Autodesk Forma

I’ve used PlanGrid for a while, I am a Project Engineer along with a good understanding of computer programming, scripting, etc etc. I will have to say this App is just absolutely absurd with the amount of background activity it’s performing or whatever it’s doing, to the point where I’m convinced this is a farming app. It’s done nothing but gotten worse. I have background app refresh off, I use the iPad Air M1, that is fairly new as I had it replaced 2-3 months ago. Just today, I get into work, open the app view my surveys. It claims the app was on screen for 5 hours, which is not true at all, if anything, maybe 2 hours on screen, with 18 minutes in the background, using 69% of my battery. The reason I know the screen time is incorrect, is because my iPad auto locks after 1 minute, along with how my day went today. I notice often that this simple app, simply makes my iPad fairly warm also, even with it locked. If I close the app, my iPad can just sit in my bag on 100% all day with no use, even opening up my iPad the next day and seeing 99%. If I leave the app open, my iPad will be dead in around 8 hours times. Again App refresh is fully disabled. There is obviously some issue, and it needs to be fixed.

I am an HVAC contractor. I was was talked into using this by a builder I worked with in order to “play ball”. Initially, I was stoked about this. We took the training, and I thought this was the best thing I had seen! Then we started using it, and I quickly realized it’s only a timesaver if everyone on the team (builder side & fellow subs) use it, otherwise it is a management headache for the few dedicated people that are committed. I burned out after a couple projects, and now use something else that fits why I do at a lot lower cost, and is not tied into a closed ecosystem. This only works well if the entire team uses it, otherwise you are back to static PDF’s & chasing plan revisions. Some of the tools are great like the measuring tools. Others that are basic drawing tools for highlighting/markups are very outdated, limited & clunky to use. The worst part of this is the contract. If you decide you don’t want this anymore, make sure you give the required 30 day notice. When I inquired to how to cancel, I was told that I was stuck with it because I didn’t give the required notice, and was referred to the contract. Nice. Of course we are stuck with the contract, but when the response I receive is a “gotcha” it didn’t improve my outlook on their customer service

I find the use of this in the projects we do to be essential after the free trail period. We are a mechanical company traveling in several directions remodeling major retailers, so imagine all the blueprints I would have to carry. Maintaining the paper work is a breeze with several ways to implement. The instantaneous communication is one of the best thins about this. Documentation is simple with this cloud based system. The only problems I encountered were user error. The support staff at PlanGrid is really committed to helping me in any way possible. Took the time to make sure I knew how to successfully succeed at using this tool. Very Pleasant experience. If thinking about how to speed up the production and planning of a project, I highly recommend this application system. Good job guys.