Field data gathering ideas for the near future

Chris Low, Product Manager, a la mode , inc.

Sometimes you may feel that all you're paid to do is fill out the form. But it's not true. We know you're more than a typist.

Appraisers are the "engineers" of the real estate transaction. They're the ones who have to do the research, the legwork, the analysis, the calculations, and finally the accurate assessment. It's a lot of technical work. And most of the real "engineering" aspects don't happen at your desk. They happen in the field.

Lately, a lot of new hardware technologies have been introduced that could make working in the field easier (emphasis on "could"). It's our job to match a software solution to the hardware technology. So at a la mode Labs, we're currently researching how to apply those technologies to the appraiser's field data gathering chores.

Tablet PC's are starting to become more pervasive and opportunities abound for appraisers to use the technology in the field. More on Tablet PC's

With Tablet PC's come new ways to input data, including neat pen and ink input methods and improved voice recognition technologies. More on pen and ink methods / More on voice recognition

Last year, Microsoft introduced its new Ultra Mobile PC platform, designed for total portability and a small, compact form factor. UMPC's are bigger and more powerful than PocketPC's, but still portable enough to hand–carry anywhere. UMPC's are also touch screen capable, so in many cases you many not even need a stylus. More on UMPC's.

The Windows Mobile operating system has graduated to the cell phone and many phones now contain Windows operating systems and pocket applications that are very powerful. And the newer stuff contains better API's for software developers like us to build group collaboration applications. More on Windows Mobile

Overall, the possibilities for improved technology in the field are getting better and better every day.

Another thing to consider is the fact that when you're working in the field, you're not filling out a form. You're gathering data. So your workflow shouldn't follow that of a formfilling routine. It should follow the processes you use when you're measuring and analyzing. Otherwise, it's a square peg in a round hole.

We don't have anything built for this yet, but we're working on some good ideas. We'd like to hear your thoughts.

• What tasks do you perform in the field that you find cumbersome?
• How soon do you think you'll be ready to purchase a new mobile device?
• What would you like to see in a mobile field data gathering application?
• Or would you rather just use paper and pencil? Admittedly, it does have its efficiencies.

Click on the link below and send us your feedback. We'd love to hear from you.