Mobile Data Collection: A Quick Guide on Process and Procedures

Mobile data collection is a technique for gathering qualitative and quantitative information using a mobile device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, etc.). This method has improved data gathering speed and accuracy, service delivery efficacy, and program staff performance. 

Mobile data gathering features like decision assistance, form logic, and checklists increase data quality while assuring data collection and care practices adherence. While mobile data collecting is a useful medium, it is also vital to approach it like any other data gathering effort. Check out the data gathering guide below to make sure you’re prepared.

What exactly is mobile data collection?

It is comparable to punch cards and keyboards, but mobile data collection offers greater sophistication and flexibility. 

Because of the nature of today’s mobile devices, a mobile data collecting app is significantly more comprehensive, adaptive, and expandable than previous alternatives. 

Unlike a keyboard, which can only receive text inputs and is only connected to one device, a smartphone may accept data in various formats. Images, sounds, and signatures can be created and ingested by a mobile data collecting device such as a smartphone or tablet. 

It can also dynamically connect to a variety of apps in a variety of hosting environments. Of course, a data collecting app allows the data collector to go far from the place of data processing.

Before choosing a mobile data gathering technology, consider your data requirements. Although mobile data collecting technologies offer enormous promise, there is no single solution that will work for everyone. Various tools, as you can guess, have different features.

Your data needs will determine if you require an app that can collect GPS coordinates or video. List your data requirements to evaluate whether you need to track data over time and what data access capabilities you may require.

There are various elements to consider when deciding how mobile data capturing will be conducted in the field, on the go, or even at the office or at home, including:

1. What sort of data are you collecting, who are you collecting it from, and what technology is accessible at the time of data collection (smartphone? or laptop?)

2. What connection is available at the data gathering place

Discussed below is whether the powerful mobile data collecting instrument suits your company. Go through the primary advantages of mobile data collecting based on the data being gathered, the purpose it will serve, and the influence your available resources may have on the decision-making process.

Using Mobile Data Collection to Enhance Business Processes

One of the most appealing aspects of moving to mobile data gathering is the possibility of improving work procedures. 

It’s fantastic to reproduce established processes on mobile, but the technology also allows for new ways of doing things and may increase the capabilities of your existing solutions. It is worthwhile to investigate how a mobile forms and data gathering app might assist you in improving your business processes.

Last words

Dashboards and data analytics tools provide insight into how your data gathering is doing. You may view actions both in the current time and in the past. Form submissions may be tracked, essential business operations monitored, trends identified, actionable insights shared, and much more. 

You’ll be able to see how mobile forms are affecting your workflows this way. You’ll know whether a form or procedure is slowing things down so you can prepare a solution.