Under the Hard Hat

Tag: SMARTBUILD

  • Smartbuild: The project management software for construction professionals

    Smartbuild: The project management software for construction professionals

    Smartbuild is transforming project management in the construction industry by delivering a software solution built with contractors’ real-world needs in mind. Unlike other platforms, it offers flat-rate pricing and fast onboarding, allowing teams to start almost immediately. From managing contract delivery to overseeing labor production and sending out proposals, Smartbuild’s three platforms—smartGC, smartSUB, and smartDesigner—help contractors streamline their project delivery.

    What sets Smartbuild apart from other project management tech companies

    With so many project management software options available, finding a platform that meets the needs of all construction professionals is challenging. Smartbuild stands out by focusing on three often overlooked areas. 

    1. Data ownership

    A defining feature of Smartbuild is its commitment to data ownership. Unlike many project management platforms where data ownership terms can be vague or favor the software provider, Smartbuild ensures that users retain full ownership of their data. This gives companies greater security and control over their information, an essential advantage for construction professionals who manage sensitive project details.

    2. Ease of use

    Ease of use is one of the main reasons contractors choose Smartbuild. Recognizing that complex software can hinder efficiency, Smartbuild’s onboarding process is fast and straightforward. With just one personalized demo tailored to the needs of each client, teams can be fully operational in as little as two hours. This focus on a streamlined setup helps construction professionals quickly familiarize themselves with the platform and begin managing projects with minimal disruption.

    3. Cost-effectiveness

    Smartbuild offers a unique flat-rate pricing model that contrasts sharply with competitors who charge based on a company’s revenue. Instead, Smartbuild’s cost is determined by the company’s regional reach—national or international—making it accessible and predictable for businesses of all sizes. This pricing structure allows companies to avoid unexpected costs and plan their budgets more effectively. 

    Pain points the software addresses

    Whether you’re a building designer, a general contractor, or part of a sub-trade, you’ll often face tools that don’t fully address your needs. This leads to buying additional software and more growing pains. From high costs to steep learning curves and outdated technology, it’s a never-ending struggle to find the right fit. That’s where Smartbuild comes in. Their software addresses these pain points head-on: 

    • Tailored solutions for every role: SmartBuild offers specialized products to meet the distinct needs of general contractors, subcontractors, and designers. General contractors can efficiently manage project oversight and resource allocation, while subcontractors benefit from intuitive tools for task tracking and coordination. This approach ensures the full spectrum of project requirements is met, keeping teams unified and workflows running smoothly.
    • Learning curve and usability: Many construction software platforms are built on outdated architecture, resulting in complex, unintuitive interfaces. Smartbuild uses Microsoft’s cloud computing and is designed with ease of use in mind, reducing the learning curve and encouraging adoption across teams.
    • Speed: Built on Microsoft Azure, Smartbuild benefits from reliable, high-speed servers. Plus, with all the in-house coding, the platform operates on a lighter base code, enabling quick customization and responsiveness.

    How has Smartbuild evolved over the years

    Smartbuild’s evolution has been shaped by continuous feedback from its clients, allowing the platform to become more responsive to the various needs within the construction industry. Initially offering generalized demos, the Smartbuild team quickly realized that a tailored approach was more effective for adoption. Now, onboarding is fully customized to focus on the features most relevant to each client, reducing training time to just two hours.

    Lessons learned along the way

    As Smartbuild continued to refine its approach and platform, several key lessons emerged, leading to essential adjustments in how the software is packaged and implemented:

    • Flexible customization: Clients across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) have shown that flexibility is key. Smartbuild has learned that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for a diverse client base, so the platform is built to accommodate variations and allow for more personalized use.
    • Guided implementation: Rather than leaving clients to handle setup, Smartbuild actively assists with implementation. This hands-on approach keeps the onboarding process smooth and organized and keeps clients engaged, allowing them to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the platform. Typically, clients are fully operational within 10 days of signing a contract.

    This adaptive approach has allowed Smartbuild to consistently improve its user experience and make switching from other software easy. 

    Core features and offerings behind Smartbuild

    Smartbuild’s software offers three separate packages for targeted functionality tailored to general contractors, subcontractors, and designers.

    SmartGC

    SmartGC is aimed at general contractors and provides essential tools for managing contract delivery and mitigating risks. This module helps contractors stay organized and ensures that projects run smoothly from start to finish, focusing on critical areas like budgeting, timelines, and compliance.

    SmartSub

    Explicitly designed for subcontractors, SmartSub focuses on efficient labor management and crew productivity. It helps subcontractors coordinate their workforce, track progress, and manage work completion, making it easier to meet project goals without disrupting schedules.

    SmartDesigner (coming soon)

    Set to launch in early 2025, SmartDesigner will be an industry-first tool dedicated to designers. This module will streamline the process from proposal to contract close, providing designers with a comprehensive tool to manage their projects effectively. SmartDesigner is expected to bring new capabilities that fill a gap in construction project management by addressing designers’ unique workflow needs.

    What makes Smartbuild unique as a company

    Smartbuild sets itself apart from other construction tech companies by focusing on independence and innovation. Smartbuild has never relied on outside investors as a self-funded company, allowing it to prioritize customer-centric adjustments without pressure from shareholders. This independence enables Smartbuild to offer more cost-effective solutions and quickly respond to industry demands.

    Another unique feature is the integration of Azure AI. The AI Assistant, powered by Azure, manages algorithms within the software, resulting in a lightweight, fast platform that enhances productivity. This blend of independence and advanced AI-driven technology positions Smartbuild as a forward-thinking leader in construction project management.

    Future aspirations and direction

    Looking ahead, Smartbuild aims to solidify its presence in the North American market and explore new ways to enhance its platform through innovative technology. By integrating additional IoT capabilities, Smartbuild plans to make project management even more efficient, enabling teams to have real-time insights and greater control over project resources. These advancements will help construction professionals streamline workflows, improve resource tracking, and optimize productivity, keeping Smartbuild at the forefront of construction project management innovation.

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  • Why are contractors so resistant to change?

    Why are contractors so resistant to change?

    Resistance to change is a common challenge in construction, with professionals at all levels often unwilling or unable to innovate. To get insight into the factors that may be driving this reluctance, we spoke with Zulqernain (Zulq) Malik, founder of SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions. 

    Malik has worked in various aspects of the construction industry for over 30 years. He thinks that, at its core, the issue comes down to a fundamental mistake in the way companies market their products to construction professionals.

    “Contractors’ reluctance to change is not because they’re resistant. It’s just that they haven’t been communicated with effectively about why change is necessary or how change will benefit them,” Malik explains. “It’s really about language and communication—style and technique… the industry has been largely treating people in construction as dumb when in reality they’re not.” 

    Malik has observed a persistent disconnect between how companies market their products and the communication style of the audience they’re trying to convert to customers. He points to the tactile learning style that led many tradespeople to pursue careers in construction and how incompatible it is with most traditional marketing techniques—the slick PowerPoints, glossy brochures, and sales pitches full of indecipherable jargon. For those who excel in a hands-on environment, the typical sales presentation often falls flat and fails to effectively demonstrate a product’s return on investment.

    As a result, many marketers mistakenly believe that their sales pitch isn’t landing because of a lack of understanding or intelligence instead of recognizing the different style of intelligence and adapting their messaging accordingly. Malik explains that this is because, across the board, there’s a tendency to think of those working in the construction industry as “blue-collar workers,” a term he finds derogatory. 

    “What they forget to take into consideration,” he says, “is that these guys are highly skilled and technical individuals who chose to take a different trajectory than a traditional student who would end up in an office… The construction industry has to stop being perceived as a blue-collar industry. It’s not. It’s an industry made up of a lot of different skilled professionals, including a lot of skilled tactile tradespeople… But the marketing and the messaging has been less sophisticated towards the concept of a ‘blue collar’ market.”

    Malik believes this communication breakdown is a significant factor in the reluctance to embrace change.

    “The majority of contractors are complacent—they’re not seeking innovation. And if innovation does intersect with what they’re seeking, they’re resistant because of the messaging…. It’s not because they’re resistant to buying. They’re resistant to how the marketing and the information has been portrayed to them and how it’s relevant to them. The messaging hasn’t been clear. And when the messaging isn’t clear and concise, you ignore it. You move on.”

    If companies want to convince construction professionals to adopt new technologies and try new tools, Malik says they must change how they market their products. 

    Ditch the jargon, avoid acronyms and buzzwords, and “talk like a normal person.” Provide free, hands-on, try-before-you-buy demos of products to satisfy the tactile learning style of many construction pros. Basically, just cut to the chase. “They want genuineness,” he says. “They want sincerity.”

    Malik believes doing so is crucial to help the construction industry catch up with the speed of innovation. “We have to understand that [we in the construction industry] are far behind on a technological scale of evolution—and technology doesn’t just mean software. Technology also means tools and equipment that we’re utilizing in our day-to-day. And the reason is that [marketers] don’t speak to us in our English. We don’t ask them to, we tell them to get lost, and we just move on and continue doing the same thing over and over again.”

    While companies must improve how they market to a construction audience, Malik also admits that the construction industry is equally responsible for shifting how it receives feedback within its ranks. 

    “Our ecosystem is not bred to create innovation,” he explains, “It’s dictatorial, and because it’s dictatorial, people feel that their voice is not going to be heard. [Communication] comes from the top down, and the person who’s at the top doesn’t have time to see everyone at the bottom.”

    To create a culture of innovation, Malik says companies must be willing and open to ideas from all levels. Even at construction trade events, where tradespeople have the opportunity to share best practices and learn from each other, this hierarchy prevents new ideas from taking hold. 

    “The wrong people go to those events,” Malik says. “When you look at these opportunities to cross-pollinate, you typically send the same C&V suites all the time. And they’re so busy running operations or dealing with fires they never have the time to translate and disseminate that information down. I’m a firm believer that for all these trade shows and opportunities, we should be sending up and aspiring foremen. Never even the foreman, you want to change in the generation below them so that they’re going to bring innovative ideas to you.”

    With a combination of fresh minds eager to innovate and marketing messaging that’s tailored for construction professionals, perhaps the industry can finally shake off its reputation for stagnation and embrace an innovation revolution instead 

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