Buying construction software is a major decision. It’s a multi-step process that includes: assessing why you need the software, getting upper management on board, researching your options, scheduling a demo and then implementing your new solution. Such an important decision shouldn’t conclude with a solution that isn’t tailored to your industry. 

General software solutions are designed to appeal to as many types of businesses as possible. When you purchase general software, what usually happens is you have to do a lot of customizations to make these solutions work for your company. And, the cost of these customizations can quickly add up, leaving your “affordable” out-of-the-box solutions not such a great deal. 

Instead of wasting time, energy and money on a solution that’s not tailored to your company’s needs, find a solution that’s built specifically for the construction industry. Here’s why.

Construction Software Works in Rugged Environments 

Construction work often takes place in less-than-ideal environments like sweltering heat, frigid winds, snow and rain. Any technology you buy must stand up to these conditions.  

Consider time tracking technology. Some general time tracking solutions either use spreadsheets that require employees to submit their own hours or require a mobile device. These devices aren’t always available to all workers on a job site and there are some concerns about using personal devices for work. Using a rugged time clock that uploads automatically to cloud is a great solution. 

A jobclock is a piece of equipment used on the jobsite that employees physically clock in and out on. It gives all your employees a fast, secure way to clock in and out, no matter where they’re located. For example, ExakTime’s Rugged Time Clocks are: 

  • Portable: Rugged time clocks, like ExakTime’s, are small, easy to move and can be mounted anywhere on site. 
  • Weatherproof: Our portable time clocks for construction are designed for harsh  environments like extreme cold, heat, rain and snow. These clocks can also operate in temperatures from – 10˚F to 170˚F. 
  • Battery-powered: No AC power source is necessary to run ExakTime’s portable time clock and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries last up to 21 days. Our JobClock Hornet can be charged from a car charger so you can recharge on the go. 
  • Flexible: Working with your accounting system, our JobClock Hornet accurately and securely tracks worker time, uploading the information to your payroll system. And if you’re outside cellular range, the job clock stores your employees’ login information until you can upload it. 

Construction Software is Made for a Mobile Workforce 

Having software that’s mobile-friendly is a must for the construction industry where crews can start their day in one spot and end up miles away when they clock out. Construction workers need solutions that can move with them. 

Arcoro’s suite of modular HR solutions allows your workers to onboard, train, check benefits, pay and PTO and do their performance reviews all from the palm of their hands, whenever and wherever they choose. Arcoro’s Applicant Tracking System even lets construction candidates apply for positions on their phones, no login required. 

For employers, once an applicant or employee adds their personal information, it automatically populates into future workflows, eliminating the need for redundant data entry. That means construction managers spend less time on paperwork and more on finishing projects and meeting deadlines. 

Construction companies also need a way to track their mobile workforces. ExakTime’s mobile time clock app has GPS and geofencing features. ExakTime Mobile’s GPS feature utilizes 30 global positions satellites to provide exact locations of employees when they clock in or out. The geofence feature lets you set up a virtual barrier to enforce certain restrictions or create certain opportunities. When employees clock in or out, their timestamp will be flagged as either on-site or off-site. No matter where your employees work, GPS allows you track them for time tracking but also for dispatching crews and supplies to worksites.  

Other solutions may track time but not necessarily location, which doesn’t work for construction.  

Construction Software has Built-in Compliance Features 

The construction industry must maintain compliance on several different levels like hiring and onboarding, overtime and safety. 

Hiring Compliance: Federal government contractors must comply with standards set by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs including developing an Affirmative Action Plan and keeping detailed records for all applicants and hires. Arcoro’s ATS will automate many of the hiring compliance procedures construction HR professionals need to follow. It should include a voluntary self-identification questionnaire for AAP reporting, track good faith recruiting efforts, store all candidate information and update all required forms like W-9s. HR software should also automatically include any EEO taglines in job postings, ensuring they’re never forgotten.  

Overtime Compliance: The US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforces regular and overtime payment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA maintains that employers must pay workers at least the minimum wage for all hours worked, as well as time and a half for overtime. A time tracking app like ExakTime’s will help cover any construction HR compliance issues by making sure your employees are always paid for every dollar they’ve earned, including overtime.  

Safety Compliance: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has 15 high-level categories for general safety and health provisions under construction’s US Code of Federal Regulations. OSHA’s construction rules and standards must be followed by all construction companies to maintain worker and site safety. And workers have to stay up to date on regulations and certifications. A learning management system (LMS) gives construction companies needed flexibility when it comes to workplace training and maintaining construction HR compliance. An LMS delivers training on a computer, kiosk or mobile device and it’s designed to make accessing certifications and completions easy and intuitive.  

When it comes to HR software, not all solutions are created equal…and many aren’t designed for the idiosyncrasies of this industry.

Speak to an expert today to see how easy and affordable it is to switch to a construction-specific software solution.