GoCanvas Field Services Success Kit

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Transform Your Field Services Business with GoCanvas

Two people in hard hats looking off camera.

Streamline Productivity and Efficiency

GoCanvas provides a field service software solution that streamlines productivity and efficiency, so more work can be completed to generate more revenue, data can be analyzed, and time can be saved.

  • Reduce the risk of technical errors, lost paperwork, and typos by digitizing your paper maintenance agreements. 
  • Generate customer-focused inspections and work orders to deliver accurate, near-real-time information. 
  • Enable your operations to grow revenue with easy-to-use and customizable invoicing templates.

Forms Built for Your Processes

Make it easy for field teams to collect field data on job histories, equipment, and assets, and how long a job takes, so you get detailed info for analysis and action. GoCanvas’ online forms give you one place to connect your extended supply chain, including field techs, contractors, vendors, service providers, help desk, and central administrative operations.

Estimates – Work Orders – Invoices 
  • Use our estimation app to make an accurate estimate of the financial breakdown of each project for your client 
  • Once the estimate is completed, compile all of the job details into a work order form 
  • Then invoice the client right from your mobile device or tablet
Installation Report 
  • Increase and ensure the quality of work and customer satisfaction 
  • Get near real-time analytics of jobs being completed 
  • Streamline installation processes all from a mobile device or tablet
Maintenance Agreement 
  • Reduce time spent waiting for the customer’s approval 
  • Ensure agreements and information is documented and kept on file in case ever needed

Ready to Rethink How You Work?

GoCanvas has helped a variety of businesses across multiple industries transform their safety processes and rethink their efficiency, ultimately saving them money. Why not do the same? Reach out to one of our experts today to kickstart your process revolution.

About Us

GoCanvas

Since 2008, GoCanvas has been the go-to for job site management and compliance in construction and manufacturing. We are on a mission to eliminate paperwork, streamline workflows, and become an indispensable tool for any business owner. Together with Device Magic, our customizable mobile forms solution delivers seamless simplicity and optimal productivity. See why our 4 million monthly users chose GoCanvas and unlock your potential with our user-friendly platform.

Device Magic

Simplify fire protection management and enjoy streamlined workflows. With Device Magic’s real-time data collection and reporting, ensure compliance and make quicker decisions for faster response to identified issues. Our form builder and GoCanvas partnership enable easy operation management from your mobile device. Enhance fire inspections, safety and compliance, and payments to achieve efficiency and protect your bottom line with Device Magic and GoCanvas.

Check out even more resources

Two people in an office looking at a tablet.

Improving Your Operations with Field Service Management Software

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

Two people in hard hats looking off camera.

Should You Connect Field Service Management Software with QuickBooks?

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…

Person in safety vest smiling.

How the Best Field Services Businesses Use Mobile Apps

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…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Drive Bottom-line Results with Data Analytics

Drive Bottom-line Results 
with Data Analytics

Today’s top businesses use analytics to power smarter, faster decisions. Learn how to harness the power of your data and propel your business to new heights.

In this on-demand webinar, Device Magic experts Connie Leeper and Mae Bouley share the most common analytics dashboards clients are using to optimize performance and fuel growth.

  • Maximize profit margins: Compare timesheets, invoice rates, and fixed costs.
  • Drive cost-efficiency: Eliminate bottlenecks and strategically allocate resources.
  • Mitigate risk: Identify and address small issues before they become big problems.

Discover the potential of data analytics firsthand by filling in the form.

Check out even more resources

Man inputting digital work order into a tablet from a work site.

How Digital Work Orders Impact Your Key Business Outcomes

Is your company still using paper sheets to manage work orders? The drawbacks of using paper forms are often hidden, making it difficult to understand the true impact of paper forms on a business...

Woman reviewing data via her mobile phone.

See How Centurion Got Amazing ROI from GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors throughout Western Australia, Queensland & the Northern Territory...

A man reviewing data on tablet collected by GoCanvas solutions.

5 Tips to Improve How Your Business Collects Data

Companies rely on collecting data in order to operate. In a fast-changing world, companies that focus on streamlining and improving their data collection processes will be able to do more. The good news is that it’s become easier than ever for businesses of all... 

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Recording: Drive Bottom-line Results with Data Analytics

Drive Bottom-line Results with Data Analytics

Webinar Overview:

In this webinar, Device Magic experts Connie Leeper and Mae Bouley will share the most common analytics dashboards clients are using to optimize performance and fuel growth, including inspection reports, work orders, and timesheets.

About Us

GoCanvas

Since 2008, GoCanvas has been the go-to for job site management and compliance in construction and manufacturing. We are on a mission to eliminate paperwork, streamline workflows, and become an indispensable tool for any business owner. Together with Device Magic, our customizable mobile forms solution delivers seamless simplicity and optimal productivity. See why our 4 million monthly users chose GoCanvas and unlock your potential with our user-friendly platform.

Device Magic

Simplify fire protection management and enjoy streamlined workflows. With Device Magic’s real-time data collection and reporting, ensure compliance and make quicker decisions for faster response to identified issues. Our form builder and GoCanvas partnership enable easy operation management from your mobile device. Enhance fire inspections, safety and compliance, and payments to achieve efficiency and protect your bottom line with Device Magic and GoCanvas.

Check out even more resources

Man inputting digital work order into a tablet from a work site.

How Digital Work Orders Impact Your Key Business Outcomes

Is your company still using paper sheets to manage work orders? The drawbacks of using paper forms are often hidden, making it difficult to understand the true impact of paper forms on a business…

Woman reviewing data via her mobile phone.

See How Centurion Got Amazing ROI from GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors throughout Western Australia, Queensland & the Northern Territory…

A man reviewing data on tablet collected by GoCanvas solutions.

5 Tips to Improve How Your Business Collects Data

Companies rely on collecting data in order to operate. In a fast-changing world, companies that focus on streamlining and improving their data collection processes will be able to do more. The good news is that it’s become easier than ever for businesses of all… 

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

The Cost of Doing Nothing

business people discussing project

The Cost of Doing Nothing

 

Overview:

See how the “Cost of Doing Nothing” is actually costing a lot; costing time, costing money, and costing your reputation. Learn how GoCanvas, with its customizable digital forms and automated workflows, can help you streamline your operations, improve your communication, and meet deadlines.

Check out even more resources

Man inputting digital work order into a tablet from a work site.

How Digital Work Orders Impact Your Key Business Outcomes

Is your company still using paper sheets to manage work orders? The drawbacks of using paper forms are often hidden, making it difficult to understand the true impact of paper forms on a business…

Woman reviewing data via her mobile phone.

See How Centurion Got Amazing ROI from GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors throughout Western Australia, Queensland & the Northern Territory…

A man reviewing data on tablet collected by GoCanvas solutions.

5 Tips to Improve How Your Business Collects Data

Companies rely on collecting data in order to operate. In a fast-changing world, companies that focus on streamlining and improving their data collection processes will be able to do more. The good news is that it’s become easier than ever for businesses of all… 

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Tired of Drowning in Paperwork?

Tired of Drowning in Paperwork?

Overview:

Are you overwhelmed with paperwork? Find out how delaying the digitization of your operations can adversely affect your billing, slow down your team, and put your reputation at risk.

With GoCanvas’ easy-to-adopt digital forms and seamless integrations, you can streamline your operations, improve communication, and ultimately get paid faster. Don’t let paperwork hold you back – digitize your operations with GoCanvas today.

Check out even more resources

Two people in an office looking at a tablet.

Improving Your Operations with Field Service Management Software

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

Two people in hard hats looking off camera.

Should You Connect Field Service Management Software with QuickBooks?

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…

Person in safety vest smiling.

How the Best Field Services Businesses Use Mobile Apps

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…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

eBook Content: How The Best Field Service Businesses Use Mobile Apps

Man on tablet in front of a moving truck.

How The Best Field Service Businesses Use Mobile Apps

Introduction

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 the entire industry. According to a Field Technologies Online survey, 33 percent of sampled field service organizations said their top strategic initiative was optimizing mobile operations with the latest technologies.

What is the real problem with paper documentation? How are companies using mobile apps? What are the features that strengthen your business? What’s the best way to transition to a mobile app?

Working with thousands of field service companies, we’ve heard these questions a lot. So, we decided to share our answers in this ebook. We hope this information helps you think strategically about mobile apps and make the best decision for your business.

Chapter 1: The One Thing Robbing You of Billable Hours and Slowing Your Sales Cycle

You work hard to provide the best service. But paperwork orders, service reports, estimates, and other documentation rob you of time and money. Here’s how:

Paper forms make you wait hours or days for information

Paper forms take hours or days to return back to your office. Slow information delays sending out invoices and following up with customers.

Worse, your employees spend too much time getting information. They may have to run to and from the office just to get the details of the next job. This struggle means fewer jobs per day and fewer billable hours.

In both cases, sharing information via paper is a struggle. Going mobile removes this issue; all forms filled out on a mobile app are immediately available in the cloud. Receive information from the field in real-time. With dispatch, you can easily send mobile notifications to employees with information about jobs.

For instance, at the beginning of the day, you can send out mobile work orders to technicians with the time of appointment, the customer’s address, and a brief note about the customer’s issue inside the work order. Your employees immediately receive the information on their smartphone or tablet. Less time waiting, more time working.

You’re wasting that information… again

Even after your reports return from the field, employees have to type up that information. If you spend just one hour a day on data entry, that adds up to over 200 hours in a year.

More than time, data entry creates opportunities for errors. You may have heard about the National Health Service error where 20,000 men were pregnant in Britain. It wasn’t a fluke of nature, just bad data entry.

While hilarious, data entry errors are common. In field service, these errors lead to inaccurate invoices, incorrect purchase orders, and unnecessary work.

Going mobile dramatically reduces these issues. All information is immediately available in the cloud and can be emailed to customers or partners.

Furthermore, that information can be integrated into other software programs and databases. A simple CSV export makes it easy to take your information from the cloud into a variety of programs including QuickBooks, Salesforce, and more.

Paper allows for errors

Even before data entry, paper forms allow for a variety of mistakes. First, there are the forms that never come back at all. They get lost somewhere between the work site and your office. This can be a huge issue: one company found that missing work orders were costing it up to $10,000 a month.

Not only do you have missing forms, but also unreadable text, missing fields, and bad information. This makes billing and paying employees harder and slower. Going mobile ensures you get accurate information the first time. No more handwriting, just clear text. Add automatic time and date stamps to know how long your employee was on site working on a problem. Use your own list of materials, pricing, and more inside an app. With calculations, it’s easy to create an accurate quote on-site.

Tired of forms returning incomplete? Make fields required. One click ensures that these fields can’t be skipped.

Human error is a part of life, but going mobile reduces errors and creates more accurate reports.

You wait to get paid for

Even after onsite work is finished, there’s more work to be done just to get paid. You have to bring back the work order, fill out an invoice, and then send it out to a customer. This can add on days or weeks to your sale cycle.

But what if you could get paid on-site as soon as you finish? With GoCanvas, you can. Simply fill out your form, and calculate the price of the work inside the app. Our mobile payments functionality allows you to charge on-site. Accept credit or debit cards, or take cash or check.

Your customer gets a receipt in their inbox as a part of their copy of the work order or invoice. You get paid the same day your work is done. And that sales cycle that took forever? It’s done in one day.

Using paper for your records costs you time and money. Worse, it often causes more errors along the way. Going mobile allows you to get paid the same day you do your work, and share information in real-time inside your business and with your customers.

Mobile apps shorten your sale cycle, increase your billable hours, and save your office hundreds of hours a year.

Chapter 2: Improve Your Internal Visibility with Mobile Apps

Whether you have two or 200 employees, your business’ success depends on their hard work. Passionate, motivated team players are the difference between surviving and thriving. But in field service, your employees are often far from the office.

So how do you know which employees are carrying their weight? Time cards and field reports can be one way of trying to find out. But paper forms take time to get back, and are limited in information. Mobile apps can improve your internal visibility and ability to make strategic decisions faster.

Time and date stamps

Let’s say your paperwork order says the work took three hours, but what if the customer only remembers the work taking two hours? This puts you in an awkward position with your customers and employees.

By going mobile you can create more accurate records of hours worked. Simply open up a work order or service report, and the time is automatically entered. The app can even calculate the time worked based on clocking in and clocking out.

Time and date stamps ensure better accuracy and fewer issues for both invoices and payroll. Mobile time cards help businesses spend less on tracking employees and more on their actual work.

Pictures

Sometimes, the work you need to do is obvious. You need to fix a major water leak or install a heating system. But for some businesses, like pest control, the work can be less obvious. Or if your work is technical, like pool maintenance, text can be confusing to customers. For the office, text isn’t verifiable. 

Adding pictures can be incredibly helpful for your business and customers. With one click, a mobile app gives you a great visual. It’s easier to show termite damage with a photo than with words. Visuals make it easy for both your office and customers to understand. Photos educate clients and build trust in your work and analysis. Your business enjoys visual confirmation that work is either needed or was performed.

Dispatch

Sending out job information to field employees can be a hassle. Either they have to drive to and from the office between jobs, wasting time and gas. Or, they have to constantly check their email or phone for job information. How can you be sure that they get it, and follow through on the work? 

A dispatch system improves communication and provides more oversight. Dispatch with GoCanvas can also track the progress of these appointments. 

The dispatch feature will show when employees opened the dispatch when they started filling out the work order, and when it was completed. Sharing job information becomes easier, and you know when the job is done in real-time. 

Oversight is never perfect. However, mobile apps allow you to have a better understanding of field employees’ work — not only when and where employees work, but also what they do. Being available in real-time also helps you make strategic decisions about your workforce and ensure you have the strongest and most effective team.

Chapter 3: How a Texas Moving Company Saved $175,000 with GoCanvas

Highlights 

  • Savings of $175,000 in processing and labor costs • Improved information collection 
  • Stronger management oversight 

Apps Used 

  • Bill of Lading 
  • Damage Report 

Background 

Founded in 1996 by owner Kenny Baker, AB Moving has a fleet of 72 trucks, serving customers in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. The company is headquartered in Allen, a Dallas suburb, with 15 office employees, and all moving is done by subcontractors. The company and its 72 mover teams complete as many as 700 jobs each week. 

AB Moving has been moving homes and businesses for over 20 years. AB understands they aren’t just moving customer’s possessions, but their lives. 

Yet paper wasn’t serving the company well. In 2009, AB Moving started using a sophisticated software application to record customer, job booking, and move data. But drivers were still using paper bills of lading and damage reports. 

The result? All movers had to come into the office at 5 a.m. to pick up that day’s assignments. Though AB Moving had sophisticated technology, it struggled to get information from the field integrated back into its system. 

Brent Davis, the general manager, knew they could do better. “I was an auto adjuster for 17 years,” Brent says, “and was also the guy who test-piloted all the new technology. I’m just blessed with the ability to see how things can be done in the most efficient way.” 

So Brent began looking for a technology fix that would eliminate as much of the paper as possible. 

Solution & Results 

In January 2014, AB Moving made the switch to GoCanvas, the global leader in mobile apps for business. Thousands of organizations leverage GoCanvas’s cloud-based, software-as-a-service mobile app platform to replace cumbersome paper forms with highly customizable mobile business apps. 

Businesses can search from over 16,000 ready-made apps in the GoCanvas Application Store that can be customized to an individual business user’s needs. In addition, GoCanvas offers a do-it-yourself app builder that enables non-technical users to build their own apps in minutes. 

Over the past year, AB Moving drivers have stopped using paper and started to use Samsung Galaxy tablets and GoCanvas mobile apps. The company has discovered measurable results, including: 

Substantial Financial Savings 

Previously, AB Moving took payment with a manual credit card machine or over the phone. However, this process was slow, cumbersome, and had high fees. By going digital, AB Moving has lower fees, and estimates they’ve saved $125,000 in fees alone.

AB Moving’s previous process was also time-consuming for office employees. They would spend hours matching contracts and credit card receipts, taking credit card information over the phone, and printing bills of lading. By streamlining this process, AB has saved another $50,000 in employee time. 

In total? AB Moving has saved $175,000 by switching to GoCanvas. 

Measurable Time Savings 

AB Moving’s drivers work through many parts of Texas, often far from the office. Previously, all drivers would have to come into the office at 5 a.m. to pick up their jobs for the day. Davis recalls with a cringe, “If it was raining outside, they would come in and get the papers all wet. It was awful.” 

With GoCanvas, the office can set up all moves the day beforehand. The light dispatch feature allows AB Moving to pre-populate bill of lading forms so movers know where they need to go and what to do. The matching and scheduling process that once took hours or days is now available in minutes. 

Dispatch reduces the number of unproductive miles for drivers. AB Moving saves gas and time. 

Improved Data Collection 

AB Moving also receives stronger and more accurate information from GoCanvas. Previously, it would have to compensate customers up to 90 days after the move, since it didn’t have proof that items were already damaged. 

Today, movers can easily take photos of items damaged before moving. With all information in the cloud, the photos are easy to find and always accessible. Photos have reduced the number and costs of post-move damage claims. 

In addition, bills of lading are required by state law to be signed. Davis explains, “There are fines for incomplete forms. With the GoCanvas application, the movers can’t upload the form until everything is complete and it is signed. It’s bulletproof now, and that is saving us a lot of money in fines.” 

GoCanvas does this by easily making fields required. With paper, nothing stopped a form from being returned only half-finished. A driver can skip a field in the GoCanvas mobile app, but if a field is required, he won’t be able to submit the app until the required fields are completed. So AB Moving no longer struggles with missing information in their forms. 

Real-Time Oversight 

With a dispersed workforce, AB Moving struggled to get information about its workforce in an easy manner. Who booked the move? How did the customer hear about AB Moving? Were any packaging supplies sold? 

Today all reports are submitted immediately, so AB Moving can understand information in real time. The company is even taking this data further: data from each job is integrated with a home-grown application that AB Moving developed.

Through that application, Davis says, “Now I can see exactly what every mover did, who booked the move, the referral source, any boxes and other packaging supplies we sold. We can track anything we need to.” 

What once were disparate files are now seamlessly connected and available for understanding not in a week, but the very same day. 

Flexibility to Meet Evolving Business Needs 

As a cloud-based, mobile platform combined with an easy-to-use mobile app builder, GoCanvas provides AB Moving the flexibility to add new features and functionality to any of its mobile apps. As needs evolve and change, GoCanvas makes editing apps a frictionless process. 

For instance, as prices change, it’s easy for AB Moving to upload a new price list into its GoCanvas apps. The company doesn’t need to rely on IT support or have any knowledge of coding. With GoCanvas, it’s a simple drag-and-drop interface that anyone can use. 

Today, AB Moving has ditched paper for mobile apps. Having taken back time in the workday, the company can focus on helping people move easily throughout Texas.

Chapter 4: How The Best Field Service Companies Go Mobile

You know going mobile has benefits for businesses. But any change is an investment of time and money. So how are the best companies in the industry getting started with mobile apps? 

1. Start with a common form 

Choose a form you use every day. Maybe it’s a work order, or perhaps a service form. Choose something that you use frequently and move it to a mobile app. Starting with a form you use daily means you’ll be able to test it often and perfect the process. 

There are multiple ways to build your app with GoCanvas. You can build it from scratch with our mobile app builder. Our simple drag-and-drop platform makes it easy and requires no coding. 

Another option is to choose an app from our mobile application store. We have over 400 mobile apps in field service alone. All of these can be edited for the perfect fit. 

Don’t have time to build your own? Not a problem, send us your form, and we’ll convert it for you. 

No matter which way you go, choosing a frequently used form makes the initial process easier, and more sustainable in the long run. 

2. Think about the information you need and want 

Look at what does and doesn’t work in your form now. Are you consistently missing certain information? Consider making these fields required. Tired of inaccurate invoices? Calculations are a great asset to ensure accurate charges. 

With mobile apps, you can collect more information. Why not add a before and after image for customers? Perhaps add a coupon for customers in your PDF receipt. Automate labor, material, and tax calculations so your field techs don’t have to manually calculate the math. Or add barcode scanning to help your technicians understand the equipment they’re working with. 

Mobile apps provide endless options to engage customers and improve your understanding of your business. Depending on what you want to know, GoCanvas mobile apps can make that easier to find out. 

3. Test it 

To ensure your mobile app works best, test with a small group of employees to find any issues before full implementation. Often, companies will test with technologically savvy users and those more comfortable with flip phones. Have these employees use the mobile apps as they would in their day-to-day work. 

Test periods also help generate employee interest. Even during a trial, co-workers start seeing that using GoCanvas makes their work faster and easier. Employees begin to ask to go mobile! 

4. Be open to feedback 

To successfully implement your mobile app, you need to listen to the experiences of employees using it. Even after testing, it’s crucial that all your employees using GoCanvas feel like they can bring up issues. 

Sometimes the issue is small. One field service company struggled to implement because technicians had nowhere to put their gloves. With the gloves on, they couldn’t use the touch screen. By giving employees a belt clip, not only was the company able to remove the pain point, but also got more employees to use GoCanvas. 

Testing is crucial to help make the process smooth to start. Listening to feedback and addressing employees’ pain points will ensure wider implementation and long-term success. 

5. Contact us 

Every customer at GoCanvas is assigned a consultant. Available via phone, chat, or email, we are here to answer any of your questions. Something that may seem impossible, could need a simple fix. With years of experience, we’re ready and available to make your mobile app experience and adoption a seamless and easy transition. 

No two businesses, even in field service, are alike. However great field service companies use similar tactics to ramp up with mobile apps effectively. These strategies, from starting with one common form to feedback, will help ensure that your whole team uses GoCanvas and that it helps you do business.

Ready to Rethink How You Work?

GoCanvas has helped a variety of businesses across multiple industries transform their safety processes and rethink their efficiency, ultimately saving them money. Why not do the same? Reach out to one of our experts today to kickstart your process revolution.

Check out even more resources

Two people in an office looking at a tablet.

Improving Your Operations with Field Service Management Software

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

Two people in hard hats looking off camera.

Should You Connect Field Service Management Software with QuickBooks?

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…

Person in safety vest smiling.

How the Best Field Services Businesses Use Mobile Apps

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…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Achieving Efficiency by Eliminating Workflow Bottlenecks

Achieving Efficiency by Eliminating Workflow Bottlenecks

There’s a reason why certain challenges come with paper-based processes and workflows. Outdated and manual practices contribute to common industry issues such as client dissatisfaction, project delays, slow payments, disjointed communication, and repetitive work. By going digital, you’ll be empowered to finish high-quality projects on time and budget, achieving operational efficiency.

In this on-demand webinar, Brent Nieder, VP of Product, and Lauren Sunday, Product Training Lead, will give you insight into:

  • What operational chaos looks and feels like
  • How going digital brings operational control
  • Two real-world scenarios from the construction and manufacturing industry

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Recording: Achieving Efficiency by Eliminating Workflow Bottlenecks

Achieving Efficiency by Eliminating
Workflow Bottlenecks

Webinar Overview:

Outdated and manual practices contribute to common industry issues such as client dissatisfaction, project delays, slow payments, disjointed communication, and repetitive work.

In this on-demand webinar you will gain insight into:

  • What operational chaos looks and feels like
  • How going digital brings operational control
  • Two real-world scenarios from the construction and manufacturing industry

Check out even more resources

Man inputting digital work order into a tablet from a work site.

How Digital Work Orders Impact Your Key Business Outcomes

Is your company still using paper sheets to manage work orders? The drawbacks of using paper forms are often hidden, making it difficult to understand the true impact of paper forms on a business…

Woman reviewing data via her mobile phone.

See How Centurion Got Amazing ROI from GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors throughout Western Australia, Queensland & the Northern Territory…

A man reviewing data on tablet collected by GoCanvas solutions.

5 Tips to Improve How Your Business Collects Data

Companies rely on collecting data in order to operate. In a fast-changing world, companies that focus on streamlining and improving their data collection processes will be able to do more. The good news is that it’s become easier than ever for businesses of all… 

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

13 Ways to Create Better Forms

13 Ideas to Create Better Forms

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Converting your paper forms into digital forms instead? The switch from paper to digital brings you new possibilities on what to include and how to create your forms to optimize your results. This article covers some of the ways you can create better forms using digital form builders. 

Instead of trying to replicate your exact paper form, it can be useful to think outside of the box to come up with smarter ways of collecting, sharing, and storing your information. You can definitely keep the same look and feel of your paper forms in the digital world, so think about how the technology can build upon what you have to make it even better. Here are 13 ideas on how you can start creating forms to maximize your results.

You never know what information your workers are going to jot down when it comes to paper forms. Many times you are left with missing fields or incorrect information that creates additional work to fix the mistakes. 

But with digital forms, you can create required fields that help to ensure information is filled out completely. A required field you may see marked with an asterisk to denote that this field can not be skipped over. This is a simple feature of a digital form, but it can go a long way to helping you get the information you need for complete data.

While making fields required will give you more complete data, creating standard fields will help you to get more standard data. Standard data may seem unimportant, but when you go to run a report you will find that standard fields ensure you have accurate reporting.

Take for example a form field that is asking you to fill out a client’s address, including their state. If the client lives in DC, your submission from the field could be formatted as several different options (i.e. Washington, Washington, D.C., DC, etc.). When you go to run a report of all clients in DC, you may be left with incomplete data since the spelling is inconsistent throughout your data.

The best practice here is to standardize how you collect data with the digital form. By making the state field in this example a “drop-down” list with predetermined options, your data will come out uniform. Be careful with open-ended form fields and instead use a drop-down list or check boxes to ensure information is formatted consistently across submissions.

By moving from paper forms to digital submissions, you have the ability to include new types of media in your submission. Including images can be added to your form, so that an employee can take photos on their mobile device and have it attached to their submission.

This can be useful for things like inspections, where you also have a report that is generated after the completed inspection. Showing images in those inspection reports bring greater detail and more value for the client to see exactly what is being documented in the report.

Signature capture is an essential part of many forms, from invoices and quotes to inspections and audits. This feature is simplified with digital forms, giving your teams the ability to sign documents directly from a tablet or mobile device. Make sure that you include signature capture on any of the forms where you need to verify approval or want a digital record in the future of an agreement between parties.

Another added advantage of digital forms is the ability to use native mobile features, like GPS tracking captured by a cell phone. You can include this information in a form submission so that the exact location is captured and documented in your final report. This can be useful for use cases where you need to document and verify the exact location, like a job site inspection for example. GPS coordinates can also be tracked as a hidden field, so it’s collected automatically when the worker is on a specific job site.

One of the biggest challenges for field teams can be calculating math on the spot for an estimate or invoice. An added benefit of using digital forms is that you can actually create calculations within the form, so that all your calculations are performed automatically. For the person filling out the form, they will simply need to input the correct numbers (i.e. hours worked or parts used) and the calculation will be done for them. This simplifies the job for teams and ensures that there are no costly calculation errors.

Many industries rely on barcodes on the job, including industries like Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, or transportation and logistics. Digital forms can include barcode scanning, allowing your teams to submit this information directly from their mobile device or barcode scanning hardware. This feature saves companies time by enabling them to quickly scan codes into their forms without having to manually type 12+ characters into the form field. It also helps reduce errors in data collection, since typing out data manually can often introduce human error. Barcode scanning and QR code scanning is another great add-on to enhance your digital mobile forms.

Creating forms with the option to collect a digital payment is a nice feature for companies that work directly with clients. This feature can help your business get paid faster and simplify the process for clients with seamless digital payments and invoices. Many digital forms on the market today will allow you to connect to a payments platform like Square, so you can capture credit card payments directly from your mobile device or tablet from a customer.

A simple paper form can be time-consuming to fill out all of the appropriate information. When you move to creating your forms digitally, you can also leverage tools for enriching your form field data with information that is already known. For example, you could bring in data from your CRM system, so that a customer’s address is pre-populated in the form, rather than having that filled out by hand. This type of data integration allows for faster form submissions and makes the job easier for employees.

Similar to a scenario where you would want to integrate data into your forms, you may also want to have a data integration set up to take your form submission data and push it into another database. For example, you may have an integration set up with payroll or accounting systems to process invoices or timesheets based on the data that is submitted within a form. This can streamline and automate your business processes, and helps increase productivity for your staff. Consider data integrations when creating forms, as this can be another advanced way to leverage the technology to save your business time and money.

When creating forms, you may also want to take advantage of the ability to assign and collaborate with different people at your organization. Form builders will allow you to dispatch or assign a form to one person at your company and then have a workflow setup to pass the submission to another person to complete their assigned task. This type of collaboration and workflow features within forms, allows you to create forms that can be distributed to multiple people in real-time.

After all of this hard work you have done to collect accurate and rich information through your form submissions, the final step is to make sure you are putting that information into the hands of anyone that needs it. This could be in the form of a report that is automatically sent via email to the appropriate stakeholders, or it could mean using analytics reports to identify trends in your business. A digital form builder allows you to share information in real-time, cutting down the time it takes to create and share reports. Analytics are becoming more widely adopted to spot trends within the submission data to discern patterns.

Another way to create better forms is to use a platform that is built to support compliance. OSHA and HIPPA are two of the common compliance requirements in the US when collecting information. When selecting a platform for creating digital forms, be sure that they can support compliance needs for your organization when handling this critical information. Most best-in-class form builders will have this feature built into their platforms, but it’s an important one to remember when you embark on creating your digital forms.

GoCanvas is a mobile platform that makes it simple for any business to automate how work is done, replacing outdated processes and expensive paperwork. The GoCanvas App works on all smartphones and tablets, helping companies easily collect information across their organization, share it instantly with others and gain real-time insights on their business operations.

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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Gown Your Business with GoCanvas Partner Program

Join our Partner Program and gain instant access to our global network of thought leaders and industry experts enjoying shared collaboration and collective success.

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Explore how Forte Supply Chain Solutions partnered with GoCanvas, combining in-house industry expertise with our white-label mobile forms to revolutionize their processes.

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Integrate with over 1,000 software applications. Enhance your GoCanvas experience by syncing real-time data to one or all of your business tools.

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What Is a Daily Report in the Construction Industry?

What Is a Daily Report in the Construction Industry?

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As someone in the construction industry, your foremost goals likely include keeping your employees safe and getting your job done right. To achieve these goals, it’s crucial to keep a daily construction report.

If you’re still keeping records with pen and paper, now is the time to transition to the digital sphere, which will make your life easier and your company more competitive.

Before we discuss the ways a daily construction report can transform your construction company’s day-to-day functioning, it’s important to define what a daily report actually is. Put simply, it’s a sheet that describes all the tasks your company is on schedule to complete that day and includes crucial information associated with your current job.

For example, your daily report will note whether it’s supposed to rain or if you need to order certain materials. With a daily report, you can track your progress and have detailed documentation in case anything goes wrong.

Here are a few things that could go on a daily report:

  • The weather forecast: Clouds, snow, rain, and thunderstorms will all impact the job in different ways—for instance, rain will make the ground wet, which could cause timeline delays or postponements.
  • Daily meetings: Logging meetings with vendors, colleagues, employees, and customers is a critical component of thorough recordkeeping. Including meetings in daily reports will ensure that everyone’s on the same page about what meetings are happening and when.
  • Visitors: In the construction industry, it’s vital to keep track of who comes to the job site and when—whether it be inspectors, customers, or third-party laborers.
  • Potential delays: From supply chain issues to site conditions, an array of unforeseen circumstances can impact timelines. If you’re anticipating any delays on the horizon, make a note of these in the daily report. 
  • Productivity: To ensure your team is working hard and performing well, you can use the daily report to keep track of employees’ collective and individual progress.

You’ll Stay Organized… Without the Paperwork

What’s more frustrating than having to hunt through hundreds of pieces of paper to find the document you need? Pretty much nothing. In addition to organizational challenges, the pitfalls associated with pen-and-paper records can include hard-to-read handwriting, version control issues, inability to access information remotely, and the potential for information to be lost due to everything from sprinkler system malfunctions to spilled coffee.

To stay organized without pesky paper, opt to move your daily construction report online and enjoy perks such as:

  • Convenience: With less time spent wrangling paper records, you’ll have more time to manage employees and projects on the job site.
  • Portability: As you move from job to job, your files come with you.
  • Speed: If a customer or colleague needs a certain piece of documentation, you can find it fast.

Being Thorough Is Easier With Automated Processes

Choosing to complete your daily construction report online means having the option to automate your data entry processes. Using smart technology to streamline the process will take the stress off you by removing the potential for error associated with manually entering information.

Stock and Maintenance Management Is Streamlined

Maintaining company vehicles, following device service schedules, and monitoring ever-fluctuating levels of materials can be a full-time job in itself. With online daily construction reports, you can have all your information in one spot, making it easier to determine when something needs to be serviced or purchased. You’ll never go to the job site unprepared, because with an online daily construction report, you’ll know what’s going on at all times.

Your daily construction report should log this maintenance-related information:

  • The frequency of oil changes
  • When brakes, fluids, and tire pressure were last checked
  • Which inspections are coming up, as well as when these were last performed
  • Any leaks or other issues observed
  • Records of prior ownership
  • When deliveries are arriving
  • When you last ordered certain materials

Safety Will Never Go Unchecked

With online daily construction reports, you’ll always know when your equipment needs to undergo maintenance, which will go a long way toward ensuring you have top-notch tools on your job site and eliminating the chance of on-site injuries or equipment failures. 

You can use the audit checklist component of your online daily report to monitor the following:

  • Equipment logistics: Log inspection information about heavy machinery. 
  • Health and personal safety: Note the location and availability of first-aid kits. 
  • Information about electrical wiring: Are the job site’s electrical fixtures in adherence with local guidelines? When were inspections completed? 
  • Fall-related safety measures: Did your crew members follow fall prevention guidelines?
  • Fire-related safety measures: Were fire hydrants and other fire-preventative items readily available?

You Can Keep a Tighter Budget

When you’re running a company, you don’t want to spend money frivolously, so adhering to a strict budget is important. It can be all too easy to deviate from your budget when you don’t have a record of how much things cost or when they were purchased, but an online daily construction report provides you with estimates, price quotes, and more. Plus, you can submit work orders straight from your report, so you’ll know how much things will cost before you call in the troops.

You Can Transition Old Forms Into an Online Format

If you’re used to pen-and-paper documentation, you may be hesitant to make the transition to the digital sphere because you don’t want to lose access to all the information you accumulated manually. Don’t fret if this sounds like you, because you can transfer all your paperwork from past years into your new digital system. Not only will you not have to worry about losing anything, but your information will be on a secure online platform that’s much safer than your file cabinets.

Customer Support Will Always Be There for You

When you’re keeping manual records yourself, you don’t have anyone to call for assistance. This isn’t the case when you use online daily reports, because there is always a support team that can help you navigate challenges and provide answers to your questions.

Using an online daily construction report will help you keep track of logistics and simplify your day-to-day processes. If you’re interested in finding an online daily report program to streamline your business, you’re in luck: GoCanvas is committed to helping business owners digitalize their daily reports. Are you ready to transition to online daily reporting? GoCanvas is here to help you navigate this change. Start today and impact your business for the better. For more information, schedule time with a product expert.

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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