What is forms automation?
Forms automation refers to the digital creation of paper forms. Using a digital form creator will save you time and money. You will be able to take advantage of added functionality and cool features that will take your forms to the next level. Perhaps you perform on-site assessments that traditionally would have included paper forms on clipboards (!), or you have an expense process that still requires completion and sign-off with wet ink. Adopting a digital forms solution will allow you to move away from these inefficient processes to a more streamlined way of working.
How does it work?
The process of implementing forms automation within your business is very simple. The key to success is to go digital in a stepwise way, don’t take all of your paper forms online in one go! Review your business as a whole, which form completion process is the most time consuming and produces inaccurate or unreliable data? This is usually the best place to start.
There is a range of form automation software available depending on your level of IT knowledge, budget and the integrations you may need with existing digital software. Kizeo Forms gives you the freedom to create your own forms with no need for designing or coding. You will be able to drag and drop the form fields you need and create your first draft in seconds.
First, create your forms on the Kizeo Forms web platform. Then collect data in the field using your mobile or tablet. Review the data, analyse and optimise your workflows by adding additional people, creating hierarchies and conditions for viewing particular areas of forms. Next send customised reports in multiple formats (excel, pdf, Word) via the in-app email creator. Learn more about how to build your mobile forms here.
What are the benefits of forms automation?
Save time and money
Mobile data entry in the field is quick and easy. With multiple form field types, you will be able to upload images directly to your forms, complete electronic signature sign off, and transfer data between employees in seconds. You will also save valuable time re-transcribing data from paper forms.
Improve data accuracy
On the subject of re-transcribing - remember that scrawled handwriting that your team struggled to decipher when back in the office? Entering data straight into a mobile forms builder decreases the chance for error.
Decrease paper waste and improve your ESG rating
Paper manufacturing processes are harmful to the environment. By adopting form automation software you are decreasing paper waste and being more environmentally responsible. Environmental and social governance is a big and growing topic in many industries so you’ll gain competitive advantage by going digital.
Keep cloud-based data secure
Form automation providers should consider data security top priority. Kizeo Forms considers all aspects of security from mobile form design to implementation. Data is encrypted whilst stored and when it is sent. Forms are GDPR compliant, collecting only required data and putting in place security measures to protect personal data. Form privacy allows you to tag forms that contain personal data and hide the detail, and CAPTCHA is used to deter bots from completing form fields.Kizeo Forms is a self-service form automation solution that gives you the autonomy to build your own forms with the functionality of a hard-coded, more expensive bespoke provider.
The form builder, accessed through the web interface, is simple to use whether you and your team are IT savvy or not. The drag and drop editor allows you to build your forms from the ground up and incorporate a wide range of features including; barcode scanning, geolocation, automatic calculations, image upload and much more.
Once your forms are created, open them in real time on your mobile or table to complete your data entry quickly and seamlessly. Regardless of whether you have an internet connection or not, you’ll be able to send your collected data in real time with our offline data collection mode.
Kizeo Forms offers more than a forms automation solution though, you’ll also be able to optimise processes and create improved workflows for your business. Manage teams by creating user groups and group hierarchies, access and permissions. Manage tasks by pushing certain pre-filled forms to teams to complete with reminders on completion dates. Once your customizable forms are complete, your data is collected, you will be able to send clients and employees fully branded reports from within your Kizeo Forms app.
If you’re still undecided on how forms automation could improve your business processes, read more on the benefits of Kizeo Forms here.