Constructech Magazine

The keys to success in construction today are not the same as they were in the past. Society is going mobile; and so should construction firms. For those looking for devices and technology solutions to mobilize their construction business, there are plenty of options. From tablets to PDAs to smartphones, the ability to communicate among team members—whether they are in the field, at the office, or somewhere in between—is becoming imperative. 

But the truth is, not just any slick-looking device will cut it on a jobsite. Devices must not only be full of functionality, they need to be physically durable enough to withstand the rigors of the construction industry.

A new business-device solution by Panasonic Solutions Co., Secaucus, N.J., took this into consideration. Last week the company introduced Toughbook 53, a versatile “semi-rugged” notebook built to support next-generation businesses using technology in the field.

Toughbook 53 has a 14-inch high-definition LED display, weighs less than six pounds, and offers up to 10 hours of battery life. For mobile construction professionals that require access to cloud-based information on jobsites, the device offers embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth, 3G mobile broadband, and optional 4G LTE mobile broadband. 

Panasonic has designed its latest iteration to survive 30-foot drops on six faces; Toughbook 53 also has a spill-resistant keyboard, among other features. The device will be available in three configurations beginning with the Toughbook 53 i5 model in June. The company says its touchscreen version will ship in July, and the i3 model will ship in August. 

For construction companies on-the-go access is key. For those that want access to their drawings anywhere and anytime, AutoCAD by Autodesk, San Rafael, Calif., offers the AutoCAD WS mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and now Android. 

AutoCAD WS enables on-the-go professionals to open drawings from email attachments, sync files from the Web, or upload drawings directly from AutoCAD software. Plus, the company says drawings can be saved locally, so work can still get done without an Internet connection. Of course, this is just one among a number of apps that allows contractors to view drawings on the go.

With the ability conduct business remotely, construction professionals can enjoy a level of freedom and flexibility that wasn’t available in years past, but is critical to success in the years to come.