10 Free Checklist Apps for Business

10 Free Checklist Apps for Business

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Construction checklist apps are widely used by businesses to simplify the collection of data in the field or on a job site. The simple checklist that was once completed on a paper form, is now available to businesses as a digital app with forms that can be checked off using a mobile device.

GoCanvas is a leader in construction jobsite management software and forms, with thousands of pre-built templates that can be used for checklist apps. Using our no-code form builder, you can customize checklists to meet your business requirements, all without needing advanced technical knowledge.

This article compiles the 10 most popular use cases for checklist apps. If you don’t see a checklist app listed below, simply search our website for more free examples and templates your business can use for checklists apps. All of the apps listed can be customized and branded specifically for your business. Contact our team any time to access a free trial and learn more.

Real Estate House Appraisal And Inspection graphic

Every home inspection business uses checklists as part of their field work. Instead of relying on paper forms and manual data entry, companies are moving to digital checklist apps that simplify the process for home inspectors. 

The checklist can be dynamic based on the property type, saving your employees time when filling out the forms. All of the data is recorded on a mobile device or tablet, and a home inspection report is generated automatically for the home buyer. Leverage the dispatch feature to streamline how you assign work in the field, save your employees time by automating the reporting process, and turn around inspections faster for your customers with fully digital home inspection checklists.

Cleaning businesses commonly use checklists to ensure that all areas of the property are cleaned. Instead of using paper forms, employees can use their mobile devices to run through the cleaning checklist on an app, submitting any photos and signing off on their work. 

Any time you are removing paperwork from your operational workflows, it will help to reduce any manual work that is required to enter data into a computer.  The housekeeping checklist app is designed to track items related to house cleaning tasks, deep cleaning work, standard hotel cleaning tasks, cleaning staff assignments, and more. Simply customize the digital checklist to meet your specific business needs.

3. Driver Pre-trip/Post-Trip Inspection Checklist App

two truck drivers with tablet performing a pre-trip inspection

There are regulations that require vehicle operators to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure that commercial vehicles are able to operate safely. Instead of having workers fill out paper forms on the road, switching to digital forms brings all of this essential information online.

This commercial motor vehicle safety inspection form makes it easy to identify when vehicle maintenance is needed and protects trucking companies, commercial vehicle operators and truck drivers from unnecessary accidents.

builder contractor at jobsite on tablet

Building inspections are common in the construction industry and this app is perfect for contractors and workers in the field. The app includes a building inspection checklist and tracks all aspects of a building including exterior, heating systems, electrical systems, housekeeping, fire safety, evacuation plans, and other miscellaneous areas ensuring compliance with building codes. 

Once completed, an inspector can sign off digitally on the work and have an inspection report automatically generated and sent as PDF via email to anyone that needs documentation. This saves time and ensures that important records can always be accessed in case of a dispute.

Health temperature check on construction site

Coronavirus has created workplace challenges to health and safety for businesses of all types. Using the  COVID-19 workplace safety checklist app, businesses can take steps to ensure that proper procedures are followed to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus.

This comprehensive checklist app will help your business take steps to plan and protect the health and safety of your staff and colleagues. Topics include Administration and Logistics, Work Protections in the Workplace, and Travel. 

Man holding tablet on construction site

Job site safety inspections are important in construction to promote the safety of workers. Going digital with inspections helps to ensure compliance across job sites and give businesses greater insight into their safety operations.

The safety inspection checklist for construction sites covers personal protective equipment, sanitation, fall hazards, worker safety plan details and other workplace safety standards and considerations. Once the construction site safety checklist is complete, an email with the results can be sent directly to the project managers, contractors and others who work on the project and need to save the results for their records.

safety manager on construction site working on laptop computer

If your business handles hazardous materials, you know that safety data sheets are required for your workplace. The SDS Sheet Compliance checklist is designed to help ensure compliance and that your business is following the required local regulations for chemical inventory management.

Use the SDS Compliance checklist app with your smartphone or tablet to ensure that employers and workers use the material safety data as sources of information about chemical hazards and to obtain advice on occupational safety for any work area that contains a chemical inventory.

thermometer checking for food safety temperature on chicken

Restaurant inspections are critical, and this app allows you to develop a customized checklist to meet the requirements at your food service establishment. Include checks for ensuring hazardous foods are identified and removed, food is kept at the proper temperature, and food safety is top-of-mind for all employees at your food facility.

roofing contractor building a roof

The roof inspection checklist is designed for roofing contractors to use as a template form to create invoices, sales orders for roof repairs and roof replacement. The mobile app can be used to inspect and detail the condition of a roof, helping to detect any roof problem or damage.

Roofing contractors can leverage the mobile app from a customer’s location, allowing them to perform the inspection checklist and create an instant report with photos for reference. The digital experience is preferred by customers and simplifies the job for inspectors.

plumber checking systems in building

Plumbing contractors can use the checklist app when performing the inspections for buildings. This checklist app makes it easy to identify when plumbing work is needed to keep plumbing systems running as efficiently as possible. The results of the inspection make it easy for plumbing companies to recognize when problems exist, so they can quickly be fixed before issues get worse.

 Instead of relying on paper forms that can get lost or damaged, simplify the process for everyone involved by going completely digital with your checklist forms for plumbing.

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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5 Free Templates for Builder Checklists

5 Free Templates for Builder Checklists

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A construction checklist is a simple project management tool used to help contractors keep track of a list of items that need to be completed or inspected as part of a job or work order. Building construction includes many different types of jobs to be completed throughout the project lifecycle, so companies will typically have many types of standard checklists to use for a given job. 

The most basic construction checklist can be created using a paper form. Excel checklists are also commonly used to create templates for building construction. Excel checklist templates are technically free to download, however, this form of recording data is not always in the best interest of a construction company.

For example, if you are a medium or large business with a distributed workforce, keeping track of Excel spreadsheets or dealing with manual data entry from paper forms can be a drain on company resources. The hidden costs of Excel templates and paper forms include:

  • Redundant and time-consuming work
  • Lost data and rework
  • Lost revenue and productivity
  • Decrease in employee satisfaction

A better way to create construction checklists is to use mobile apps and forms designed to increase productivity and streamline business operations.

Construction work requires a great deal of paperwork to start and finish projects. Instead of relying on paper forms, construction companies have started to use digital building construction forms that eliminate manual work.

These building and construction apps can be accessed by desktop and mobile devices, making them ideal for workers who want to use them at work sites without an internet connection. Form fields are completed using an app and PDF reports are automatically generated to be stored in the cloud and shared with anyone that needs to access the information.

Builders can create checklists and other types of forms to digitize all of the critical information that is created and stored as part of a project. Builders and contractors need digital tools for construction to create a competitive advantage, increase their productivity, and lower their costs by embracing simple technology designed for the jobsite.

GoCanvas is a trusted provider of mobile apps and forms for the construction industry. Using our no-code platform for mobile apps, contractors and builders can quickly digitize their paper forms without help from IT. The GoCanvas App Store has over 20,000 templates that can easily be customized to fit your business needs. Simply search the app store for building construction templates or follow the links below to some of our top checklist forms used by builders.

The project startup checklist is a project management app to make sure that all pre-construction services are checked before work begins. The construction project plan app covers everything from defining the scope of work at the job site, to developing the construction project plan and timeline. 

You can also customize the construction requirements checklist for your business needs to ensure that every step of your process is included. Once completed, the general contractor, management, and other stakeholders can sign off on the project requirements electronically to ensure that all quality standards are met.

project startup checklist template

The project closeout checklist app is designed to help with quality assurance, project closeout forms, and the entire contract closeout process. The app helps with inspecting completed work and getting the appropriate signoff from the contracting officer, design, and construction teams. 

Use this app to ensure that all details are covered when handing off project work for quality assurance purposes and that requirements from the general contractor and project managers have been met.

project closeout checklist template

Routine occupational safety inspections are required at all job sites. The work site inspection app ensures that your work areas are meeting necessary safety requirements and safety training is completed prior to work.

This safety report app reviews personal protective gear, employee fall protection, and other safety standards for the job site. Use this app to help ensure that your company is meeting employee safety standards and that all construction work is performed in a safe work environment.

worksite inspection checklist template

The new home construction checklist is designed to ensure that homes are move-in ready. The app also generates an electronic version of the report that can be accessed and shared online. 

Designed for use throughout the building process, the app covers both indoor and outdoor items in a new home, including inspecting the hot water heater, garage door, air conditioning unit, and plumbing fixtures. The customizable app for house building also helps ensure that building codes are followed and that the building project is completed according to the original house plans.

new home construction checklist

The construction task list app helps managers and construction contractors keep their tasks organized each day. Add notes about the construction process, manage schedule milestones, and more using the digital task list. This app helps ensure that construction contractors are all on the same page when it comes to timeline management and the work schedule, giving management transparency into the status of the project. Reports are saved electronically and can be easily shared with the general contractor, construction manager, and others on the construction team.

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

Three inspection workers on job site.

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9 Examples of Construction Forms for Contractors [+ Templates]

9 Examples of Construction Forms for Contractors [+ Templates]

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The construction industry uses forms to collect and share information at every stage of a project. Traditionally on paper, these forms are now being converted into digital forms that enable workers to share information via mobile devices and tablets on the job. There are many benefits of moving to a digital form rather than paper:

  • Reduction in manual work and costs
  • Greater business insights
  • Data loss prevention
  • Lowered risk and liability
  • Better client and employee experience

Bringing construction forms online is one step in digitization for construction firms and contractors, bringing information online into a secure cloud location for real-time and accessible data to use in reporting.

As a leading provider of mobile forms for the construction industry, GoCanvas has seen many different types of forms created using our no-code platform to launch apps and forms in the field. All of this can be done without advanced technical knowledge and our platform is highly customizable to meet all of the construction industry’s needs for mobile forms. 

This blog article compiles the 9 common types of forms that are used by contractors to streamline their workflows and create business efficiencies. Continue reading for a summary of how these forms are used and follow the links in this article to dive into our free templates and examples.

Construction companies are required to perform routine inspections for many different purposes. The construction inspection form is a template with all of the fields that need to be filled out by an inspector. Common inspection forms include:

  • Safety inspections
  • Building inspections
  • Machinery or equipment inspections
  • Vehicle inspections
  • OSHA inspections

The common workflow for companies is to dispatch jobs to workers to perform the inspection, collect required signatures on the job, and automatically generate a report that is sent after the inspection is completed. 

Find Inspection forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

inspection form template

Often included with inspection forms, construction checklists are very widely used in the construction industry. A simple construction checklist provides employees with a common template that is used to ensure the proper items are all being covered. Digital forms provide the added benefit that required fields can be used to make sure that information is completed, cutting down on the need for re-work and mistakes. The digital construction checklist can also have dynamic fields, meaning that certain form fields can be added or removed depending on the responses. This helps save time for workers by reducing the number of form fields to be only what is required for that specific job. 

Find Checklist forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

checklist form template

Work order forms are widely used in the construction industry to help automatically dispatch workers to perform a job or task. Using digital forms for work orders, contractors can streamline the process and eliminate manual work. Using work order templates and forms, contractors can complete work orders offline and have them sync back to the cloud once internet service is available. Using digital forms allows workers in the field to take advantage of automatic calculations for things like labor and material costs and it enables digital signatures and automatic reports to be generated. If change orders are required, all of this can be done from the same platform and brings greater efficiency and visibility into job operations in the field and on job sites.

Find Work Order forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

Contractors are using construction project management apps to track employee hours worked. Having this information online allows for more efficient operations, with the ability to integrate with payroll and HR applications that your business already uses. Construction timesheet apps make it easy for workers to fill out their timesheets from anywhere using a mobile device to complete the form. Construction timesheet apps have other advanced features like GPS monitoring to automatically track arrival and departure times from a jobsite or to create a record that the work was performed at the correct location.

Find Construction timesheet forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

Safety is a top priority in the construction industry and there are many types of safety forms that are used to help track and manage these safety programs. Some common examples include:

  • Digital toolbox talks to ensure workers engage with safety programs and management can track compliance across job sites.
  • Forms to complete job safety analysis 
  • Digital copies of safety data sheets
  • Incident and accident reports and other forms to ensure compliance with OSHA

Safety forms allow companies to track and report in real-time on the progress of their safety programs, giving safety managers the opportunity to understand trends and take the appropriate next steps. This helps to reduce a company’s risk and liability, leading to greater workplace safety and productivity.

Find Safety forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

safety forms templates

Construction daily reports are essential for capturing the progress and details of a project. Digital forms are used by construction companies to digitize their logs and give managers the ability to capture all of the required information through a mobile device for the construction daily report. Mobile logs help with project management, helping to eliminate paperwork and other manual tasks for workers. For complex projects, digital logs can help to keep projects on schedule and provide greater transparency into your operations for all stakeholders that need this information. Simply log all of the details from a job site and mobile apps help to digitize this information for reporting purposes.

Find Log forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

log form templates

Digital forms are useful for contractors that need to provide estimates on the job. Using a mobile phone or tablet contractors can generate estimates in the field and have the information digitized for records. Most commonly, contractors use estimate forms to help them calculate the exact pricing for materials, parts, and labor costs using data that is stored in the mobile application. All of this information is updated in real-time with the latest pricing information, helping to ensure that estimates are accurate for clients. With digital signatures, clients can sign off and reports can be generated to document the entire process for your business.

Find Estimate forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

estimate forms templates

Similar to the use case for creating an estimate and work orders, digital forms can also be used when your business needs to generate an invoice for a customer. Once the work has been completed, an invoice can be generated using mobile forms and apps for contractors. This digital experience allows you to manage the entire process from a mobile device. Integrated with payment processing via services like Square or Stripe, mobile forms provide an easy way to generate invoices and collect payment from the field.

Find Log forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

invoice forms templates

Contracts are widely used in the construction industry as legal forms to document an agreement between the contractor and client. Instead of managing this process using paper forms that can be easily lost or damaged, companies are switching to digital forms for contracts and proposals.

Contract forms can be customized to include all of the relevant information, including client project needs, budget information, solution details, and project timeline. Make changes in real-time as the project progresses and collect signatures to track updated agreements.

Find Contract forms and templates here on the GoCanvas App Store.

contract forms templates

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

Three inspection workers on job site.

The Ultimate Guide to Quality Control Inspections

Managing a construction project is a complex and stressful process. Among other things, you have to coordinate project team members, materials, and equipment and ensure that contractors are not afflicted by the potential risks and hazards present at the construction site. That said, quality means different things to different people which is why you should…

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Your competition is finding faster ways to capture data and get critical insights from the field into their existing systems. In short, they’re not going bigger, they’re getting smarter. In this 15-minute broadcast on the construction industry’s digital transformation, find out why the trend is to modernize workflows – and how you can stay ahead of the curve…

A electrician inspecting equipment.

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VIP Lighting is a retail lighting and electrical maintenance business that services over 10,000 retail locations all over Australia and New Zealand. Before GoCanvas, VIP Lighting had two separate systems that were impossible to integrate, leading to inefficiencies. GoCanvas made it easy to integrate their systems into single, centralized platform…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Simple Guide to Electrical Inspection Checklists

Simple Guide to Electrical Inspection Checklists

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A checklist is essential for keeping everything organized. It’s a useful tool for task management, project management, and workflow optimization. Investing in checklist apps can be a game-changer for enhancing your productivity. Thanks to advancements in technology, you can today leverage mobile devices (Apple/iOS or Android devices) with customizable checklists for specific purposes, such as an electrical inspection checklist.

An electrical inspection checklist app allows you to start from templates and customize them to suit your needs. You can input due dates, automate tasks, create subtasks, collaborate with co-workers, and take advantage of other advanced features. 

An electrical inspection checklist serves numerous purposes. When buying a new home, you must ensure that the electrical wiring is not faulty or dangerous. An electrical inspection checklist can help you verify the safety of the electrical installation. A licensed electrician can use an inspection checklist to verify the health of the electrical wiring. If you did major home renovations with the potential to change the configuration of your electrical components, it’s vital to have an electrical inspection done. The same applies if you’re adding a new home appliance or replacing an existing one. 

Additionally, periodic electrical inspections of an older house ensure that the electrical system is functioning properly. Homes built before 1940 may have outdated lighting technologies, such as knob-and-tube lighting. By conducting an electrical inspection, you can know whether or not to replace obsolete fixtures and whether they are working as they should.

Having an electrical inspection saves you money by reducing electricity bills each month. Through an electrical inspection, your electrician can easily tell if your current electrical system is inefficient. This is particularly true for older houses with knob-and-tube wiring. Upgrading your electrical wiring will not only cut your monthly electricity spending but also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Other benefits of conducting an electrical inspection include:

The primary purpose of an electrical code is to ensure safety. Having a licensed electrician inspect your home’s wiring helps prevent hazards such as electrical fires. It also ensures that your home’s electrical wiring is functioning correctly. It’s a reassurance that no mistakes were made during the installation, preventing future mishaps due to faults with your electrical system. System malfunctions and fires are the most common threats posed by faulty electrical components.

Electrical inspections ensure that your house is not in violation of any federal or local electrical codes. Most local electrical codes follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) implemented by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). When national and local codes conflict, the local code typically takes precedent over the federal code. A local electrician should be well-versed with your local electrical codes and should be able to tell whether or not your home’s electrical system is violating any local or national code.

Electrical inspectors, property managers, and property owners can use an electrical inspection checklist to execute electrical system inspections for residential or commercial properties. The key purpose of the checklist is to ensure that the electrical system complies with NEC electrical safety guidelines. It also helps identify any electrical hazards such as electrical fires. Besides, you can use the checklist to check whether the equipment is in correct condition and working as it should.      

 

An electrical inspection checklist includes the items that ensure your home or workplace adheres to National Electrical Code electrical safety standards. It’s a guidance document that helps in conducting electrical safety inspections for any property. The NFA 70 or NEC is a standard for the safe installation of any electrical wiring or equipment in the U.S. It’s published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). During an electrical inspection, the following parameters of your electrical wiring are checked:

During an inspection, your electric meter will be checked for possible defects. Other than ensuring the electrical meter is logging the correct wattage, your electrician will also check if the meter is installed properly or if its mechanisms have become defective over time due to wear and tear. Your electrician will also look out for rust and other signs of water damage. If there is a leakage, water can easily seep from the meter through to the main electric panel.

Another critical step during an electrical inspection is to check whether or not the circuit breaker is working as designed. Your electrician will also check if the circuit is at risk of overload, an integral consideration for electrical safety. Electricians primarily inspect if the circuit breaker can maintain electrical currents at safe levels. Additionally, they can determine if there is any water damage, corrosion, or structural and mechanical issues that might trigger sparks or fires.

Electrical wires that are fraying, dangling from walls or ceiling, popping out of their protective coating, or exposed to damp or wet areas can pose hazards. Your electrician should look out for such issues and make the necessary adjustments. They should not leave any space unexamined but check all wires encased in plain sight and those looped through tight nooks and crannies. Where wiring could become unsafe, the electrician should recommend the right fixes.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are electrical devices installed on power outlets to cut appliances off from the power supply whenever there are irregularities. These irregularities may include water or moisture infiltrating the outlet or strange objects other than plugs. Overall, GFCIs are essential to home safety. Your electrician will double-check that these devices are in correct working order.

An electrical inspection checklist app or software simplifies the whole process of electrical inspections. It enables electricians to quickly and efficiently conduct routine electrical inspections using mobile devices rather than regular pen and paper. You can use the app to take pictures that are automatically linked to the inspection record to document all system issues and share the results in real-time.

Check out GoCanvas’s free templates for electrical inspections. Schedule time with one of our product experts to see what GoCanvas can do for your business.

About GoCanvas

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

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

Check out even more resources

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What to Know About Building Inspections

What to Know About Building Inspections

Inspecting buildings is not an easy task, as you already know as a contractor or manager of a construction company. Perhaps you’re facing one of your first building inspections, though, and need more information about how they work.

Keep reading to learn about what happens during a building inspection. You’ll learn about the inspection stages, what inspectors check, why inspections are important, the inspector’s role, types of inspections, inspection checklists, and new inspection apps available.

The building inspector is there to make sure there isn’t a problem with the structure before it’s bought, rented, or leased. This first means doing one important thing: inspecting the structure and grounds to make sure they comply with all regulations.

To start, the inspector inspects the exterior of the building for any structural problems. They usually check more than the structural integrity of the building outside. It also means checking outdoor handrails, stairs, or even parking areas nearby.

Going inside the building, the inspector then checks the interior walls for signs of any issues. It goes beyond checking how the walls are structured and into signs of mold or cracks. Checking for water damage is also done since this is sometimes hard to detect with the naked eye.

From there, the inspection starts to get more detailed:

Inspecting windows and doors means looking for cracks or other issues that might prevent them from being opened. Emergency exits are carefully inspected to ensure employees or residents can easily open them in the event of a disaster.

An inspection of the electrical system in a building is absolutely essential since one missed flaw in the building’s wiring could mean a future fire hazard. Your inspector checks all the circuit breakers as starters. Also checked are the building’s lights and general security systems.

Making sure the building’s plumbing system is working is equally important as the electrical. Even a minor leak in a pipe could bring considerable damage to a building in the months or years to come. Inspectors look at all fixtures on the premises and check their water pressure.

All fire alarms are checked, plus sprinkler systems to ensure they’ll operate efficiently when or if a fire occurs in the building.

Next, the inspector goes on the roof to checks its condition. Leaks are checked for here, including whether the roof can hold up under specific weight from snow or ice.

HVAC systems in buildings need very careful inspection. These often hide flaws that require extra inspection time. Thermostats are checked thoroughly to make sure they have proper filters. You’ll know whether any potential mechanical failures or fire hazards are there.

As you can see, the stages of a building inspection are very detailed and usually take a full day if not more. Much of this depends on how large the building is.

Inspecting is only one part of the job. Each inspector also has to organize numerous forms, reports, and other important paperwork. It’s all part of the job of having to physically write down what they encounter during the inspection.

Working with physical forms is slightly problematic in today’s time with so much complexity in inspecting buildings. An inspector can easily lose many of their forms in their vehicles or during the inspection process.

Many of those forms are being digitized as apps nowadays to make work easier. Using apps like this also helps with other inspection stages, which might include:

  • Filling out quality control sheets
  • Creating dilapidation reports
  • Creating good condition reports
  • Handling building permits
  • Pest/termite inspection reports
  • Building code violation checklists
  • Filling out safety and health forms
  • Asbestos testing

Without a building inspection, a number of things can obviously go wrong. While it might seem inconvenient to have the scrutiny of a building inspection, it’s for your own (and everyone’s) safety.

As a construction company or contractor, a building’s structural integrity rests on your shoulders. Should something go wrong and cause injury or death, you might be legally responsible for any damages.

Working closely with a building inspector means being able to scope out any potential fire hazards, or other safety risks posing dangers to people. Something as simple as inspecting a wall, for instance, could scope out the soundness of the building’s structure, not including potential mold issues. Or, the wall might be hiding termites you had no idea were there.

So many building issues are hidden, something only an inspector can find. Being able to find them out means you’ll save your own professional integrity. The building’s owner might discover something wrong and expect you to fix it right away, potentially costing both of you major money.

No one should consider a building inspector to be a burden. A professional inspector will always be courteous and give a fair, educated inspection to save your reputation.

Their role is to also help you avoid any kind of fines from violating regulations or specific building codes. Zoning regulations are often complex and can easily be overlooked within the chaos of construction. Inspectors alert you to any kind of violations you might have missed.

Also know that building inspectors may inspect the site before you even construct the building. With an inspector’s knowledge of construction and engineering, they may have to write up violation forms or even stop-work orders.

Building inspections vary based on what type of building it is. Some inspections are done on the construction site itself. Others take place after the building is built.

In the pre-build phase, the inspector might have to:

  • Conduct a land survey prior to construction to make sure the land is safe to build on.
  • Review all your construction blueprints and building plans.
  • Check the foundation depth before the rest of the building is constructed.

During the construction phase, it might mean the inspector inspecting all your construction equipment to make sure it’s also safe. Another major aspect is inspecting the crane you’re using if building a multi-story structure.

Also during construction, the inspector verifies proper alignment and leveling of the building during the building phase.

Inspectors like this might be different from the ones who inspect the building after it’s completed. Often, inspectors are separated into specific categories. Some will focus just on electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspections. Others are educated to inspect homes only.

Most important is to respect an inspector’s knowledge. Considering they have degrees in engineering and architecture, they’ll be able to find any flaw in your building.

The age of building inspectors using paper for all their forms is starting to come to an end. This is a good thing because with the complexity of their job, losing inspection forms or permits could lead to confusion and more time amending errors.

Over the last five years, more building inspectors are starting to use apps and software to handle their enormous tasks. Best of all is being able to use apps the inspector can take with them to use on their mobile device.

An added bonus to working with these apps is that it allows new intuitive features to help make data entry less stressful. Plus, with the use of more advanced technology, more analytical insights are made available in real-time an inspector could never see using paper in years past.

Data is available in real-time and shared with colleagues instantly. Information is automatically saved to the cloud to avoid any risk or liability of losing paper forms. Analytic trends on apps also offer insights into field operations, something only possible before when the inspector returned to the office.

Imagine how much time is saved by a building inspector being able to compile reports on something like a tablet. Even a simple smartphone can hold all the information they need, removing a major hurdle of handling paper forms when entering the building.

Building inspections are done more efficiently this way with lesser chances of making mistakes. GoCanvas digital forms have become the leader in providing these apps. As a result, it’s helping many more building inspectors be able to streamline how they work.

Working with us, inspectors can:

  • Create their own custom mobile apps.
  • Collect all the data they need right on their phones.
  • Instantly share all inspection data with co-workers or customers.

Our apps and software are proven to give a seven-month ROI, plus a 24% productivity rate. Out of all the users we’ve tested, most use GoCanvas for construction inspections, but also for checklists, work orders, safety reports, audits, and inventory.

Above all, our software can easily integrate well with other business apps like Salesforce, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

Visit us to find out more about how our GoCanvas apps and software work with a free demo.

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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Partner Snapshot: Forte Supply Chain Solutions

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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GoCanvas Integrations: Streamline your Workflow

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

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Ultimate Guide to Safety Management Software for Construction

Ultimate Guide to Safety Management Software for Construction

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Construction firms rely on paper forms to complete many essential tasks on job sites. But anyone that’s had to fill out paperwork knows how inefficient, error-prone, and time-consuming the process can be for everyone involved. That’s why organizations are moving to construction jobsite management software and mobile forms to alleviate these concerns.

Going from paper to digital software and forms allows construction companies to:

  • Avoid losing paperwork. Paper sheets can get lost over time, creating additional risk for the business when information is misplaced or accidentally destroyed. Going digital keeps information secure in the cloud and available in real-time whenever it’s needed.
  • Limit human error. Paper sheets or spreadsheets can open companies up to human error with mispellings, deleted or missing information, and much more. Going digital allows companies to require what information is submitted, leading to better data quality and standardization.
  • Save time and money. Considering the direct and indirect costs to a business from paper usage, companies can save time and money by switching to digital forms and software. Automate processes, streamline workflows, and reduce the time everyone spends on busywork.

There is a very compelling business case for construction firms to embrace digitization with software and mobile forms. With the amount of paper and forms needed for safety management programs, there is a significant advantage for firms that can digitize their operations.

This article explains how safety management software works, with examples of the types of solutions utilized within a safety management program. Continue reading for our guide to the types of safety management software and forms that are available to construction firms today.

Construction firms use incident reports to formally document any accidents, events, or near-misses in the workplace.

Software and forms are designed to help companies capture information from the job site when incidents happen. The technology helps to document the incident and create a report detailing the events that occurred. This type of solution is used in situations like damage to company property, injuries, safety issues, misconduct, and other types of incident reporting. 

Going digital with incident reporting simplifies the process for everyone involved.

Templates can be customized with the exact information that needs to be collected on every incident report. Companies can create unique digital forms for the various types of workplace incidents that occur.

Software solutions are designed to significantly cut down the time it takes to create a report. Reports are typically generated automatically so they can be distributed in real-time via email to OSHA, management, and anyone else that needs the information.

Companies chose to use this type of software and forms for incident reporting to streamline workflows for employees and give greater visibility into operations for management.

Inspections happen during the entire lifecycle of construction projects to make sure that safety standards are being met. While paper forms can be used for inspections, there are many benefits to going digital with software and forms for inspections.

Most inspection software will allow companies to build checklists, conduct inspections, and file all reports from a mobile device or tablet on the job site. This helps to streamline the process for inspectors by giving them a standard set of criteria to look for in the inspection. All of the data for reporting is collected using required fields that ensure data is formatted correctly. 

Digital inspection software can also enable businesses to use a dispatching feature to send workers in the field to the correct locations. The entire inspection process can be recorded digitally, signed off on with digital signatures, and saved in the cloud to be accessed by whoever needs to see it. 

Software and forms for inspections give companies greater accountability and visibility into their operations, allowing management to spot trends and look for ways to improve their safety management programs in real-time.

Construction safety meetings are held regularly as group discussions that focus on one specific safety issue. Companies typically hold these meetings on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis.

Effective safety meetings can deliver significant and proven safety and cost benefits to an organization. Implementing safety meetings can help to decrease insurance rates, legal costs, employee turnover, damaged equipment, and medical costs.

Construction firms can use safety management software to formalize their safety meeting programs across job sites.

With software for safety meetings, your team can complete safety documentation from any mobile phone or tablet. Using required attendance logs, you can collect the names and IDs of every employee at each worksite to ensure they are present for the latest safety information. 

Companies can also capture details related to the job site location, project manager, as well as date and time stamps for every briefing. An integrated signature capture field means employees can verify their attendance and signatures can be collected from a foreman or any other safety representative who makes an onsite visit.

Using software and forms for safety meetings helps to ensure that compliance measures are met for every meeting and management teams get greater visibility into overall safety trends. 

Job Safety Analysis is a step-by-step procedure that splits each job into manageable training tasks, identifies the safety components in each task, and trains employees on how to avoid safety hazards.

Job safety analysis pinpoints specific areas that have potential safety risks and helps you keep your workers safe. It also helps your company become compliant with safety guidelines thus reducing your employee turnover and instilling trust in your customers. 

Software and forms for JSA are helpful for construction companies to cover safety procedures on job sites, including personal protective equipment, safety training, and machinery safety. The construction safety analysis can be customized to suit the unique needs of a company. 

Job safety analysis is another important component of safety programs and going digital can help to streamline the process across construction job sites.

For companies that manufacture, distribute, or import chemicals, safety data sheets are required to inform employees of the hazardous materials they are handling. 

As more companies invest in digitization, it means that companies are moving towards housing much of their critical information in secure, cloud-based platforms using software and mobile forms. 

When it comes to SDSs, OSHA indicates that safety data sheets can absolutely be stored as digital documents. OSHA just requires that these SDSs are easily accessible for all employees who need to understand the hazardous chemicals that are being used for their job site. 

Having these documents stored digitally and made available through a mobile application will help your team manage the documents and ensure that your workers know where to find the latest version of the SDS. 

In the rare case of a power outage or emergency situation, it makes sense to have a hard copy of your SDS available for workers. But otherwise in today’s digitally connected world, it’s going to make sense to have digital copies available for your SDSs that can be readily accessible in a secure mobile device on-site.

Data analytics is quickly becoming one of the greatest assets for improving productivity, ensuring safety and compliance, and tracking and reporting on key elements of business operations.

Another key component of a safety management solution using is the ability to have analytics and data insights available.

This type of software solution is helpful for providing meaningful insights in real-time. Instead of compiling information on paper forms and manually creating reports for analytics, companies are adopting this type of analytics solution as part of their technology stack.

Having this type of insight into the business helps inform decision-making for management and operations, giving unprecedented insights into where there are opportunities to improve.

GoCanvas is a mobile platform that makes it simple for businesses to automate how work is done, replacing outdated processes and expensive paperwork. The GoCanvas App works on smartphones and tablets, helping companies easily collect information across their organization, share it instantly with others, and gain real-time insight into their business. Construction firms rely on GoCanvas to increase productivity, promote workplace safety, and create a competitive advantage. You can learn more about all of our safety management software solutions and forms here on our website.

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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Pre-Trip Inspection Forms – Examples and Templates

Pre-Trip Inspection Forms – Examples and Templates

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Pre-trip inspections are required for companies that operate and manage a fleet of vehicles used for commercial purposes. The basic goal of a pre-trip inspection is to identify and document any potential problems with a vehicle before a driver is on the road. 

According to regulations set by DOT, vehicle operators must perform daily post-trip inspections after a vehicle is operated. If any defects or problems are found in the post-trip inspection, it must be included in the post-trip inspection report. The vehicle is allowed to be sent out for use again once all problems have been addressed.

The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) pre-trip inspection is designed to certify that the problems have been addressed and that the vehicle is ready to be safely operated on the road. While there are many different types of vehicles on the road today, the DOT provides a basic list or items to check when performing vehicle inspections: 

  • Service brakes, including trailer brake connections
  • Parking (hand) brake
  • Steering mechanism
  • Lighting devices and reflectors
  • Tires
  • Horn
  • Windshield wipers
  • Rear-vision mirrors
  • Coupling devices
  • Wheels and rims
  • Emergency equipment

(Source: FMCFA)

Inspection checklists are designed to improve the inspection process by providing staff with an easy-to-use template on the best practices to follow for that inspection. 

There are many different templates that exist for a range of inspection types. For example, a class A pre-trip inspection template would look slightly different than what is required for a class B inspection template. 

The most basic checklist can be completed on a sheet of paper, but more companies are turning to mobile apps and forms to streamline their processes for performing pre-trip inspections. Digitizing this information is highly beneficial for fleet management and transportation companies that need to document and report on their vehicle inspections.

Paper forms are simple to use, but missing or lost paper work can become a problem later on. To minimize risk and to modernize business operations, transportation companies rely on simple apps to digitize the information rather than using paper forms.

Beyond the basic benefits of digitizing the information, mobile apps also provide a number of advanced features that are helpful when performing inspections. For example, driver dispatch is an easy way to organize drivers and delivery schedules based on the most efficient configurations possible. Other features such as barcode scanning, signature capture, and GPS capture can help you keep track of your deliveries and maintain records for your business. 

Mobile apps can be built using no-code or low-code solutions that do not require advanced technical knowledge. Using a simple interface, anyone can start building apps for their pre-trip inspection checklists to replace paper forms. 

For businesses that want to modernize their processes using mobile apps, an important feature is going to be the ability to customize the mobile app to meet specific needs and requirements. Most mobile apps will provide templates to use as a starting point and then customizations can be made to require certain information. 

With the GoCanvas app builder, businesses can create pre-trip inspection forms and checklists that are then deployed to workers to complete via the mobile app. All of this is suited for workers in different locations and standardized processes around how businesses collect and store their inspection reports. 

Key outcomes include an increase in worker productivity, efficiency, and improved data collection for operations teams. Here are some of the common commercial vehicle inspection templates and examples:

Class A description

Class A vehicles are defined as “any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.”

This would include tractor-trailers, combinations of truck and trailer, livestock carriers, tank vehicles, or flatbeds. 

GoCanvas example and template:  

Class B Description

Class B vehicles are defined as “any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).”

This would include straight trucks, large passenger buses, segmented buses, box trucks, dump trucks with small trailers, and tractor-trailers. 

GoCanvas examples and template:  

Class C Description

Class C Vehicles are defined as “Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.”

This would include small HazMat vehicles, passenger vans, combination vehicles not covered by Classes A or B.

Sources:

Many companies in the transportation industry start using mobile apps to solve a single paperwork challenge, like pre-trip inspections. But there are many areas of business operations that deal with paperwork that can create slow and manual processes for staff. This includes things like delivery confirmations, mileage tracking, safety inspections, bill of lading, and any other paper-based processes for drivers and management. If you are looking for additional transportation apps for business, be sure to search in the GoCanvas app store where you can get started for free.

About GoCanvas

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

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

Check out even more resources

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6 Benefits of Inspection Apps for Business

6 Benefits of Inspection Apps for Business

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Many companies are starting to use inspection apps to streamline this process for employees that need to perform regular inspections as part of their job duties.

The typical inspection involves filling out a series of forms or checklists to record all of the relevant information. The next step in the process involves creating a report with all of the information compiled for distribution to anyone that needs it.

There’s really a wide range of use cases for these apps, including:

  • Real estate transactions
  • Safety inspections
  • Building inspections
  • Machinery or equipment inspections
  • Vehicle inspections
  • And much more

Historically, companies used paper forms as the primary mode of collecting data, but more firms are beginning to move away from paper-based processes. Companies are now switching to digital apps that can simplify the process for everyone involved and eliminate the headaches of using paper forms.

Bringing the process into the digital world is beneficial to organizations in a number of different ways. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Business efficiencies: Inspectors are able to perform their jobs better and faster on mobile apps. They can collect photos and text notes that are recorded digitally and the reports can be generated automatically for them.
  • Standard data: One important factor is the ability to standardize how the data is collected, with reports that are consistent regardless of who performs the inspection.
  • Improved processes: Businesses need visibility into their operations in real-time. Technology today allows you to track issues in the field and have a quick turnaround time if another action needs to be taken, like scheduling further maintenance or repairs, for example.

There are many reasons to switch to a mobile app instead of using paper. Since apps are designed to be used on a mobile device or tablet, you get some advanced features with the technology that simply isn’t possible using paper.

Here are some of the features you gain when using an app for inspections:

Many inspections require that you document items with images. Since mobile devices have powerful cameras built-in, inspections performed using the app can streamline taking photos and adding them to the report. Images are captured in real-time and can be associated with specific inspection items. An added feature is the ability to annotate images and highlight any problem areas.

The ability to do work offline is an important feature for many business types. There are many people that need to perform inspections in areas that do not have an internet connection (such as a rural area or a basement). Inspection apps can collect and store the data while offline while you are on site. Once you are able to access the internet again, the app will sync everything back up to the cloud.

The cloud-based technology of inspection apps is a benefit for businesses today. With data that is stored securely in the cloud, you can have peace of mind that your data is always backed up and easily accessible from anywhere.

Inspection software platforms should have a high level of IT security infrastructure built-in and should also have compliance for things like GDPR and HIPPA requirements.

Modern technology has come a long way to ensuring that your business can effectively operate online using tools that are readily available to businesses of all sizes.

The ability to report on data in near real-time is a big reason to switch to apps versus paper. Creating a report on paper often takes additional time and slows down getting that information into the hands of people that need it.

When you create an inspection using an app, it files the report automatically and submits the report to all of the required recipients without creating additional work. This saves time and effort for inspectors by allowing them to finish their work and simply press the submit button to generate a report.

Most inspection apps use templates as a starting point and you can customize the templates to be consistent with your company’s brand and unique needs.

Another built-in feature of a mobile device is your GPS functionality. This gives you the ability to verify the exact location of the property, equipment, vehicle, or item that’s undergoing inspection. 

Location tracking can be an added benefit for companies that really need to understand the precise location of something to do their jobs more efficiently.

Companies that want to automate their processes can also consider using location data in the field to streamline other tasks, like automatically generating work orders or other types of follow-up tasks that need to be performed.

With automation tools built into inspection apps, it’s all about working smarter and reducing the amount of manual work your teams need to do.

Using these tools, you can automatically generate any of the follow-up actions that need to be performed after an inspection occurs. Depending on your business, you might have different use cases for how this would work. Most often it involves integrating your different cloud tools and systems you have in place to communicate with one another.

You can also think of automation in the form of push notifications or email notifications that are designed to alert different people after the inspection occurs. In today’s digitally connected world, you should always look for applications that can help to automate tasks and streamline your workflows to save you valuable time.

Looking for a specific inspection template for your business? Make sure to check out our library of pre-built templates in the GoCanvas app store that can help you get started for free.

Our app builder requires no coding or advanced technical knowledge, which means you can build and customize your apps to fit your exact needs. Check out the GoCanvas website here for additional resources and templates for all of your inspection needs.

About GoCanvas

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

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

Check out even more resources

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9 Ways Companies are Utilizing Reference Data

9 Ways Companies are Utilizing Reference Data

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About GoCanvas

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

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

Check out even more resources

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7 Examples of Creating Forms & How to Craft Your Own

7 Examples of Creating Forms & How to Craft Your Own

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Creating forms to capture data is one of the most important components of business today. When you design a great form, your business is collecting data that then becomes an asset you can use for reports and analysis. 

But if you’ve ever experienced creating a form, you already know that how you structure the form will impact the data that’s collected. You want to be very thoughtful in how you design your forms, making it easy for people to respond, while also getting the required information in the correct format. 

This blog post will introduce you to some of the most common form fields and we will explain some of the best practices for creating an effective form. We will also highlight some of the specific types of forms to consider and examples of how they can be used to collect information. 

While there are many options to choose from, it’s good to remember that forms are simple and with some practice, you can become an expert in no time. With the form builders on the market today, you’ll be able to create forms, improve workflows, and automate key business processes to become more efficient. Keep reading for an overview on creating forms and additional resources to get started.

Modern form builders have many different types of form fields that can be used for different business purposes. Some common examples of field types are things like: 

  • Dropdown menus
  • Checkboxes 
  • Multiple-choice selections
  • Scale sliders 
  • Text inputs
  • And much more! 

People have many different reasons for using forms, so it makes sense to have a form builder with a wide variety of form fields to fit every data collection need. With so many options for the types of form fields you can use, it may be helpful to also think about them in terms of categories:

  • Text and Numbers
  • Choices
  • Multimedia
  • Date, Time, and Location
  • Other miscellaneous field types

In the next section, we cover some of the most common types of forms and a brief summary of the types of form fields that are most commonly used. This should give you an idea of how these form fields are put into practice for some of the top business use cases for collecting data.

It’s quite common for businesses to collect contact information from their customers. Contact forms typically use text and number fields to collect a name, telephone number, email address, and similar types of information.

A good practice to remember in forms is to think about how data is collected and designing your forms to standardize the data. For example, instead of using an open text field, you may want to consider using a choice field with a drop-down that lists the available options. 

A great example of this is for fields like “State,” where you would want to list a drop-down of formatted states. In this example, if you were to leave the field open-ended, you could get a wide variety of formats for the same state (e.g. NY, New York) or you could have misspellings that happen by mistake. Giving people a drop-down ensures that data is formatted correctly for when you need to report on it later.

Contact forms can also be used for longer text fields that allow people to submit more extensive information, such as the reason that they are submitting the contact form. 

Invoices are used as forms to collect payment information, typically in a table-style format. These can be used to highlight an item name or description, the quantity of an item purchased on the invoice, a price per unit, and a total cost for each line item. 

This type of form typically uses text and number fields, as well as a calculation field that can automatically perform math calculations to make it easier for people by pulling in dynamic information like prices and sales tax.

These types of forms are particularly useful if your business has dynamic pricing that is stored in a separate database. Instead of requiring employees to look up the current price, it can be automatically populated with real-time information to make the process more efficient when processing invoices.

Other advanced features include payment authorizations and signature form fields so that customers can sign for credit card transactions or sign off on agreements. Many digital forms can also accept credit card information that people can integrate through payment processors like Square, PayPal, Stripe, and other similar solutions.

Surveys are one of the most popular use cases for forms and they are used to collect answers or feedback from a group of people. Common examples include asking customers to rate your level of satisfaction or collecting feedback from employees on ways to improve your business. With so many possibilities for types of surveys, it makes sense that they leverage many different types of form fields, including:

  • Choice fields such as a drop-down
  • Multiple-choice questions 
  • Single choice checkboxes
  • Multiple choice buttons
  • Open text and number fields
  • Calculation and summary fields to tabulate scores
  • Slider and rating options (like 1-5 stars) 

If you have a more complex survey, you can also consider using conditional logic in your form. This means that people will be navigated to different options that are dynamic based on their answers to the questions.

For example, if someone answers “Yes” to a question, they may be prompted later on with the option to provide a more detailed explanation for their answer. If they selected “No,” then they may be directed to a different set of follow-up questions. This type of logic allows you to make the form more dynamic and relevant based on the information that is provided in real-time.

Creating forms for inspections provides form builders with many options to create highly effective and powerful inspection tools. 

Like many forms, inspections often begin with different Text and Number fields where an inspector can add their information and the relevant details about what they are inspecting, such as the address or the reason for the inspection. Inspection forms also include a number of advanced options:

  • Checkboxes to check off items
  • Choice fields to provide pre-selected input related to the inspection
  • Text and number fields to provide descriptions, context, or numerical values to the inspection 
  • Photo fields to upload an existing photo or add new photos using the camera functionality found on mobile devices  
  • Track GPS locations if required to log the physical location

Creating a log is a fairly simple use case for a form. Logs typically are in the format of a table and people can log certain information, but most commonly are seen with companies that need to log work milestones, like keeping track of time or materials.

Log forms vary in the type of information collected, including text and numbers, multimedia, date, time, location, and others. Using digital logs, companies can ensure that projects stay on time and data can be collected from a large number of people for reporting purposes.

It’s very common that businesses need to create records. This can be for tracking a certain event, documenting specific actions that have occurred, or even for recording physical items.

When creating a record, forms can help to standardize the data that is being collected. This will depend on what type of record is being created, but most commonly text and number form fields are used to track specific details about the record and the date/time of the event.  

Companies may also use automated notifications that remind individuals when to generate records. For example, if a record needs to be generated every month for a certain action, calendar alerts for the future can be set up when logging a record. 

One familiar example is creating a customer record for a CRM system. Companies create a customer record form to intake information about a customer or update existing information about a customer. The form builders often integrate directly into the customer relationship management (CRM) systems so that companies can use these forms to update and maintain records seamlessly.

Checklists are widely used in different industries as forms to collect information. The simple nature of a checklist allows people to select from a multiple-choice checkbox item or a single checkbox item. Many times these will use the required field option so that every checkbox requires you to select an answer before you can submit it.

Inspections will frequently use checklists so employees can certify that a long list of items has been inspected. This is another example where conditional logic is particularly useful, giving people the ability to request additional information on the form depending on the check box response.

After reading this article, you can see how forms can go in many different directions and there are endless ways to customize the information that’s collected. Many people find that it’s helpful to start from a pre-built template and then customize the form to fit your specific needs. Other people prefer to start totally from scratch, so there is really no right or wrong answer to the question. At GoCanvas, our form builder provides a great deal of flexibility to fit all of your form-building needs and we have an extensive library of templates to help you get started.

About GoCanvas

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

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

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