In construction, field data is key to building a successful project. Timely insights let you know if cost codes are doing well (or not)—and help keep projects on track. However, collecting data from multiple subcontractors and jobsites can be tedious.
We asked Ed Senavaitis, Senior Construction Manager, how his team uses Raken to streamline their subcontractor reports.
Q: How did you first hear about Raken?
Ed: We stumbled upon Raken when we started doing research in the construction tech space. We were looking to standardize our reporting structure, and something easy to use for our construction inspectors in the field. We also wanted something to benefit the third-party inspections we use.
Out of all the groups and tools out there, we thought Raken was the right pick.
Q: What business challenges did you want to solve?
Ed: Prior to Raken, we were doing multiple construction activities and various levels of projects throughout our organization. What we didn’t have was a standardized way to capture the day-to-day details of the progress being made on those projects.
So, coming to Raken, we needed to put out something that was easy for our contractors to use. We wanted a standardized platform that helped us get the right information—and made it easy for us to give to project managers in an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand format.
Q: How has Raken impacted your team’s collaboration?
Ed: Raken has had a positive impact on the team, really due to the ease of use, and the ability to capture stuff (simply) in real time.
Most of our PMs carry multiple projects around the country. Being able to see data in real time—and access their portfolio of projects—has increased the efficiency of the PM role. Details jump out, and let them stay on top of multiple projects with relative ease
Q: Any memorable projects you’ve used Raken on?
Ed: We had a very extensive project in Corpus Christi with 30 inspectors. The local team would spend upwards of three-quarters of the day organizing individual inspector’s reports. They’d capture all that info, summarize it, then get it into the PM’s hands. They test-piloted Raken down there, and it gave them almost all that time back.
The flexibility that comes with Raken to do reports with one click is a significant process improvement. Our team can report any project’s status in real time. That’s what really propelled us to use Raken. The app has paid for itself multiple times over.
Q: If you were to recommend Raken to someone, what would you say?
Ed: Beyond the software, Raken’s customer support team is always available. They have attention to detail in new user training, user guides, and answering questions. They’re available to frequently help us get folks that aren’t necessarily tech-savvy up to par.
When we originally rolled Raken out, folks were looking at it as just another thing to do. Now, it’s a way to do and organize all the things we need to do in a smarter, better, more efficient manner.
Standardize your subcontractor data with Raken.
With Raken, Ed’s team can easily collect and share field data in real time. From daily reports and checklists to production tracking, they have better insights to keep projects moving.
Schedule a demo to see how you can streamline your subcontractor data collection with Raken's general contractor software.