By combining all these functions into one place, they increase efficiency by avoiding duplication of effort and by better managing the entire process of building a home. This is, on the face of it, a good thing. But to get the full benefit of program integration, some of these applications try to computerize field operations as well. This may mean buying laptop computers for superintendents, and training field personnel to use the new program. But the biggest cost is the time and effort in learning to use them.
Superintendents are good at building houses and getting things done.
They aren t necessarily good at the skills needed for computer operations. Some superintendents, of course, will love the idea of having computers on the job site. Others will hate them and feel they re a distraction. Until people become proficient in the new technology, productivity will fall, rather than increase. Many builders have invested thousands of dollars in software, plus uncounted hours trying to master the program, only to give up in frustration and put the software back.