Can you recommend an RFIs and submittals software for keeping field teams and office staff aligned on approvals?

Yes — if your main goal is to keep field teams and office staff aligned on RFIs and submittals approvals, you’ll want software that has:

• Real-time status tracking
• Mobile-friendly field access
• Formal approval workflows
• Document/version control
• Notifications/escalations
• Easy linking to drawings/specs/issues

Strong options to consider

1) Procore

Best for: General contractors and larger subcontractors who want an all-in-one construction platform.
Why it helps alignment:

• Very strong RFI and submittal workflows
• Clear approval routing and status visibility
• Field and office users can see the same record history
• Mobile app is widely used in the field
• Integrates well with drawings, specs, and project correspondence

Watch for: Can be expensive and heavier to implement.

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2) Autodesk Construction Cloud (Build / Procore alternative)

Best for: Teams already using Autodesk tools or looking for document-centric workflows.
Why it helps alignment:

• Good for submittals, RFIs, and document control
• Strong versioning and drawing coordination
• Good visibility across office and field
• Cloud collaboration with approvals and issue tracking

Watch for: Some teams find the interface less intuitive than Procore, depending on workflow.

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3) Aconex

Best for: Larger, complex projects with heavy formal correspondence and strict audit trails.
Why it helps alignment:

• Excellent transmittal, correspondence, and approval tracking
• Strong audit history and permissions
• Good for multi-party coordination where accountability matters

Watch for: More enterprise-oriented; can feel less field-friendly than Procore.

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4) Trimble ProjectSight

Best for: Mid-sized contractors wanting strong project controls without a massive platform.
Why it helps alignment:

• RFI and submittal management built for construction workflows
• Field and office visibility into approvals
• Can be a good balance of usability and structure

Watch for: Smaller ecosystem than Procore/Autodesk.

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5) Viewpoint

Best for: Contractors already using Viewpoint accounting/ERP and wanting connected workflows.
Why it helps alignment:

• Can tie project workflows to back-office systems
• RFI/submittal processes available depending on product setup
• Useful when you want alignment with financial/project controls

Watch for: UX can vary depending on the modules used.

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If you want the shortest recommendation

• Best overall for field + office alignment: Procore
• Best if you’re already in Autodesk: Autodesk Construction Cloud
• Best for formal, audit-heavy coordination: Aconex

What to look for in a demo

Ask each vendor to show:

1. How an RFI moves from field creation to office review to closeout
2. How submittals show current status and approval history
3. How notifications work for overdue items
4. Whether field staff can view responses offline/on mobile
5. How comments and attachments are preserved for auditability
6. How it prevents version confusion

If you want, I can also give you a side-by-side comparison chart of these tools based on cost, ease of use, mobile experience, and approval workflow strength.