The application of PDA as mobile computing system on construction management

Abstract This paper reports a development of mobile computing system with personal digital assistants (PDA) for construction managers on construction sites. First, this paper describes the aim, the concept based on end user computing (EUC), and the essential element of the mobile system. This also shows the necessary functions for the mobile computing, and the concept of this computer-aided engineering system. Secondly, this paper describes the structure of the system and the outline of subsystems: Inspection System, Checklist and Reference System, Position Check System, and Progress Monitoring System. The system has two programs: the data input program in PDA and the output program in PC. – Inspection System assists architects and construction managers to inspect the result of construction especially for finish works. – Checklist and Reference System assists construction managers to access the checklist and the reference such as drawings and specifications. – Position Check System assists construction managers to check and correct the position of structural members such as the steel column and the form. – Progress Monitoring System assists construction managers to monitor the progress of projects. Finally, this paper indicates the development of more refined process of construction management with the mobile computing device on construction sites.