Paperless Logo GPaperless Logo GP-Icon pngPaperless Logo G
  • Home
  • Features
    • Workforce
      • Onboarding
      • Competencies
      • Digital Right to Work
      • Workforce
      • Labour
      • Training
    • Timekeeping
      • Time & Attendance
      • Timekeeping
      • Fatigue
    • Briefings
      • COSHH
      • Daily Briefings
      • Permits
      • RAMS
      • Method Statements
      • Risk Assessments
      • Site Inductions
      • Toolbox Talk
    • Checklists
      • Checklists
    • Photos
      • Photos
      • SitePics.io
    • Documents
    • Roll Calls
    • Data Analytics
  • How it Works
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Awards
    • Case Studies
    • Downloads
    • Guides
    • Sectors
    • FAQs
    • Network Rail Calendars
  • Login
Book a demo
✕

How Going Paperless Boosts Productivity

27/09/2021

Scrap paper – literally!

Old habits die hard in the construction industry - but you can wave goodbye to them and simplify your site management and compliance requirements with Paperless Construction

One of the biggest unsung benefits of paperless construction will be the demise of the vehicle front shelf filing system. It had its limitations, among them the integration of the contents of the takeaway coffee mug with the handwritten spreadsheet of the day's activities as you went round a sharp corner, and the supplier's wrinkled invoice that got discarded with the sandwich wrappers, but it was a convenient and quick storage facility for both the detritus and the vital documents of a hectic construction site.

It needs to go, but it also needs to be replaced by an alternative system that requires scant extra effort in its performance. By happy chance, doing so eliminates the time-consuming but worthless activities involved in rewriting missing time sheets, chasing delivery note duplicates, correcting wrong entries or even just trying to decipher your own handwriting - you get the point!

We can now solve a lot of these issues online by using mobile technology such as smartphones and tablets, and it is only natural that they be used to handle the myriad of forms, rules and regulations that you come up against on a building site. Linked to a central repository of forms and data, entries can be entered in real-time just once, and checked, validated and shared as they occur.

PAPERLESS CONSTRUCTION

Paperless Construction App

An intuitive mobile application that provides just such an environment is Paperless Construction, a name that aptly describes its ability to replace the whole panoply of paper documents that you traditionally have to deal with on a building site - timesheets, material requisitions, environmental and management inspections - along with quality and safety checks. It can go much further though, and provide induction and daily briefings, dig out permits, link safety alerts to specific tasks and produce method statements or work package plans.

With safety in mind, users can download COSHH (control of substances hazardous to health) briefings, or 'toolbox talks' - short presentations on a single aspect of health and safety which can be provided in PowerPoint as a PDF.

As a mobile platform it allows construction teams to work more effectively on remote building sites and eliminates frequent trips to the Head Office to hand in paperwork, pick up instructions, and update admin on progress and resources required.

Using the application's Site Management tools, users simply load documents onto their smart devices and follow the instructions onscreen to enter data, which is subsequently uploaded to be shared with the relevant back-office applications and other interested employees.

Supervisors can add users to these online site meetings by scanning in their QR codes supplemented by photo verification. This feature allows anyone with the Paperless app to confirm briefing attendance from their own device. They can join online training sessions or meetings and confirm attendance through their own app, with no photo verification required for this feature.

COMPLIANCE IS KEY

Sloppy paperwork habits are often a symptom of equally careless man management and Health and Safety habits, both of which can safely be relegated to the past using Paperless Construction. The time has long since passed when you could hire employees on an ad hoc basis, hoping to sort out the details during the next tea break. With Paperless Construction new workers can be set up in minutes after checking their online working records and qualifications by scanning the employee's QR code, and their subsequent attendance recorded. You can even apply fatigue management tools for both workers and visitors, and if they are needed to work on a number of projects then the information and travel time can be coordinated within their timesheets as well. All personal information shared online is covered by the usual GDPR requirements.

Fatigue management may be unfamiliar to you but the UK Government has its own take on it, and cites it as a major cause of accidents and inefficiency on building sites. This can now be audited and controlled with the Paperless Construction app: from stating how long a road drill operator can safely work in one session, to providing advice on working patterns on the construction site. Paperless Construction provides a full health and safety audit trail which includes verification from the site manager that any procedures and instructions that the task requires have been complied with. That even extends to a unique feature - an SOS function that allows individual project members to raise an alarm in the event of an emergency and conduct a subsequent online 'roll call'. Safety briefings are necessary for each project and include inductions and any safety training that may be required.
Paperless Construction App

FORM FILLING

Back to the basics. We still need to fill in forms, but now they can be downloaded as checklists and other types of documents whenever required, completed with information immediately to hand and uploaded straight away to update the project database. Downloaded forms from Paperless Construction cover all construction site requirements and are easy to fill in, and can be signed instantaneously with electronic signatures.

They can also be supplemented by annotations, photos, comments. voice notes and more. Data from each form becomes immediately available to support management decisions, and can be acted upon to speed up material requisitions, update schedules, initiate faster payments, hire equipment and improve the efficiency of working processes - which in turn will increase the profitability of each project.
How Going Paperless Boosts Productivity

ATTENDANCE RECORDS

Construction professional using Paperless Construction platform on a tablet at a construction site.
A number of different methods of signing in and out and keeping attendance records are available to suit typical working conditions on large and small sites. Wall mounted kiosks might well suit the largest operations with frequent usage compared to smaller ones, where direct contact with supervisors allows them to record comings and goings on mobile devices. There is even a facility for remote sites not yet connected to the internet.

The system can also accurately monitor travel time and rest periods, as well as working hours. RAG (Red, Amber, Green) ratings for a project can, similarly, point to working time excesses which can be dealt with accordingly in real time.

THE PAPERLESS WEB

Paperless Construction gives site managers and other supervisors the ability to manage the flow of information and compliance with standards and working processes in a simple and efficient environment. It also provides proactive and instant updates for project managers working in the Head Office. This means that compliance can be monitored from any location using the Paperless Web app - with business or project level dashboards providing feedback from any application. Data can also be exported for custom setup Business Intelligence dashboarding with its KPI data visualisation tools to assess a project's performance.

Using the app, managers have access to information about contractors, users, all documents, briefings and checklists, and can monitor compliance or proactively issue tasks to users, check audit trails, or instigate any site or project related activity.

FREE TRIALS

You can book a free two week trial of Paperless Construction for up to 75 people, which includes a free briefing, full access to all of its features and the assistance of a Paperless Construction rep. If that's not enough, you can go further and pay for a three month pilot for up to 50 users for £850.This includes project reporting, and if you find it works for you then you can move to one of three monthly per user contracts. These are Starter, invoiced on a per contract basis; Annual, which includes unlimited projects with cross-project reporting, and Enterprise, available for companies with specific needs supported by a dedicated Success Manager.


  • Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Before the Paperless app was rolled out, poor quality record-keeping could go unseen, whereas with the app in place, you have a record that's live, visible, and transparent - it's effortless to see if people haven't done what has been asked of them.
    Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    We clearly saved cost in terms of paper, printing, processing and storage, but the engagement and environmental benefits were the most rewarding. There was an investment in the hardware required, but that's a worthwhile one to take moving into a greener, digital world
    Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    because the tool is very intuitive and easy to use, uptake was quick and simple, with the team immediately seeing the benefits – which drove its use.
    Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Prior to Paperless, there was a risk of losing records; there was a risk of people not doing what they were supposed to do and not storing documents appropriately. But if that happens now, it's obvious to everyone because there's an immediate gaping hole in the audit trail.
    Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    I can sit in my office, log into Paperless and know immediately what is happening on the project. I can do it on my tablet or any device because it's synced across all devices. It's accessible from anywhere - all of which means we're achieving our digital objectives.
    Duncan Jenkins - Operations Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    I know a few companies that claim to be paperless, but the Paperless app is by far the best solution I've tried, and it saves me about 2 hours a day.
    Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Eurovia UK
  • Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    We couldn't live without it !
    Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Eurovia UK
  • Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    With Paperless, I know whom I've got on-site and who's briefed, it saves me carrying around a lot of paperwork and helps with social distancing. And, in fact, the closest you need to be to someone is about a metre away to scan their QR code – everything else is paperless.
    Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Eurovia UK
  • Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    The Paperless app is by far the best solution I've tried, and it saves me about 2 hours a day. You've got all the records you need, stored on that little device and it makes perfect sense. 
    Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Eurovia UK
  • Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Since Paperless, I haven't used a sheet of paper. I've not changed the way I do the job, Paperless has changed the way we do the job, and for the better.
    Sean Chapman - Site Supervisor
    Eurovia UK
  • Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    With the ‘paperwork’ taken care of, I can now focus on really adding value whilst out on-site – looking at new ways of working and engaging with local people to make a difference to the quality of our work.
    Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    It’s physically impossible to do the job now unless it’s paperless as processes prohibit anything else. So, our ability to monitor who’s on-site, who attended briefings and who is trained is significantly better than it’s ever been before.
    Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    The Eurovia Contracting Salford project is 97% paper-free whereas, a few years ago, there would have been lever arch files everywhere  
    Dan Ferneyhough - Contract Manager
    Eurovia UK
  • Kate Rainsbury - Senior General Manager
    The decision to adopt Paperless has catapulted our operations into the 21st century, preparing us for future challenges and opportunities.
    Kate Rainsbury - Senior General Manager
    GS Moore Roofing
  • James White -   Project Manager
    Our commitment to safety was significantly enhanced by the digital capabilities of Paperless, allowing us to conduct thorough site audits and briefings with unprecedented ease and accuracy.
    James White - Project Manager
    GS Moore Roofing
  • Kate Rainsbury - Senior General Manager
    The transition to digital onboarding and data capture has been a game-changer, ensuring that our processes are not only faster but also more reliable.
    Kate Rainsbury - Senior General Manager
    GS Moore Roofing
  • James White -   Project Manager
    The idea to go paperless was born out of a need identified by site supervisors and operatives for a more efficient way of completing site-based paperwork without cumbersome paper folders
    James White - Project Manager
    GS Moore Roofing
Read Case Studies

Make compliance management simple, fast and easy with an industry-leading cloud solution, unparalleled in performance and simplicity.

Share

Related posts

23/02/2026

Network Rail Calendar: Rail Weeks, Periods and Downloads


Read more
Principal Contractor vs Principal Designer: key differences under CDM 2015 (UK)

CDM 2015 principal contractor, CDM 2015 principal designer, principal contractor duties, principal designer duties, appoint principal contractor, appoint principal designer, CDM dutyholders UK

19/02/2026

Differences between a Principle Contractor and Principle Designer? Duties Under CDM 2015 (UK)


Read more
Learn what a Principal Designer is under CDM 2015, when you need one, key duties, who can act, and how it differs from the Principal Contractor role.

A Principal Designer is a designer appointed in writing by the client on projects with more than one contractor. Under CDM 2015, they plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and coordinate health and safety in design, helping ensure risks are eliminated or reduced and information is shared for safe planning.

19/02/2026

What is a Principle Designer? Duties Under CDM 2015 (UK)


Read more
compliance is easier when you can evidence control, not just documents.

compliance is easier when you can evidence control, not just documents.

19/02/2026

What is a Principal Contractor? Duties Under CDM 2015 (UK)


Read more

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Compliance
  • Changelog

Compliance

Cyber Essentials Certified

Affiliations

We plant trees with Ecologi C-Tech Club Supporter

Downloads


Apple App Store Icon

Play Store Icon

© 2026 Paperless. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
Book a demo
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.