New Report Upload Technology

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by mboyett

The key to that is 'format of the future' and I don't disagree with that. If the client doesn't allow or know how to allow HTML thru his e-mail account then he won't get it. If your willing to have the occasional client need a little hand holding then that's fine.

Mike....That is why I use HomeGauge they convert the HTML (so people see words and pictures), why other software doesn't is beyond me.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Awesome, maybe HomeGauge has successfully figured out how to make sure everyone gets the 'picture' version. That's great!

[cdemsky]

Michael is right, the most widely accepted format is a pdf file, not only that, but one of the safest for you as a home inspector as it cannot be edited, or can be set so that it can be edited with a password. HTML is the newest and is certainly great, but it, as with Word documents can be edited.

We use pdf reports for liability purposes.

Firefox has always had issues with pdf files downloading from Websites, now it seems Word documents as well. We will put some instructions on the downloading page for Realtors and clients letting them know that if they are using this browser they may experience problems getting to their report.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback! Keep it coming!
Catherine

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by cdemsky

Michael is right, the most widely accepted format is a pdf file, not only that, but one of the safest for you as a home inspector as it cannot be edited, or can be set so that it can be edited with a password. HTML is the newest and is certainly great, but it, as with Word documents can be edited.

We use pdf reports for liability purposes.

Absolutely, I am in agreement with Michael B. I never send reports out in any editable format. Firefox will always download PDFs from a website if you right click and use the "Save Link as" option.

[wforsyth]

It also works from the ADOBE PDF printer option.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by cdemsky

HTML is the newest and is certainly great, but it, as with Word documents can be edited.

HTML cannot be edited in an uploaded HomeGauge report.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Dale, after looking more closely at the HomeGauge website and their method of uploading/downloading the report I see it from a different angle now. HomeGauge does not send the report to the client as an HTML e-mail, which might cause problems, but rather hosts the report on their server and it is viewed by the client as a regular HTML webpage. That's a different approach from what I was describing and that should not be an issue for anyone that is using a common browser. Now, there may very well be minor glitches like font sizes or something like that but simply viewing it shouldn't be an issue. I stand corrected or, more appropriately, I stand informed now.

[abell1]

Hi everyone I just tried out your software. I liked how easy it was to start up and upload reports. My only complaint is that when I logged in like a client I was able to delete and change the words on the inspection report. I am not sure if that is because of Word or because the server does not protect the document.

Thanks

If this is priced right I would use this software.

Aaron Bell
ABYRD Home Inspections
Vancouver, WA
360-713-7776

[cdemsky]

Aaron,

If your report is in Word, it can be edited by anyone, it is not a server issue. My suggestion is to print your report to a PDF document (there is a free download for a PDF writer at www.cutepdf.com). Then clients cannot edit the report.

I hope this helps.
Catherine

[John McKenna]

Problem:

This does not happen often but....

What if you type the wrong email address for your client?
Regular email will kick back and you can at least know
about it and re-send the report.

With your system... there is no way of knowing if
the clients report was sent out to the wrong email.

Answer?

[ddinwoodie]

I have now used this program successfully and I am impressed. I like the features and will continue to use it if it is priced affordably.

Great Job!

[mrowan]

Folks

Thank you all very much for your feedback here.

For those that have ventured into the technology you will see that it is much more than just a report up load function. If used to the fullest it will manage your reporting processes, allow access for all parties from anywhere, provide liability management reports for inspectors and respective companies in addition to making your reports accessible 24/7.

How many times has a realtor or attorney had to wait until you got home to get a report from a previous week? How much more time did you spend re-sending it again?

Deliver your reports different to everyone else. Let your realtors know that they are always available. Most competitors don’t!

We will soon have automatic connection links that will enable you to connect to your web site for report down load log in so you can take advantage of also having access from your web site. Realtors and customers will be spending more time there so get ready!

As far as cost we are not sure yet, but right now it is FREE and will be for the foreseeable future.

Good luck to all and again thanks for trying out our automated report management system.

Michael

[John McKenna]

Still no answer on my "wrong email problem" (see above).

Also...

If a legal need arises, is there any documentation that you
can pull out of your records that someone did indeed "click"
on the INSPECTION AGREEMENT page? If you need to
use it, then how do you show any record of it?

Also...

Please spell check your email responses that go out to our
customers, as they represent our company.
You mis-spelled toll free as "tol free".

You know me... the kettle calling the pot black.

Smile.

[dsmith1]

What would be the advantages of delivering my reports using your system. I have been emailing my reports in password protected PDF format for years and have had very few problems. With your system my client will still need a PDF reader installed on their computer. My clients are resposible for distributing their report to who ever they chose.

[cdemsky]

John,

If you accidentally type in the wrong email address for your client or Realtor, as long as it is a "bad" email address, meaning it doesn't exist, you will receive a mailer daemon email in your inbox (defaults to the main company email address registered in the database), just like you would if you sent it from your own mailbox.

I will check on the spelling in the emails received.

We can pull reports on when the user name and password were entered and the button "I Agree" were clicked if there is ever a legal situation. Our database reecodrs the date and time those variables happened. Right now, I believe our company is the only company with access to that, but by calling you can get a report for your company. The programming is in place so that this functionality will be available for individual companies to pull their own report. As soon as that is available I'll let everyone know.

For David's question,

The advantage of using this system is that it further protects your liability by requiring that your Realtors and clients reagree to your pre/post inspection agreement. It also allows multi-inspector companies to manage their inspectors and check on reports quickly. Once the company enters the client/Realtor information, it is automatically available for the specified inspector to access quickly for report uploading. Also, when the inspector uploads his or her report, it is immediately available for the office staff to see as well. You can still enter only a client email address and they can still be responsible for getting the report to whomever needs a copy. You don't have to enter a Realtor email address as well.

Catherine