A Newport Beach-based construction consulting company is in its first week of implementing a new workflow that incorporates 20 always-connected-to-the-Internet Apple iPads.

D7 Consulting is trying to carve out a competitive edge by turning “lead time into real time.”

The company was picked by cloud-based service Box.net as recipient of the iPads after D7 submitted an application describing how it could benefit from the iPad and the Box collaboration software.

The way the 20 iPads are used is now essentially a joint experiment and promotion between the companies.

“We really think Box can make mobile devices like the iPad an indispensable tool for businesses. So, we’re looking forward to getting a lot of great feedback from D7 and translating that into making Box an even better solution,” said Sean Lindo, product marketing manager for Box.

Box is a collaboration service (one of several) where individuals, teams or businesses can store collective documents, photos, presentations and other types of files online. With an always on and always connected to the Internet device like the iPad, an individual is capable of uploading and downloading files quickly at any time – and from anywhere.

D7 co-founder Joseph Daniels said, in theory, one of his workers could be suspended in mid-air inspecting something on the side of a hotel in Las Vegas, taking photos with a digital camera and sending in reports right from the iPad.

In reality, they’re still testing things out. One of D7′s employees is taking a trek up to a project in Fremont, Ca., this week as he files his work from his tablet. Instead of mailing reports from the job to the office he’ll file from the iPad. It’ll be even quicker than using a laptop, too, Daniels said.

He hopes using iPads will give his company a competitive edge. He said tasks that might’ve taken a week or two could be done in the same day now.

“It’s about speed and time in business. That’s what people want. They want it now or yesterday. If they can get it that way, we’re going to be the ones in the front,” he said.

A common concern about cloud-based services like Box.net is security. Sensitive files uploading and downloading all the time from a variety of different devices in a bunch of different locations isn’t exactly an IT guy’s security dream. Daniels says he’s not too concerned about it.

“Our information isn’t valuable to anybody but us and the client,” he said.

Box.net advertises data encryption, reporting tools on user and file activity and access controls too, among other security features.

Daniels said the important features of the iPad as a business solution are that it’s inexpensive, lightweight and fast. The iPads he is using are 3G + Wifi, which means the devices can access AT&T’s 3G cell network to access the Internet when not in range of free wireless Internet. He compared not using an iPad to using iPad with a wifi connection as being like going from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Going up to a 3G iPad, which enables connectivity everywhere, is like going from 50 to 100 miles per hour.

When asked if he could go back to not using an iPad, Daniels said he could,

“Do I want to go back? Never,” Daniels said.

Kyle Eazor

Throughout the history of D 7 we have put a strong emphasis on having our consultants and Quality Assurance Observers become RRO’s (Registered Roof Observers). This distinction comes
with several years of experience in the roofing and waterproofing business along with class work and testing through the RCI (Roof Consultants Institute). We have recently added another name
to our growing list (now 10 total) after completing the class work and passing his test, Kyle Eazor can now add the RRO behind his name and join the rest of our consultants and QAO’s with this
designation. Kyle has put in a lot of hard work during his time at D 7 and we congratulate him for the success and continued growth.

D 7 CONSULTING is a full service consulting firm with years of experience in the roofing, waterproofing and building envelope areas of expertise. Check out the rest of our website and view our staff
of professionals. Please contact us when you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss what D 7 can do for you. We look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Fact #1: If you don’t increase your presence in the industry or double your contacts on potential projects, you will be missing opportunities that may keep your business going. You can create more or better marketing tools. “Sit down and make a list of everything you’re going to need each time you make contact with a prospective customer or client, including a stationery package, brochures and presentation tools,” advises marketing expert Kim T. Gordon, president of National Marketing Federation Inc. This way you will be working towards a short term and long term goal.

Fact #2: 2. Greet clients with style. Voice mail may not seem like a component of your marketing plan, but if a potential client calls and your kid answers, that client will be gone before you can even technically call him a client. So get yourself a professional voice-mail system (even the phone company offers options) with several boxes, advises Gordon, so callers can press “1″ to hear more about your services, “2″ for your web and e-mail addresses, etc.

Fact #3: 3. Focus as narrowly as possible. Instead of trying to reach all the people some of the time, narrow your target audience to highly qualified prospects. Instead of going to seven networking groups once every two months, go to the two groups with the best prospects every week. “Instead of marketing to 5,000 companies, [find] several dozen highly qualified companies and make regular contact with them,” says Gordon. Call them, mail your marketing materials, and then ask to meet. It’ll save you money and time.

Obviously, these are only a few of the many ideas that you can utilize. The simple truth is, don’t wait until it is too late.

The statistics as reported by Money Morning (a global investment news source) tells us a long story that isn’t good. Refer to www.moneymorning.com for information as it relates to the overall economy. Be prepared to tighten up the belt. Based upon this and several other sources, it would seem that we are in for a rough ride over the next few years.

Included in the project are 2 Office buildings, Nokia Theater, Nokia Plaza, Ritz Carlton and J.W. Marriot Hotels, Convention Center and Regal Cinemas. Working with AEG, Gensler, RTKL, Rios Clemente Hale, Webcor Construction, PCL Construction and Clark Construction. D 7 provided Design of roofing and waterproofing systems, along with Quality Assurance during the installation of all systems and Construction Administration throughout the entire project.

After over 3 years, the final systems are being completed and soon the entire project will be done. You can read more about the project at www.lalive.com and www.aegworldwide.com It has been a challenge that is as much rewarding as exciting knowing that we played a part in such a fantastic project. Thanks to all the great partners in this project.