VincentGabriel Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'm new to the whole Home Inspection and was wondering if the anyone uses an Online Report Editing Software rather then a desktop application? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I've never heard of an online report writing program. I think you'll find almost everyone has their own copy of whatever program they choose on their PC and then edit the template to meet their wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Why is that? Now days everything is going towards online cloud computing and storage. There is no need to download and install anything, accessing the content from anywhere using any kind of device or platform is far easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Online storage and backup makes sense for a lot of reasons. I don't have complete faith in that yet, but that's just me. Online software? might work well for you in LA, but I would not want to be dependent on that. I might want to work on my laptop away from my office. Can't find WiFi everywhere I go. We have dead zones here where you can't even use a cellphone, believe it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I think Home Gauge is an online based system that you can also go standalone. I switched to Home Inspector Pro earlier this year and use their cloud service and mobile iPad app. I basically enter the problems or anything noteworthy in my iPad which sits in the kitchen and then it uploads to the cloud. I then download to my desktop where I add pictures, additional comments and then I send it to my client. I worked on a report this AM in a McDonalds parking lot while waisting time between my afternoon appointment. All McDonalds and Startbucks have free WiFi so it is always easy to find WiFi service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 John, That is true, But technology has evolved and now you can still update and store data without the need to have an active connection http://www.html5rocks.com/en/features/storage it will sync the changes you've made once you get to a location where it find some connection. Scott, Yeah that's probably one of the best features Online Software has to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 No Scott, it's not. HomeGauge software resides on my computer where I can work on my reports anywhere with or without wireless. When the report is done, THEN it's uploaded to the file servers for client retrieval. They've had the sync between devices feature (like HIP is now doing) for quite some time. But, neither of the programs are true cloud computing (where you're software is in the cloud also). Cloud computing is great if you've ALWAYS got internet access. For those many that don't, the software needs to be on our computer. Report Host or something like that has the software on the internet. Did a sample, didn't care for it. I'm sticking with HomeGauge. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'm not confident with online storage systems - much prefer to do my own backup and storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Eric, That's understandable, But having both options is even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Why is that? Now days everything is going towards online cloud computing and storage. There is no need to download and install anything, accessing the content from anywhere using any kind of device or platform is far easier. Smells like a vender. Online software is just another way to milk the cow. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 I'm new to the whole Home Inspection and was wondering if the anyone uses an Online Report Editing Software rather then a desktop application? Thanks. Vincent, are you in the business of selling an online report editing service or program or are you an inspector who's interested in using such a program? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, It would've been true if i had something to sell. Jim, I'm in the software development business, But i don't have or offer an online report editor or program. Right now i'm just looking into the whole inspection process (Not just home inspection but others as well), Market, User Preferences, Pricing etc.. Really just want to hear how people are using this on a daily basis rather than try and sell something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles46 Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Vincent: When I first started I used Inspection Report Creator as it was a total online report software option. I later switched to Home Gauge as the total package was more to my liking. When it comes to software for your reports, you just need to take the different options available for a test drive and go what is right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 O No Scott, it's not. HomeGauge software resides on my computer where I can work on my reports anywhere with or without wireless. When the report is done, THEN it's uploaded to the file servers for client retrieval. They've had the sync between devices feature (like HIP is now doing) for quite some time. But, neither of the programs are true cloud computing (where you're software is in the cloud also). Cloud computing is great if you've ALWAYS got internet access. For those many that don't, the software needs to be on our computer. Report Host or something like that has the software on the internet. Did a sample, didn't care for it. I'm sticking with HomeGauge. - Thanks Erby, I was not quite sure. That is good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, It would've been true if i had something to sell. Ok Vincent, I take it back. I've not bought into it before so perhaps I'm not the most qualified to judge it but I do take issue with it in regard to protecting the confidentiality of my reports. I also don't like functionality being impaired by connectivity. Basically, it takes me clear out of my comfort zone. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, Those are good points. Now i was wondering how you guys end up sending the final report to the client? Can other people see the report or just the client? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 My reports and their addendums are compiled into a pdf package using Adobe Acrobat. They're signed with a signature pad then Emailed to the client. They can be seen by anyone who's in possession of the report and opens it. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, Thank, HG creates the PDF once it's done, Not adobe. Correct? How do you guys include images and other media to the report? You take pictures onsite then added it when you get back to the office/home? Thanks again for the information, Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, Thank, HG creates the PDF once it's done, Not adobe. Correct? How do you guys include images and other media to the report? You take pictures onsite then added it when you get back to the office/home? Thanks again for the information, Much appreciated. The HI software I use integrates photos into the content as I specify. It does have pdf print capability but I had problems with file sizes too large to Email. Instead, I route it directly to Adobe which also produces the pdf package. I can do 75 photos, 640 X 480 pixels, with abundant content and still well under 2 MB. I'm the kind that doesn't mind splurging on software. It's not HG. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentGabriel Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Marc, Thank, HG creates the PDF once it's done, Not adobe. Correct? How do you guys include images and other media to the report? You take pictures onsite then added it when you get back to the office/home? Thanks again for the information, Much appreciated. The HI software I use integrates photos into the content as I specify. It does have pdf print capability but I had problems with file sizes too large to Email. Instead, I route it directly to Adobe which also produces the pdf package. I can do 75 photos, 640 X 480 pixels, with abundant content and still well under 2 MB. I'm the kind that doesn't mind splurging on software. It's not HG. Marc That's impressive, 2 MB for all of that is really good. Depends on the quality of the images that can make the file size smaller but never heard of 75 images with content and under 2MB. Do you use the same report template for all inspections? Or you create a new template for every inspection separately? What HI software do you normally use? If i might ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Do you use the same report template for all inspections? Or you create a new template for every inspection separately? What HI software do you normally use? If i might ask. There are layout and font specs that are consistent with all my HI reports but the template is fluidic. It's modified as the report develops and follows the house and it's condition. The range of templates isn't really all that much though for most of my HI reports. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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