Automating Manual Processes Improves On-Time Delivery and Increases Productivity, Scaling Business for Growth
A utility-scale solar installer replaced paper forms and a dry-erase site map with a mobile workflow app, built and live in eight weeks.
- Industry
- Construction
- Projects at a time
- Up to 20
- Crew per project
- 10 to 40 on site
- 8 weeksTo build and implement a custom workflow application
The company provides complete turnkey project design and mechanical installation services for solar tracker projects. A typical project consists of anywhere from 20 to hundreds of rows of photovoltaic (PV) modules, with 60 to 80 modules per row. Each project is installed by 10 to 40 people on-site who are driving foundation posts, installing racking, and mounting modules.
Paper forms and a laminated site map slowing every project
Before TrackVia, the installer’s field workers used paper forms to collect data on their daily work and a laminated paper site map highlighted with colored dry-erase markers to track progress. The paper forms and site map were then photographed each day and uploaded to Dropbox along with photos of the site. The data was then entered into spreadsheets and emailed to office staff for project tracking and analysis. Project managers manually created reports for clients and executives, as needed. The installer works on up to 20 projects at a time and the manual processes resulted in slow response time, project delays, poor reporting, and delayed billing to their clients.
With the help of a solar consulting services firm, the installer identified that their manual processes were impacting the success of their overall business.
A custom app for crews, chiefs and executives
They sought a mobile-ready solution to track productivity and daily work, provide instant status alerts, and integrate with Google Maps to deliver highly visual, custom reports, and insights.
After considering several vendors, the installer and its consultant selected TrackVia for its fast implementation time, Google Maps integration, and real-time reporting with color coding.
Bring documentation, time and photos into one app
With TrackVia, the installer and its consultant built and implemented a custom workflow application in eight weeks. The application helped them consolidate project documentation, time-tracking, and photos that were previously stored in Microsoft Excel and scattered across other personal systems, such as Google Drive and Box.
Give each role its own dashboard
They also created work dashboards according to each user’s role, such as crew, crew chief, and executive.
Collect data in the field, on mobile
For data collection in the field, workers now use TrackVia on their mobile devices, eliminating the need for paper forms and rekeying data after-hours. It also sends automated reminder notifications for overdue data entry, as well as prompts workers when data is entered incorrectly or missing.
Track every row on Google Maps
Additionally, the app uses a custom built Google Maps integration to visually track the status of each row to see if foundation posts have been driven, racking installed, or modules have been mounted on a given row.
Report in color, from the C-suite to the field
The data the installer collects is used in color-coded reports so everyone from the C-suite to the field knows project status in real-time with a simple glance. Reporting is also used for more accurate forecasting and allocation of resources.
Clean data, clear status and room to take on more work
Better data and real-time visibility
Since implementing TrackVia, the installer has improved their data collection, data integrity, and gained real-time visibility into project progress at their sites.
More projects, delivered on time
The installer can now take on more projects, improve its on-time delivery, and quickly identify when issues arise, including when projects are behind schedule.
Scaling for growth
With the TrackVia app and guidance from its consultant, the installer is scaling to manage its growth, improving customer satisfaction, and minimizing unnecessary costs.
After vetting out several other solutions, TrackVia quickly seemed like a perfect solution for us… Our needs change almost weekly as regulations and the industry evolve, and we needed the flexibility to constantly tweak our platform in real time.
Projects that used to sit delayed for weeks now finish in days or even hours.
With Excel, we couldn’t see what employees were doing. With TrackVia it’s easy to track work and view what exactly has been completed. This resulted in an 80% time savings.
I wound up being able to do the same amount of work with only eight people versus 13 and that became the driving factor for them to accept TrackVia.
We are very pleased with the ease of use of the mobile application. We are thrilled to have instant visibility of the sterilization process and to be able to see immediately where issues are occurring. This enables us to focus on our number one priority, which is our patients and their loved ones.
TrackVia has truly changed the game on software development and deployment. We created and rolled out a mobile workflow app with limited resources in a very short period of time.
Their solution provided the flexibility we needed to meet unique project requirements while affording visibility and control.
TrackVia has improved the accuracy of our data. In the past it was a chore for our coordinators to document issues in real time. Now, they can just open the mobile app or website, check a few boxes and they are done.
The first application I built—it was simple—I think it took 10 minutes.
Become a success story
Increased productivity
Do more work with the same people.
Reduced cost
Less manual work, rework, duplicate entry, and administrative overhead.
Reduced risk
Better compliance, evidence, accountability, and auditability.
Improved performance
Faster cycle times, fewer delays, earlier intervention, and higher service levels.
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