Best way to replace paperwork with digital forms?

[Dyson]

Now, I know what I want to do, but not sure how best (or where best) to ask, so please bare with me...

At work I presently produce handwritten shift notes for my day and nightshift guys, giving them individual expectations. They then are expected to record any reasons for not meeting these, problems with machines, tooling, that sort of thing.

This just feels a little antiquated, and I think there must be a more efficient way of doing such a thing.

What I would like to achieve is to create each individual note on my computer, and then send out to individual tablets. The guys would then return their comments on these tablets. This would allow us to stop using quite so much paper, would make each person's reply eligible, allow the use of photos to show extra detail, and allow the shift notes to be created even if I had to isolate and work from home.

I know I would need tablets, either Android or Windows, what I don't know is which would be better used to achieve the end result, or which software would be best used.

If I can supply any more information, please just ask.

 

[FredFlint]

If you are ok with IT stuff, create a custom application. what you want is not that difficult and can be done incrementally. Using Visual studio c# you could create an app for you(manager) to input/view the shift data and post it to a database. The workers use a different app(mobile or window app) to get the data based on user login, then post back the info result to the database which can all be viewed in the manager application. This type of software is not that hard to do and the tools needed are free, the only thing that can be tricky is setting up a database server but if you have a network/wifi at work it should not be a problem.

 

[smogsy]

Now, I know what I want to do, but not sure how best (or where best) to ask, so please bare with me...

At work I presently produce handwritten shift notes for my day and nightshift guys, giving them individual expectations. They then are expected to record any reasons for not meeting these, problems with machines, tooling, that sort of thing.

This just feels a little antiquated, and I think there must be a more efficient way of doing such a thing.

What I would like to achieve is to create each individual note on my computer, and then send out to individual tablets. The guys would then return their comments on these tablets. This would allow us to stop using quite so much paper, would make each person's reply eligible, allow the use of photos to show extra detail, and allow the shift notes to be created even if I had to isolate and work from home.

I know I would need tablets, either Android or Windows, what I don't know is which would be better used to achieve the end result, or which software would be best used.

If I can supply any more information, please just ask.

As an it professional in programming and administration. I would high suggest the following.

Don't - make a custom app. It's more hassle than it's worth to create and manage Android iOS windows Mac & Linux.

I would - find a online solution allowing any device to use said service. First idea ones to mind is Google sheet with a custom form sheet. Reason all is access, free and secure with 2fa and 99% uptime.

 

[Dyson]

@FredFlint I think creating an app may be a little over my head, but will consider it, thank you.

@smogsy Sounds much simpler, will have a look at using Google sheet. Would Android be a better choice for the handsets?