantage of all the benefits mobile tools have to offer, by helping them get better acquainted with the advanced solutions of Sage 100 Contractor.

Curious to see how Sage 100 Contractor can be integrated into your current business operations? Contact our team of certified Sage Software consultants, and improve your project management solutions today!