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iPad in Construction

E

El Jobso

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 22, 2009
23
0
I've been debating picking up an iPad to use in the field for construction purposes (plans, notes, etc.). Any of you using the iPad for such purposes? If so, what applications should I be looking at? Also, what cases would you recommend?
 
That's a neat idea. For your first app, I suggest iHandy Carpenter. I don't know about cases or anything else - construction isn't my profession. Good luck! ;)
 
No idea on the apps, but if there was ever a true need for an Otterbox.....this would be it.
 
El Jobso said:
I've been debating picking up an iPad to use in the field for construction purposes (plans, notes, etc.). Any of you using the iPad for such purposes? If so, what applications should I be looking at? Also, what cases would you recommend?
Click to expand...

A friend who does residential exterior work uses it for product brochures and to keep track of his estimates (office scans and emails him the pdfs) and other paperwork. He just uses an Apple case but he's especially anal (compared to another friend who's a physician and uses an OtterBox case because even though he's sedentary, he's clumsy).
 
El Jobso said:
I've been debating picking up an iPad to use in the field for construction purposes (plans, notes, etc.). Any of you using the iPad for such purposes? If so, what applications should I be looking at? Also, what cases would you recommend?
Click to expand...

I would think the only use would be some simple spreadsheet calculations you write yourself. Either the iPad is not powerful enough to run engineering software, or developers would not be willing to put their efforts into a very limited market. As an example, the most widely used piece of engineering software today is AutoCAD, this has literally only just been ported to the Mac OS, never mind iOS.

However if you just need something to check emails, project extranets, PDF drawings etc and don't want to carry a laptop around, then the Ipad would be fine.

Use the Ipad for what it was designed, consumption, not what your rosy specs think it could do, and you won't be disappointed.
 
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I remember reading recently that there is an Autocad Viewer app for the iPad. You may want to look for it if you're interested.
 
lostgear said:
I would think the only use would be some simple spreadsheet calculations you write yourself. Either the iPad is not powerful enough to run engineering software, or developers would not be willing to put their efforts into a very limited market. As an example, the most widely used piece of engineering software today is AutoCAD, this has literally only just been ported to the Mac OS, never mind iOS.

However if you just need something to check emails, project extranets, PDF drawings etc and don't want to carry a laptop around, then the Ipad would be fine.

Use the Ipad for what it was designed, consumption, not what your rosy specs think it could do, and you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

His "rosy specs" want to review notes and drawings, which are tasks well-suited to the iPad. As for Autocad, this is what their website says about their iPad app:

"The idea behind the AutoCAD iPad app, and a similar app for iPhone and iPod Touch, is that users can carry a lot of design files in a small package, which can be easily presented, reviewed or modified from the road without dragging around a Macbook or printing out a mound of pages."

So as long as your plans are in Autocad DWG format (or pdf) then you should be good to go.

http://www.autocadws.com/mobile
 
I am a PM for, mostly, public facilities construction. I have used the iPad since launch on a few projects. It has been incredible. If you deal mostly with PDF drawings, you will be fine. I have never used the AutoCAD app, and I don't think I will. I don't see why one would want DWG's in the field, anyways. I use goodreader and set up folders and store PDF's for all my projects. iDisk and Dropbox to transfer files. DocsToGo to track submittals, rfi's and CO's.

I use apple's case, but I am not on site daily- so if you are you may want something stronger.

I also know of a construction firm that use iPad's estimating.

If you have more concerns, please ask me. I will help as much as I can.
 
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GuhsDreg said:
I am a PM for, mostly, public facilities construction. I have used the iPad since launch on a few projects. It has been incredible. If you deal mostly with PDF drawings, you will be fine. I have never used the AutoCAD app, and I don't think I will. I don't see why one would want DWG's in the field, anyways. I use goodreader and set up folders and store PDF's for all my projects. iDisk and Dropbox to transfer files. DocsToGo to track submittals, rfi's and CO's.

I use apple's case, but I am not on site daily- so if you are you may want something stronger.

I also know of a construction firm that use iPad's estimating.

If you have more concerns, please ask me. I will help as much as I can.
Click to expand...

Fortunately most of my drawings will be in PDF format. I suppose I can set up a DropBox account to keep my files up to date (plenty of revisions issued). Other than iAnnotate, is there any other annotation software worthwhile to make notes on the drawings? I'm also currently debating between the Otterbox Defender and the Incipio Destroyer.

I greatly appreciate everyones input. I understand the iPad is a "consumption" device, but for my tasks, I think it'll work just fine.
 
El Jobso said:
Fortunately most of my drawings will be in PDF format. I suppose I can set up a DropBox account to keep my files up to date (plenty of revisions issued). Other than iAnnotate, is there any other annotation software worthwhile to make notes on the drawings? I'm also currently debating between the Otterbox Defender and the Incipio Destroyer.

I greatly appreciate everyones input. I understand the iPad is a "consumption" device, but for my tasks, I think it'll work just fine.
Click to expand...

You sound like you really did your homework. Knowing how to use an iPad before even having one will serve you well. :) Dropbox for PDF's etc, and iAnnotate (or the far cheaper GoodReader for iPad which now does annotation/highlighting) are perfect for what you're wanting to do.

Both the cases you mentioned are GREAT -- I have a preference for Otterbox products, but I've not used the Defender for iPad.

Enjoy your iPad!
 
I was walking to work the other day and saw several construction workers huddled around an iPad while on the street. I think the form factor is ideal for such away from a desk type jobs...
 
Hi GuhsDreg, El Jobso, tekchic,

Great discussion on iPad apps for the Construction Indistry. In fact, we at Vela Systems have been developing mobile applications for the construction industry for years and were very excited to launch our iPad app for construction last year.

You can do anything from carry your plans and specs into the field, to manage tasks and issues for subcontractors and more.

You can read about it on my blog post here:

http://www.velasystems.com/construc...ruction-projects-yeah-theres-an-app-for-that/

Also, some of you asked about how to make iPads rugged enough for any construction job site. Many of our users have put their iPads inside cases from Otterbox, which work very well. You can read more about iPad and iPad2 cases here:

http://www.velasystems.com/construc...gged-ipad-case-for-your-construction-project/

http://www.velasystems.com/construc...2-rugged-enough-for-any-construction-project/
 
It's a great tool for construction. I find Evernote indispensable for field notes. The bigger screen is useful for drawings. Email and browsing is used in construction as much as any occupation. Things app will be more valuable when they get air syncing up and running.

I love my iPhone Otterbox but the iPad2 case looks overkill. A three minute video for putting the case on seems excessive. I'd like to travel a little lighter when not on site and that thing seems semi-permanent. Anybody got feedback on that case yet? It seems Incipio does not have the Destroyer for iPad 2 yet. I guess I'll continue with my gaffer's tape on the back and Smart Cover until I find a suitable field-ready case.
 
Yeah, I couldn't agree more with you that in some situations an ultra-durable cases is overkill. For you, that's probably because you've already been using an iPad and you know how you're going to use it.

I talk to hundreds of project engineers, superintendents, project managers, and project execs who have never used an iPad and typically their first question is about durability, which makes sense as they're planning for the worst that could happen.

But, the total number of times that we've seen iPads get damaged or broken is surprisingly low, so in the end it probably makes sense to just pick a case that fits your usage style.

http://www.velasystems.com/construc...2-rugged-enough-for-any-construction-project/
 
VelaSystems said:
Yeah, I couldn't agree more with you that in some situations an ultra-durable cases is overkill. For you, that's probably because you've already been using an iPad and you know how you're going to use it.

I talk to hundreds of project engineers, superintendents, project managers, and project execs who have never used an iPad and typically their first question is about durability, which makes sense as they're planning for the worst that could happen.

But, the total number of times that we've seen iPads get damaged or broken is surprisingly low, so in the end it probably makes sense to just pick a case that fits your usage style.
Click to expand...

Dude (John?), your 3 links basically say: OtterBox defender case
 
I use mine in construction. I am an electrical contractor. I would recommend the following apps-

Largeviewer- loads large PDF drawings a lot faster than other apps
Dropbox- keep prints, time cards, work orders, etc
Notes Plus- take notes in meetings.
Any of the PDF markup apps, can do as builds, take notes on the prints
logmein- access your work desktop from anywhere

It can do 90% of what my laptop does.
 
chrsb said:
I use mine in construction. I am an electrical contractor. I would recommend the following apps-

Largeviewer- loads large PDF drawings a lot faster than other apps
Dropbox- keep prints, time cards, work orders, etc
Notes Plus- take notes in meetings.
Any of the PDF markup apps, can do as builds, take notes on the prints
logmein- access your work desktop from anywhere

It can do 90% of what my laptop does.
Click to expand...

What do you use for time cards?
 
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