Case Study
How Gilbane Tracked Time and Attendance on a One Million Square Foot Construction Site
Case Study Overview
Gilbane needed to track subcontractor attendance on a large construction site without on-site guards. With crews constantly changing, Gilbane also needed the ability to reprogram existing subcontractor ID badges. With Cloud-In-Hand® Software Solutions, Gilbane centralized attendance tracking and badge updates across the job site.
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Gilbane, Inc.
Gilbane, Inc. is a family-owned construction and real estate development company founded in 1870 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. With over 150 years of experience, Gilbane operates as the parent company to Gilbane Building Company and Gilbane Development Company. The firm delivers construction management, development, and real estate services across North America and select international markets with more than 45 offices worldwide.
The Challenge
Many construction companies struggle to accurately track subcontractor attendance on active job sites. Subcontractors change over time, schedules vary throughout the day, and not all sites have guards to monitor arrivals and departures.
This was the challenge Gilbane faced on a nearly one-million-square-foot construction project. With no on-site guards available, Gilbane needed a reliable, remote way to record when each subcontractor arrived and left the property. As crews rotated throughout the project, the company also required the ability to reprogram existing subcontractor ID badges rather than issue new credentials. To address these needs, Gilbane contacted Serialio, an RF IDeas partner, to help implement a virtual subcontractor check-in point that could operate directly at the job site.
This was the challenge Gilbane faced on a nearly one-million-square-foot construction project. With no on-site guards available, Gilbane needed a reliable, remote way to record when each subcontractor arrived and left the property. As crews rotated throughout the project, the company also required the ability to reprogram existing subcontractor ID badges rather than issue new credentials. To address these needs, Gilbane contacted Serialio, an RF IDeas partner, to help implement a virtual subcontractor check-in point that could operate directly at the job site.
The Solution
To address these challenges, Gilbane partnered with Serialio to implement a subcontractor attendance solution built on the Cloud-in-Hand Solutions Platform. Using the Stratus-io Construction Attendance Application, the system enabled on-site check-ins across Gilbane’s construction site while continuing to operate seamlessly when network connectivity was unavailable.
The solution used the idChamp® RS2 wireless PROX HID reader, powered by the RF IDeas pcPROX® Plus dual-frequency programmable card reader, to capture subcontractor check-ins. Subcontractors simply tapped their existing ID badges at an RFID reader connected to an iPad, automatically recording arrival and departure times without the need for guards or manual tracking.
Because the reader would be exposed to weather, Gilbane was provided the durable version, which is custom-fitted with shock-absorbing neoprene inside a clear OtterBox® case. This ensured the system remained waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant throughout daily job site operations.
Attendance data was transmitted to the Cloud-in-Hand™ Job Site Server and made immediately accessible to Gilbane from any computer, tablet, or mobile device. Subcontractor rosters could be loaded manually or synchronized on a schedule, allowing badges to be reprogrammed as crews changed over time. Attendance reports were available in multiple formats, including Excel, CSV, and PDF, and could be delivered through a variety of channels such as email, FTP, SQL, and XML-RPC.
The solution used the idChamp® RS2 wireless PROX HID reader, powered by the RF IDeas pcPROX® Plus dual-frequency programmable card reader, to capture subcontractor check-ins. Subcontractors simply tapped their existing ID badges at an RFID reader connected to an iPad, automatically recording arrival and departure times without the need for guards or manual tracking.
Because the reader would be exposed to weather, Gilbane was provided the durable version, which is custom-fitted with shock-absorbing neoprene inside a clear OtterBox® case. This ensured the system remained waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant throughout daily job site operations.
Attendance data was transmitted to the Cloud-in-Hand™ Job Site Server and made immediately accessible to Gilbane from any computer, tablet, or mobile device. Subcontractor rosters could be loaded manually or synchronized on a schedule, allowing badges to be reprogrammed as crews changed over time. Attendance reports were available in multiple formats, including Excel, CSV, and PDF, and could be delivered through a variety of channels such as email, FTP, SQL, and XML-RPC.
The Results
Results were immediate. What had previously required manual reconciliation across multiple records was replaced with a centralized system. Gilbane gained the ability to monitor and record workforce activity on a daily basis and generate reports to confirm subcontractor hours with confidence.
By running reports directly from the Cloud-in-Hand™ Job Site Server, Gilbane could access the required attendance data in seconds rather than searching through disconnected records. As an added benefit, the system was also programmed to track subcontractor certifications, providing detailed reports to support compliance efforts.
In the event of an emergency, Gilbane could instantly identify which subcontractors were currently on site and quickly access associated records, including emergency contact information.
By running reports directly from the Cloud-in-Hand™ Job Site Server, Gilbane could access the required attendance data in seconds rather than searching through disconnected records. As an added benefit, the system was also programmed to track subcontractor certifications, providing detailed reports to support compliance efforts.
In the event of an emergency, Gilbane could instantly identify which subcontractors were currently on site and quickly access associated records, including emergency contact information.
Improved
safety, compliance, and emergency readiness
Real-Time
subcontractor check-in without on-site staff
Case Study Overview
Gilbane needed to track subcontractor attendance on a large construction site without on-site guards. With crews constantly changing, Gilbane also needed the ability to reprogram existing subcontractor ID badges. With Cloud-In-Hand® Software Solutions, Gilbane centralized attendance tracking and badge updates across the job site.
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As an added benefit, the system can be programmed to track subcontractor certifications, providing detailed reports to help ensure compliance.
Attendance System That Respects the Work
Designed to work around changing crews, tough conditions, and the pace of active construction sites.