Tablet App for Field Data Collection and Condition Assessments

[charliealphabravo]

I have heard that there are tablet apps that can assist in collecting data during field inspections.

We are preparing to perform Condition Assessments on 3 large facilities in Canada (1.5 Million sf each) and I would like to streamline the data collection and report writing process. Anyone have any ideas on what tools or technology could assist the process? I am only responsible for the structural portion of the scope but I could propose a wider implementation.

I sort of envision an app that will allow you to pre-load a scanned site/floor plan of the facility with each building having an identification number. Then each element to be inspected would be identified with a CSI code or similar. The condition and notes could then be entered or selected and photographs could either be taken with the tablet or uploaded from an external camera.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Strong]

Charlie,

I use a Lenovo X220 Tablet with i7 processor and 160GB SSD running Win-7 64-bit and outdoor display with Gorilla glass. Bluebeam PDF Revu is excellent for markups of drawings, sketches and photos; also has dimensioning and database linking. Windows OneNote is great for screeen captures, notes and simple tables (Evernote is another option). Nuance Dragon Dictate with a USB-Bluetooth wireless microphone compensates for my poor typing skills. I also added an Eye-FI memory card to my digital camera for wireless photo transfer. Dropbox is a good offsite file storage for large file transfer and backup. I use a large LCD secondary monitor in the office and use a wireless network on Verizon FIOS.
There are several good web sites like gottabemobile.com, ruggedpcreview.com, and blog.tabletpc.com/au. A good site for computers and software is

http://www.motioncomputing.com.

My 1st table was from Motion.

Good luck,

Walt

 

[charliealphabravo]

Thanks Strong.
I am talking with Inspect2Go. It sounds like they have an app that will do something like we need. I think they mainly work on the iPad platform. They also can upload records to a Dropbox share which I use.
I have been looking at an Eye-Fi card too and use dual monitors in the office.

 

[Strong]

Charlie,
I am surprised you are considering using an iPad for your application. My primary concerns would be:
1) not very rugged, especially for outdoor use
2) writing notes with a stylus would be like using a crayon or large felt tip marker
3) limited software choices
Nevertheless, I would be interested in knowing whether the iPad works for your application.
Walt

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You can get AutoCad or Excel apps - if those might help?? For Free Got them on my I-phone

 

[charliealphabravo]

The IPad platform would not be our first choice but it seems to be the one that Inspect2Go has done the most development with. I should have a phone conference with them today to see if they have what we need...

 

[MiketheEngineer]

We use "smart" phones all the time - data collection, online conferencing, Facetime field inspection, etc.

Not perfect - but not bad!!

 

[Strong]

Charlie,

What did you try and what did you buy? I am curious about your solution.

Walt

 

[charliealphabravo]

One of the guys in our office developed an android tablet app to take pictures and create observation records. It was a bit clunky but it worked for most of the guys. I take a LOT more pictures and needed a better camera so I ended up doing it all manually as usual.

It was going to be about 5K for Inspect2Go to do the back-side setup for our project. We did not go that route although the functionality was clearly better than our in-house solution. They do not have a demo version and could only refer us to their youtube videos. I was a bit disappointed since I thought at first that they had an off-the-shelf app.

 

[Strong]

Charlie,

I ran across this program today that was developed for medical folks, but it could be used for any photos and notes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPzA-NW6y_w&feature=related

I have no idea about cost. There are other note-type apps/devices also on that page.

Walt