SmartBuilder Software Ltd has launched “Site Clean Up”, a novel iPhone application to assist building firms of all sizes to clean-up their construction sites more efficiently and cost effectively. SmartBuilder Software, a new Irish start-up, was established earlier this year to develop mobile software applications for use on construction sites in Ireland and internationally.
SmartBuilder Software's Site Clean Up App
On construction sites, just like at home, someone has to take out the rubbish. The problem for main contractors is that sub-contractors are often slow in doing this or leave sites without cleaning them. This results in untidy and potentially unsafe sites with main contractors having to employ additional staff to clean-up the sites. In addition to environmental and safety issues this can cost main contractors hundreds of thousands of euro each over the course of a year.
SmartBuilder Software, headquartered in NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin, developed the Site Clean Up app after market research showed a demand for a practical technology solution to this problem. SmartBuilder has designed its new app to be used by building firms of all sizes, from those building a school extension in a small town to those working on the London Olympics.
Site Clean Up provides a way for site managers to use their iPhones once they spot infringements on site. The new app gives the contractor the ability to record and action sub-contractors to clean-up by a set date or face penalties. Sending warning notices ensures that they act quickly to rectify the problem preventing environmental and safety issues arising and ensures that the main contractor does not incur additional cleaning costs.
The app also contains a handy dashboard which displays all items, including the status of the number of pending, late or closed-out issues. The Site Clean Up app also contains reporting functionality so that a user can benchmark the performance of different sub-contractors.
SmartBuilder Software's Site Clean Up App
Peter Daly, Managing Director and co-founder SmartBuilder Software said, “In today’s economic environment no building contractor can afford these sort of wastages and inefficiencies. Site Clean Up was developed as a response to a need builders were telling us about. The benefits of using our Site Clean Up app will add to our clients’ bottom line immediately and also result in cleaner and safer building sites. It is also good for sub-contractors who get to run their businesses more efficiently so it is a win-win app for all parties.” He added “SmartBuilder Software plans to bring out an Android version of the app later in the year.”
SmartBuilder Software is targeting the UK, US as well as the Irish market with the Site Clean Up app which is priced at $19.99 (~€15.50). A video of Site Clean Up being used on location can be viewed.
SmartBuilder Software is also developing a powerful internet based system for both small and large construction companies. While there are often a number of software systems in contractors’ headquarters, some of which extend to the site office, there is a large gap in information technology at the actual “point-of-delivery” of a building i.e. out in the field.
There is currently a low market penetration for in-field systems and this is a huge opportunity internationally. SmartBuilder Software is developing an innovative cloud-based solution that will address this unmet need and deliver real productivity in a sector that badly needs to raise its productivity and become profitable again.
ENDS
18 August 2010
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712 or Peter Daly, SmartBuilder, e: peterdaly@smartbuilder1.com, t: + 353 1 716 3585 or m: +353 87 814 6905 or twitter @peterjdaly.
Editor’s Notes
SmartBuilder Software Ltd was founded in January 2010 by two experienced entrepreneurs Richard Mulcahy and Peter Daly who have started and run companies in a number of areas including software. The company’s technical team is working with advisers from the construction sector to develop its products. The company, headquartered in NovaUCD, is developing both simple apps and also a more powerful Software-as-a-Service offering for productivity on building sites. While SmartBuilder Software will base its development in Ireland, its sales focus will be on the UK, the US and other international markets.
NovaUCD is University College Dublin’s Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre. NovaUCD is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from UCD research and for the development of co-operation with industry and business. NovaUCD as a purpose-built centre also nurtures new technology and knowledge-intensive enterprises such as SmartBuilder Software. NovaUCD has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, UCD and Xilinx.