Best Practices
Publish Your Report Sooner Rather Than Later
While all field data is saved within the Collector app (with photos also being saved in the Photos app), we recommend that once you’re done doing your field work, go ahead and Publish your report to the Cloud. This saves your work and gives peace of mind – you never know when an iPad can fall off a roof.
Import Photos From Your Camera Roll
The Collector app allows you the option to take photos from the app or to import photos from the iPad’s Photo App (Camera Roll). Taking the photos through the app will be the most efficient way, but if you feel more comfortable taking pictures through the Camera app, that’s not an issue.
If You’re On an iPad, Do Not Use Wifi on the Job Site
The Collector app is designed to run without Internet connectivity. When you’re running Wifi, the iPad is creating extra heat, which can add up when you’re on a job site in the summer. Run your iPad in Airplane Mode to keep the iPad cooler when you’re out in the field.
For New Construction, Do Not Switch Between Map and Roof Plan Views
The Collector app defaults to using Google Maps imagery, as the majority of roofing projects are existing buildings. However, you may load a Roof Plan PDF for new construction projects since this would be more useful than viewing the existing map. The app is not designed for switching between Map and Roof Plan views. Decide when you create the project if you want to use a PDF rather than Google Maps imagery and do not switch back and forth. If you’re using the Map, then data will be saved using GPS coordinates, which will not convert to a PDF layout, and vice versa.
When you get on the roof, collect your general roof area data
Once you get onto the roof, go ahead and collect the minimum recommended data for that roof area. In the Roof Area Menu, we recommend taking at least two representative photos and at least selecting a Roof Type in the app. The Collector app will also tell you prior to uploading data if those data points have not been completed.
When you start a new project, you need to go into the Collector app and create a New Building (or buildings) and Roof Areas for that building(s). Use the Owner’s naming convention, if they have one. When you create a new roof area, the app will ask you to place an anchor for each roof area created. Create all the buildings and roof areas, and place the anchors, before you get on the roof. This will help you have a plan when you start your survey.
Plan out your survey before you get on the roof
While you can always take screenshots later, they only take moments a few moments to finish. Before you get off the roof, we recommend taking all of the Project and Roof Area screenshots so that you’re ready to upload your project once you get back on Wifi. The Collector app will also tell you if you’re missing screenshots prior to uploading your data.