The Clancy & Theys team included Ed Holloway (left) of the firm's technology partner Field2Base Wireless, Robert Tucker of Field2Base (second from right), and Scott Cutler (right) of Clancy & Theys. Joining them is Greg Schementi of awards co-sponsor Equis Corp.

As seen in this year's Global Innovators Awards finalist field through the Harvard University case on PIPS, time is money on a construction project.

Clancy & Theys is a contractor involved in large-scale at-risk projects, according to the company's Marketing VP Scott Cutler. “Our focus on time savings led us to deploy an innovative new field communication technology by Field2Base, Inc. The tool has made us more agile in the field by integrating a wide range of tools into one compact and portable tablet P.C.”

Those tools include digitized standard documents, digital photography, tools for hand annotating and sketching, access to schedule and project administration programs, access to CAD drawings that can be hand-annotated, and the ability to convey information with all these media instantly via email on-the-spot from wherever an issue or question arises.

“Our deployment of Field2Base allows us to offer a higher level of service to construction project owners by streamlining our communications, allowing us to reconcile issues more quickly, and improving our ability to deliver large-scale projects on time,” Cutler. “Using this innovative technology our construction site superintendents are better equipped to communicate efficiently.”

When the construction site superintendent encounters a design or site conflict, Field2Base allows him/her to quickly develop an RFI (Request for Information) with a hand-drawn sketch include a summary of the condition in a daily construction report, gain access to the structural drawing, annotate the plan and attach it to the RFI, and email the whole package to the designer and project manager. These improved communications enable issues to be resolved quickly so that schedule impacts are reduced or negated.

“Field2Base is an attractive solution to Clancy & Theys because a global roll-out throughout the organization is not required to achieve immediate results on one project,” Cutler added. “The tool can stand alone or be rolled out in phases.

Last year the company managed sixty-three projects with 12-month revenue exceeding $1-million, each with average revenue of $5-million. Contract values ranged up to $50 million.

A few examples of F2B applications were provided to illustrate the range of issues expedited:

1. The need for a follow up permit inspection (days later) of slab reinforcing was avoided when a photo of the altered detail was conveyed to the inspector's office with accompanying notes and details.
2. Delayed design team inspection avoided by showing anchor bolt repair.
3. Conflict between steel and ceiling finish quickly conveyed to structural engineer to design modification.
4. Above-ceiling cable tray and roof drain conflict defined for design resolution.

“With Field2Base, Clancy & Theys can offer innovative work practices that can yield a higher level of service for our corporate real estate and other construction clients,” concluded Cutler.

Industry colleagues seem to agree. Earlier this year, the firm's use of Field2base was recognized as the winner of the AGC's 2005 Best Information Technology Solution (BITS) at their national convention in Las Vegas where Clancy & Theys will return for more recognition along with their technology partners at this October's CoreNet Global Summit.