Manchester, NH-based Newforma recently released a new application for tablet devices to help construction professionals document and complete punch lists faster. Newforma Punch List is an extension of the company's project information management (PIM) solution that is today used by more than 50,000 AEC professionals.

The app allows a user's iPad or Android tablet to be populated with plans and specifications from the firm’s network. Users identify their site locations on the tablet and capture punch list items for those locations. The app permits users to supplement their captures with pictures, videos and audio files to punch list items, and to mark up images for punches that may need a fix. Back in the office, users manage punch lists in their Newforma PIM software, adding explanatory data such as specifications, sketches and details. It is currently available for Android tablets and the iPad version will be out in early 2012.

An important feature for both versions is that it can be used in a disconnected use case. The app is designed so that it keeps working when you lose a signal or have to go underground or in any other situation where your tabket loses its network connection. Information from tablet is stored locally until the signal is restored.

"We designed it to work that way, intentionally," said Newforma CEO Ian Howell. "Our users said they needed the disconnected use case. That certainly makes it harder to design, but its what AEC customers need for their work.