How the EC&M Top 50 Electrical Contractors View Technology
The EC&M on the 2023 Top 50 Electrical Contractors Special Report provided a comprehensive overview of the leading entities within the electrical contracting sector. One of the most interesting sections of the article describes how electrical contractors are integrating technology into their day-to-day processes.
The report dives into remote-work environments, augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. But where I found myself the most engaged was learning “the fundamental questions” when is comes to technology – where employees need the most training, types of digital tools used most regularly, and information most likely accessed via mobile devices on the job.
“We’re finding more and more meaningful software,” John Axelson, president and CEO of Hunt Electric Corporation (No. 16) says. “Early on, a lot of it was out there without knowing how it would help. Now we’re finding more options for use in working with real time models, materials management and purchasing and safety.”
Software geared specifically to electrical work is giving electrical contractors more reason to embrace technology.
Software Training
This year, field apps and software overwhelmingly secured the top spot as the most common topic employees said they need training support on.
At Condoit, we’ve found that a combination of hands-on training in the field coupled with “refresher” videos work best with our electrical contractor clients. Electricians are curious how things work and want to try software out for themselves. We love visiting jobsites with clients to walk through specific scenarios step-by-step, to see first-hand how the software will work for them.
Digital Tools
With Condoit, electrical contractors can create projects directly in the tool, assign them to the employee or subcontractor completing the work, and monitor the project completion in real-time from anywhere. Having this visibility helps with scheduling, billing, and compliance. Our application supports new equipment installations, lighting assessments, as-built designs, and new design mockups using a mobile phone or tablet directly in the field.
Access to Data
Product availability catapulted from the last spot last year to the top spot this year regarding what tasks employees are accessing most frequently in the field via mobile devices. Followed closely by product specifications and codes and standards.
While Condoit has not directly tackled product availability and specifications in the app, we do check designs against NEC codes and standards and support the installation process with guided instructions so user friendly that you don’t even need an electrician in some cases. We’ve seen facility owners, sales reps, and apprentices complete a full site walk, with little or no electrical training or background.
The report covered other topics like supply chain issues, labor shortages and other challenges, market trends, and the impact of federal infrastructure projects on the industry. For an in-depth exploration of the report and its findings, read the full report here.