PlanGrid

PlanGrid is a construction productivity software that provides real-time access to blueprints, documents, project plans, and field information for construction teams. It allows teams to collaborate, review, and annotate construction plans on any device, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and informed. PlanGrid bridges the gap between office staff and field teams by ensuring real-time updates and reducing inefficiencies often associated with paper-based workflows. It is particularly useful for managing construction tasks, tracking project progress, and handling document management in large construction projects.

Frends can integrate with PlanGrid to streamline construction processes, ensuring seamless data exchange between PlanGrid and other business systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and project management tools. This integration increases operational efficiency by automating routine tasks and ensuring up-to-date information across all systems.

Business use cases

Automate Blueprints and Document Sharing

Frends can connect PlanGrid with file-sharing platforms or document management systems to automate the distribution of updated blueprints and project documents. For example, when a new version of a blueprint is uploaded to PlanGrid, Frends can automatically notify the relevant team members or sync the file to a centralized document repository. This ensures that everyone has access to the latest information without manual intervention.

Sync Project Data with ERP Systems

With Frends, you can bridge PlanGrid with your ERP system to keep project schedules, budgets, and resources synchronized. Data about project timelines, expenses, and resource allocation in PlanGrid can be synced to the ERP system to update project budgeting and tracking modules. This helps eliminate data silos and ensures that accounting and operations teams have a clear picture of what’s happening on the ground.

Track Construction Progress in Real-Time

Frends can monitor updates in PlanGrid, such as the status of tasks or checklists, and sync that data to project management or analytics tools. For instance, when a construction team completes a phase, this information can be pushed to a centralized project management tool and visualized on a dashboard to give leadership real-time insights into project status.

Automate Requests for Information (RFIs)

Using Frends, RFIs raised in PlanGrid can be automatically forwarded to the relevant stakeholders or systems for approvals and processing. For example, if a contractor raises an RFI in PlanGrid for clarification on a blueprint, Frends can forward it to the responsible architect and log the query in a ticketing or collaboration tool for resolution tracking.

Generate and Share Field Reports

Field teams often need to generate reports that summarize construction activities, safety inspections, or quality checks. Frends can integrate with PlanGrid to collect this field data and automatically generate standardized reports, which can then be sent to project managers or regulatory authorities. This reduces the time spent on manual report preparation and ensures compliance with reporting requirements.

Manage Issue Tracking Across Platforms

Frends can link PlanGrid’s issue tracking functionality with tools such as Jira or Microsoft Teams. When issues are logged in PlanGrid, related tasks or tickets can be created in these other systems for additional tracking or resolution. Updates to the issue, whether in PlanGrid or the linked tool, can be synchronized to ensure consistent communication and accountability across teams.

Automate Submittal Processes

Submittals, such as quality certifications or material approvals, are critical in construction workflows. Frends can help automate the submittal process by monitoring PlanGrid data for approval statuses and notifying the relevant stakeholders or external systems when approval is granted or rejected. This ensures that submittals are processed faster and projects move forward without delays.

Integrate Safety Compliance Tracking

Frends can automate the transfer of safety-related data from PlanGrid to compliance systems, ensuring that records for safety checks, audits, or incident reports are stored and shared appropriately. For example, if a safety inspection fails, Frends can notify the compliance team and ensure the issue is logged in a central database for swift resolution.

By employing Frends to integrate PlanGrid with other business systems, construction companies can drastically improve efficiency, reduce manual overhead, and ensure seamless collaboration between teams and systems. This empowers stakeholders to stay informed and deliver projects on time and within budget.