Analytics and Data Collection

Paper vs. Digital in Field Work: Real Savings for Construction Crews

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Posted on by Fari

Paper vs. Digital in Field Work: Real Savings for Construction Crews

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In construction, the debate of paper vs. digital isn’t just about convenience—it’s about real cost savings, efficiency, and accuracy. Field crews relying on traditional paperwork often face delays, misplaced documents, and errors that impact project timelines. On the other hand, digital solutions simplify workflows, improve accountability, and save businesses thousands annually.

The Hidden Costs of Paper-Based Processes

Fieldwork is fast-paced, and relying on paper forms slows everything down. From lost receipts to illegible handwriting, paper-based systems create inefficiencies that add up quickly. Studies reveal that paper-related inefficiencies can cost businesses up to $25 million annually per 1,000 employees—driven by lost productivity, misfiled documents, and time-consuming manual processes

Common issues with paper-based fieldwork include:

  • Data entry errors: Illegible handwriting leads to mistakes that require manual corrections.
  • Lost or damaged paperwork: Weather, dirt, and job site conditions make paper forms easy to misplace.
  • Time wasted on manual processes: Workers spend hours completing, sorting, and submitting paperwork instead of focusing on tasks that drive revenue.
  • Storage and retrieval issues: Finding old documents can be a nightmare, leading to costly delays and compliance risks.

Environmental Impact of Paper Use

Beyond the financial costs, paper-based workflows also have a significant environmental impact. The construction industry generates large amounts of paper waste, contributing to unnecessary deforestation and landfill overflow. Digital solutions drastically cut down on paper consumption, reducing a company’s carbon footprint and aligning with sustainability goals. Companies moving toward a digital field process contribute to greener operations and improved corporate social responsibility.

Digitizing Paper for a More Efficient Workflow

Switching to digital solutions eliminates paper-related inefficiencies. A digital field solution like GoCanvas® automates data collection to ensure accurate, real-time reporting from any job site. This means:

  • Instant access to critical data: No more digging through filing cabinets or waiting on physical reports
  • Automatic syncing with project management tools: Integrate QuickBooks with Gocanvas construction software.
  • Faster approvals and workflows: Reduce bottlenecks with real-time digital submissions and approvals.
  • Improved accountability: Keep records digitally secure, organized, and audit-ready.

Industry research shows that businesses using digital solutions can reduce paperwork-related costs via lower printing, storage, and administrative expenses, while also improving operational speed.

Improving Collaboration Across Teams

When crews use paper forms, there is often a disconnect between field workers and office staff. Important data gets lost in transit, approvals are delayed, and communication gaps cause costly errors. Digital solutions improve team collaboration by ensuring everyone has real-time access to updated records, reducing confusion and improving project coordination.

How a Digital Field Worker App Transforms Construction Crews

For construction professionals, a field worker app is a game-changer. Paper processes require multiple handoffs, creating opportunities for lost information and delays. A mobile app streamlines everything from time tracking to safety inspections, allowing workers to submit data from the field instantly.

Key Benefits of a Digital Field Worker App:

  • Improved safety compliance: Instantly capture and submit safety checklists, reducing risks and liability.
  • Improved communication: Connect supervisors and teams in real time, minimizing misunderstandings.
  • Automated expense reporting: Workers can snap photos of receipts, reducing reimbursement delays.

Switching to a digital system with GoCanvas means less time on paperwork and more time on productive work.

Reducing Errors and Boosting Productivity

Manual data re-entry is prone to mistakes, leading to costly project miscalculations and rework. A digital solution captures accurate information the first time, preventing miscommunication and ensuring efficiency. Studies show that companies implementing digital field apps see up to a 34% increase in productivity, as workers spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on essential job duties.

Actual Savings: Paper vs. Digital in Real Numbers

Still wondering if moving away from paper pays off? Here’s what the latest research shows:

  • Employees spend 1.8 hours per day searching for documents — nearly 20% of the average workweek lost to hunting through paperwork.
  • Filing a single paper document costs about $20 in labor, while retrieving a misfiled document costs around $120.
  • Lost documents cost businesses an average of $200 or more to recreate, not including the potential impact on customer service, compliance, or lost revenue.
  • Paper-related inefficiencies cost businesses up to $25 million annually in lost productivity for every 1,000 employees.

By digitizing forms and workflows with GoCanvas, companies dramatically reduce search time, filing costs, and the risk of lost information—freeing up employees to focus on higher-value work.

Paper vs. Digital: A Side-by-Side Snapshot

The Future of Construction: Going Fully Digital

As technology advances, the construction industry is rapidly moving towards full digitization. With the right construction software, field crews can eliminate inefficiencies, boost productivity, and ensure accuracy in every project. Companies using GoCanvas have seen significant improvements in:

  • Jobsite organization: No more stacks of paperwork cluttering the office.
  • Real-time reporting: Faster decision-making with up-to-the-minute data.
  • Financial savings: Lower administrative costs and increased profitability.
  • Stronger data security: Digital records prevent loss, theft, or unauthorized access.

Overcoming Resistance to Digital Change

While transitioning from paper to digital offers clear benefits, some workers may resist change. Training and demonstrating the ease of digital tools can help ensure a smooth transition. Companies that provide hands-on training and clear adoption strategies see a higher success rate when implementing new digital workflows.

Ready to Make the Switch?

By digitizing your workflow, your team can focus on what truly matters: building great projects, not sorting through paperwork. Make the move today and see firsthand how paper vs digital transforms your fieldwork into a seamless, cost-saving operation.The debate of paper vs digital is clear: digital solutions provide measurable cost savings, improved efficiency, and better accuracy for construction crews. Don’t let paperwork slow your business down. Request a demo today and experience how easy it is to streamline field operations with digital tools.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

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Smithfield Cattle Company

Smithfield Cattle Company Saves Time and Reduces Errors by Integrating GoCanvas Analytics into Daily Operations

Industry: Agriculture

HQ Location: Queensland, Australia

Website: Visit Here

Overview

Overview

Smithfield Cattle Company, a custom lot feeding business, has successfully integrated GoCanvas® into its operations to streamline data collection and reporting. This integration has significantly improved operational efficiency, compliance, and decision-making capabilities. By leveraging GoCanvas, Smithfield has been able to capture data electronically, which is then integrated into Power BI dashboards for real-time reporting. This transformation has allowed the company to better manage its remote operations and meet strict reporting requirements under the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme.

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Background

Smithfield Cattle Company operates in the livestock industry, focusing on custom lot feeding for clients. QA and Systems Manager Lisa Watson has played a crucial role in implementing technology solutions to enhance business processes across the company. Smithfield’s operations are spread across remote areas, making reliable data collection and reporting essential. The company’s accreditation under the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme necessitates rigorous reporting standards, which GoCanvas has helped to fulfill.

Highlights

  • Time savings
  • Compliance
  • Decision-making
  • Customization and integration
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Download the PDF

The Problem

The Problem

Before adopting GoCanvas, Smithfield faced significant challenges with traditional paper-based reporting. This method was time-consuming, prone to errors, and often resulted in damaged or lost records due to harsh weather conditions in the field. The lack of real-time data availability hindered decision-making and compliance reporting. Additionally, the operational team’s inability to efficiently submit data from remote sites led to delays in data entry and analysis.

Challenges:

  • Inefficient paper-based compliance documentation
  • Delays in data collection and analysis
  • Resource-intensive data entry

The Solution

The Solution

In 2018, Lisa implemented GoCanvas to digitize the company’s documentation process, citing the GoCanvas platform’s simplicity and reliability as key factors in the decision. With GoCanvas, Lisa created various forms such as job information sheets, site inspections, injury reports, and incident reports that allowed field workers and subcontractors to submit detailed and professional documentation directly from their mobile devices.

Key Features:

  • Digital forms for work orders and inspections
  • Integration with Quickbase for seamless data flow
  • Real-time form submission from the field
  • Consistent and user-friendly interface

The Outcomes

The Outcomes

GoCanvas was implemented to address these challenges by enabling electronic data capture. The platform’s offline capability was particularly beneficial for Smithfield’s remote operations, allowing field teams to collect data without relying on internet connectivity. This data was then synchronized and integrated into Power BI dashboards, providing real-time insights for management. GoCanvas also facilitated automation of tasks such as fuel records, which previously required manual entry into spreadsheets.

With GoCanvas, Smithfield has realized improvements in:

  • Time savings: The transition to GoCanvas significantly reduced data entry time for the company’s administration team. Real-time data availability allowed for quicker decision-making and more efficient management tools.
  • Compliance: GoCanvas simplified compliance reporting by providing easy access to audit-ready records, making it easier for Smithfield to meet annual audit requirements.
  • Decision-making: With real-time data, Smithfield management can make faster decisions on resource allocation and animal welfare, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Customization and integration: GoCanvas’s customizability allowed it to fill gaps in existing systems, making it a versatile tool for various operational needs. Smithfield is using GoCanvas for tasks such as training records and vehicle maintenance, further streamlining operations.

“GoCanvas Analytics has evolved how we manage resources across our sites, directly impacting how effectively we care for over 20,000 cattle at each location.”

–Lisa Watson, Systems and QA Manager

Ready to Streamline Your Operations?

GoCanvas has helped businesses across industries digitize field processes, improve efficiency, and gain real-time insights—all while reducing costs. Ready to see what’s possible? Connect with one of our experts today to start your digital transformation journey.

Book Your Demo

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The True Cost of Paper in Business

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The True Cost of Paper in Business

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The True Cost of Paper in Business

Still using paper for day-to-day operations? It may be costing your business more than you think. From wasted time and money to environmental damage, here’s what paper really costs—and how going digital with GoCanvas® can change everything.

🧾 Financial Costs

  • $725/year per employee spent on printing
  • $20 to file a paper document
  • $120 to retrieve a misfiled document
  • $200+ to replace a lost document
  • $120 to retrieve a misfiled document
  • $200+ to replace a lost document

🌍  Environmental Impact

  • It takes 17 trees + 10,000 gallons of water to make 1 ton of paper.
  • Paper = 25% of landfill waste in the U.S.
  • 45% of printed documents are trashed within 24 hours.
  • 30% of print jobs are never picked up from the printer.
  • The U.S. has <5% of the global population but uses 30% of the world’s paper.

⏳ Productivity Costs

  • 1.8 hours/day are spent searching for documents.
  • 20% of the workweek is lost to paperwork searches.
  • 5% of paper documents are lost.
  • 3% of paper documents are misfiled.
  • Paper documents are copied 19 times on average.
  • Workers make 61 trips/week to the printer/copier.

🚀 Benefits of Going Paperless (with GoCanvas)

  • Save on printing, filing, and storage costs.
  • Reduce errors by 60% with digital forms.
  • Boost productivity by 34%.
  • Enjoy instant access, sharing, and storage via the cloud.
  • Lower your environmental footprint.
  • Access stronger disaster recovery and business continuity.

📲 Ready to Cut Costs and Go Digital?

GoCanvas helps businesses eliminate paperwork, streamline workflows, and accurately capture data from the field—which means no more lost documents, delays, or manual re-entry.

👉 See how it works in action.

[Request a Demo] 

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Peak-Season Prep: Stay on Track with Construction Scheduling

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Posted on by Juanita Martinaglia

Peak-Season Prep: Stay on Track with Construction Scheduling

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As summer approaches, construction companies across the country gear up for their busiest time of year. Field crews expand, jobsites multiply, and deadlines get tighter. But while your team is preparing to ramp up hiring and operations, there’s one critical question: Is your construction scheduling system ready for peak season?

For many operations managers and field supervisors, the real bottleneck isn’t the workload; it’s outdated processes. Relying on paper-based crew scheduling or disconnected systems can turn even simple tasks into costly delays. When every minute counts, manual paperwork and clunky workflows can hold back your entire operation.

Explore how digital forms and workflow automation can help you stay ahead of the curve during the busy season. From optimizing construction scheduling to eliminating admin delays, this guide will help you get organized, stay compliant, and keep every project on track—no matter how chaotic things get.

Why Peak Season Demands a Smarter Approach

Busy season means more jobs, more workers, and more moving parts to manage. But if you’re still juggling paper schedules, text message updates, or spreadsheets that live on one desktop, you’re setting yourself up for slowdowns. Some of the most common peak-season pain points include:

  • Missed or delayed job starts due to unclear scheduling
  • Field crews waiting for assignments or materials
  • Repeated data entry between paper forms and office systems
  • Compliance risks from incomplete or missing documentation
  • Lack of real-time visibility into job progress and crew status

This is where scheduling and dispatch make a difference. In construction, scheduling is the process of determining which crew or task needs to be executed next, at what time, and on which site, while dispatch is sending the right people, equipment, and instructions to the right place. Think of it like this: Scheduling picks the next move, and dispatch makes it happen. 

Efficient scheduling prevents downtime. Smart dispatch ensures the plan is carried out in the field without delays or confusion.

Sound familiar? The good news is that you don’t have to run your busiest months on outdated processes. With construction workflow management tools like GoCanvas®, you can digitize your operations and stay agile through every phase of the project.

Smarter Construction Scheduling Starts in the Field

Whether you’re managing one jobsite or 20, real-time field crew scheduling software makes it easier to coordinate people, equipment, and materials across multiple locations, ensuring the right resources are in the right place at the right time without the usual delays or confusion.

With GoCanvas, you can:

  • Create mobile-first digital forms for job check-ins, timesheets, equipment logs, and more.
  • Schedule crews and dispatch updates directly to their phones or tablets.
  • Eliminate the need for paper schedules and manual data transfers.
  • Track work completion, time on site, and resource usage in real time.
  • Standardize workflows and reduce training time for seasonal hires.

By streamlining crew scheduling and dispatch, your teams spend less time waiting and more time working, keeping projects moving forward even when things get hectic.

Eliminate Paperwork Bottlenecks with Digital Workflows

Peak season isn’t the time to be chasing down missing paperwork. With GoCanvas, your field data flows directly into your system of record—no scanning, retyping, or copying and pasting is required.

Whether you’re documenting daily logs, safety checklists, or inspection reports, you can:

  • Collect consistent data every time with required fields and logic controls.
  • Ensure instant access for office teams, supervisors, and stakeholders.
  • Keep a clear digital trail for compliance and auditing.
  • Eliminate lost forms and manual entry errors.
  • Analyze submissions for trends or delays in real time.

Are manual processes slowing your team down? GoCanvas has the solution! From safety inspections to jobsite reporting, our digital workflows are built to simplify your busiest season.

Peak-Season Planning That Actually Scales

The reality is, many field teams struggle with scale—not because of a lack of talent or tools on the ground, but because their systems aren’t built for growth. The more jobs you take on, the more friction you’ll feel from inefficient scheduling or disconnected data.

GoCanvas helps eliminate that friction by giving you a flexible, scalable solution that grows with your business.

  • Start with your most paper-heavy processes, like crew check-ins or safety audits.
  • Customize forms to match your workflow without any coding.
  • Integrate with Google Sheets or other systems to centralize reporting.
  • Instantly roll out updates across jobsites.
  • Maintain full control over your construction workflow management, no matter the season.

Just like a CPU scheduler chooses the next task and a dispatcher executes it, GoCanvas gives you both the control and execution power you need to run smoother projects. When you combine field crew scheduling software with workflow automation, your operations become leaner, faster, and more responsive.

Ready to See What You Could Be Saving?

Every hour your team spends managing paper schedules or chasing updates represents time and money you could put toward actual work. GoCanvas makes it easy to see how much time you’re losing and how much more you could get done.

Final Thoughts

Peak season doesn’t have to mean chaos. With the right tools, your construction team can scale up operations, reduce downtime, and hit every deadline without the paperwork headaches. Whether you’re looking to improve crew scheduling, boost efficiency with construction workflow management, or gain real-time visibility into field operations, GoCanvas gives you everything you need to stay on track. Request a demo today and learn more about how GoCanvas supports construction scheduling and field efficiency.

REQUEST A DEMO
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

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How to Resolve Field Issues Faster with GoCanvas Follow-Ups

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Posted on by April Jones

How to Resolve Field Issues Faster with GoCanvas Follow-Ups

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In field work, even small issues can snowball into big delays if they aren’t caught and handled quickly. Missed repairs, failed inspections, and incomplete work all impact timelines, budgets, and customer satisfaction.

That’s why GoCanvas® created Follow-Ups—a new feature designed to make field issue resolution faster, easier, and more organized. Whether you’re on a construction site, managing maintenance teams, or overseeing inspections, Follow-Ups gives you a better way to track, assign, and close the loop on issues before they become bigger problems.

Here’s how it works—and how it can transform your day-to-day operations.

What Are Follow-Ups in GoCanvas?

Follow-Ups are digital tasks that are automatically created based on information collected in a form.

Example:

  • A technician notes a failed inspection point during a site visit.
  • Instead of sending an email or hoping someone remembers, a Follow-Up is triggered automatically.
  • The issue is assigned to the right person, with all the details and deadlines needed to fix it fast.

Follow-Ups are directly tied to submitted forms, so everything stays organized, searchable, and trackable—no paper notes, no missed handoffs.

Want to see how? Take a quick tour below!

4 Ways Follow-Ups Help You Resolve Issues Faster

1. Instant Task Assignment

Instead of waiting for office teams to review forms and flag problems, Follow-Ups allow you to assign tasks the moment an issue is found. The right team member gets notified in real-time, reducing lag and speeding up issue resolution.

Up to 35% of a field worker’s time can be lost dealing with unplanned work due to unresolved issues. Catching problems early helps teams stay on track.

–McKinsey & Co.

2. Built-In Accountability

Every Follow-Up includes:

  • A clear issue description
  • A due date
  • An assigned team member
  • A direct link to the original form submission

This level of transparency keeps everyone aligned and accountable—with no confusion over who’s responsible or what needs to happen next.

Nearly 48% of all construction rework stems from poor communication or project data disconnects.

 –Autodesk + FMI Report

3. One Centralized View

With the Follow-Ups dashboard, you can see the status of every issue at a glance, giving you immediate insight into:

  • What’s open
  • What’s overdue
  • What’s been completed

Managers and admins can monitor workflows and manage timelines so every project stays on track.

4. Transparent Reporting for Every Follow-Up

Give customers full visibility into completed work by including Follow-Ups in your PDF reports. You can choose to include or omit Follow-Ups depending on your reporting needs.

You can download a detailed report showing:

  • The original issue
  • The assigned team member
  • Resolution step
  • Completion status

This is especially powerful when working with customers, clients, or auditors, as it creates a clear documented trail of what was reported, when action was taken, and how it was resolved.

The average direct cost of rework in U.S. construction is over $30 billion annually, with rework often costing 5–15% of a project’s total budget.

 –Construction Industry Institute + FMI Research

Use Cases: Where Follow-Ups Make a Big Difference

  • Construction: Track punch list items, safety hazards, and incomplete work.
  • Facilities management: Assign urgent repairs before they escalate.
  • Inspections: Resolve failed checkpoints faster with clear next steps.
  • Field service: Manage callbacks, warranty repairs, and return visits.

Ready to Streamline Your Field Issue Resolution?

Follow-Ups are included in your GoCanvas platform—no add-ons or complicated setups.
Start using them to catch problems early, respond faster, and keep your projects moving forward.

👉 Request a demo to see Follow-Ups in action! Already a GoCanvas customer? Learn how to get started with this step-by-step guide.

REQUEST A DEMO
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

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Real-Time Field Data Entry for Google Sheets

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Posted on by April Jones

Real-Time Field Data Entry for Google Sheets

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Manual data re-entry is one of the biggest bottlenecks for field teams. Whether for job reports, inspections, or daily logs, collecting data on paper or separate systems leads to delays, errors, and extra admin work. For businesses already using Google Sheets to manage information, there’s a faster and more accurate way to get field data where it needs to go.

With GoCanvas®, you can connect your digital forms directly to Google Sheets, automating the flow of information from the field to your spreadsheets in real time. That means no more copying and pasting, no more chasing down paperwork, and no more waiting to make informed decisions.

Here’s how this integration works and why it’s changing the way field teams handle data entry for Google Sheets.

The Problem with Manual Data Re-entry

Manual processes don’t scale. Whether your team is filling out forms on paper or manually uploading results into spreadsheets, valuable time is lost, and mistakes are common.

Some of the biggest issues field teams face include:

  • Double data entry between field and office systems
  • Delays in receiving jobsite data
  • Inaccurate reporting from missed or misread entries
  • Limited visibility into real-time operations

When you rely on disconnected systems, simple tasks like pulling a report or sharing updates with your team become unnecessarily complicated. That’s where real-time automation makes all the difference.

How GoCanvas Connects Your Forms to Google Sheets

GoCanvas allows you to create fully customizable digital forms that work on phones or tablets in the field without any need for paper or manual uploads. With a Google Sheets integration, all submitted form data is instantly sent to your chosen spreadsheet, where it’s organized and quickly made ready to use.

Using this form-to-Google-spreadsheet workflow, you can:

  • Automatically populate sheets with real-time field submissions.
  • Eliminate copy-paste errors and retyping.
  • Organize data into the exact format your business needs.
  • Share live updates with teams, stakeholders, or clients.

Whether you’re tracking service calls, collecting inspection results, or monitoring equipment use, you can turn your GoCanvas forms into a seamless pipeline of live data feeding directly into Google Sheets.

Real-Time Visibility Without the Manual Work

The power of a GoCanvas and Google Sheets integration isn’t just about speed, it’s about having clear and accurate visibility into your operations as they happen. When data flows directly from the field to your spreadsheets, you eliminate the lag time between collection and reporting. No more waiting for end-of-day updates, digging through paper forms, or manually compiling data just to see where things stand.

Instead, every submission—be it a job completion form, safety checklist, or equipment report—automatically populates your spreadsheet the moment it’s sent. That live connection gives your entire team access to real-time insights they can instantly act on.

Here’s how that impacts every level of your business:

  • Field supervisors can monitor job progress as it happens, catch issues early, and keep crews on schedule without the back and forth.
  • Office staff can respond immediately to updates, whether that means dispatching additional resources or processing completed work orders faster.
  • Leadership and management gain a full-picture view of operations with clean, organized data that’s always current—no chasing status updates or waiting on reports.

This kind of visibility empowers your team to be more proactive, more responsive, and more aligned. You get faster reporting, stronger accountability, and more bandwidth to focus on improving operations, not managing spreadsheets or cleaning up after data delays.

With GoCanvas and Google Sheets working together, your field data becomes an always-on, real-time resource that drives smarter, faster decision-making at every level.

Built for Field Services Teams

For industries like construction, utilities, landscaping, and maintenance, field teams are constantly moving between jobsites, often working under tight deadlines and in challenging conditions. In these fast-paced environments, time spent on paperwork isn’t just inefficient—it’s a barrier to productivity and profitability.

That’s why GoCanvas is purpose-built to meet the needs of field services teams. With mobile-first digital forms and seamless Google Sheets integration, teams can collect, submit, and organize critical job data from anywhere—no Wi-Fi or office stop is required.

Instead of filling out paper forms that get lost or delayed, technicians can complete and submit reports directly from their phones or tablets. Everything from checklists and inspections to service reports and work orders can be digitized, standardized, and instantly shared.

With GoCanvas + Google Sheets, field technicians can:

  • Complete digital checklists and inspections in minutes: Reduce time spent on documentation and increase time spent getting work done.
  • Instantly send job details back to the office: Keep office staff and project managers informed in real time, without waiting for end-of-day paperwork.
  • Trigger real-time updates across shared spreadsheets: Ensure everyone from operations to leadership sees the same up-to-date information, with no manual input required.
  • Ensure clean, consistent records for every task: Standardize data collection across teams to avoid discrepancies and improve overall data quality.

Whether you’re tracking asset maintenance, jobsite progress, safety compliance, or service completion, this integration keeps your entire workflow connected—from the field to the office and beyond.

Explore how GoCanvas supports field services operations with tools designed to simplify data collection, improve visibility, and help your team perform at its best, wherever the work takes you.

Start Automating Your Data Today

If your team is already using Google Sheets to track field activity, there’s no reason to keep doing this manually. With GoCanvas, you can automate data entry for Google, reduce admin time, and get instant visibility into every part of your operation.

Explore more about GoCanvas integrations, learn how we support field services teams, and schedule a free demo to see GoCanvas in action.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

Check out even more resources

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Inside the GoCanvas Release: CPO Pete Schulz on Quick Start, Follow-Ups, and API Power

Posted on by April Jones

Inside the GoCanvas Spring Release: CPO Pete Schulz on Quick Start, Follow-Ups, and API Power

| | |

We’re excited to announce that Pete Schulz, formerly VP of product, has stepped into the role of chief product officer for both GoCanvas and SiteDocs! Pete has been a driving force behind our product innovation for years—and now, as CPO, he’s setting the course for our next big chapter.

In this Q&A, Pete shares his perspective on our latest release—featuring Quick Start, Follow-Ups, and enhanced API capabilities—and how these updates represent just the beginning of new features in our approach to building and managing digital workflows.

Q&A with Pete Schulz, Chief Product Officer

Q: First off—congrats on the new role! What does stepping into the CPO position mean for you?

Pete: Thanks! It’s an exciting next step. I’ve been deeply involved with the product side of GoCanvas® for a while, and this new role gives me the opportunity to drive innovation across both GoCanvas and SiteDocs at a broader level. We’re building tools that empower field teams to work smarter and faster—and now I get to help shape that vision more holistically across both platforms. As we mentioned last July, we are now a part of Nemetschek Group, and this will allow us to accelerate innovation. We are also looking forward to integrations with some of our other brands as well. Stay tuned… 

Q: What excites you most about this spring release at GoCanvas?

Pete: This release is a big deal. We are leveraging the power of technology to bring new innovation to market that will make our customers more efficient. With Quick Start, Follow-Ups, and our upgraded API, we’re not just launching features—we’re giving our customers a better way to build, connect, and act on their field data.

Quick Start makes it easier than ever to go digital. Follow-Ups bring accountability and clarity to field issues. Our updated API opens the door to tighter, more flexible integrations. These are the kind of tools that make a real difference in everyday operations.

Q: Let’s talk about Quick Start. What problem is this solving for our users?

Pete: Time. Quick Start helps users create mobile forms in minutes by converting their existing paper forms (or PDFs) into digital forms, while keeping the original layout and branding. That’s huge for companies who want to digitize their processes without starting from scratch. There’s no learning curve, and the familiarity makes adoption easier for teams in the field.

Q: Follow-Ups seem like a powerful tool for managing jobsite issues. How do you see this changing the game for field teams?

Pete: Follow-Ups close the loop between the field and the office. A worker can flag an issue, assign it, and track progress all from one place—while the office gets visibility into what’s happening in real time. It’s a smarter way to manage open tasks, reduce miscommunication, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Q: We’ve also made big strides with the GoCanvas API. What’s new here for our more technical users?

Pete: Our new API updates make it easier than ever for developers to build custom integrations that fit their workflows. We’ve improved functionality, added more robust documentation, added oAuth authentication, and provided sample calls to help teams get up and running quickly. Whether you’re pushing data into your ERP, syncing with your CRM, or triggering workflows in a third-party tool, the GoCanvas API now offers more flexibility and control.

Q: Last question—what’s your big goal as CPO for GoCanvas and SiteDocs?

Pete: My goal is simple: Build tools that make a real impact for the people who use them. Whether that’s saving time, preventing errors, working safer, or getting paid faster, I want our customers to feel like GoCanvas and SiteDocs are helping them run a smoother, smarter business. That’s what drives everything we’re building.


With Pete stepping into his new role and our spring release officially live, the future of GoCanvas is looking bright. Dive into Quick Start, Follow-Ups, and our upgraded API today.

Explore the Spring Release
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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

Check out even more resources

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GoCanvas Integration with QuickBooks for Field Workers

Posted on by April Jones

GoCanvas Integration with QuickBooks for Field Workers

| | |

Simplifying Financial Management with QuickBooks for Field Workers

Managing finances is a crucial yet complex task for field service businesses. Manually tracking invoices, payroll, job expenses, and project costs can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and financial losses. That’s why many companies rely on QuickBooks—an accounting solution designed to streamline bookkeeping, payroll, and expense tracking.

But what if financial management could be even more seamless? Thanks to the GoCanvas® integration with QuickBooks, field teams can sync real-time jobsite data with accounting software, eliminating paperwork and manual data entry while ensuring financial accuracy.

Why Field Service Businesses Use QuickBooks for Accounting

Accounting needs in field service industries differ from other businesses. Teams must track expenses and sales, manage time and payroll, process invoices accurately, and ensure profitability per project. QuickBooks—especially QuickBooks Enterprise and QuickBooks Online Advanced—offers specialized features tailored to these needs.

Key Features of QuickBooks for Field Service Accounting

  • Automated invoicing: Generate and send invoices instantly.
  • Payroll management: Process payroll, calculate overtime, and track union rates.
  • Job cost tracking: Monitor labor and material costs to maintain profitability.
  • Custom financial reporting: Gain insights into profits and expenses to inform better decision-making.
  • Cloud access: Work from anywhere with real-time financial updates.
  • Industry-specific tools: QuickBooks’ contractor edition includes job costing and specialized reporting.
  • Seamless integrations: QuickBooks works with field service apps like GoCanvas to capture jobsite data.

However, even the best accounting software needs accurate, real-time data from the field to be truly effective. That’s where GoCanvas comes in.

How GoCanvas Improves QuickBooks for Field Service Businesses

While QuickBooks helps businesses manage finances, GoCanvas provides the missing link by automating data collection from jobsites. This reduces errors, speeds up processing, and gives businesses better financial oversight.

1. Automating Data Entry from the Field

Manually tracking materials, logging hours, and recording job progress can be time-consuming and error-prone. With GoCanvas:

  • Field teams submit jobsite data using mobile forms.
  • Data syncs instantly with QuickBooks, eliminating manual entry.
  • Business owners and accountants can access real-time financial data without discrepancies.

2. Streamlining Expense and Invoice Management

Many field service businesses struggle with tracking expenses and managing invoices efficiently. Integrating GoCanvas with QuickBooks helps by:

  • Capturing expenses on-site: Employees submit receipts and costs via mobile devices.
  • Automating invoice generation: QuickBooks instantly creates invoices based on job completion data.
  • Improving cash flow: Faster invoicing means reduced payment delays.

3. Improving Payroll Accuracy and Time Tracking

Managing payroll in the field service industry can be complex, with different rates, overtime, and compliance requirements. With GoCanvas and QuickBooks Time, businesses can:

  • Accurately track employee work hours in real time.
  • Automate wage and overtime calculations.
  • Reduce payroll disputes and ensure timely payments.

4. Keeping Financial Reports Up to Date

Real-time financial insights are critical for field service businesses. The GoCanvas–QuickBooks integration helps by:

  • Generating reports on job expenses and profitability
  • Identifying cost overruns before they affect the bottom line
  • Providing accurate forecasting for future business planning

Why Integrate QuickBooks and GoCanvas?

Field service businesses need a complete financial management solution. By integrating GoCanvas with QuickBooks, companies can:

  • Reduce admin work: Automate bookkeeping and eliminate manual data entry.
  • Improve accuracy: Eliminate duplicate forms and accounting errors.
  • Improve cash flow: Streamline invoicing and expense tracking.
  • Stay compliant: Reduce audit risks with accurate financial records.
  • Customize workflows: Tailor QuickBooks features to specific business needs.

Choosing the Right QuickBooks Version for Your Business

The best QuickBooks version depends on your business size and needs. Your options include:

  • QuickBooks Online Advanced: Ideal for businesses needing cloud-based access and easy integration with GoCanvas.
  • QuickBooks Enterprise: Best for larger businesses requiring advanced reporting and job costing.
  • QuickBooks Desktop: A solid choice for businesses preferring on-premise software with robust accounting tools.
  • Contractor Edition: Designed for field service businesses needing job-specific reports and cost tracking.

How to Set Up QuickBooks and GoCanvas for Your Business

  1. Choose the right QuickBooks version: Select the one that fits your accounting needs.
  2. Download the GoCanvas app: Equip your field teams with mobile access.
  3. Sync GoCanvas with QuickBooks: Automate data transfer from jobsites to accounting records.
  4. Train your team: Ensure employees know how to log expenses, time, and project updates.
  5. Get support if needed: Work with our team to ensure a smooth integration.

The Future of Field Service Accounting with GoCanvas and QuickBooks

More businesses are shifting to cloud-based financial management for flexibility and accessibility. Unlike QuickBooks Desktop, cloud solutions enable owners to collaborate with accountants and access financial data anytime. GoCanvas improves this by capturing real-time field data, ensuring QuickBooks remains up-to-date.

Key Questions to Consider When Choosing an Accounting Solution

  • Does it integrate with existing field service apps?
  • Can it track expenses and job costs in real time?
  • Does it automate invoicing and payroll processing?
  • Is it customizable to match your business operations?
  • Does it include features like job management and time tracking?

Go Digital with GoCanvas—Say Goodbye to Paperwork

You don’t have to rely on outdated, paper-based processes anymore. QuickBooks automates accounting, while GoCanvas ensures accurate real-time data submission from the field. Think of QuickBooks as your financial hub and GoCanvas as the bridge connecting jobsites to your accounting system. Learn more about our QuickBooks integration and see a demo in action.

Ready to simplify bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll?

Request a custom demo today—because managing your business finances should be as efficient as your field operations!

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

Check out even more resources

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How Digital Work Orders Impact Your Key Business Outcomes

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Read Blog
Woman reviewing data via her mobile phone.

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See how GoCanvas can help your business streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive results.

Book Your Demo

Introducing The Studio: Next-Generation Form Building with Brent Nieder

Posted on by lynne salie

Introducing “The Studio”:
A Conversation with Brent Nieder,
VP of Product at GoCanvas

| |

At GoCanvas, we’ve always strived to push the boundaries of mobile data capture. After 16 years of innovation, we’re proud to introduce our latest feature: The Studio. To give you an insider’s perspective, we sat down with Brent Nieder, our VP of product, who has been a driving force behind GoCanvas for over 13 years.

Q: Brent, can you give us a quick overview of what The Studio is and why it’s such a big deal for GoCanvas® customers?

Brent: Absolutely! The Studio is our next-generation form and workflow-building platform. It’s a modernized, all-in-one tool that combines the power of our Builder, Designer, and workflow collaboration features. We’ve built it from the ground up to deliver a streamlined, intuitive experience for our customers. The first feature we’re rolling out in The Studio is Quick Start, which allows users to upload a PDF of their existing forms, drag and drop fields, and test their mobile data capture solution all within the same space. It’s fast, super simple, and designed to get teams who are new to digital data collection up and running in minutes.

Q: What inspired the creation of The Studio?

Brent: We know how painful it is to be asked to take time out of your busy workday to learn another new tool. Over the last 17 years, we’ve learned a lot about our customers’ mobile data capture needs. The Studio was born out of a desire to combine everything we’ve learned and deliver a new solution that’s the easiest to use in the industry without sacrificing the powerful flexibility our customers know and love. With Quick Start, we’re addressing a key pain point: “Make it way easier for businesses to start filling out digital forms.”

Q: Who will benefit the most from Quick Start?

Brent: Quick Start is perfect for anyone who wants to simplify mobile field data capture. It’s especially great for:

  • Workers with simple forms who don’t want to spend hours on setup
  • Teams with existing PDF reports who want to maintain their look and feel
  • New users who are just starting their journey with mobile tools

If you have a straightforward form and want to deploy it quickly to your field workers, Quick Start is the ideal solution.

Q: How does Quick Start make form building easier?

Brent: It’s all about simplicity. You start by uploading a blank PDF copy of your existing form. Then, you drag and drop fields like dropdowns or photo capture directly onto your PDF. You can customize field placement, font styles, and settings (like making fields required). You can even preview how your form will work on mobile devices and download a sample report to make sure everything looks just right—all without leaving The Studio.

Pa(in)perwork

❌ Slow

❌ Frustrating

❌ Costly

Go Digital

Make the Switch

Q: Are there any limitations with Quick Start that users should be aware of?

Brent: Yes, Quick Start is designed for simplicity, so it doesn’t include some advanced features like conditional logic, loops, or GPS fields. It’s perfect for straightforward forms but not ideal for complex workflows. That said, we’re continuously evolving The Studio, so users can expect more advanced features to be introduced over time.

Q: What about AI? How does it fit into the future?

Brent: We’ve identified a handful of areas we believe AI can help our customers turn 5-minute processes into 5-second processes. Assisting in building forms and workflows, helping review and interpret your data, and making it easier to fill out forms are three areas we’re actively exploring. To be clear, we have no interest in adding AI for the sake of adding AI. We’re only interested in investing in AI solutions that will genuinely help our customers. Much more to come on this soon!

Q: What’s next for The Studio?

Brent: This is just the beginning. We’re planning to add even more functionality, including an AI form-building assistant that will make creating complex forms and workflows faster and easier than ever. New field types, more robust report designing, more flexible processes, and even better API support are all coming. Our goal is to make The Studio the go-to platform for all mobile data capture needs, whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise.

Q: Any final thoughts for our readers?

Brent: We’re incredibly excited about what The Studio represents for GoCanvas and our customers. It’s a culmination of years of experience and feedback, and we’re confident it’ll make a huge difference for teams looking to streamline their workflows. I encourage everyone to give Quick Start a try and see how it can transform the way you work.

Ready to see Quick Start in action?

Take the interactive tour below to explore its features or book a free demo with one of our product experts to learn more.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas®, part of the Nemetschek Group, is an all-in-one digital solution that transforms the way businesses connect their office and field teams. Our user-friendly platforms simplify and streamline tasks like scheduling, dispatch, inspections, daily reports, work orders, and invoicing—digitizing paper processes to enhance safety and ensuring maximum compliance with industry standards.

Like a Swiss Army knife for the field, it’s versatile, reliable, and built to handle any task—letting you focus on the work that matters.

Check out even more resources

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Whether you have two or 200 employees, your business’ success depends on their hard work. Passionate, motivated team players are the difference between…

Read the Blog
Two people in hard hats looking off camera.

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Field service management software has shown to increase productivity both for employees in the field and operations teams in the office. You may be wondering how field service…

Read the Blog
Person in safety vest smiling.

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Mobility and field service: the talk has been happening forever. The idea that real-time information improves customer service and boosts technician productivity is changing…

Read the eBook

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

5 Best Practices for Small Business Data Collection

Posted on by lynne salie

5 Best Practices for Small Business Data Collection

| |

Data collection is critical for any small business. After all, the data you collect can help you make better decisions about your customers, your marketing strategy, and even your overall business strategy. But collecting data can be a challenge, especially for small businesses.

No matter what industry or niche you’re in, one of the things that can make or break you is how you handle data collection. There are many different types of data collection such as survey questions, demographics questionnaires, customer data, web analytics, and more—the important thing is that you have a system in place to collect this data so you can use it to improve your business.

Failing to follow the best practices for data collection can have serious consequences, such as decreased customer satisfaction, lower data quality, and even legal issues. Small businesses should focus on data collection as much, if not more, than bigger businesses because they don’t have the same resources to fall back on. A big business might be OK with losing a few invoices a month and missing out on $10,000 in potential revenue. But can you afford to do the same?

Here are a few best practices for small businesses to follow for successful data collection:

1. Create a Process for Data Management

There are many different methods of data collection, so the most important thing is to have a process in place. Whether you’re just getting started with your data collection efforts or refocusing your approach, this process should be repeatable and scalable so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel as your company grows.

There are many aspects to consider when creating your process for data collection, such as:

  • How will you collect the data?
  • Who will be responsible for collecting the data?
  • When will the data be collected?
  • How often will the data be collected?
  • What format will the data be collected in?

Avoiding time-consuming and costly mistakes is essential for small businesses across the board, and data collection is no exception. Defining the data set you need and how you will collect it from the outset will help save time and money down the line.

2. Be Consistent with Data Integrity

Data integrity is essential for small businesses. This means that the data you collect needs to be accurate and consistent. There are a few ways to ensure this:

  • Use the same method of data collection each time: This could be surveys, customer feedback forms, web analytics, or something else.
  • Create a data dictionary: A data dictionary is a reference tool that defines all of the data points you’re collecting and how they should be used. This is especially helpful to ensure consistency if you have multiple team members responsible for data collection.
  • Use templates: Templates help ensure that the data is collected in a consistent format, which will make it easier to analyze and use the information later on.
  • Stick to a time frame: Timing is everything when it comes to data collection. Collecting data at the same time each day, week, or month will help you spot trends over time.

Being consistent with your data collection methods is crucial so you can track your efforts and unlock the ability to make data-informed business decisions.

3. Collect and Store Your Data Securely

You are probably collecting various types of information from your customers, partners, and employees, in addition to the data you track about your own business. At GoCanvas®, we help our clients store their data securely in the cloud, so there’s no need to worry about file cabinets or physical storage space.

4. Make Data Collection Simple

Another best practice for small business data collection is to make it as simple as possible for your workforce and/or your customers to get you the information you’re looking for. No one wants to fill out a 20-question survey, so try to keep things short and sweet. You can also use incentives to encourage participation in surveys or feedback forms.

Instead of asking people to fill out paper forms, why not use online surveys? You’ll get your raw data back quickly, securely, and in real time, and you won’t have to deal with terrible handwriting, torn pages, or lost forms.

Pa(in)perwork

❌ Slow

❌ Frustrating

❌ Costly

Go Digital

Make the Switch

5. Evaluate and Improve Your Data Collection Process

As a business owner, it’s important to set time aside to take a step back and evaluate your data collection efforts—as well as the data itself. Ask yourself what’s working and what’s not working, Using Analytics features and technologies (signature capture, integrations, GPS recording, barcode scanning, calculations, etc.) can help you improve the quality of your data and highlight any elements of your data collection process that are holding you back. As you know, tightening the sales cycle in a small business is incredibly important for growth and sustainability.

Modernize the Way Your Small Business Collects Data

Whether you are looking to improve your data handling processes or advance reporting, we hope you consider using GoCanvas as your data collection tool. Sign up for GoCanvas free and give our platform a try today!

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Check out even more resources

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Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together
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