This week’s post will cover the use of the mobile field management app, FieldLens and the benefits of using a different platform that creates a collaborative platform to discuss project issues through photos.

The FieldLens platform allows users to document field conditions using multimedia like photos, videos, voice notes and more, which can be shared with other team members to alert them of particular issues. The idea is to create an online collaboration hub for all team members on a construction project to share and discuss project issues. With the recent proliferation of mobile devices in the field, all project team members can now stay informed in real time about issues as they occur. For example if there is a safety hazard on a project, one team member can take a photo and alert the team so it can be corrected in minutes.

There have been several attempts in the past to create a collaborative internet based hub for communications. The first attempts were primarily desktop and laptop based. With these platforms, a person in an office or trailer setting would take items sent in from the field and enter them into the database so they could be shared with other team members. In today’s mobile device driven world the need for instant communication and the ability to share information quickly between team members is vital. FieldLens helps users accomplish this with their collaborative online communication hub.

• This innovative internet platform and mobile app allows users to:
• Take project photos on a mobile device (smartphone and tablet).
• Add voice notes, video notes, and assign responsibility for correction.
• Issue and track jobsite items such as safety hazards or punch list.
• Create reports and distribute to anyone on the project team whether or not they use FieldLens.

The FieldLens team recently did a very interesting Google Glass demo at CONEXPO. Take a look at this video to see how FieldLens and Google Glass work together:

To use FieldLens, download the app and install it on your mobile device and log in with your account information and you’ll be able to sync all your photos and reports to your online account. If you have not already signed up, you can go to www.fieldlens.com to sign up for a free trial account.

This post is a part of a series by The Construction App Guru who runs a blog which offers mobile technology advice for the construction industry. The author is a Risk Manager for a construction firm based out of Georgia who is on a mission to educate the construction industry about the uses for new technology on projects.