Construction Industry Service Pack [BizMobile Go! for Construction] Service Launch
【Advancing Construction DX and Addressing the 2024 Challenge】Solving security and productivity issues in the construction industry while supporting the use of workers’ personal devices (BYOD) Contributing to Construction DX Advancement and the 2024 Problem
【Contributing to Construction DX and the 2024 Problem】IoT-EX Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshihiro Obata; hereinafter IoT-EX) today announced the launch of “BizMobile Go! for Construction,” an optional solution for its cloud-based mobile device management (MDM) service “BizMobile Go!” specifically tailored to address the digital transformation (DX) and security challenges of the construction industry.
https://bizmobile.co.jp/construction/
This solution utilizes IoT-EX’s patented technology (International Publication No. WO2009/096561) to automatically detect when devices enter or exit specific security areas, such as construction sites, via its geofencing functionality. It enables instant, automatic control of device functions and applications. This minimizes the risk of confidential information leaks at construction sites while enhancing staff convenience. It also provides powerful support for improving productivity to comply with the overtime work cap regulations (the 2024 Problem) that took effect in April 2024.
The Current State of the Construction Industry and the Need for “Mobile Security & DX”
Security and Productivity Challenges in the Construction Industry
The construction industry faces multiple structural challenges: the decentralization of job sites, the involvement of multiple subcontractors, and an outdated information management system reliant on paper documents. Particularly when drawings and progress management are primarily paper-based, information updates at the job site are delayed, decision-making takes longer, and as a result, project delays and inefficient personnel allocation occur, significantly reducing overall productivity.
In recent years, opportunities to handle digital data containing highly confidential information, such as BIM/CIM (Building Information Modeling/Construction Information Modeling) and electronic drawings, on smartphones and tablets at construction sites have rapidly increased. In environments where the worksite is not fixed and numerous subcontractor staff and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) terminals are present, it is extremely difficult for administrators to manually maintain and verify consistent security policies as personnel move around the site. Consequently, the risk of information leaks is constantly elevated.
The 2024 Problem (Work Style Reform) and the Urgency of DX
Furthermore, the construction industry faces dramatic changes due to work-style reforms. Starting April 2024, the construction sector has also begun implementing penalty-based limits on overtime work (principally capped at 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year). This regulation has the potential to disrupt traditional revenue models built on long working hours, increasing the risk of project delays.
Under these circumstances, DX in the construction industry is positioned not merely as an option, but as an essential measure that will determine the industry’s future. Under the time constraints imposed by the new regulations, a fundamental review of work processes and the thorough elimination of non-productive time on-site are required.
Productivity gains from automated security management
BizMobile Go! for Construction delivers significant value by directly linking automated security management to increased productivity. Under the strict time constraints imposed by the 2024 issue, time spent by field staff manually changing device settings to comply with security policies, or by administrators checking for configuration oversights, is unacceptable and unproductive.
This solution’s location-based automatic configuration enables the launch of required business apps and the application of security settings with zero delay upon entering the site. This enables staff to begin work immediately upon arrival at the site, completely eliminating wait times caused by manual operations and rework due to configuration errors. In essence, this solution functions not merely as an information security measure, but as a strategic DX tool for the construction industry to maximize work efficiency within limited labor hours while maintaining compliance.
Construction Industry Challenge Resolution Mapping
This solution addresses the complex challenges of security, productivity, and privacy faced by the construction industry as follows.
| Challenges in the Construction Industry | BizMobile Go! for Construction Supported Features | Achieved Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of confidential information leakage (e.g., drawings, site photos) | Complete camera deactivation via geofencing | Prevention of unauthorized photography and information leakage on-site |
| Maintaining Productivity Under Working Hour Regulations (2024 Problem) | Automatic Activation and Immediate Use of Business Apps | Reduced setup time after site entry and improved operational efficiency |
| Privacy Concerns When Using BYOD | Non-collection of Location Data and Personal App Information | Balancing User Privacy Protection and BYOD Promotion |
| Data Protection Against Unauthorized Removal or Loss of Devices | Mandatory device shutdown when moving outside the worksite (KIOSK/SingleApp mode) | Minimizing data leakage risks due to loss or theft |
Technical Advantages and Features of BizMobile Go! for Construction
Highlighting Core Patent Technology: Balancing Privacy and Security
The foundation of “BizMobile Go! for Construction” lies in IoT-EX’s proprietary patented technology (International Publication No. WO2009/096561). The key feature of this technology, and its competitive advantage in the market, is that it enables geofencing functionality without allowing administrators to view terminal users’ location history (such as GPS logs).
Under this system, the management system only recognizes triggers indicating when a device “enters” or “exits” a security area set by the administrator on Google Maps. It then automatically issues and executes configuration changes. This enhances the confidentiality of construction sites while maximizing the protection of employee privacy, achieving both high security and convenience.
Advanced security control functions specialized for construction sites
To address the highly confidential environment of construction sites, this solution provides the following control functions.
Forced Disabling of Camera Function
When entering security areas such as construction sites, factories, or research facilities, you can completely disable all camera functions—not only the device’s standard camera but also any camera features within other apps. This thoroughly prevents unauthorized photography and accidental leakage of corporate secrets, including blueprints, high-security construction sites, and customer information. Crucially, it also controls cameras on BYOD devices, enabling consistent reinforcement of on-site confidentiality measures.
Application Usage Control and Internal Resource Access Control
When entering a designated work area (e.g., site office, material warehouse), only work-related applications such as BIM/CIM viewers, progress management systems, and safety inspection checklists will automatically display and activate. Meanwhile, personal social media and gaming apps can be set to remain hidden. Furthermore, by restricting access to confidential work applications and internal resources (such as VPN connections) to authorized sites only, secure portability and usage are ensured.
Device Usage Control (Preventing Unauthorized Removal)
In the event of unauthorized removal outside the designated work area, loss, or theft, the entire device can be forcibly switched to a restricted usage mode (such as SingleApp/KIOSK mode). This locks device operations, minimizing the risk of information leakage and unauthorized use.
Add-on Option: Flexible switching function tailored to the site
We offer a geofence feature add-on option, enabling more flexible control.
BYOD Android Camera Restrictions (Our Developed App)
Our proprietary application enables the forced restriction of camera functionality across all devices, including BYOD devices, on Android platforms. This ensures comprehensive prevention of risks associated with the capture of confidential information, even under special conditions where camera restrictions via geofencing cannot be applied.
Switching via NFC touch
By utilizing NFC (Near Field Communication), this feature enables instant switching to security mode or work mode when the device is tapped against specific NFC tags. It serves as an effective alternative or supplement to geofencing functionality in environments where more physical and reliable authentication and mode switching are required—such as underground or indoors where GPS signals are unstable, or in front of specific equipment.
Eliminating the Correlation Between Security Risks and Human Error
Traditional security measures relied on employee “training” and adherence to “manuals,” but this approach was always vulnerable to human error such as forgotten settings or policy circumvention. In high-risk, dynamic environments like construction sites, the reliability of manual security management has inherent limitations.
BizMobile Go! for Construction structurally eliminates this human risk through location-based automated control. When a device enters the site, the system automatically applies controls, minimizing human involvement and maximizing security certainty. This geofencing feature is based on patented technology that does not allow administrators to view location history. This makes it a compelling choice, especially for companies considering BYOD, as it alleviates employee privacy concerns and lowers the barrier to MDM adoption.
Benefits for Site Managers and Users
Benefits for Construction Site Managers: Thorough Control and Peace of Mind
Implementing this solution provides administrators with the following benefits.
First, it prevents manual configuration errors and intentional configuration changes by users, ensuring security rules are consistently applied based on location. This minimizes the risk of information leaks and unauthorized use.
This enables devices to automatically maintain their “intended state in the intended location.”
There is no longer a need for manual configuration changes each time field staff numbers fluctuate or personnel are reassigned, reducing operational burden on the management department. Administrators can confidently entrust mobile operations, achieving both enhanced compliance and thorough risk management.
Benefits for on-site users: Stress-free usage environment and privacy protection
Employees will also experience significant improvements in their user experience. This solution delivers peace of mind for both administrators and users.
Field users will find that essential work apps automatically become available upon entering designated work areas, while unnecessary restrictions are lifted when leaving these areas, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Devices automatically switch to the appropriate state based on location, enhancing focus on tasks and enabling users to concentrate on their work in a stress-free environment.
Particularly when using BYOD devices, our patented technology ensures that no personal information—such as private app data or usage history—is collected. Similarly, location history and other personal data visible to administrators is not gathered. This design philosophy mirrors solutions for school staff requiring high privacy considerations, allowing employees to confidently use their personal devices for work.
Indirect contribution to improving the working environment
Automated mobile management indirectly contributes to improving working conditions in the construction industry. Managers gain confidence that security is automatically maintained, while users enjoy the comfort of having their privacy protected without cumbersome operations.
Eliminating manual configuration tasks and reducing device complexity lowers psychological stress for field staff. This ultimately boosts productivity and improves workforce retention—a critical factor in addressing the 2024 workforce shortage. Balancing security and productivity while ensuring psychological safety for employees is key to sustainable construction operations.
Primary Use Cases and Application Benefits
Typical Use Cases at Construction Sites
BizMobile Go! for Construction supports construction site workflows and delivers results in the following use cases:
- Confidential Drawing Protection (Camera Control): Construction site work areas and specific high-security conference rooms are enclosed within geofences. Upon site entry, camera functions on staff smartphones and tablets are forcibly locked. This minimizes and thoroughly prevents the risk of intentional or accidental leakage of confidential information (design drawings, BIM data, photographic records, etc.) to outside parties.
- Optimizing Field Tool Usage (App Control): Upon entering the field office, business apps such as the progress management app, safety inspection checklist, and material management system automatically activate and display. This enables field staff to quickly begin necessary tasks, improving work efficiency.
Applicability: Horizontal deployment to other industries with field operations
The core geofencing technology of this solution holds significant potential for application across industries with sites beyond construction. For example, in factories and warehouses, it can be used for camera control to maintain manufacturing process confidentiality or to enable management apps only within specific shipping/receiving control areas. In facility management, enabling advanced configuration apps only when entering specific equipment control rooms prevents accidental operation elsewhere, ensuring thorough risk management.
BizMobile Go! has already been adopted by domestic companies for its tablet utilization in sales and order management, its consideration for employees with low IT literacy, and its cost-reduction benefits. Its bulk configuration deployment and security control functions provide an effective foundation for construction companies with multiple sites to rapidly and reliably deploy mobile devices.
Service Overview and Future Developments
Service Overview
“BizMobile Go! for Construction” is offered as an optional solution for the cloud-based MDM service “BizMobile Go!”.
Future Outlook
Since its founding in 2009, IoT-EX has cultivated expertise in endpoint management through developing Japan’s first cloud-based MDM service. We will continue to advance unique feature development leveraging our patented technologies.
Through the provision of “BizMobile Go! for Construction,” we will contribute to building sustainable social infrastructure by addressing the challenges facing the construction industry, such as the 2024 problem and DX promotion, achieving both information security and improved on-site productivity.