Getting the most value from construction software means knowing how to thoroughly use it. 

Gone are the days in the construction industry when a smart owner/operator and his backhoe could handle most projects. Back then, measurements were close approximations, and quality was achieved through the skills and experience of the hired contractor.

Today, contractors and project owners expect more, such as speed, exacting accuracy, productivity, and quality long-life results. Construction machines are more technologically advanced, and sophisticated software creates project plans, manages the work, and documents the results.

Software is at the heart of earthwork and utility-estimating. It performs sitework take-off features that include calculating: cut and fill, stripping, strata quantities, paving and concrete materials, topsoil re-spread, areas, lengths, trench excavation, and backfill.

“Proper utilization of software assures accurate results, increases productivity, and assures full benefits of the software,” states Steve Warfle, product manager for InSite Software Inc., in Rush, New York. “Many years ago we recognized that having great features in our software doesn’t always guarantee they will be used.”

Training’s Benefits

Training software users has proven to be beneficial for getting the most out of the investment. The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) makes a compelling case for training in general, which applies well to construction industry software training.

ASTD recently conducted a study of more than 2,500 companies to determine how training investments affected a firm’s total shareholder return. Using a statistical model taking into account a variety of variables, ASTD found that training resulted in a significant improvement in shareholder return.

By providing training, the companies in the study gave their employees the tools they needed to become more productive. Additionally, the ASTD surveyed companies cited these benefits:

• increased profitability,
• consistent quality,
• improved customer satisfaction,
• development, and
• better employee retention.

Tech Support v. Training

It helps when those being trained donÕt confuse technical support with training. “My CAD file won’t open!” is a tech support issue, whereas, “How do I import a CAD file?’ is a training question. The difference between the two can be subjective and difficult to define.

If a support question has to be answered time and time again for the same company, the question is no longer a support issue but rather one of training for that company’s personnel.

This article is part of the February 2018 magazine. Click on the cover below to view the other articles in the February 2018 issue of xyHt magazine.