Apples and Androids, Enhancing Your Professional Productivity ©

Jeffery Campbell, IFMA Fellow: Principal Investigator Eric Braziel, Robert Hyer, Kyle Splinder, Cameron Wright: Student Research Mark Hutchings, Kevin Miller: Faculty Research Brigham Young University, July 2012

I. Introduction

Over the last 80 years the workplace has evolved from agricultural and factory workers with limited skill sets to knowledge workers with broader sets of skills. With the emergence of personal computers in the ‘80s, there has been a migration from a knowledge worker to a new “smartworker” or a professional who utilizes leading technologies to enhance performance. Because of today’s challenging economic conditions there is greater pressure on smart workers to do more work with fewer resources. In order to meet these increased demands, the smart worker requires smarter tools.

Unfortunately, these smarter and constantly changing tools can be overwhelming. With the continued enhancements of computers, smart phone capabilities and computing tablets, many are lost in the “fog” of technology. This paper will share highlights from a global research project that examined the five most accepted tablets and the five top smart phones, and the numerous applications pertinent to the construction and facility professions. It will focus on the current and future use of personal electronics and what professionals can do to boost productivity and meet increased demands.

Construction and facility managers have significant job demands that require them to leave their office or workspace to conduct business. Initial research shows that the majority of these managers spend more time away from their office than in their office. This means that these professionals do not have access to their main computer to help them perform their work. The tools construction and facility professionals mainly use when away from their main work area are notebooks and cell/smartphones.

The main thesis of the research is to determine if through proper planning and improved work processes (including the use of handheld computing devices/mobile tablets) that overall productivity can be increased by 30 percent. The following Computing Continuum demonstrates how a mobile tablet can play an important role in the management of work processes.

For efficient and effective work to take place, the right people need to be in the right place, having the right processes supported by the right technology.

The initial research also shows that CM and FM professionals are skilled with their production computer to perform large projects, heavy communication primarily through email, and finding information through search engines like Google. Most have a smartphone that is used primarily for phone calls, managing contacts, calendaring, emails and taking pictures. A much smaller percentage uses their smartphone for text messaging, searches and accessing information. There is a wide range of apps used by this group based more on personal likes and hobbies than improved work processes. In general, while the smartphones are most preferred it is not surprising that their use is highly underutilized. It has become somewhat of a status symbol.

A low percentage of the professionals who participated in the initial survey said they have some type of tablet. These were purchased privately and the users have explored ways they can use them in the workplace. Most of the features of the smartphone and tablet apps are viewed as fun and recreational. For the most part, tablets are still viewed as a new toy that might have some use to certain people. As with all emerging technologies there are always early adopters and leading edge thinkers, followed by the mass adopters after a product has become generally accepted and proven, and lastly, the lagging adopters that don’t like change. Smartphones have now entered the mass adopted stage where tablets are still in the early adoption stage.

II. Developing a Personal Efficiency Profile (PEP)

A PEP is a process of evaluating personal preferences for the following six following: 1) roles and goals; 2) work processes and outcomes; 3) task planning style; 4) paper/electronic preferences; 5) computer attitude and aptitude; and 6) workplace culture. Evaluating these six areas will help professionals map their personal style with work processes and outcomes. The PEP seeks to help professional balance the demands of work, and achieve a more effective and fulfilling work experience.

III. The Difference Between Apples and Androids

In today’s market of smartphones and tablets, there are two main competing operating systems: Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. These two systems represent more than 80 percent of the smartphone market (and even greater penetration when tablets are included). Due to Apple’s closed platform, Android represents more than 50 percent of the total market. It’s interesting that this competition draws innovation from both systems in order to keep an edge on the competitor. Historically, Apple has defined this market and set the pace for new developments, but Android is picking up pace. Many already believe that Android has taken the place of iOS as the top . Apple iOS is the mobile operating system used for all Apple devices. Originally, iOS was titled the iPhone OS but in June 2010, Apple rebranded iPhone OS as “iOS” to recognize its use on other mobile devices distributed by Apple. Essentially, iOS is the stripped-down mobile version of Mac OS X, which is the operating software for all of Apple’s Mac computers. iOS was designed specifically for mobile devices because it integrates a revolutionary multi-touch interface. The Mac OS X is designed for use with a keyboard and mouse. In comparison to Microsoft’s Windows CE and Google’s Android, Apple does not license iOS for installation on non-Apple hardware.

In March of 2008, Apple released a native software development kit that would allow third-party developers to design and create applications compatible with iOS. However, in order to post an application to the App store to load onto Apple devices and sell for profit, developers have to first pay an annual iPhone Developer Program fee or Max Developer Program fee of $99. In July 2010, Apple released Xcode, which allows developers to create and develop iOS applications.

The current version of iOS is version 5.1.1 but the iOS 6 will be available for upgrade in the fall of 2012. iOS 6 will introduce 200 new features including: Maps, Apples new mapping software • Siri support on the New iPad, more languages, movies, sports and restaurants • Facebook integration throughout the iOS • FaceTime over cellular

Android is Google’s operating system for mobile devices. Its versions are named after deserts and each subsequent version starts with the next letter in the alphabet (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly Bean). Tablets generally use Honeycomb (which was the first tablet-only operating system from Android) and later versions depending on release date. Google releases Android code as open-source for others to review and edit themselves, which means that it can be uploaded on other devices (but this generally voids any warranties on a device).

Jelly Bean is the most recent system and was released in July 2012. With Jelly Bean, Android ramped up the touch response time and operating speed by having it turn up the CPU when touched and turning it back down when not in use to conserve battery. It also includes improved text prediction (even to the point of predicting the next word in the sentence) and voice-to-text capabilities including offline voice-to- text. Overall, Jelly Bean is faster and smoother than its predecessors and includes a few new tricks.

While the market is currently dominated by these two operating systems, it is important to note what is just around the corner. In a few months Microsoft will release Windows 8 and along with that the Surface Tablet. Currently Microsoft has a Windows Phone operating system that represents a small fraction of the market, but with these releases, it appears that Microsoft may soon step into the ring with the Apple and Android giants.

When Microsoft, the 800 lb. gorilla in the software world, enters the tablet world, it will establish a platform that should integrate PC, tablet, and smartphone. While the other two giants already have developed platforms that integrate across devices, Microsoft brings with it the Office Suite. Microsoft Office dominates the business world and having that sort of integration across devices is likely to have hundreds, if not thousands of companies jumping ship with their current devices to take advantage of it. If predictions hold true, Office Suite will be accessible anywhere there is internet access, which will take the mobile office to a whole new level.

It is still too early to tell whether Microsoft will be able to overthrow the current market leaders, however, it is likely that having Microsoft enter this market will cause a disturbance that will change the way the game is played. IV. Top Five Smartphones and Tablets

A careful literature review was performed to search out studies that have evaluated smartphones and tablets as of July 2012. The smartphones and tablets were also trialed by faculty and staff. There were several key factors that were used in the evaluation, all focused on improving business processes and their ease of use in the workplace. It was discovered early on that the seven-inch “mini” tablets functioned more like a smartphone and worked well for entertainment and information look-up, but could not perform the functions like a ten-inch tablet. For this reason no seven-inch tablets were further considered. For more details about the rankings see the full report when it is printed in 2013.

Smartphones 10” Tablets iPhone 4s by Apple Asus Transformer Pad TF300T Samsung Galaxy S III The New Apple iPad (3) Droid Razr Maxx by Motorola Toshiba Excite HTC One X Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Samsung Galaxy Note Lenovo ThinkPad

Other tablets on the horizon are the Google Nexus and the Microsoft Surface. The Surface will most likely be the strongest competitor because the Google Nexus will be 7 inches and is thought that it will be more for entertainment, but it is possible that more will come out of it. It is rumored that all major tablet companies will be releasing new tablets about the same time as the Surface, making it hard to predict where the market will be at that point. The Surface will be a direct competitor to the iPad and its ability to sync between devices (despite the unpopularity of the Windows-based phone in the current market).

V. 20 Key Business Processes

The research resulted in the creation of 20 categories that most apps fall into:

Billing and Finance PDFs Brainstorming Presentations Calculators and Spreadsheets Project and Task Management Calendars Reading Cloud Storage Remote Access Contacts Security Databases Travel Email Utilities Internet Video Conferencing and Messaging Notes and Meetings Writing

Researchers sought to identify the top apps within these categories that best fit the needs of construction and facility managers. The apps were evaluated by several different rating systems.

VI. Examples of Top Apps

There is not space in this report to show all the findings, but a sample of the findings for cloud storage and databases are highlighted below. Cloud Storage The term cloud is a metaphor for the internet. Cloud storage refers to file sharing and synchronization over the internet. The ability to store and access information through the internet is more efficient and much easier compared to syncing files across numerous computers. Today, everyone can access information from any handheld device or computer anywhere in the world via Wi-Fi or 3G+ mobile service. Professionals in any business-related industry can increase their productivity by taking advantage of what the cloud offers. They can access documents, contact information, emails, calendars, and any vital information via certain cloud-based services. Some of the most widely-used cloud apps are:

Dropbox is a cloud-based folder that holds different types of files and syncs between a user's computer, iPhone, iPad, internet, and any other app that accesses it. Dropbox allows users to access files and documents from different devices, keeping files up-to-date no matter what device is used..

Box is a service much like that of Dropbox in that it lets users store all their content online, allowing them to access, manage and share it from anywhere. Unlike Dropbox, Box has the ability to share files or documents with others for easy collaboration. One can combine Box's content management and administrative capabilities with Google Docs' real-time collaboration tools. It is a little less intuitive to add files (they must be uploaded rather than dragged into the folder) and fewer apps offer Box integration. At startup it offers 5GB of free storage.

SugarSync SugarSync offers 5GB of free storage and operates similar to DropBox. SugarSync has several advantages to Dropbox including the following: (1) with SugarSync one can access any folder from a computer on an iPad; and (2) one can sync entire folders from a computer to an iPad as opposed to only individual files with Dropbox.

Google Drive Drive allows for the creation of spreadsheets, documents, and presentations via Google Docs or as it is now known, . These can be shared with anyone with the option to allow editing privileges, and provides an effective tool to work with others anywhere in the world. This is a free application through Google that can be accessed by creating a Google account.

Databases Desktop computers are convenient because they can hold a lot of information in databases. Mobile devices can be used to access these databases and search through the information they contain. Many times this is made possible through a web-based database that provides access to information while away from the office. Users can search their databases from anywhere.

FileMaker Go 12 for iPad (Free) This app is designed to be a remote access tool for databases created by the software, FileMaker Pro 12, which is a powerful database software that is used by millions of business professionals to manage all their information across all of their devices whether it be their iPad, iPhone, Mac, or Windows PC. (The FileMaker Pro 12 software costs $299.)

Bento4 ($4.99) This app comes with 25 ready-to-use database templates that allow professionals to track products and inventory. Bento 4 is designed to organize contacts, track projects, plan events and manage lists of just about anything.

HanDBase for iPad - Database Manager ($9.99) This app allows users to connect to their desktop computer and share information, as well as track different types of items and inventory. The app includes up to 19 different field types.

Google Drive Once again Google Docs offers an easy way to create and use a spreadsheet system similar to MS- Excel, allowing the creation of a database within the spreadsheet.

VII. Conclusion and Panel Discussion

The new “smartworker” will need to do more with less. In the highly mobile profession of construction and facilities management smart tools will be continually important as the industry shifts to more paperless work processes.

The panel discussion will feature industry experts and researchers to further explore these new trends and what professionals will need to do in order to be prepared to meet this new challenge.

Several reports will be published from this continuing research and will be made available. To learn more contact Dr. Jeff Campbell, IFMA Fellow at [email protected].