Tablet/Ipad Integration

[crwdz7]

I run materials testing lab and conduct geotechnical investigations for my company. We have recently been pilot testing the use of a tablet in the field with one of my senior technicians. Right now we are using a shared folder on Evernote for his field reports that I can access, review and send out as necessary. It is working fairly well and the reports turn out really nice especially when he incorporates photos. Now that Autocad WS has incorporated GPS compatibility, it has become a valuable tool for finding his way around on the job site during mass grading operations. That is if I can get other engineering companies to allow me to have the site layout line work, but that is another issue.

I have taken the baby step approach and occasionally add new tasks for him to attempt with the tablet. I would like him to begin filling out his field density sheets electronically instead of by hand where they are then typed by the secretary when he returns. Only thing I have been able to come up with is to use the same excel form we currently use in the office on the tablet and then place the final report in a shared "cloud" folder that I can access and review. I know there are companies that make programs for lab data entry, but I striking out when it comes to using a tablet for field data. I was curious if anyone here had any suggestions to streamline the data entry process beyond the excel/word method? I should add that we have a wireless keyboard for the tablet to make typing easier.

While we're at it, any other suggestions on ways the tablet could assist myself and or the technician in the field? How does everyone else utilize their tablets in day to day work?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Google might be your best friend

 

[DaveChas]

I would suggest not discounting the Excel method too quickly. There are ways that Excel can be optimized for data entry. At the most basic, there is the 'Excel Data Entry Form' that can be used to make entering data into a simple table a little easier. A more robust option would be to create your own data entry form (using VBA and an Excel UserForm) based on the density datasheets you use now. For one thing, this would allow for QA/QC validation to occur as the data is entered (for example, densities above or below some fraction of the proctor could trigger a message box to pop up asking the user to review to the data before submission). Other options to speed up data entry could be as simple as using the today() function to eliminate the need for the user to have to enter the date. The possibilities are limited only by your creativity - and the amount of time you have to learn VBA Check out Contextures for a nice basic intro:

http://www.contextures.com/xlUserForm01.html

This website (some consultancy offering Excel form design) has images showing example forms to give you an idea of what is possible:

http://lesfrieden.com/user-input-forms/

Good luck!
Dave

 

[CPENG78]

I have a bit of limited understanding as I am not involved directly on this one, but in terms of other uses, I know my company's GIS team has been taking advantage of the GPS capabilities of the IPAD and bringing our project sites into 3D model versions to perform site walk throughs with clients and other members of the design team. While its accuracy depends on the GPS of course, the ability to carry out the walk through with the ability to visualize the future project in terms of the existing condition, adds another level of understanding and collaboration that many design consultants may have available. The technology is getting better so it allows for more freedom to use these tools in other ways that before it was just too cumbersome to do so.