New York Real Estate Journal Series

Read original NY Real Estate Journal Article published 9/27/2011

The Well Connected Project Manager (technically speaking)

By Richard Neuman, Relocation Management Solutions, Inc.

As an owner’s/tenant rep, I am regularly in the field and rarely at my desk. Juggling the demands of managing construction sites, meeting new clients, writing proposals, interviewing contractors and vendors, project planning and networking with my colleagues is just the morning routine. How do I balance managing projects at multiple locations while maintaining the ability to be productive while mobile?

As a self-described “technologist,” all right computer geek, I have spent my professional career in broadcast facilities management and construction management searching for that killer app and awesome device that would streamline my life, stay connected to my projects and always have instant access to information. To bridge the digital divide is to be organized while connected. My “Ah-Ha!” moment occurred on a job site where the architects and contractors spent over ten minutes flipping through various revisions of 24″ x 36″ floor plans trying to find a single note. After watching the paper fly and tensions mount, I instantly called up the .pdf on my Motorola Xoom (gasp! not the iPad2) and had tin knockers crowding around the tablet pinch zooming the plans with their dirty fingers to find exactly what they needed. (Note to self: Splurge for the screen protector.) Everyone was impressed with how quickly the information was accessed and the tablet became a hit at each weekly meeting.

A PM’s most valued trait is organization. There are very useful apps and devices that can help the professional, to some extent, cut the cord and improve organization while in the field. Each day brings another tablet, smart phone, netbook and $1.99 application from the Android Market or iPhone App Store that the choices have now become overwhelming.

NYREJ Editors Note: The Journal will feature a new Monthly segment, “The well connected project manager (technically speaking)” from Richard Neuman of Relocation Management Solutions, Inc. The segment will feature several applications which Neuman believes are invaluable to industry professionals.

Here are several of my favorite applications to stay synchronized and productive. These are not substitutes for a desktop or laptop, but they are useful tools that allow me to stay organized and connected while away from the computer.

Touchdown for Android by NitroDesk

($) Android Only

One of the most serious drawbacks of the native iPad and Android mail clients is their poor usability and limited features. TouchDown is an outstanding application for the Android OS that seamlessly integrates with Exchange Server. Touchdown simply rocks and is the single reason why my email functionality doesn’t suffer while not in front of Outlook.

It’s a terrific program for staying in sync with our Microsoft Exchange data and a great tool for anyone who is used to the features of Outlook. Although the interface isn’t the same, it does give me a similar experience with mail, Calendar, Clients, and To-dos. All data syncs wirelessly with the exception of Notes which can be synced via USB cable.

Evernote (Free and $)
Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, Windows Mobile, Windows Desktop, MAC Desktop

Ever take a picture on a job site try to find it in the picture Gallery? It’s not easy. Through Evernote, snap a picture and it’s associated with the note. I find Evernote most useful as an alternative to most note programs. Evernote will also recognize printed or handwritten text in photos and images. Evernote organizes by the date a note or other document was created.

Evernote is an organizational system. The software categorizes information several ways such as Tags, Note Titles and Notebooks. Evernote allows you to keep track of several projects at once with the “Notebooks” feature.

Use Evernote to jot down notes, create to-do lists, clip entire Web pages, manage passwords, store screen shots, photos and text notes, and record audio. Everything added is automatically synchronized into a central web-based location, synchronized, accessible and searchable from any device.

The mobile interface is very similar to that of the desktop version. Plus, with Evernote Web, you can share notebooks with anyone. Using the “Sharing” function, you can specify which individuals to send the notebook to, or create a URL that is posted for everyone to see.

Quickoffice & Quickoffice Pro HD

($) – Android & iPhone

Quickoffice gives you the ability to Create, View, and Edit, Microsoft Office files including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations (doc & .docx, xls & .xlsx, .ppt & .pptx). Access files remotely from your Google Docs, Dropbox, Box.Net, Huddle, SugarSync, and MobileMe accounts or from your SD card.

Also included is a PDF viewer.

Bubble by Ben Zibble (Free) – Android

Ever need a level? If you’re a project manager this app might make your life easier. Bubble is a quick way to measure if a surface is straight or not. You can use any side of the phone to measure the angle of a surface or you can measure a surface by laying your phone face up on the surface.

Read original NY Real Estate Journal Article published 10/25/2011

AutoCAD WS (Free) – Android & iPhoneAutoCAD WS is a mobile CAD application that gives you the flexibility to view, edit, and share your DWG and DXF files with anyone, anywhere in real-time while on the go. Annotate and revise drawings while you are in the field. Easily open files you receive as email attachments directly on your device. See all aspects of your DWG file, including external references, layers, and image underlays. Use Multi-Touch zoom and pan to more easily navigate very large drawings. Add and edit text annotations directly on your device; no need for paper mark-ups. Validate distance measurements in the drawing. Save your edits to your AutoCAD WS online workspace and work with other people on the same DWG file simultaneously. AutoCAD WS immediately captures changes made by you and others.

SugarSync ($) – Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile

Have you ever been away from the office and realized you need a .pdf floor plan or Excel spreadsheet file that is on your computer? SugarSync puts ALL of your data from all of your computers right at your fingertips…anytime, anywhere from your device. With SugarSync, sync and share your files online, giving you access to everything directly from your device. You can sync existing individual files and folders between all your devices without having to drop them in a special folder.

Backing up new photos taken couldn’t be any simpler. Just take a picture using your device’s camera. SugarSync detects the new photo, backs it up to the cloud, and syncs it to your computers.

Read original NY Real Estate Journal Article published 1/31/2012

	TimeClock by Spotlight Six Software ($)- Android OnlyTimeClock makes it easy for consultants to track billable hours as you are working, and then transfer the data into a spreadsheet to create your invoices. It’s perfect for anyone who bills clients by the hour.
	SplashID by SplashData ($)Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, Windows Mobile This is an encrypted password management software for the mobile device and desktop. It has unlimited number of customizable record types and categories for storing all kinds of passwords and personal information. This application syncs the application bi-directionally over your WiFi network only, but you will need to have the desktop software installed. You can back up the database onto your computer or flash drive.
	OneTouch Train by Kaye Media Partners ($) – Android, iPhone For Long Island Railroad and Metro North Commuters. Running late? Change in schedule? Need to know what your next train is? If you take the commuter railroad, then you know every second counts when you have to catch your train. Set up your trips in less than a minute. The next time you use it, it will automatically find your location and show you the next five available trains. Going someplace new? Easily search all schedules on railroad lines and get directions to the nearest train station. Want to take a nap? Audio announcements will tell you when to get off the train.
	MilesTrac by Humanoid Apps (Free and $) – Android Only MilesTrac is a quick and easy mileage log tracking tool for taxes or business reimbursement. The software makes it easy to enter odometer readings and destination notes for a Mileage Log. View a list of trips and edit or delete any trip to add notes or make corrections. Send a spreadsheet report via E-Mail.
	Exit Strategy NYC by JWeg Ventures ($) – Android, iPhone, Blackberry Exit Strategy NYC is for the NYC subway system. It shows you where to stand on the platform, where you can board the train at the right position to arrive directly in front of the exit at your destination station. You’ll beat the crowds and avoid walking several city blocks underground. The program is fully featured for the iPhone and slimmed down for the Android.