In short:
How it’s always been done
The hidden costs of manual systems
When you rely on outdated tools like whiteboards for scheduling workers, text messages or call to site crew and paper or text messages for timesheets, you expose your business to hidden costs:
- Missed or incorrectly communicated roster changes can lead to no-shows or overstaffing = budget or timeline blowouts.
- Supervisors wasting valuable hours on calls and paperwork instead of getting the best out of on-site work = less productivity.
- Admin teams struggle to complete payroll by manually matching timesheets to complex EBA rules, RDO payroll, site allowances, and travel expenses = potential errors.
- Payroll mistakes or delays can strain relationships with both workers and clients = reputation risk.
Simply put, if a whiteboard or an Excel document and text message communication is the heart of your crew management, it’s only a matter of time before critical details slip through the cracks.
How Neo supports formwork crews going digital
Beginning with the heart of your operations, the Neo Admin Console brings together projects and scheduling in one neat, web-based experience. Changes to projects can be adjusted on the go and communicated directly to site crew. With the Neo Field App, supervisors can adjust schedules, log daily activities, and capture and approve accurate timesheets directly from their mobile devices. And at the end of the day, back in the office, all of this data is fed through and stored back in the Admin Console so admin and operations managers can access team real-time insights into on-site attendance, hours worked and process payroll – including complex construction EBAs – with ease.
Businesses that have adopted Neo, such as SG Formwork, report significant efficiency gains. Many have reduced admin workload by up to 80%, streamlined rostering processes, and significantly reduced payroll errors – a major advantage for high-pressure trades like formwork.
What digital construction software should offer formwork teams
To effectively manage your formwork operations, the best construction software, including EBA payroll support should offer:
- All-in-One Rostering and Timesheets: Combine crew schedules, timesheets, and approvals into a single platform, cutting down on double-handling between site and office.
- Mobile Access for Supervisors and Crews: Enable real-time updates for rosters, logged hours, and immediate sharing of schedule changes to keep everyone aligned.
- Built-In EBA Compliance: Automate allowances, RDO accruals, site loadings, and other critical EBA components to reduce admin checks and maintain compliance effortlessly.
- Integration with Payroll Systems: Easily connect to payroll software like Xero and Jobpac, speeding up payroll processing and eliminating manual data entry.
- Real-Time Visibility for Office Teams: Provide admin staff with immediate access to crew attendance and working hours, enabling quicker decision-making and proactive issue resolution.
Steps to move to a digital solution
Making the switch doesn’t have to be daunting. Start with these simple steps:
- Choose a solution built for your needs: Just like Neo! Built by a former-subcontractor, in collaboration with other subcontractors, Neo includes everything you need in construction software (and nothing you don’t!)
- Communicate clearly: Explain to your crew why the new solution will benefit them, from digital timesheets to ensure they get paid right the first time and every time and easy rosters communication so they always know where they need to be and when (even when the schedule changes).
- Ask others: When in doubt, other subbies in your network can be a great source of feedback on digital solutions – ask them for recommendations of what works for their businesses.
More speed, less stress
Formwork operations require speed and accuracy. Your operations systems and processes should offer the same. Digital construction software like Neo simplifies scheduling, improves timesheet accuracy, and ensures compliance with EBA rules effortlessly.
It’s time to retire the manual processes and non-construction point solutions to embrace a smarter, faster, and more connected way of managing your formwork crews.
