Planera, the leader in visual CPM-based construction scheduling, announced that Miles-McClellan Construction, a trusted general contractor with decades of experience in Ohio and beyond, has expanded its use of Planera to now include Planera for iPad. Planera has helped Miles-McClellan to improve accessibility, collaboration, and real-time scheduling updates across its projects. With the adoption of Planera for iPad, the contractor is now making it easy for team members to manage and update project schedules from the field.
Challenge: Traditional Tools Left the Field Behind
Historically, Miles-McClellan used a combination of Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project to meet contract requirements. While effective in the office, these tools proved cumbersome for field staff. Updating schedules required laptops and time away from the jobsite, leading superintendents to rely on sticky notes, spreadsheets, or other manual methods.
The company sought a solution that could be easy to learn, accessible in the field, and collaborative across project teams.
Solution: Planera with iPad
Assistant Superintendent John Karam first encountered Planera while serving as a project engineer. Now in the field, he relies on the platform’s iPad application to manage and update schedules directly on the jobsite.
“The best thing I like about the iPad application is I can be walking around the job site making real-time updates. If I see something that’s become critical, I can immediately check it in the field and adjust as needed,” said Karam. “This new portability is an outstanding addition to Planera’s core capabilities.”
Key benefits of Planera on iPad include:
- Real-Time Updates – Superintendents can immediately adjust schedules as conditions change on site.
- User-Friendly Design – The touch interface makes it simple to review float, track progress, and scroll through Gantt charts.
- Laptop + iPad Flexibility – While schedules are built on laptops, the iPad is used daily for updates and analysis.
- Improved Collaboration – Project managers and field staff share visibility into the same schedule, increasing alignment.
- Broader Access: With Planera for iPad, access to Planera is no longer limited to those with laptops. The iPad solution makes Planera available to a broader user base, including trade partners.
Results: Accessibility and Adoption
Since introducing Planera, Miles-McClellan has seen measurable improvements in scheduling practices:
- Field-friendly workflows eliminated the need for manual Excel updates or sticky note planning.
- Less experienced staff could quickly build and manage schedules, thanks to Planera’s intuitive interface.
- Resistance to adopting new technology has eased as staff discovered how simple and flexible the platform is.
Leadership Perspective
“Scheduling has long been viewed as a back-office exercise, but Planera is changing that,” said Nitin Bhandari, CEO of Planera. “By giving field leaders access through the iPad application, companies like Miles-McClellan can finally bring scheduling into the heart of the project—on the jobsite where it matters most.”
Looking Ahead
Miles-McClellan is actively expanding Planera’s use across projects, with the iPad application now playing a central role in enabling adoption among superintendents. By making scheduling accessible and collaborative, the company is working toward standardizing Planera across its portfolio.
