Industry Expert Blog: 5 Ways Mobile Tech Brings Speed & Accuracy to Regulatory & Building Inspections
Inspecting residential and commercial buildings, potential health hazards, and fire codes is not simple. These jobs demand exceptional attention to detail, extensive data gathering, and comprehensive knowledge of codes and standards – all of which can be time-consuming and costly. That’s precisely why mobile technology has been proving to be a game-changer for building inspectors, health inspectors, fire inspectors, and other regulatory professionals.
Let’s take a closer look at five ways mobile technology – including smartphones, tablets, printers, and software – can boost efficiency and accuracy for field inspectors of all kinds.
1. Digital data collection
The ability to enter data directly into mobile devices saves inspectors valuable time and improves accuracy compared to taking notes with paper and pen, and then later manually transferring that information to a digital database. It also makes it easy to take and incorporate digital photos using the same device.
Digital data collection capability offers other benefits as well. Inspectors can take advantage of geolocation data available through integrated mobile apps and GPS, ensuring exact coordinates are used and eliminating the need to manually chart data locations.
Also, digitizing field data collection forms makes it fast and simple to update and customize them as needed for various applications.
2. On-the-spot, on-the-go printing
A wide range of mobile printing solutions allow inspectors to automatically generate and print reports, invoices, permits, and any necessary enforcement, legal, or compliance documents – quickly and easily, right at the inspection site or wherever needed. If, for example, a fire code violation needs to be physically served, the inspector can print and present the document immediately.
3. On-demand access to inspection history
With easy, on-demand access to information about previous inspections, inspectors can compare and confirm changes, improvements or issues on the spot, avoiding delays due to missing data.
4. Easy access to building codes and standards
Mobile technology enables inspectors to access the most up-to-date versions of all relevant regulatory codes and standards.
5. Streamlined communication
The ability to digitally capture, store, and share data – as well as provide printed documentation on demand – improves and streamlines communication between members of the inspection team and also between inspectors and customers. Customers can easily check on the status of inspections, while access to comprehensive data in near real time supports faster, more efficient decision-making and repairs.
Optimize performance with the right mobile solution
Investing in the right mobile technology can boost inspector productivity and efficiency, increase accuracy, and improve responsiveness to customer needs. See what makes the Brother PocketJet and RuggedJet the choice amongst field inspectors:
- Durable, lightweight making them easy to carry with inspector
- No messy inks or toners
- Customizable in-vehicle mounting solutions
- Long battery life to last entire shift
- Connectivity via Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi®
- Easily integrate with existing systems and softwares
- Learn more about how Brother mobile printers can empower inspectors to work faster and better – enhancing public safety.
