How do you enter data on site?

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by badair

Down here the "hand-held complaint department" stops anyone from telling an inspector how to conduct his/her inspections

Funny...I thought there in texas you inspectors were told how the report was going to look and how to rate items and everything by the TREC people.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Bruce,
We looked at voice dictation but the issue was that it took much longer to enter the data that way then tapping a dropdown menu that would insert sentences of text at a time...otherwise you had to memorize a huge list of codes and then you still weren't sure it actually put in what you wanted since you never see exactly what is getting entered until later. Sure..you can ask for it to tell you the available list but then that even makes it longer to enter data.
Now voice navigation is a different story and something we are pursuing...instead of me tapping on the "Garage" section to open it...I just say "Garage" and the "Garage" section opens up automatically on the PDA. It just makes it more hands free since inspectors like to use theirs hands a lot when inspecting...go figure...

Jeff

Who's We?

The computer tells me if it enter the statement I called for.

I'm not sure what it's called, but Interspect Voice has the ability to navigate. I walk into a room and say "add new garage" and boom I'm working in the garage, snapping pics, going down the list. No PDA. Only my tools on my belt and in my hand.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

We also stayed away from voice navagation, but like any software you can use windows or dragon naturally speaking with the program itself. The reason not to persue it was not only what Jeff mentioned (tapping is faster) but that the almost every one of the inspectors I talked to about voice software said they constantly ran into problems with real estate agents questions them about what they were saying as now everything they did was heard. That added even more time. so they eventually switched away. Obviously everyone's mileage may differ!

Not even an issue.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Hey Bruce. Sorry I misspoke there. I was not talking about voice navigation, that wouldn't be a problem. I was talking about voice recognization of actual comments. Like saying: 'Mold found around the bottom of the toilet' and having the program enter the comment in for you. But, obviously there's quite a few inspectors saying they use voice dictation on site so they must not have a problem with it!

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Hey Bruce. Sorry I misspoke there. I was not talking about voice navigation, that wouldn't be a problem. I was talking about voice recognization of actual comments. Like saying: 'Mold found around the bottom of the toilet' and having the program enter the comment in for you. But, obviously there's quite a few inspectors saying they use voice dictation on site so they must not have a problem with it!

I just tailored my comments to not be an issue if they're overheard, "toilet loose" or "fixture grout". But honestly, the reason it is not a problem is that I'm usually alone (99%) until the client arrives and we do the walk-thru.

bruce

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Ahh ok that makes sense. Most inspectors I talk to say the client is there with them. How do you get away with doing so many of them alone?

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bthompson1

Who's We?

The computer tells me if it enter the statement I called for.

I'm not sure what it's called, but Interspect Voice has the ability to navigate. I walk into a room and say "add new garage" and boom I'm working in the garage, snapping pics, going down the list. No PDA. Only my tools on my belt and in my hand.

The "We" would be Knights Software Inc.

How does the computer tell you it has entered the correct statement ? Does it have to read back to you the entire text of your comment ? How many memorized phrases do you have to memorize ? I have no doubt that roughly 50% of the things you run into are very common..."loose toilet"..."reverse polarity" etc. but I am still thinking that it is a rather long list that you would have to memorize...and can you do "fill in the blanks" in your statements ?...like to designate what room or location or type of verb to use in a statement ? Ex. "(TOP_LEFT) burner does not work on stove." ... or are they all canned statements ?

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Ahh ok that makes sense. Most inspectors I talk to say the client is there with them. How do you get away with doing so many of them alone?

I only do 1% or less alone and that is because the client is out of town. I always want the client on scene. I usually just ask them to arrive as I finish so that I can walk around with them and show them everything on the report. I found that because I am extremely tedious (read: slow), people get bored spending 3-4 hrs following me around.

If they arrive early, I give them a tape measure or some blue painter's tape or a notepad or my extra camera so that they can walk around measuring, marking or taking pics. Apparently, they love it and think I'm thoughtful. No cost to me (or very little) but it goes a long way.

Works for me.

I find if people meet me, see how thorough I am and we develop a rapport then they're less likely to sue their "friend". I also tell people that once they've hired me, they've bought me for life. "Call me, email me with your questions, if I don't know the answer I'll find it for you."

Have a good 'un.
B

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

The "We" would be Knights Software Inc.

How does the computer tell you it has entered the correct statement ? Does it have to read back to you the entire text of your comment ? How many memorized phrases do you have to memorize ? I have no doubt that roughly 50% of the things you run into are very common..."loose toilet"..."reverse polarity" etc. but I am still thinking that it is a rather long list that you would have to memorize...and can you do "fill in the blanks" in your statements ?...like to designate what room or location or type of verb to use in a statement ? Ex. "(TOP_LEFT) burner does not work on stove." ... or are they all canned statements ?

I say "add toilet loose". It says "quick text added". Simple.

You're right in saying that 50% (or greater) are common items. I carry around a piece of paper in my backpocket of commands, in case I forget. And besides, I don't have to remember all of them. If I run across something unusual, I can always snap a pic and say "add photo" and then when I get to the polish stage, I can just type in my comments.

Yes I can insert fill in the blanks (stove example above), but the absolute best thing about this software is the ability to label rooms. If I say "toilet loose", the subheading under "Water Fixtures/Supply" (a TREC line item) is the room, i.e. Master Bathroom. So I don't need to have a location!!! Wonderful. Time saving!

www.interspectvoice.com


Bruce

[kmcmahon]

I use inspect express and take notes on the PDA (Dell Axim) and upload it to my computer...add the custom data, pictures, etc. on my PC and I'm done....takes a bit longer on site, but less time at home writing the report.

[Steven M. McNeese]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

We also stayed away from voice navagation, but like any software you can use windows or dragon naturally speaking with the program itself. The reason not to persue it was not only what Jeff mentioned (tapping is faster) but that the almost every one of the inspectors I talked to about voice software said they constantly ran into problems with real estate agents questions them about what they were saying as now everything they did was heard. That added even more time. so they eventually switched away. Obviously everyone's mileage may differ!

Dominic,

The problem with trying to use dragon or windows speech with another program is that the speech functionality is geared toward emulating mouse events and key strokes. This obviously doesn't work unless you are sitting in front of the computer to see what is going on. If your sitting in front of the computer, what's the point in using voice - the keyboard and mouse are faster. I know inspectors that still do this or just use Dragon to capture dictation, get the transcription and then cut and paste into their inspection software. This works, but it is not efficient.

Interspect Voice integrates the speech technology into the process of inspecting. Using voice commands and/or dictation is just another form of input/output in the project. It can be used exclusively or in combination with the keyboard and mouse. What makes it unique is that the voice commands are not tied to the screen events like clicking a button or scrolling a list. The commands are tied to the inspection process like adding a room, selecting an inspection item, setting status or adding a canned comment. Dictation works just like Dragon, but instead of just transcribing a bunch of text, it is categorized and automatically inserted into the appropriate section of the report. Because there is no visual feedback, the computer responds with voice prompts and information. Basically, you are have a conversation with your computer. When you are done, the report is basically written for you.

As far as the interruption from clients and realtors, this was a concern but it turns out to be a blessing to the inspector. Most of the time the client or realtor will sit wherever the computer is and watch what is going on as the inspector is off performing the inspection. From what are customers tell us, they get less interruptions from their clients and realtors because they are using the voice. This allows them to finish their job quicker - both from the hands free technology and the lack of interruptions.

Anyway, there is a lot of good software on the market, including your product. The use of voice, PDA, tablet or whatever just depends on the inspectors process, what they are comfortable with and how effecient they want to be. As professional software developers, it is our responsibility to understand how inspectors perform their work and look for ways to support that process using technology without becoming a burden. I know you understand this because it is evident in your product and interaction with the inspectors.

Keep up the good work!

Steve
Interspect Voice

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the detailed response on the process, that's pretty cool! I did not realize that the guys are basically walking around without the computer. So are they using wireless headsets to walk around and communicate with the laptop or tablet sitting on a table somewhere? If I ever manage to get some free time I'll definitely check out the program as it sounds quite interesting. From what it sounds like, it's more of a unique product that I thought going beyond just using dragon for 2 way feedback. Nice work

Dominic

[Steven M. McNeese]

We use the Plantronics CS50 USB headset. It uses 900 Mhz technology like a cordless telephone. With a 200 foot range through walls, ceilings, floors and roof, you can bascially go anywhere inside or out. The inspector can mute the microphone on the headset or pause the hands-free inspection with a voice command when they need to talk or answer the phone.

The laptop is usually setup in the kitchen. We do have some inspectors that run the software on a tablet and use a wired headset or bluetooth headset. They put the tablet on a shoulder strap or in a backpack. Most of these guys are doing commercial buildings that have multiple floors.

Steve

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by smcneese

We use the Plantronics CS50 USB headset. It uses 900 Mhz technology like a cordless telephone. With a 200 foot range through walls, ceilings, floors and roof, you can bascially go anywhere inside or out. The inspector can mute the microphone on the headset or pause the hands-free inspection with a voice command when they need to talk or answer the phone.

The laptop is usually setup in the kitchen. We do have some inspectors that run the software on a tablet and use a wired headset or bluetooth headset. They put the tablet on a shoulder strap or in a backpack. Most of these guys are doing commercial buildings that have multiple floors.

Steve

Hi Steve,
Hope things are going well for you in the WARM state of Texas. (-10 below here this morning). On that note....I was curious as to how that USB headset did in cold weather...could inspectors here in Wisconsin use it without any problems that you know of ?

Jeff

[Steven M. McNeese]

Hey Jeff. Good to hear from you. Cold or hot do not seem to affect the unit. We have a lot of inspectors outside of Texas that experience the cold weather you are having now although I don't know for a fact that it will operate at -10! I will have to check the manufacturer specs for operating temperature range.

Steve