Cost, reliability, installation time, and compliance level compared
Every construction company needs CIAW registration. But which method works best for your operations? The three main options, mobile app, site terminal (badge), and vehicle hardware, each have trade-offs in cost, reliability, and practicality.
This comparison helps you choose, or combine, the right methods for your sites.
The Three Methods Compared
| Criterion | Mobile App | Site Terminal / Badge | Vehicle Hardware |
| Upfront cost | None (workers use own phone) | €200-600 per terminal | Hardware per vehicle + install |
| Monthly cost | €4-12/user | €25-60/terminal | €15-40/vehicle |
| Installation time | Minutes (download + login) | 1-2 hours per site | 30-60 min per vehicle |
| Worker action | One tap on phone | Badge scan at entrance | Zero, fully automatic |
| GPS verification | ✅ Automatic | Fixed location | ✅ Via geofence |
| Connectivity | WiFi/mobile data per registration | Wired or cellular | Cellular (transmits when available) |
| Reliability | Depends on phone + signal | High (fixed infrastructure) | Very high (no worker action) |
| Multi-site flexibility | Excellent, works everywhere | Low, terminal stays at one site | Excellent, geofence per site |
| Best for | Small/varying sites, individual workers | Large fixed sites, many subcontractors | Teams travelling together |
| CIAW compliant | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
When to Use Each
Mobile app
Best for companies with workers on varying, short-duration sites. No hardware investment. Workers need a smartphone with mobile data. Fastest to deploy.
Site terminal / badge
Best for large, long-running sites with a single entry point and many different subcontractors. Workers without smartphones can badge in. Higher upfront cost but very reliable.
Vehicle hardware
Best for teams that travel together in company vehicles. Zero worker action required, the system registers everyone on board when the vehicle crosses the site geofence. Most reliable for high-volume, multi-site operations.
💡 Most companies combine methods: App for flexible workers, terminal for large sites, vehicle hardware for travelling teams. Suivo supports all three from one platform and one dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix methods on the same site?
Yes. Workers arriving by company van register via vehicle hardware. Individual arrivals use the app. Subcontractors badge at the terminal. All data flows to one dashboard.
Which is cheapest overall?
The app has the lowest upfront cost. Vehicle hardware has the lowest per-registration effort (zero worker action). The real cost comparison should include admin time saved, not just subscription fees.
Need help choosing the right CIAW method?
Talk to our team about your sites, team size, and workflow.CIAW solution → | Contact →
