Today more than ever, construction requires speed, precision and good communication. And that is not achieved with calls or paper, but with technology in the field. The doubt? Should you provide your staff with iPads or phones? How much does efficiency really improve?
In this article, we explore real experiences, savings data and clear recommendations for choosing the best device for your team.
1. The current dilemma: Personal phone or company equipment?
Many businesses rely on the resident's personal phone, but this involves:
•Distractions (apps, social networks, other people's calls).
•There is no security or backup control.
•Poor cross-team compatibility for business apps.
Advantage of standardizing with company devices:
•Increased digital adoption (Buildpeer, Corporate Calls, Direct Communication).
•Protected and backed up information.
•Savings by reducing errors, downtime and reprocesses.
Case study: In an urban development project in Puebla, a construction company migrated to using its own phones for residents and managed to reduce response time to tasks from 3 days to less than 24 hours.
2. Which device for which role?
Phones
•Ideal for residents, supervisors, front managers.
•Quick access to photos, reports, tasks.
•Durable, with good battery.
Recommended models:
•Samsung Galaxy A15 (approx. $3,800 MXN)
•Moto G Stylus 2023 (with pen)
•iPhone SE 2022 (if they already use the Apple ecosystem)
iPads or tablets
•For PMs, senior engineers or those who review plans.
•Use in meetings, review of minutes or RFIs.
•Better for documenting, reviewing and digitally signing.
Recommended models:
•iPad 9th gen (SIM + WiFi) — ~$7,500 MXN
•Samsung Tab Active3 (IP68, shock-proof)
3. What is the impact on efficiency and costs?
Based on Buildpeer customer data and industry studies:
Estimated reduction of 70% in reprocesses and 50% in downtime when using devices in the field.
4. Telephony: Which one to hire?
Tips for choosing:
•Check the coverage of the area (Saltillo is not the same as Tulum).
•Look for corporate plans or controlled prepaid chips.
5. Good practices when equipping devices:
• 1 device per resident or head of head.
• iPad shared by construction office or PM.
• Pre-installed and blocked apps.
• Automatic backups (Drive, iCloud, etc.).
• Mandatory covers and power banks.
• Insurance or control of lost devices.
An industrial park builder in El Bajío developed an internal policy where the resident signs an agreement for the use of the equipment. This reduced theft and misuse by 90%.
6. When yes and when not to equip equipment?
Yes:
•Projects of more than 3 months.
•When the template rotates slightly.
•If you're already using Buildpeer, Peerchat, Reporting in other apps.
No:
•Flash projects (<2 months).
•Crew templates without digital tasks.
•If there is no cellular or Wi-Fi network in the area (in that case consider offline-first apps or shared tools).
Conclusion:
Equipping with devices is not a luxury, it's an investment. With platforms like Buildpeer, a phone's ROI pays off in less than a month if you can prevent a single reporting error. Equipping your team is a key decision to take your operation to a true digital construction.
