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The Problem: Clipboards and Camera Rolls Don’t Cut It Anymore

How often do photos, receipts, or meeting notes get buried in someone’s phone camera roll? Or paperwork gets misplaced before making it back to the office?

Leaders and employees need durable devices and simple apps that work wherever they are, whether in the office, traveling, or working remotely.

The good news: the right combination of devices and mobile apps can streamline communication, reduce errors, and keep your team moving smoothly.

4 Field Tech Essentials for Builders

1. Rugged Devices and Protection

Consumer phones and tablets aren’t always designed for travel or frequent use outside the office. With the right protection, though, they can hold up.

• Examples:
  • iPad Pro + Rugged Case: versatile, great for Bluebeam, SharePoint, and OneNote.
    
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab Active: built tough with glove and wet-touch capability.
  • iPhones: keep them productive with protective cases (OtterBox, UAG, Pelican), screen protectors, and waterproof sleeves.

Pro Tip: Holsters or belt clips keep devices accessible when on the move.

 

2. Mobile Scanning Apps for Receipts, Forms, and Notes

No need to carry stacks of paper back to the office. Scanning apps digitize documents instantly.

• Top Tools:
  • Microsoft Lens: scan receipts, RFIs, or toolbox talk sheets directly into SharePoint or OneNote.
  • CamScanner or Adobe Scan: quick PDF creation from the field.
    
• Steps (Microsoft Lens Example):
  1. Open Lens: snap a photo of your document.
  2. Crop edges: choose “Document” mode.
  3. Save to OneDrive or push directly to Teams channel.

If your company already uses apps like Concur, Salesforce, or other business management platforms, check if they include scanning. No need to juggle extra apps

 

3. Organize Photos and Files with SharePoint + Teams

Photos and documents matter, but only if they’re easy to find later.

• Best Workflow:
  1. Open your Teams channel and go to the Files tab.
  2. Use “+ Add cloud storage” to connect SharePoint or OneDrive folders.
  3. Upload photos or scans directly into the folder for date-stamped, searchable records.

Benefit: No more lost receipts, photos, or notes hidden in someone’s email or camera roll.

 

4. Quick-Access Apps That Actually Save Time

Small wins often save hours.

• Microsoft To Do / Planner: create and assign quick tasks.
• OneNote Mobile: daily logs, meeting notes, or quick brainstorming sessions.
• Voice Memos – OneDrive: record a quick note and upload instantly (ffaster than typing on the go).

Example: A growing sales team replaced texting meeting notes with Teams + SharePoint folders. Every field update is now instantly searchable by date and client and far more secure.

Work doesn’t have to get lost in clipboards, camera rolls, or scattered notes. With rugged devices and the right apps, you’ll spend less time chasing paperwork and more time staying productive.

Still losing receipts, notes, or photos in the shuffle? Let us help you set up devices and apps that sync directly with your workflows. Book a free project productivity consultation and see how Computer Dimensions can help you maximize the tools you already have in Microsoft 365

 

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