Very (www.verytechnology.com) recently introduced FieldMind, an AI Assistant that gives field technicians immediate intelligent access to a wealth of organizational knowledge that potentially could be useful in the field in helping on-the-spot technicians diagnose issues needing attention.
The available information includes repair procedures that have worked in the past (enhancing first time fix rates), troubleshooting guides, and access to other accrued knowledge.
Featuring an intuitive interface suitable for viewing on a mobile or tablet device, the solution enables field technicians to “mine” the repair expertise of previous expert technicians who successfully tackled similar types of scenarios during initial service calls and callbacks.
Pricing: per rep, per year
STACK
STACK (www.stackct.com, 855/702-6078) offers contractors active in bidding and performing jobs in the field both preconstruction software and software for takeoff and estimating, each 100% cloud-based.
Stack Takeoff & Estimating is designed to streamline the preconstruction process and improve accuracy with built-items and assemblies. Users can build a detailed bill of materials for supply orders using pre-built libraries or your own custom libraries.
Stack Build & Operate, a mobile field app for document control, field collaboration, and project management, is configured to enhance the processes of review, annotation, and comparison of plans between and among team members in the office and the field, helping optimize workflow and improve operational efficiency.
Pricing: Free trial version available for both solutions for single user or teams.
WorkMax
WorkMax (www.workmax.com, (844/967-5629) is a cloud-based platform on which contractors can collect and share live field data, including labor hours, equipment and progress straight from the jobsite. The solution features individual modules that can be easily combined as needed.
TIME empowers contractors to track their employees’ hours in real-time. Using GPS technology, workers can clock in, clock out and change tasks throughout a workday for up to the minute field accuracy. Geofences can be set around a jobsite to reduce time theft and patented facial recognition ensures that each employee is who they say they are and are stationed where they say they are. Whenever suspicious discrepancies occur, custom alerts notify the appropriate supervisor or foreman. And the WorkMax mobile app is accessible even in areas without internet access, with all information syncing to the system once the mobile device reconnects to a server.
FORMS uses an intuitive builder to develop and deploy forms, capturing rich reporting data on any device with or without internet. Some specific eforms include the daily work log, change orders and safety documentation.
ASSETS sets routine maintenance schedules, allocates tools by location, employee or project, and monitors equipment use and repairs.
INSIGHT facilitates budget tracking by monitoring KPIs to understand potential financial outcomes—tracking developments and milestones as they happen to accelerate effect decision making.
WorkMax integrates with 100+ third-party accounting, payroll, and HR management solutions, including FOUNDATION®, QuickBooks, ViewPoint, Payroll4Construction and others.
Pricing: call for a personal demonstration with pricing quote specific to your business needs.
Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning (www.interplaylearning.com), a provider of immersive training for the skilled trades, recently launched its new in In-the-Field Guides, mobile-optimized interactive resources aimed at maintenance technicians in the field.
The step-by-step digital guides are purpose-built for real-world troubleshooting. They are designed to complement structured foundational learning with timely instruction that can offer guidance while on the job and help reinforce knowledge of how to perform key repair and diagnostic tasks, with the intent of boosting technician confidence and of enabling performance of the work without halting workflow or waiting for support from a supervisor.
Each guide offers a structured interactive experience that walks technicians through identifying system components, locating parts, and taking accurate measurements. Short knowledge checks are integrated at each stage to keep technicians engaged and reinforce proper decision-making.
The initial guides focus on high-demand repair scenarios in the multifamily industry, with training on critical equipment such as electric and gas water heaters, electric ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and heat pumps. Additional scenarios, including mini-split systems, are slated to be added soon.
More mobile-first tools are in development and will be released later this year.
Pricing: the guides are included in Interplay’s Team and Executive subscription plans at no additional cost.
GoCanvas
GoCanvas data collection solution (www.gocanvas.com, 703/436-8069, covered in February 2025 column) recently introduced a new feature, FollowUps, that allows your field team to flag and assign tasks—correction actions—onsite, as soon as an issue is found, reducing lag and speeding up resolution. The Follow-ups are digital tasks automatically created based on information collected in a form.
How it works: you can add a Pass/Fail field to your form for use by your field team, enabling reporting, assigning, tracking and resolving issues in real time. Every Follow-Up includes an issue description, due date, assigned team member, and direct link to the original form submission. The Follow-Up dashboard gives immediate insight into what’s open, what’s overdue, and what’s been completed.
About the Author
Patti Feldman
Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products.