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My first concern would be display resolution: A blueprint is big, and mobile displays are small. How the heck to see a big blueprint on a small screen? Maybe

My first concern would be display resolution: A blueprint is big, and mobile displays are small. How the heck to see a big blueprint on a small screen? Maybe use some very high resolution funny glasses -- but the OP didn't hint at any such thing and, besides, wanted the mobile devices to cost less than $100 each. The product design work, that is, go to the customer, e.g., if trying to help truck drivers, then ride with some truck drivers and maybe get a job as a truck driver for a while, is old advice in operations research. The material on thinking about and planning whom to approach, understanding what to tell them to get their interest in under two minutes, etc. is good industrial selling. The article describes for the product planning a lot of worker hours and expenses for travel and lodging: Sounds like PlanGrid burned a lot of cash before they got much revenue.

xenadu02 9y ago
The display resolution isn't a problem. Just like Safari on the iPad you zoom in when you want to see more detail. I don't want to disclose too much but you're completely wrong. PlanGrid was profitable within its first year. PlanGrid is a great company, still have friends working there. (Disclosure: I wrote PlanGrid's sheet compare feature).
- graycat 9y ago
  Sure, I thought of zoom. My concern, having drawn and looked at some blueprints, was that a lot of zoom would have the person lose sight of the big picture and that there would be no substitute for a big screen with a lot of resolution. Okay, if I'm wrong -- good for PlanGrid. Amazing that they were profitable in the first year -- good for them. That was likely, I'd guess no doubt, tough to do.
  - xenadu02 9y ago
    People did hook up to large TVs, use the website with a big monitor, etc. The mobile app is about being able to look things up and input data right there next to the problem you're dealing with. Construction is odd in many ways. The superintendent is more powerful than the CEO. If he/she doesn't want to use your software all the IT mandates in the world can't make him/her. Big construction companies are one major fuckup away from bankruptcy at all times. The superintendent is only as good as their last job and can make the difference between a profitable year and a money pit of lawsuits.
    - graycat 9y ago
      > People did hook up to large TVs, use the website with a big monitor, etc. I can believe that.

xenadu02 9y ago

The display resolution isn't a problem. Just like Safari on the iPad you zoom in when you want to see more detail. I don't want to disclose too much but you're completely wrong. PlanGrid was profitable within its first year. PlanGrid is a great company, still have friends working there. (Disclosure: I wrote PlanGrid's sheet compare feature).

graycat 9y ago
Sure, I thought of zoom. My concern, having drawn and looked at some blueprints, was that a lot of zoom would have the person lose sight of the big picture and that there would be no substitute for a big screen with a lot of resolution. Okay, if I'm wrong -- good for PlanGrid. Amazing that they were profitable in the first year -- good for them. That was likely, I'd guess no doubt, tough to do.
- xenadu02 9y ago
  People did hook up to large TVs, use the website with a big monitor, etc. The mobile app is about being able to look things up and input data right there next to the problem you're dealing with. Construction is odd in many ways. The superintendent is more powerful than the CEO. If he/she doesn't want to use your software all the IT mandates in the world can't make him/her. Big construction companies are one major fuckup away from bankruptcy at all times. The superintendent is only as good as their last job and can make the difference between a profitable year and a money pit of lawsuits.
  - graycat 9y ago
    > People did hook up to large TVs, use the website with a big monitor, etc. I can believe that.