Field To Base Technology

Gem Plumbing (www.gemplumbing.com) is committed to running projects efficiently in order to keep them on time and within budget. This is why, when we discovered that a lack of instantaneous communication between field based managers and key contacts was creating some speed bumps, we embarked on a quest for a solution. We found it when our supplier, Ferguson Enterprises (www.ferguson.com), introduced us to Field2Base (www.field2base.com). Field2Base is a new wireless technology tool that enables our field-based managers to instantly convey critical project information to relevant parties via hand-drawn sketches, annotated digital photos, annotated CAD files, automated paper forms or combinations thereof any time of the day or night. Below is a detailed description of how each tool in the Field2Base package helps Gem’s field based managers to simplify and expedite essential business practices.

Digital Photography and Annotation

When questions arose on site pre Field2Base, Gem’s project managers would typically have to leave the field, return to the office and write Requests for Information (RFIs), which would then be distributed to relevant parties. Sometimes our project managers were 100 miles out, so would only be in the office once a week. Certain conditions required them to spend time writing a detailed description of the condition on or to take additional steps to obtain and attach photography to the RFI. With Field2Base, site managers can simply take a photo of the condition in question with the integrated digital camera, hand write a note or question on the photo by annotating it on the Tablet PC, and then e-mail it directly and instantly to the engineer, architect and or other team members who need to address it. Thus the design team can start immediately to address issues without the time delay that results from a site manager having to return to headquarters in order to complete an RFI or by an architect or engineer having to visit a site in order to assess a condition. The end result is that the approval process is expedited. Pre Field2Base, when approvals were delayed, we had to commit the labor force working on the issue in question to other activities or other sites, which could be inefficient or costly.

Downloading Existing Forms and Drawings

• Downloaded drawings with handwritten notes can reside on the Field2Base Tablet PC instead of being hauled around in paper form. The PC can zoom-in on plan details, making them easier to read. If there is an issue with a drawing, field based managers can cloud the area in question, write a note next to it with the stylus, and e-mail it to relevant decision makers on the contact list.
• In addition to construction drawings, Gem’s site managers also use Field2Base to fill out a variety of lists and forms including change orders, product orders, RFIs, daily reports and time sheets, which they immediately forward upon completion to relevant parties. Since there is no time delay, communication is crystal clear, accurate and timely. For example, by being able to instantaneously place product orders with Ferguson, Gem rapidly re-supplies its job sites and rarely incurs rush delivery charges.