Exciting Features on the Horizon!

I am very excited to announce that we are nearing completion of a very large update to InspectX. We have packed so many new features into this new version I don’t even know where to begin.

To our loyal surveyors already using InspectX, this update is for you. Don’t worry, while we have created all these amazing new features, we have still kept the core simplicity and functionality that you already know.

If you are not yet using InspectX to complete your survey reports then I strongly suggest you keep an eye on this space, because the chances are very high that you’ll see that ‘must-have’ feature you’ve been holding out for!

This upcoming update contains features suggested by our users as well as all the features I wish we could've included in the first version. Here’s an overview of just some new features you can look forward to.

Global Changes

• Ground-up re-write for performance on a faster and more efficient framework.
• Improved touch-input controls throughout, to more easily perform actions.
• Improved performance and functionality when using a Mac or iOS device.
• The entire interface is capable of drag/drop functionality (including images).
• Integrated full-screen mode with button at the top right of the page.
• Integrated ‘high-contrast’ mode with button at the top right for easy access.
• More space available on cover/title page for custom entries.
• Additional Substitute Variables for File Number, HIN, address, etc. as well as custom Substitute Variables.
• ALL content can be customized and changed to other languages as desired.
• Label names for ‘Finding’, ‘Recommendation’ and all other sectional heading names can be renamed.
• System level changes including the infrastructure for administrator control for companies with a large team of surveyors (to be completed in subsequent updates).

Project Selection Mode

• Enhanced search tool to much more efficiently locate projects.
• The ability to mark projects as ‘favorites’ for easy retrieval.
• Control panel for choosing what report field columns are visible.
• Columns can be re-ordered as desired.
• New action menu with more options when copying a previously completed project as a ‘template’ with specific controls.

Button Mode

• Visual indicators for images as well as findings on the buttons and categories.
• Ability to mark topics as not applicable, in progress or complete.
• Topic headings can be arranged in table-view anywhere in the report.
• Findings and attachments are visible, even when presented in table view.
• Drag/drop images from your computer directly to buttons for faster entry.
• Exact page scroll position retained when saving entries.
• The Descriptive Name of any Category, Topic or entry can be hidden from publish while still displaying the content. These headings can also be replaced with horizontal rule separator if preferred.

Edit Window

• Rich-text formatting shows text formatting right in the edit window.
• Text formatting options (bold, italicize, underline, strikethrough, paragraph formatting, text color, etc.
• Substitute Variables (formerly [:brackets:] replaced with real-time substitutes so you immediately see what will be published inside the text edit window.
• Quick Insert Options and Reminders bar can be resized.
• Quick Insert options improved with option for abbreviation (optional)
• Reminders can be added to any heading or at the system level.

Reminders

• Reminders are used to make sure a specific set of actions are completed before the heading can be marked as completed. Reminder control can be adjusted in settings. We imagine this tool to be most useful to surveyor company’s wanting to ensure staff surveyors always perform specific checks. Or for newer surveyors/organizations/schools wanting to maintain a specific standard.

Outline Mode

• Fully editable outline mode (formerly Publish Preview Mode) that enables editing directly on this page.
• Status Filter enabled in Outline view which enables viewing headings that are ‘not started’ or ‘not applicable’ so you can complete an entire report from this view if desired.
• Images can be dragged/dropped directly to headings in outline view.
• Outline View is capable of scanning for spelling/grammar mistakes, and utilizes the native dictionary of the host machine.
• Ability to open the detailed editor while making changes in Outline View.

Settings Mode

• Signature creator, including the ability to add affiliations and seal.
• Ability to automatically number sections and headings of the report. These numbered sections automatically update as new entries are made, and are automatically disabled on headings marked ‘not applicable.
• Detailed import/export options to make sharing Settings easier, with options of whether to share with your signature and personal details or not.
  
  

• The ability to store up to 8 different configuration layouts and easily switch between them without even leaving the current project.
• The ability to copy entries, topics or categories in configuration mode, and specifically choose which information is copied.
• A built-in configuration tool to check file compatibility.
• Detailed import/export options to make sharing easier.
• Simple drag/drop to re-order and re-structure report.

Attachment Manager

• Easily add captions below any image (including keyboard shortcuts to quickly move through all your report’s images).
• Easily add shapes (arrows, circles, ovals, squares, rectangles etc.)
• Customize shape size and color after adding and easily repositioning over image.
• Range of number icons to place on image for quick reference.
• Drag/drop images anywhere in your report after importing.
• Image check-boxes to select for batch actions (delete, rotate, move, etc.).
• Turn any image or graphic in a diagram, retreivable for repeated use in all future reports.
• Custom symbols allow you to save your own elements (shapes etc.) for overlaying on images in future reports.
• Resize any image to 1/3rd page width, 1/2 page width or full page width.

Publish Mode

• Choose between Letter, A4 or Legal page sizes.
• Adjust page margins, formatting, style, indent, font and much more for each section and heading within the report. These options enable countless combinations to personalize the appearance of your report.
• Ability to include a static PDF company cover page before the report.
• Ability to append PDF file attachments after the report.
• Table of Contents can be printed within the report as well as built into the PDF. Surveyor has the option whether to include topics or just categories in the TOC and all headings are hyperlinks within the PDF.
• Preview page layout directly in the Publish view.
• Final publish can be done on reports that haven’t yet been fully completed.
• New HTML to PDF converter improves page-breaks within the report.
• New rules in the report layout make better use of white-space on the page for shorter reports.
• Findings & Recommendations can be repeated in the body and Appendix, and user has control of which section images appear in.

and I'm sure quite a few more things I forgot along the way....