ScribeWare’s New Mobile Application for iOS and Android.
Where do you get the app?
At the writing of this blog, the ScribeWare mobile application is available as a beta download for iOS and Android devices. Simply go to www.getscribeware.com/beta on whatever device you want to load and ScribeWare will select the correct application for your device. We expect that in the next few months we will have the app available in Apple and Play stores so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you are on android, be sure you have the “app tester” installed. The download process will typically ask you if you would like to install the app tester.
Note: If you install ScribeWare on multiple devices, be sure to download and install using the same email address so the devices sync. When you download onto a PC or Mac computer from the link above you will be running ScribeWare 5. If you already had ScribeWare 4 installed, it will automatically bring over your templates and your library of narrative comments. You can run version 5 and version 4 in parallel. They can both be on the same machine. At the moment we are not bringing over your old reports from version 4 into version 5. We will eventually do this once we phase out version 4 entirely. Also, note that the mobile app will not work with version 4 – you need version 5 on your desktop in order for the devices to sync.
Can I Finish and Send a Report Onsite with the App?
The app is an amazing data-collection device for photos and videos and can speed up report writing by allowing inspectors to work on a report as they go. We are working toward developing the app as an end to end report-writing solution, meaning reports can be completed and sent from a mobile device. At the moment, though, the mobile app needs to be finished on a desktop to complete the report writing and publishing process.
While this beta version will likely work for most home inspectors, those who would like to complete their reports on-site, should not look to the ScribeWare app as a solution at this time. I would expect that by the spring of 2021, the app will be ready for completing inspection reports onsite**. In the meantime, that same link above can also help you load ScribeWare 5 onto your Mac or PC.
Do I have to Fill Out The Report As I go?
NO! With ScribeWare’s application, you can effortlessly switch between completing a report as you go, or simply taking pictures and videos and inserting them into your gallery for later use when you get back to the office. This allows inspectors to switch between workflows depending on the job. We know that often the client is with you every step of the way and it can be hard to work on your report as you go. Other times, you are all alone and it is easy to just work directly on the report.
I Have DownLoaded at App and I Would Like Some Directions
The series of photos and illustrations below should help you understand the basic control functions of the app. Please note that if you want to customize the template and/or your library of narratives, you will want to use a desktop Mac or PC for convenience and to be able to simply see everything. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at support@getscriberware.com and we can help.
**A Note About Onsite Reporting
A note about onsite reporting is that we believe in most climate zones, this is a risky venture, and we generally recommend that home inspectors complete reports back in the office, giving them time to consider their report carefully. This improves the quality of the report, the information provided and reduces the inspectors’ liability.