A New Affordable Low Code Construction Project Management Software Option

Low-code, low-code software platforms are attractive for construction contractors for obvious reasons. Tools like Quickbase or Oracle APEX are enterprise-level applications that enable end users to create their own software applications without writing code.

Because construction is anecdotal and project-based, unique and custom approaches to construction computing, facilitated by tools that can create application functionality on the fly, can give a contractor advantages in rising to the occasion when project and owner requirements do not fit standard software.

In other cases, a contractor may have some "secret sauce" business process that they feel are not addressed by commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software. Sometimes ad hoc processes normally done in Excel may benefit from being standardized on an in-house developed application that enforces consistency and business rules, and keeps data in a centralized repository rather than in separate flat files like .CSV or .XLS.

While some construction business functions are well-served by COTS construction software, others like preconstructin are not. As solutions for preconstruction like ConCntric win more market share, we may see less Quickbase use cases in precon, but for now the number of contractors using Quickbase for phases of the job prior to authorization to proceed is hard to ignore.

Barriers to Low Code for Construction Project Management Software

One barrier to low-code application development in construction is the flat nature of many construction contracting organizations. While low-code, no-code tools do not require users know how to code, it does require that they understand their business problem and how it may be solved by an enterprise application. Many contractors may lack the internal resources to do a good job with low-code software. Oracle and Quickbase partners will often be pressed into service to create these applications even in industries where internal analysis functions are more common. Some may even provide pre-baked functionality contractors can use to get a jump start.

That is why Quickbase, as laid out in this video, acquired a services partner which offered preconfigured content for construction contractors.

While services partners can close the gap left by thin internal staffing, the other barrier can be cost. Quickbase, started at $2,000 per month last time we were briefed. Oracle APEX has a free tier (you WILL be asked to provide a payment method) and after that charges are based on system usage, and depending on provisioning model, there can be some up-front costs in addition to fluctuating monthly costs. On the whole, a contractor may be able to get started with APEX more affordably than Quickbase, but sources have suggested a partner may be more essential to get the most out of APEX.

LEARN MORE WITH THIS BRIEF VIDEO DISCUSSION

Brinotion Extends Notion for Construction

Thanks to networking on PropTechBuzz, I was introduced to a new offering contractors may want to evaluate that extends San Francisco-based Notion software for construction. Hendrik Park and his services business digipark.PRO have a series of standard construction and proptech offerings including the new BRINOTION tool for construction. We debriefed Park recently on the offering and how it fits into the current construction software scene and who the product may provide a good fit.

Park, who had an Autodesk reseller in the past, sees BRINOTION as a strong alternative to more expensive solutions from that construction software giant. Based in Estonia and with early customers there, Park is currently having success penetrating the North American construction market.

"At one point, I was a project manager working in Excel," Park said. "BRINOTION is mostly about project management, with issues management and notes. It is built on the Notion platform, which has 100 million users."

At download, Notion is just an empty database, but a broad community of consultants offer independent software vendor (ISV) solutions on the platform. Vendors like digipark.PRO can market these solutions. BRINOTION is nothing revolutionary but according to Park can put effective project management tools in the hands of contractors at a fraction of the cost of products from major vendors.

"My solution does not offer anything unique--but you can pay more and get similar features," park said. "It is affordable and very flexible."

Users download the BRINOTION template and get a standard project management tool that integrates with external document management tools like Google Drive. The template is designed to manage a single project, but Park can consult with users who want to add construction project portfolio management software capabilities.

Park said APIs (application programming interfaces) can support integrations between Brinotion and project portfolio management tools like Oracle Primavera, but these will require a services project to stand up.

The software is a natural fit for contractors with with as slittle as $2 million in revenue up to about $60 million in revenue, according to Park. As contractors need to support building information systems (BIM) on projects, but integrates with affordable options including those from Speckle Systems.

BRINOTION has its limitations--there are no provisions for progress billing, for instance. But at a base one-time cost of $50 to download the executable that runs in a standard Notion instance, the value equation is still strong particularly for more straightforward projects.