How to Use Digital Forms to Collect Better Energy Field Data
Collect energy data using digital forms and instantly route submitted forms and information to the back-office, integrated systems, connected databases, and more
Energy field teams are often tasked with the responsibility of collecting important project information – so why aren’t they given the tools they need to work more efficiently and accurately? While back-office teams are often gifted with digital systems and tools to streamline data collection and record-keeping, field teams frequently struggle with archaic, cumbersome resources, like paper forms, hand-held cameras, binders, and clipboards. These “traditional” supplies result in inaccurate data entry, damaged documentation, costly delays, and fractured communication between field and office teams.
Fortunately, in the age of “digital transformation”, many businesses are arming their frontline field teams with digital solutions that are easier for them to use and establish a constant, digital exchange of information between field teams and the back-office. Digital forms are at the foundation of these digital improvements, allowing energy teams to rapidly enter information into mobile or online forms that can look exactly like their existing work documents. With a familiar interface, energy operations can drastically simplify new users’ onboarding while maintaining their unique branding and any critical document formatting.
The improvements don’t stop there – check out how digital forms can help your energy teams collect better field data and improve your operation’s efficiencies end-to-end:
Work anywhere, even offline
With digital forms, your team can easily access, fill out, and complete forms from any location, even while working in remote locations with no signal. You can even access powerful features, like Data Sources, Image capture, and more, while working offline. When a form is submitted offline, it is saved and then synced to your GoFormz account once a signal becomes available.
Collect more accurate, complete energy data
Digital data capture can help your operation avoid human error while collecting more complete, comprehensive information. One of the many ways digital forms can improve the quality and completeness of your energy data is through form logic and dynamic properties. For example, form logic can be leveraged to ensure a Signature field is completed before a form can be submitted. Similarly, Dynamic Field Properties can be used to guide data entry and make forms interactive. For example, the aforementioned Signature field could be made dynamically Required in response to a selected Checkbox field. This same functionality can be used to make additional fields Visible, change their Background Color or Font Color.
Digital forms can also be used to capture new types of energy data, like Images, Sketches, Signatures, GPS and Maps, Barcode data, and more!
Instantly access, route, and review submitted forms and data
Forms submitted in the field are available in real-time to teams in the back-office – accelerating processes that are traditionally delayed by late or missing forms by eliminating the need for field personnel to hand-deliver forms to the office. Once submitted, PDF copies of completed forms can be automatically routed to supervisors, colleagues, or even a customer email input into the form.
Copies of your completed forms can also be instantly uploaded to corresponding records within connected systems, like Box, Google Drive, Procore, Autodesk, and so much more. Data input into these forms can also be used to update relevant records, create new records, augment dashboards, and more.
Dispatch forms pre-populated with information
Your team can easily improve the completeness and accuracy of form data by minimizing data entry demands. By dispatching forms pre-populated with project information to teams in the field, fewer form fields need to be completed, removing the need for redundant data entry and protecting your data collection from incorrect information. This functionality also accelerates the completion of forms, as there are fewer fields that need to be filled.
Track productivity with powerful reporting
Digital forms empower your energy operation to improve visibility into field team productivity. Leveraging GoFormz reporting, your team can easily schedule recurring reports, which automatically update with new form data. With real-time reports your operation can rapidly identify opportunities and obstacles, improving business agility. Your energy data can also be used to augment reports and dashboards within connected applications, like Power BI, Salesforce, and more.
Many energy teams have already begun leveraging digital forms to streamline their data capture, improve compliance, and elevate communication. To learn more about energy data capture, read their stories here, or sign up for a free trial of the GoFormz mobile forms platform today.
