which they started using a few months ago, is allowing them to take on more work with the same number of people and to standard- ize their workflows. The current climate is a challenging one for GCs as they are hesitant to increase hiring, but they still have plenty of work to get done. An intense competition for work and razor-thin margins means they need to maximize efficiency while minimizing costs.
“90 percent of what we do is relationships— relationships with subcontractors, owners, architects— and with our own
people.” – Trace Hendrick, Project Manager and IT Director, R.C. Hendrick & Son
Trace is confident that BuildingBlok will help them achieve this goal by improving numerous processes, including: communication and col- laboration with subcontractors, architects and owners; workflow for construction documents such as submittals, change orders and RFIs; on-project reporting with a mobile app; and will also reduce the time it takes to calculate job costing at the end of every month.
According to Trace, the company is very ex- cited to take this next step in standardizing what they do. He explains, “It takes a little bit more effort to use the technology at first, but the benefits are worth it. We’re seeing time and cost savings relative to project adminis- tration and to the ability to access data from anywhere.” That mobility factor is one of the
biggest differences in construction today. Trace adds, “Before, you had information either on a paper blueprint or stuck on somebody’s laptop. Now you have your information on your phone, tablet, wherever it is. I think that’s re- ally accelerating the pace of construction and we’re excited to work with BuildingBlok to ac- complish that.”
These new technological solutions have al- lowed the company to move away from much of their Excel spreadsheets and into great- er standardization. So far, they have rolled BuildingBlok out on two projects and will be rolling it out on another three to five projects in the next month. It’s moving along quickly. Change is always difficult, though, especially with a family business and getting everyone on board. Luke Hendrick, Trace’s younger brother, who now also works for the company, is “ex- cited to add new technology to the company,” says Trace, adding, “so that will be a nice part- ner to have as we make changes.”
Ultimately, the key is putting the right piece of technology into the right people’s hands. One of the things Trace tries to do when an employee requests a new computer is to ask them how they want to use it. Do they need a bigger screen, a laptop, a tablet? Do they need to have it everywhere they go? It’s no longer just a matter of new technology, but rather what the individual’s needs are. Trace believes that customizing the technology is the secret to true productivity. He says, “You’re not just locked into a desktop or stuck in one spot any- more.
Everyone is mobile. Especially for us,
we’re constantly on jobsites across the state. We need to decrease the non-productive time. If we can create a technology solution that al- lows you to be more productive, it’s a bonus for everyone. That gives all of us more time to go out and get more work.”
30
THE WHO’S WHO IN BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
DISCOVER MORE @
WWW.THEWHOSWHO.BUILD
COURTESY OF R.C. HENDRICK & SON
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