Chasing Paperless, PlanGrid Tests New Windows App

Paperless pursuits: Last fall, PlanGrid presented a separate workshop on the topic at BuiltWorlds.

by ROB McMANAMY, Editor-in-chief | April 14, 2016

April showers may bring May flowers, but San Francisco-based PlanGrid is hoping that the beta release of its new native app for Microsoft Windows will yield meaningful feedback that blooms year-round. If so, the tech developer believes both its bottom line and an industry still far too dependent on paper plans and records will reap the benefits.

“PlanGrid for Windows is the first construction field app available natively on the Windows Surface 4,” says Rebecca Ayala, a 12-year AEC veteran and project manager who last year joined PlanGrid as “construction ambassador.” The release follows similar announcements of new Windows 10 apps made by commercial partners like Facebook, Netflix, and Box. PlanGrid also says its move comes in response to “hundreds of requests” for an app that is versatile enough to be used on virtually any mobile device, or desktop computer.

“Construction professionals around the globe can (now) access their project documents using iOS, Android, Windows, and on the web,” claims Ayala. “With a large percentage of construction firms already on Windows and with Surface 4 continuing to gain market share, PlanGrid is excited to invest in this budding platform.”

“One of our guiding principles is to make collaboration as easy as possible for construction teams, regardless of where they are or what device they use”

Already, the firm is pointing to initial positive feedback from industry users.

“PlanGrid is an essential part of our business — enabling us to reduce blueprinting costs and to create better efficiencies in the field,” said Michael Donaghy, project manager at NYC-based contractor Structure Tone. “We’re deploying the new PlanGrid Windows app to all current users to better facilitate access to construction documents, both in the field and the office.”

Of course, the developer is also expecting and even counting on constructive criticism during this trial period. Since the beta version of any application allows it to be used and tested by the general public, the resulting feedback informs the company’s final decisions for the main release of its app. 

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From Ayala’s recent blog, Why We Built PlanGrid for Windows:

PlanGrid for Windows works on laptops, desktop computers, and Surface tablets that run Windows 7 (or higher). This beta version allows you to:

• View, create, and share annotations, photos, issues, and hyperlinks
• Access all versions of your sheets
• View linked RFI’s and attachments (via web browser)
• View multiple sheets side-by-side
• Use PlanGrid for Windows online or offline

For help getting started, please visit our guide. 

Email support@plangrid.com or chat with us to provide feedback at any time. Your experiences will help us shape the final version of PlanGrid for Windows.