Improving Your Manufacturing Workflow With Apps

manufacturing worker improving workflows with apps

Improving Your Manufacturing Workflow With Apps

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Have you ever wondered how manufacturing companies like Nvidia, SpaceX, Tesla, Intel, and Nike remain at the forefront of their industries? Two words: manufacturing workflows. 

These companies obsess over optimizing their manufacturing process. To create and maintain a near-flawless workflow, they collect a lot of data, analyze it, make improvements, and repeat the process over and over. 

If you want your manufacturing business to reach its full potential, one of the best places to start is by implementing apps to improve your manufacturing workflows. Continue reading to learn how. 

A manufacturing workflow essentially details the step-by-step process required to create a product from start to finish. The workflow process begins when the plant receives raw materials and ends when the products are finished. A manufacturing workflow produces a repeatable process, producing consistent and high-quality end products when done correctly. 

When a manufacturer monitors workflows, collects real-time data, and makes improvements based on their findings, they can reduce bottlenecks at an incredible pace. If you don’t monitor and continuously improve your workflows, you risk losing time, purchase orders, and damaging your company’s reputation due to bottlenecks in the production process. With that in mind, a few benefits of improving manufacturing processes include: 

  • Reduced incidence errors.
  • Improved data sharing.
  • Higher quality of products.
  • Reduced downtime.
  • More efficient employees.
  • Decreased manufacturing costs.
  • Higher rates of compliance.

An optimized workflow makes for happier employees, customers, and business owners. In the section below, learn how a manufacturing app can help automate your processes and save time. 

Tools like Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, and GoCanvas can help to improve workflow. However, you’ll still need to take a few additional steps to instill a strong culture of continuous improvement. 

Before using production workflow software, you should ensure that you set your factory and employees up for success by taking the following steps: 

  • Have the right tools and machinery.
  • Organize your tools and machinery in an efficient manner.
  • Keep your production equipment in top shape.
  • Brainstorm with management and employees to create streamlined processes.
  • Provide employees with adequate and regular training. 
  • Encourage open communication about production line issues and hidden bottlenecks. 

Once you’ve fully committed to the process of workflow management and optimization, you’ll be ready to introduce powerful workflow automation tools and manufacturing apps to take your process improvements to the next level. 

GoCanvas’ Manufacturing and Workflow apps help to save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary headaches. The GoCanvas selection of manufacturing form apps includes templates for manufacturing inspection reviews, work schedule templates, daily production reports, production process documents and so much more. 

Additionally, the GoCanvas Workflow app allows for: 

  • Real-time approvals.
  • Cross department and inner-team collaborations.
  • Powerful automation and access controls.

Are you ready to optimize your manufacturing facility’s workflows? Try GoCanvas For Free – No Credit Card Required.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Wastewater Processing: 8 Tips to Make Your Manufacturing Site More Sustainable

woman processing wastewater

Wastewater Processing: 8 Tips to Make Your Manufacturing Site More Sustainable

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When it comes to wastewater disposal, manufacturers can place a significant strain on municipal water systems. The lack of proper waste management leads to sanitary waste, particularly in metropolitan areas’ water supply. This has catastrophic effects on people’s sense of health, education, and economic growth. In fact, we can trace recent cholera outbreaks mainly to the widespread use of improper wastewater processing, including poorly constructed wastewater management facilities that can leach their contents into surrounding soil and informal pit emptiers that dump sanitation waste into open drains and the local water supply.

This helpful guide discusses how manufacturers can enhance their wastewater processing to make them more environmentally sustainable.

Equipment should undergo frequent checks to assess its current state, performance, and remaining usable life at a given facility. Older machines are less productive, more expensive to maintain, and thirstier for power than their modern counterparts. 

Eliminating potentially dangerous chlorine disinfection systems is a crucial safety advantage of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems, while the systems’ low energy consumption is a welcome side effect. In place of chlorine, you can utilize a UV light disinfection system. This eliminates the need for expensive and sometimes dangerous chemicals. 

Electrocoagulation is a sustainable alternative to chemical coagulation, in which chemicals are introduced to the effluent to induce solid particles to agglomerate and sink to the bottom of a clarity tank. Apart from adjusting the pH, electrocoagulation does not require chemical additions. In contrast to chemical coagulation, which produces an abundance of potentially harmful sludge, electrocoagulation leads to less sludge that poses no danger. In fact, you can dewater this sludge without much effort. As an alternative to disposal, you can sell the dewatered sludge to agricultural businesses which they can use as a soil additive with organic fertilizers.

Anaerobic digesters are another wastewater processing technique that converts wastewater into renewable energy. The methane that an anaerobic digester produces can generate electricity for the wastewater facility at a much-reduced cost. As a result of the total reduction in energy expenditures, the facility can become more self-sufficient.

The most effective way to achieve energy goals and uncover new avenues for efficiency is to educate treatment system operators on the connection between facility operations and energy efficiency. Operators will more likely recommend and adopt efficiency changes after asking for their views. Because they interact with the facility’s processes on a daily basis across all departments, staff members have unique perspectives to bring to the table.

Adding dissolved oxygen control systems and variable frequency drives in blowers and other parts of the air distribution system can reduce the power that blowers use while improving aeration. Around 50% of an activated sludge wastewater treatment facility’s energy goes toward powering the aeration system.

Suppose your current blowers are on the brink of breakdown. In that case, you may consider upgrading to a single high-efficiency turbo blower that you can adjust according to the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water. Is your diffuser system getting on in years? Upgrading to fine-pore or ultra-fine-pore diffusers on the grid can boost oxygen transfer efficiency and reduce treatment air requirements.

By replacing outdated pumps with newer ones, you can save on both operation and upkeep over time. You can match pump speeds to flow rates to further reduce energy consumption using inexpensive and more reliable variable frequency drives. Wastewater treatment facilities typically feel obliged to pump water at rates corresponding to fresh wastewater’s arrival to minimize the need for storing water. In this situation, it is necessary to regulate the flow rate of the pumps.

It is important to keep in mind that not all approaches to flow management are created equal. Throttling valves, for instance, are often employed for flow control, as they create energy losses in the pipeline.

You can control water flow with little energy loss by installing a variable frequency drive (VFD) that rotates the pump’s shaft at the same speed as the water’s desired delivery rate. There will be some heat loss from using VFDs. The pump will also need to function effectively across the working range.

Are you wondering whether your system may need some tweaks and which solution would be appropriate for your facility? You can conduct an analysis to determine whether implementing a potential solution will provide desirable results. Note that pumps may waste energy if they aren’t working within their optimum parameters.

Plants need phosphorus, which is a vital part of fertilizers. If your facility is using or considering biological phosphorus removal, you may want to look into the potential for making a high-quality commercial fertilizer. Lowering phosphorus loading in the recycling streams can enhance the plant’s sidestream performance and the utility gains a new income stream at no additional cost to operations.

As environmental consciousness rises and regulatory oversight tightens, the efficacy of specific traditional wastewater treatment methods is being called into doubt. Since current wastewater processing methods are inadequate, AGTs are being researched, evaluated, and used as eco-friendly replacements.

Bioreactors are the backbone of the most widespread advanced technology used for wastewater treatment. Bioreactors populated with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can recover precious metal sulfides by precipitating them as insoluble solids from metal-containing wastewater.

When you rely on informal checklists and training, you leave yourself open to oversights that may prove costly. GoCanvas can create official records of your business’s safety and compliance programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), audit and authentication services, and security protocols.

GoCanvas believes data is too valuable to sit in storage. We can help in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of your wastewater treatment so that you can return to doing what you do best. Our clients come first, and we provide high-quality customer service that will help make your manufacturing site more sustainable. Please don’t hesitate to contact us right away to request a demo and learn more about wastewater processing.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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4 Steps Every Manufacturer Should Take On the Journey to ISO 9001 Certification

Construction manager on his tablet at his jobsite.

4 Steps Every Manufacturer Should Take On the Journey to ISO 9001 Certification

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For manufacturers, being ISO 9001-certified is a great milestone in a rather competitive business world. In addition to helping manufacturers retain customers, ISO 9001 certification plays a vital role in winning more clients. Not only does the certification improve a manufacturer’s ranking, but it also serves to create trust in most clients, as the process is based on gauging the manufacturer’s level of customer focus and ability to continuously improve products. As a manufacturer, ISO certification is a measure of your worth in your area of specialization.

So, what is ISO 9001 certification, and what does the process look like for manufacturers? If you are wondering what you need to do to obtain the certification, this guide is for you. Read on to learn more.

This international standard is used to measure an organization’s ability to offer satisfactory products and services. Published in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 19001 sets the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) that acts as an organization’s measure of product suitability across the world.

As a manufacturer, you need to prove that your products or services meet set standards. ISO 9001:2015 is available for use by organizations in any field, whether large or small. 

Organizations that are ISO-certified enjoy numerous benefits, including:

  • The ability to continually improve their products or services to meet customer expectations 
  • Enhanced performance due to improved efficiency in various processes 
  • Organized processes that make operations easy and effective 
  • Consistency, especially in repetitive tasks
  • Improved productivity that helps increases profit 
  • The ability to win new customers while also being able to retain existing ones 
  • The ability to identify areas of weakness and address existing gaps

Through the implementation of the ISO 9001 QMS, you can identify gaps in your processes. This will help you install and maintain measures that boost your business productivity while saving time and resources. You also get to engage your employees in a manner that will help you improve productivity.

As a manufacturer, getting ISO certification helps open new doors for your business growth. Besides getting a QMS that is ISO-compliant, you will need to involve experts who will verify that the system is functional. You also need to set up an external audit to ensure that your system employs the best practices based on the nature of the industry. 

While this may sound like an overwhelming task, the process is rather straightforward. If you need to get certified, you can use any of the following methods:

You can get certified in-house if you own a small company and need a cost-effective way of acquiring ISO certification. With the help of a DIY kit that offers guidelines on how to get certified even without prior knowledge, your employees can complete the setup and have the company certified within three to six months. The toolkit is efficient and eliminates bureaucracy, making the process almost hassle-free. 

If you need to get the job done within the shortest time possible, you can choose to outsource the service to a reputable company. At GoCanvas, we offer reliable services that not only help increase business efficiency and productivity but also let you get certified pretty fast. While you cannot incorporate your staff into the process, our team has the technical know-how and experience required to help your company get certified and improve its efficiency. 

Combining the DIY method with outsourcing to experts can be an ideal solution that will still be cost-effective. While you may want to participate in some elements of the process, you can hire specialists to help you with specific aspects.

You can approach a consultancy firm and discuss the specific roles you want your in-house team to play, then leave the rest to a team of experts. Combining the two approaches helps you allocate more technical and time-consuming areas to experts while your staff gets to concentrate on other equally important elements.

If your time is limited, you can get a comprehensive guide that will help you achieve your goal within a stipulated timeframe. Additionally, this approach helps you get the most out of the system. For instance, a consultancy firm can perform a comprehensive review of your processes and identify any risks and improvement opportunities to help your company become more competitive. 

Although ISO certification is industry-specific, there are general requirements that any industry should comply with. They include: 

  • Documented information for the QMS
  • Managerial responsibilities 
  • Information on resource management 
  • Product realization strategy 
  • Internal audits 
  • Counteractive and preventive actions to help identify risks and opportunities for growth

QMSs use evidence-based decision-making strategies to help achieve a flawless process. 

To get started, you need to obtain a copy of ISO 9001:2015. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get ISO certification:

Prepare relevant documentation to help define the QMS. You need to contact an ISO 9001 management representative and get sufficient training on certification standards as well as managing the system once it’s verified and implemented.  

This step involves letting employees adapt to a new way of doing things. You may also incorporate a management review that helps establish the QMS. This works best when the system is user-friendly and non-bureaucratic.

Completing an internal audit helps verify that the QMS meets all the specifications and standards for ISO. You can have your in-house team perform the audit or use management software to make the process less tedious. Such software also helps you maintain quality in addition to ensuring that you meet the ISO requirements and are in compliance. 

Your manufacturing company may require an audit from an independent third party that follows a full internal audit and provides reliable records to help verify the effectiveness of your QMS. 

Your company may also require follow-ups to countercheck and correct any issues that may arise along the way. Keep in mind that you will need to formulate an improvement plan to help effectively manage your QMS once implemented. 

At GoCanvas, we understand how important ISO 9001 certification is to your manufacturing business. That’s why we offer resources and services that will help you improve productivity and make your business more profitable. For more information, get in touch with our team of tech professionals and schedule a demo so we can discuss your unique business needs. 

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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8 Ways Digitizing Your Manufacturing Equipment Maintenance Checklist With a Template Can Save Time

8 Ways Digitizing Your Manufacturing Equipment Maintenance Checklist With a Template Can Save Time

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Many businesses still rely on paper-based checklists to complete equipment maintenance and other tasks in their facilities. However, this outdated format severely limits efficiency and quality across all tasks. If you want to ensure your teams effectively complete all tasks the right way and on time, there are certain advantages of using a digital manufacturing equipment maintenance checklist to replace your paperwork.

Today, around 89% of companies have prioritized digital transformation to improve the efficiency of operations and reap its other benefits. Converting to digital checklists is a great way to facilitate this transformation.

The following are some of the principal advantages of switching to digital manufacturing equipment maintenance checklists.

One way you can save time on equipment maintenance with digital checklists is by ensuring teams complete all required tasks as needed. You can easily share your checklist with the designated maintenance staff and include all necessary items and details in a centralized, easily modified checklist, which will enable maintenance teams to access these checklists conveniently on mobile devices while in the field and see each task through to its completion. Team members can then make updates to the checklist accordingly and send it back to superiors for confirmation and approval.

Maintenance crews can also benefit from visuals uploaded to a manufacturing equipment maintenance checklist, including diagrams or photographs of inspected equipment and worn or damaged components. These images will go a long way in further increasing the efficiency of maintenance tasks. This can also help eliminate any potential confusion when field workers begin preventative maintenance, repairs, or replacements. 

In addition to helping maintenance staff complete their designated tasks, digital checklists help inspectors and managers with streamlined processes.

Inspectors won’t need to devote as much of their time to administrative tasks. This allows them to collect meaningful data in the field with ease. Using digital forms also improves standardization capabilities, allowing users to easily submit accurate information using a combination of drop-down menus and form fields. All data also appears in comprehensible fonts, eliminating the risk of illegible handwriting causing confusion among teams and staff members.

Managers also benefit from these checklists through the increased ease of scheduling inspections and assigning checklists. Management staff can send reminders to complete inspections as needed and work together with teams using cloud-based solutions.

If you can more effectively address maintenance issues with comprehensive and accurate digital checklists, you can ultimately minimize potential breakdowns and costly downtime. In turn, this will enable you to significantly boost productivity as you keep your operations up and running more consistently. Maintenance teams will be more proactive in handling maintenance issues as they arise and ensuring all maintenance tasks are completed properly the first time. This, in turn, reduces the risk of delayed or faulty maintenance.

Increased productivity also comes from the elimination of manual tasks through increased automation. Teams and staff won’t need to spend as much of their time completing and submitting paperwork when they can do so instantly using digital forms.

Another advantage of a digital manufacturing equipment maintenance checklist is the ability to efficiently manage and centralize your internal audits. As you incorporate changes to equipment, facilities, and operations, you can easily make universal updates to your auditing procedure and protocols that will reflect across the entire system. Additionally, you can automate the reporting process and keep teams up to date on a regular basis with every audit.

You can integrate your digital manufacturing equipment maintenance checklist into an inventory management system that helps you manage spare parts. When you’re able to determine what you have and don’t have, you can ensure you’re fully stocked with the parts you need for each critical piece of equipment. This way, you’ll always have what you require to help prevent equipment breakdowns before you can obtain the necessary parts. 

As inspectors, managers, maintenance crews, and others complete various tasks, they can update their statuses and notify the next person down the line. In the process, your business can track all activities from initial inspections and scheduling of maintenance to the completion of each maintenance task. As a result, nobody will be in the dark about which step in the maintenance process requires completion. You’ll ensure that every activity is on track and hold the assignees of each task accountable for completing it properly and in a timely fashion.

Once you’ve streamlined the maintenance process, you can save reusable templates in the most efficient format to make future inspections and repairs easier to complete. As operations go through various changes and updates, you can update corresponding aspects of your templates. In the end, this will save you save more time and optimize recordkeeping. 

Using cloud-based software and forms, any changes that people make will automatically update in real time. This helps in keeping all people with access to these forms up to date with the latest information. In fact, you’ll no longer need to have individuals make manual updates to reflect changes across all forms. This maximizes the efficiency and accuracy of information for everyone with access. At the same time, you can keep all forms consistently secure on these digital platforms, preventing unauthorized parties from accessing the forms or making unaccountable changes.

Digital checklists are essential for maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations for various reasons, including those listed above. Ultimately, the right digital forms will help you save more time and effort. This will enable you to maximize productivity among all teams and operations. The key is to find the ideal tools to help you simplify manufacturing equipment maintenance in your facilities. With the help of GoCanvas digital forms and mobile apps, you can simplify the maintenance process and streamline all activities. Discover how GoCanvas can transform maintenance and other tasks by requesting a demo or free trial today.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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7 Biggest SDS Compliance Violations in Chemical Manufacturing (And How to Reduce the Risk)

manufatcuring plant worker using tablet

7 Biggest SDS Compliance Violations in Chemical Manufacturing (And How to Reduce the Risk)

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Not complying with the safety data sheet (SDS) regulations can cost chemical manufacturers in terms of fines, customers, and reputation. Knowing and avoiding the biggest SDS compliance violations is one of the best ways to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations

This article reveals the top seven SDS compliance violations to give you the best chance of preventing legal issues and protecting your brand image. And because meeting every requirement can be challenging for many chemical manufacturers, we will show you where to get a comprehensive SDS-compliant checklist to make things easy. 

OSHA requires distributors and manufacturers to provide an SDS for each hazardous chemical. As the bare minimum, the SDS should use a clear, user-friendly, 16-section format to inform downstream users about the substance. 

Each section should provide specific minimum information detailed in the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). The information must be in English, although copies in other languages can be provided if necessary. 

In 2011, OSHA penalized two manufacturers and two distributors of hair products for failing to inform users of the substance’s potential hazards and protect their employees from exposure. In fact, the total fine for the four companies totaled $49,200. 

Manufacturers are responsible for evaluating the risks related to a particular chemical and including the hazards in an SDS. Concerning communication of chemical hazards, the sheet should: 

  • Specify the concentration (exact percentages)—sometimes, concentration ranges may be used to protect trade secrets
  • Explain why the substance is hazardous
  • Indicate the chemical’s possible harm
  • List protective measures users should follow
  • Describe what users should do in an emergency

Having a static SDS may not always be enough to meet OSHA requirements, resulting in SDS compliance violations. In some instances, updates are necessary—and they must be made within a particular period to avoid noncompliance. 

According to OSHA, chemical manufacturers must ensure SDS information accurately details hazards and how to protect against them. But when your company discovers new potential harm of a particular chemical or identifies more effective ways to avoid the risks, the new details should be added to the SDS within three months

On the other hand, the chemical labels must be revised within six months, depending on the significance of the new information. In short, your company needs to update its SDSs in one or all of the circumstances below: 

  • The manufacturer makes significant changes to the chemical compound.
  • Research reveals considerable new information about a chemical’s potential harm or anti-hazard measures.

Improper handling and storage can cause toxic exposures, explosions, as well as fires from chemical reactions. That’s why OSHA requires manufacturers to include a safe handling and storage section in the SDS. 

Required information includes: 

Every employer must have a readily accessible SDS for employees in the workplace. To ensure chemical safety, information about the identities, as well as potential dangers of chemicals, must be readily available and understandable to workers. 

Manufacturers are also responsible for classifying chemical hazards and transmitting the information to employers through data sheets. An SDS must be provided in the initial shipment as well as the first shipment after a sheet update. Additionally, chemical manufacturers must provide the document to employers or distributors upon request. 

OSHA laws require SDSs to reveal a chemical’s ingredients. The required information includes the following: 

  • Chemical name, common name, and synonyms
  • Stabilizing additives and impurities
  • The exact percentage of each ingredient that is considered a health hazard
  • Whether these ingredients are present above their concentration limits
  • Whether the ingredients are present below concentration limits but are still a health risk

Your company can use concentration ranges if specifying the exact percentage exposes trade secrets. In that case, you must also include a statement indicating that the exact chemical concentration has been withheld. 

In addition to ingredient information, OSHA calls for the minimum information about the physical and chemical properties required in the SDS compliance checklist: 

  • Chemical appearance and odor
  • Freezing and melting point
  • Evaporation rate
  • Viscosity
  • Solubility
  • Boiling point and range
  • Flammability and pH
  • Vapor pressure and density
  • Explosive limits
  • Partition coefficient

You don’t need to include everything on the above list if a physical or chemical property doesn’t apply to your products. However, you need to ensure every property relevant to your company’s chemicals is sufficiently detailed in the SDS. You should also include other relevant properties not indicated on the list above.  

Not including exposure limits in your SDS can also result in expensive noncompliance penalties. An exposure control section in the sheet helps recommend personal protective measures and minimize user exposure to chemicals. Essential details to cover in this section include: 

  • Exposure limits from regulatory bodies, such as OSHA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
  • Your recommended exposure limit as the chemical manufacturer
  • The necessary engineering controls
  • Advice for personal protective measures to prevent exposure to chemicals
  • Recommended personal protective equipment (PPE)

Manufacturers are required to obtain or create an SDS for every chemical they produce. Additionally, they must ensure a copy of that sheet is available for customers. 

The SDS compliance checklist form from GoCanvas is easily accessible from a smartphone or tablet. This also makes it easier for employers and employees to access safety data and handle chemical inventory appropriately. 

Because the checklist comes as an SDS-compliant template, you don’t have to create the sheet from scratch, which saves you money and time. In fact, once you create the document, it becomes mobile-accessible via smartphones and tablets to easily empower employers to create a hazard management program and enhance occupational safety. Request a demo today to see how our SDS compliance template helps you save time and money.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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How to Revise Your Online Order Forms for Custom Components and Assemblies

How to Revise Your Online Order Forms for Custom Components and Assemblies

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Offering custom components and assemblies to customers can be a great way to drive engagement and sales. Whether you’re in a B2C or B2B industry, customization and configuration are invaluable strategies. At the same time, you might wonder how you can ensure customization capabilities don’t negatively impact the processes and staff you currently have. To prevent potential errors and misunderstandings in order fulfillment, manufacturers should ensure their online order forms use the kind of language and formatting that staff can easily understand, effectively translating customer orders based on each custom option.

One of the best ways to do so is to optimize online order forms with a comprehensive bill of materials.

If you want to ensure all orders go through and your engineers and other staff can fulfill your customers’ custom orders, you must have a bill of materials (BOM) that includes all necessary details in a format your staff can understand.

This should include an in-depth list of all components, parts, assemblies, and materials needed to complete the manufacturing process. If you implement a reliable BOM, customers can order custom configurations that your teams can put together without the risk of errors and overwhelming staff.

The key is to know how to approach your BOM for customization and configuration.

Manufacturers producing custom products will benefit from online order forms that effectively translate customer orders in a way that manufacturers can understand. Whenever customers choose different design elements and put the end product design together, a BOM can convert the information submitted into in-depth instructions on your end.

Some of the specific benefits of BOMs include:

  • A streamlined manufacturing process. Based on the information that customers provide, you’ll be able to generate an organized BOM that provides detailed production guidelines that are easy to comprehend and follow.
  • More insight into the final product. Design and production teams will be able to more clearly see how the final product will look based on each step of the production process. This helps ensure your teams align their vision with the customers.
  • Segmented production. Reliable BOMs only require each team to focus on what they know at each phase of production. This eliminates any need for them to go beyond their level of expertise throughout the production process. 

Whenever customers place an order through a product configurator or customization software, you should ensure the order is easy to complete based on the customer’s specifications. In online order forms, each part of the customer’s order should have a corresponding name or code that manufacturers can understand. This maximizes efficiency and accuracy as the order travels down the supply chain.

The following are some of the specific elements to include in the online order form fields for bills of materials:

The first item to consider is the BOM level. This will determine the order of each step of the entire manufacturing process to produce the end product. The level will appear in the form of a number indicating where each component or assembly fits within the process. 

Every part, assembly, and material used for custom products should have a unique name that your teams can recognize. This will mitigate confusion and ensure team members won’t need additional help identifying the correct part.

In addition to part names, part numbers that are unique to each component can facilitate identification. As with names, ensure all numbers only apply to the individual part to avoid confusion. If there are different variations of a particular part, these iterations should also have their own original numbers.

To further ensure manufacturing staff knows each part, it’s important to have detailed descriptions of part features and functions. This will make it even easier to identify parts as a supplement to names and numbers.

Indicate the specific stage that each part falls under during the manufacturing process. For example, some parts might be involved in the design process. Meanwhile, others with official approval will be implemented in production. Additionally, these phases will indicate the overall progress of the entire product, giving employees a better idea of the production timeframe.

Specify the measurements for each material and component required. This will ensure you purchase a sufficient amount of resources to complete the product. For instance, you might measure liquid materials in drops or ounces, while measuring solid materials in inches or pounds. 

Based on each product’s specifications, you’ll also need varying quantities of parts. If a product requires multiple parts or manufacture, include this information in another field within the BOM.

Once you’ve determined which parts you need to create your end product, you’ll need to determine the method of procuring all necessary resources. As an example, a product may require a combination of materials you can buy off the shelf, plus other materials manufactured to custom specifications.

Custom products may require more information during the production process. If you need to include this information, a notes section on the form could give ample space for additional details. For example, you might use the notes section to list alternative material specifications or suppliers if manufacturers cannot source or otherwise use the original options.

Do you want to put together bills of materials using simplified mobile forms? GoCanvas offers a bill of materials app that staff can easily access using their mobile devices. You can easily generate your BOM and save it electronically. This enables efficient production tracking of all components when manufacturing custom products. Using this app, you can track all parts, quantities, sales order entry details, and more to keep your teams consistently on track and on time. For more information about this app as well as other templates for online order forms that your business can use, request a GoCanvas demo today or try our platform for free.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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15 of the Best Inspection Apps in 2021

15 of the Best Inspection Apps in 2021

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The term mobile inspection refers to the process of using a mobile device or tablet to perform an inspection in the field. Companies are eliminating paper forms and instead relying on mobile technology in today’s digital era to perform job functions like inspections on a mobile device. 

The mobile inspection is performed by a technician in the field and the data is then automatically synced in real-time to the office or generated as a report for the customer. Given the remote nature of many inspection job sites, mobile inspections can also be performed offline. Using an inspection mobile app, the information can be collected offline and synced to the cloud once an internet connection is available again.

The best construction project management app should be simple to use and customizable for any business or use case. Here is what you need in order to have a best-in-class inspection app for your business:

  • Ease to use and adopt. The best inspection apps should be easy to use and easy for your entire staff to adopt into their workflows. No coding or advanced help from IT should be required with app development or customization, ensuring that you can quickly build inspection apps and see a fast return on investment.
  • Fast time to value. The best inspection apps should provide an immediate value to your organization. There should be clear processes to help you implement and get started with the app platform, with dedicated customer success teams to ensure your organization is getting value from the inspection app.
  • Secure and compliant. The best inspection apps will have robust security for cloud software and will be designed for compliance with HIPPA, GDPR, OSHA, and any other business-specific requirements to ensure data is processed and stored properly.
  • Data integrations and insights. The best inspection apps will integrate with other cloud apps that your business already uses. Analytics and reporting capabilities should be robust to provide business insights in real-time to inform smarter decisions for operations leaders.

When evaluating inspection apps and technology, be sure to take these factors into consideration to ensure that you have tools that can help you scale your business, automate key business processes, and enable your business to work more efficiently.

GoCanvas is a leading provider of inspection apps and forms for businesses across industries. Our expansive library of templates is a great place to start when looking for free templates to use for your next inspection. All of our mobile inspection apps are completely customizable and are built on our drag and drop interface that doesn’t require any coding to build apps. 

This article compiles a list of our most popular inspection apps available for businesses in 2021. You can also search the GoCanvas application store for more examples and templates. Follow the links below to see how it works or simply contact our team any time to learn more.

Property and Building Inspections

Vehicle Inspections

  • Pre-Trip Inspection App
  • Vehicle Inspection Mobile App
  • Free Fleet Inspection App

Construction, Manufacturing, and Job Site Inspections

  • Safety Inspection App
  • Heavy Equipment Inspection App
  • Forklift Inspection App
  • Ladder Inspection App
  • Manufacturing Material Inspection App
man holding tablet performing home inspection

Home inspection apps are used during real estate transactions to assess the state of a property. If you are in the business of performing home inspections, this app allows you to digitize the process of a home inspection. Dynamic checklists help to speed up the process and home inspectors only need to fill out the relevant sections of the form based on the house type. Use the dispatch feature to send out a worker in the field and automatically have a report generated for the buyer and for your office records.

Learn more about the GoCanvas home inspection app and get started for free.

Similar to the home inspection app, this property inspection mobile app is designed to assess the state of a property, specifically for landlords or management companies for their rental properties. This checklist inspection app allows property owners, managers, or landlords to easily check the condition of a residential rental property and record that it is in good condition for tenants. Digitizing this information makes it simple to create PDF reports that can automatically be shared with the tenant and the management team has a record stored in a central cloud location for easy access when needed. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas property inspection app and get started for free.

janitorial work station

Custodial inspection apps are used for janitorial services to denote which areas of the building were cleaned by staff. Using an inspection app can ensure that quality standards are met and simple checklists are helpful for remembering all areas of the building. Digitizing this information can help cleaning businesses to elevate their customer service experience, bring reports, invoices, and a digital record of work that has been performed.

Learn more about the GoCanvas custodial inspection app and get started for free.

Many companies in the hospitality industry leverage the GoCanvas mobile platform to complete their hotel room inspections. This simple app provides a checklist for cleaning crews to perform all of the necessary tasks for servicing guest rooms at a hotel. Managers and hotel management benefit from having this information digitized, giving them more visibility into their operations and helping to understand the overall condition and state of the hotel in real-time.

Learn more about the GoCanvas hotel room inspection app and get started for free.

Fire alarm and fire sprinkler inspections are common in buildings to ensure that all of the smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms are in working order. This app allows inspectors to perform this inspection using a mobile device or tablet and a report is automatically generated with the results. This streamlines the process for staff and gives instant visibility into fire inspections for management and anyone else that needs the information.

Learn more about the GoCanvas fire alarm inspection app and get started for free.

This app is designed for pool inspectors and public pool managers so they can list safety violations, corrective actions taken, and document any required pool closures. The pool safety inspection app includes fields for a variety of details, including water chemistry, pool water cleanliness, equipment safety and more. Once the inspection is completed, the pool operator can instantly sign off on the results using a tablet or mobile device and have the records saved automatically to the cloud.

Learn more about the GoCanvas pool inspection app and get started for free.

HVACChecklist

HVAC inspections are needed to ensure the heating and air-conditioning systems are properly configured. This mobile app template includes important elements, including the HVAC ducts, air quality test, exhaust fans, testing for leaks and a thermostat check. 

As a building inspector or contractor, this inspection app simplifies the process for performing residential or commercial services and allows the entire process from work order, inspection, invoicing, payment, and reporting to be managed digitally. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas HVAC inspection app and get started for free.

The pre-trip and post-trip inspection is performed by drivers with CDL licenses to track details about their trucks and report any damage or improvements that need to be made before the vehicle can go out on the road. Digitizing this form allows commercial truck drivers and managers to ensure that the proper inspection has been performed and signed off digitally to keep an accurate record for management purposes.

Learn more about the GoCanvas pre trip inspection app and get started for free.

man holding the key to a new vehicle after inspection

The vehicle inspection app is designed for car dealerships to perform a pre-purchase inspection of a car. This mobile app is designed to digitize the inspection form that is used before vehicles are given to a new owner of a car. GoCanvas vehicle inspection apps can be customized to your needs and this template is a great way for car dealerships and business owners to manage the vehicle inspection process digitally.

Learn more about the GoCanvas vehicle inspection mobile app and get started for free.

Field inspector on ipad

For transportation companies that have a fleet management program, this inspection app provides a template that can be used for compliance, safety, and preventive maintenance. Managing this digitally allows fleet operations teams to gain greater instant visibility into their fleet with real-time reports.

Learn more about the GoCanvas fleet inspection app and get started for free.

Construction safety helmets hanging on the wall

Safety inspections are an important part of any construction project. This safety inspection app helps contractors and construction firms to ensure compliance with OSHA and perform regular safety inspections of job sites. The data collected from a safety inspection app can be used as part of the safety management program and other important programs like toolbox talks, job safety analysis, incident reports, and more can be managed through GoCanvas for a comprehensive digital safety solution.

Learn more about the GoCanvas safety inspection app and get started for free.

construction worker filling out near miss reports on phone

Performing heavy equipment inspections are important on the job site to ensure safety and prevent delays by having greater insight into your equipment. This inspection app provides a template that can be used on job sites and includes all of the important details for the inspection, including the date of safety inspections, issues found, and other relevant details.

Learn more about the GoCanvas heavy equipment inspection app and get started for free.

man using tablet on construction site for safety

Forklifts are commonly used in many different job sites. The GoCanvas forklift inspection checklist helps ensure safe operation and identifies areas where forklift maintenance may be required. The checklist template covers all areas of the electric forklifts, including fluid levels, tires, forklift trucks, forklift operator safety equipment and more. 

Learn more about the GoCanvas forklift inspection app and get started for free.

man carrying ladder on job site with safety vest

Ladder inspections are critical for job sites to ensure worker safety. Using the ladder inspection app on GoCanvas, you can make sure that all ladder equipment is in good condition and any damaged equipment is fixed before use. Use this in conjunction with the other GoCanvas safety apps to ensure that all aspects of the job site are compliant with OSHA and injuries and incidents are avoided.

Learn more about the GoCanvas ladder inspection app and get started for free.

This mobile app is designed for quality inspections when items arrive or they are taken out of inventory as part of the manufacturing operations. The app is designed as a quality control tool to be used from anywhere and have a digital report generated automatically to simplify the process for workers and eliminate tedious paper work.

Learn more about the GoCanvas manufacturing material inspection app and get started for free.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Job Card Apps – Examples & Templates

Job Card Apps – Examples & Templates

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Job cards are used to record all of the pertinent information that workers need to know about a job or task to be performed as part of a work order. Many industries leverage job cards, including construction and contractors, manufacturing, engineering, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other similar types of field service organizations. 

Job cards should include any of the necessary information that will be needed to complete the job assigned. Typically, this would include:

  • Client information and project-specific details
  • Scope of work and what is being done
  • Form fields to note the time, materials, stock, and total cost of work
  • Signature lines to be signed by worker and project manager or client
  • Relevant images and additional notes

All of the fields on a job card will be custom to the work being performed and the job at hand. While these have historically been managed using paper forms for job cards, more companies are switching to apps for job cards to digitize their workflows.

Construction Management Software for job cards are gaining popularity with businesses because they can be completed via a mobile device or tablet from anywhere. Instantly having all of the information digitized is a time-saver for teams and businesses benefit from eliminating paper forms. Some of the main drawbacks of using paper forms include:

  • Incomplete or illegible data
  • Lost or misplaced documents
  • Inefficient workflows that require manual work

Mobile apps are designed to simplify the process for everyone involved. Job card apps can be customized to include all of the key details, form fields, and automatic calculations for time and material costs, digital signatures, and image capture for additional context. All of the information is created as a report or PDF and sent automatically to anyone that needs the information. 

Beyond just the basic use case for a job card app, many companies also benefit from integrated job card apps with other business processes related to the job card app. App platforms today are designed to automate work and fit into many of the workflows that happen on a job site or out in the field. 

This means that apps for job cards can be one part of the entire process for job management. You may also want to design the app platform to have other components like quotes, contracts, work orders, dispatching systems, invoicing, and payment processing.

Modern app platforms like GoCanvas can enable your business to streamline how this work gets done, with a completely seamless process for handling all of these different components from start to finish. Using our no-code platform for apps, companies are able to digitize their operations and enable employees on job sites and in the field to easily enter data using their mobile devices.

These tools are designed to be simple, giving businesses of all sizes the ability to embrace digital technologies to save time, reduce risk, and create a competitive advantage for the business. Learn more about how it works by visiting our website, or you can get started for free using one of our job card templates listed in the next section.

Getting started with one of our templates, you will see how easy it is to build and customize apps for job cards and many other key business processes.

The material and labor job card app is used to record all of the materials used for a project. The app also has a worksheet for recording all the labor work used for the same project. The material section covers both the acquired materials at the course of the project and the offcuts which were left out after the project.

material and labor job card example

This subcontractor job card app is used to collect all the relevant information required by the general contractor for an ongoing contract or job. This includes project requirements, the scope of work. estimated cost, estimated completion date, risk analysis, and more. Once the contractor requirements form is complete, the job card sheet is stored for your records and can be edited as needed. This makes it easy for general contractors to maintain current records for construction projects and all other jobs that require the help of subcontractor employees.

subcontractor job card app example

The engineering job card app enables the professional engineer to record excavation and reinstatement information. This mobile application can be modified to meet your customer expectations, including preventative maintenance and quality assurance.

engineering job card app example

We have hundreds of pre-built forms with a variety of features to fit all of your business needs. Discover more inspections in our Application Store.

Frequently asked job card app questions

How do job card apps benefit businesses? +

Job card apps help businesses automate job tracking and cut errors. Workers update job details in real time, and managers can monitor progress as it happens. This improves efficiency, strengthens communication, and removes paperwork. In fields like construction and field services, these apps also streamline invoicing, time tracking, and reporting. GoCanvas offers a job card app that helps teams save time, reduce mistakes, and keep more accurate job records.

What is the best job card template for a workshop? +

The best workshop job card template includes the job title, a clear task description, a list of materials or tools used, labor hours, and costs. It should also include worker details and a space for supervisor approval. Many workshops need to capture inventory or machinery usage and maintenance notes, depending on the work. GoCanvas provides a flexible workshop job card template so teams can track details in real time and improve operations.

What industries use job card templates? +

Job card templates are common in construction, field services, HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance. These industries use job cards to record work details like labor, materials, and time on task. In construction, a card may outline project phases. In HVAC, it tracks installs and repairs. GoCanvas supports these teams with digital job cards that automate tracking, reduce errors, and provide real-time updates for smoother project management.

Can job cards be used for maintenance tracking? +

Yes. Job cards work well for maintenance tracking. They record tasks performed, parts replaced, labor hours, and service dates on equipment, machines, or facilities. This creates a clear record, helps teams follow schedules, and keeps nothing from being missed. GoCanvas offers customizable digital job cards so maintenance teams can track work accurately and access records quickly.

What is the difference between a job card and a work card? +

A job card tracks the details of a specific job, including the description, materials, and time spent. A work card focuses on labor hours and productivity during the job. In short, job cards cover the job and materials, while work cards emphasize worker time and performance. GoCanvas lets businesses use both in one system to improve job management and efficiency.

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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9 Ways Companies are Utilizing Reference Data

9 Ways Companies are Utilizing Reference Data

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The apps built using GoCanvas have access to a powerful tool that allows businesses to pull information from dynamic and static data sources to populate fields and information in apps automatically – this tool is called Reference Data. App developers can include reference data in apps by uploading a CSV file into GoCanvas and referencing it from within an app or through web-based integrations. An app can reference multiple sources of reference data, and multiple apps can use a single source of reference data.

There are many reasons why users may want to use reference data, but the two most popular ones include populating a drop-down list and auto-populating fields. Developers can implement drop-down lists with reference data to allow users to pick from a pre-built table (CSV file) while pulling information mapped to additional columns in that file.  

Manufacturers can benefit from the use of reference data in various ways. A major use case for manufacturers is related to inspections and quality control. Properly inspecting items and ensuring the quality of products coming off the production line is critical for manufacturers to operate effectively and maintain a good reputation. Developers can also use reference data to improve safety checks by customizing evaluations of production lines and process controls.

GoCanvas has plenty of apps that users can use to perform inspections in manufacturing facilities. These apps help ensure that technicians can inspect equipment used in manufacturing and inspect the end-product. The use of reference data can significantly improve the performance and value of these inspections. For example, a manufacturer can use GoCanvas at various points on its production line. Apps can map reference data on a production line so that as a specific object or component passes in front of an inspector or user, that object or element can be selected from a drop-down list or identified with a barcode scanner. Additional columns of reference data in a CSV file can provide users with inspection criteria required to perform an inspection accurately. 

Similarly, quality control processes can ensure that final outputs on a production line meet various criteria and pass quality control measures. Quality control professionals can select items from a drop-down list or use a barcode scanner to pull the correct information to allow them to perform a detailed check of the item. Reference data can standardize the options that users can select when performing quality control. For example, one product may have various electronics and batteries requiring a different set of quality control details than a manually operated item. Reference data can map the multiple components that need to be checked depending on the item type selected. 

One of the most prolific uses for Reference Data is inventory management. Inventory management is a critical step of the supply chain process. The process for companies with inventory to catalog what they have available can be daunting, and there is a high potential for incorrectly handled inventory management to cause problems.  

With reference data, app developers can directly map product lists to various fields of GoCanvas apps. This use of reference data helps to standardize product names and also to pull in other information about a product into the app, such as its pricing, a description of the product, its location in a warehouse or storage area, barcode or SKU numbers, and the expected quantity available, among other information.

Integrating barcode functions with inventory management apps allows barcode scanning with either the native functionality of a mobile device’s camera or the use of external, dedicated barcode scanners.

Users who need to perform physical inventory audits can use GoCanvas and reference data to track the items in the inventory more effectively. Individuals who perform inventory checks can scan the barcode on an item or select the item’s name from a list populated by reference data. If scanning a barcode, the Reference Data can populate the item name and description into the app. Conversely, if an item’s name is selected, the app can display the SKU number, or users can use a barcode scanner to validate the item type. Users can check the number of items counted during an inventory audit and compare them with the number of items available in an ERP or inventory management system. The app can provide additional information to the user, such as the item’s location, the manufacturer of the item, the type or category of the item, and more.

Field service companies are regularly deploying workers into the field to perform a range of different tasks.  

A service worker can select a specific service from the reference data list, and it can populate the app with the correct screens to document that service. Additionally, depending on the service, the app can use reference data to identify different tools or equipment required to perform that service, the service’s pricing, and other important information. This information can ensure the accurate and consistent performance of services every time.

If you have been using GoCanvas for your field service company, you have likely been using the Dispatch feature. The Dispatch Feature integrates with GoCanvas apps that have Dispatch Enabled. Dispatchers can send a push notification and pre-populated app to a Service Technician’s device. Dispatchers can use reference data to generate multiple dispatches with multiple data sets from existing reference data files. This process helps quickly create multiple dispatch instances with various information that the dispatcher can map to the Reference Data fields.

A very straightforward use case for Reference Data is for generating accurate invoices and estimates. A business with a list of the products or services it sells and provides can use Reference Data to ensure the inclusion of up-to-date pricing and consistently name items in generating invoices and estimates. Given a source of Reference Data such as the following table, a user can create an invoice by selecting the Product Name and drop-down field that maps to Product_name. The invoice can include the SKU number by mapping to the Product_sku field, and the pricing automatically populates by mapping to the Product_pricing column. Using this Reference Data keeps Product Names consistent as a user is only able to select “Item A,” “Item B,” or “Item C,” rather than typing the item name which users could write as “Item A,” “A,” “12345A,” or “Item A – 12345A”. This consistent naming schema helps control records’ accuracy while also avoiding issues with entering prices incorrectly or requiring users to refer to outside resources to check an item or service’s pricing.

Product_nameProduct_skuProduct_pricing
Item A12345A9.99
Item B12345B15.99
Item C12345C12.99

Many businesses and buildings are concerned with controlling the visitors that enter buildings and maintaining buildings’ security. Additionally, events regularly limit individuals’ attendance based on whether they have signed up, registered, or purchased tickets. Reference Data in GoCanvas can pull information from a list of attendees, and the app can map different details related to their registration status to their names.  

Buildings with high-security requirements can have a list of potential visitors that identifies the areas they are authorized to visit, notification protocols for when they visit, and specific restrictions on the dates/times they can be on the property. When checking in, a visitor can provide their name. The app can then pull reference data mapped to other information. Security guards can escort individuals who check in to the building areas they are authorized to visit, notify appropriate individuals of their arrival, or deny them access to the building.

For events such as conferences, expos, or other exhibits, event producers generally limit attendance based on whether individuals have tickets, if they are with a specific company, or register at the door. Event managers could use reference data to allow a GoCanvas app to associate a name with identifying if that individual has a ticket or has registered for the event. For unregistered users, a user could allow them to register directly in the GoCanvas app when checking in.

To learn more about using reference data in GoCanvas, check out our GoCanvas Help Center’s Reference Data section. 

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

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The oil and gas industry is a crucial, but risky industry. While the industry has gotten much safer over the years, a recent study by Draeger reveals major gaps we can fix. 


Want to learn more about how mobile technology and data can be used in the oil and gas industry?

Take a look at our new eBook, 4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas.

In it, you’ll learn:

  • How to predict when equipment will fail, and how best to structure your maintenance schedule
  • How data collection can help keep track of complex environmental regulations
  • How to enable quicker decision-making to improve worker safety and health

About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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