eInspections / ISN Support » eInspections

Should I buy a laptop or a tablet?

Dan Huber — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:39:14 +0000

What kind of computer you buy is a personal decision. We have found most inspectors prefer laptops over tablet PCs. Between roofs, ladders and crawl spaces you need your hands free during much of your inspection. As a result many inspectors prefer a laptop over a tablet as a more user friendly tool.
Hardware is constanly changing but as of today 7/9/08 we recommend you reviewing the lenovo convertible tablet which gives you both options a “normal” laptop with the “tablet” option – you will find that it offers the best of both worlds. http://shop.lenovo.com
We recommend at least 2GB of RAM with Microsoft Vista and at least 1GB of RAM with Microsoft XP.

eInspections™ will work on any laptop or tablet PC as long as the machine is running a full version of Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Installing the eInspections Signature Pad

Chris Schuld — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:07:35 +0000

There are two different ways to install your digital signature pad with eInspections™.

Install it initially when you first install eInspections™
Install it after you have installed eInspections™

Let us discuss the details of each method:

Installing Initially with eInspections™

First, unplug your signature pad so it is NOT plugged into your computer
When you are installing eInspections™ you will be prompted by the installation program to choose your signature pad.
Choose your signature pad model number and click Next>> and finish up the installation
Now, plugin your signature pad
Next, launch eInspections™
Inside of eInspections™ and click on Tools and then on Options
Click on the Network and Hardware Options tab
Select the option for Use USB Signature Pad
Restart eInspections™ by closing it and re-launching it
You can now use your digital signature pad with eInspections™!

Installing the pad after you have installed eInspections™

You can install your digital signature pad after you install eInspections™ by clicking on and installing this application: http://einspections.net/download/signaturepadsetup.exe

First, unplug your signature pad so it is NOT plugged into your computer
Click on the link above and click Run or Open to start the installation
Click on Next and then select whether you Agree to the licensing agreement or not. If agreed click on Install to continue
Next, select your digital signature pad model from the list and click Finish
Now, plugin your signature pad
Next, launch eInspections™ inside of eInspections™ and click on Tools and then on Options
Click on the Network and Hardware Options tab
Select the option for Use USB Signature Pad
Restart eInspections™ by closing it and re-launching it
You can now use your digital signature pad with eInspections™!

The difference between an Inspection Type and an Inspection Template

Chris Schuld — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:45:08 +0000

So, what is the difference between an Inspection Type and Inspection Template?

Inspection Templates:
In the most basic terms a template contains the values for drop downs, check boxes and basic remarks for a specific type of property (for example: 1990’s, 2 story with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, and composition shingle roof). If you would like to generate your own Inspection Template, open up eInspections™ and click on your desired check boxes and select or enter values for your drop downs. Next, click on Templates at the top of your screen and Construct a Template from the Current Information and give your template a filename. In this example we might use 1990s-3Bd-2Ba-2Story.

Utilizing the templates can save you time and you can customize and save as many templates as needed.

Inspection Types:
Inspection types are different types of reports with different sections, checkboxes or drop downs. An Inspection type file is a fantastic way of customizing or creating a specific type of report for the field. For example, you can Right Click on any check box and click Edit Check Box Text Value and make your desired change. You can do the same with all of the controls (checkboxes, labels, or drop downs) throughout eInspections™.

To create your own Inspection Type file first make your desired changes and then click on Tools at the top of eInspections™ and the Save This Inspection as an Inspection Type.

Next, change the Report Name such as My Standard Report, click OK and you have now created an Inspection Type available for you in the future when needed.

How do I place my report in a binder?

Chris Schuld — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:28:41 +0000

Many of our inspectors use a binder to wrap or contain their reports. The binders range from commercially purchased Home Inspection binders to the inexpensive binders you might find at OfficeMax, OfficeDepot or Staples.

To make your eInspections™ report binder ready you only need to change a few items in your company settings. To get started click on Customize and then on Company Settings:

Next, click on the Report Settings tab. We have found the best settings for a binder to be a margin setting of 50, 10, 10, 10 as shown here:

Your report will now have enough room to include in a binder:

Need additional help? Search our support blog or contact us at (800) 700-8112!

Are the electronic signatures eInspections obtains legal?

Chris Schuld — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:20:50 +0000

Yes, according to the Federal Electronic Signature Statute, Title 15, USC Chapter 96, Section 7001, you are able to accept an electronic signature as long as you maintain the requirements set forth by this Federal ruling and the rulings of your local government.

Read the official statute:http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/15C96.txt

Are the PDFs eInspections™ Generates Secure?

Chris Schuld — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:03:50 +0000

Yes, the PDF files eInspections™ creates are secured using Adobe’s Password Security model. Therefore, you cannot change or modify the PDF unless you know the password for the document. You can change this password inside of eInspections by clicking on Customize and then Company Settings, next, select the Report Settings tab and select the PDF Options tab. In this page you can select the PDF Encryption Password for your inspections.

Backing Up eInspections

Chris Schuld — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:10:44 +0000

Backing Up eInspections™ is quick and easy. In XP Click on Start. Next, click on My Computer and look for your C:\ Drive. Next, double click on Program Files and then on Inspection Support. Next, right click on eInspections and click Send To –> Compressed Folder. Now eInspections™ is backed up in the Zip File eInspections.zip.

Adding Remarks and Photos

Chris Schuld — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:30:31 +0000

In every section of eInspections the checkboxes and drop down menus are easy to use and were designed to save you time.

All of our checkboxes, drop downs, and sub sections throughout the eInspections report are customizable. View how you can customize your report by watching one of our additional videos.

Let’s get started adding a remark and photo to your report. Let’s use the roofing section as our example. If we had some signs of a roof leak, simply click on the “Some Signs” button. Now click on the Remarks and Photos tab at the top right of your screen and the information will slide out.

Now, click on the Green Plus Button and all of the remarks for the Roofing Section will appear. Notice how all remarks are sorted by sub sections at the top. Click on any tab to review your desired remarks. For our example, we will click on the remark tab “Worn and Missing Shingle Section”. Highlight your desired remark, notice there is a blank or multiple choice option. Let’s use our drop down in the First Replacement Value and choose the appropriate value for your condition. In this case, let’s choose “Front Side of Garage Roof”. Using our remarks system allows you to communicate quickly and easily with minimal typing. If you do need to manually edit any remark you can do it with ease in this section. Now our remark says “Missing Shingles Noted on Front Side of Garage Roof”. Click okay to accept the remark.

Notice how eInspections has returned you to the Remarks and Photos Section. You will see there are two status buttons next to our chosen remark. One is a red S or Summary Remark button, and the other is a green B or Body Remark button. If you choose a Body Remark, the remark will only be in the Body of your report. If you choose Summary, the remark will be displayed in the Summary Section, Under the Photo, and in the Body of the report. eInspections let’s you choose whether your report has a summary section or not.

Now let’s add a photo to your remark. Locate the photo for your remark and simply click on it, hold, then drag and drop the photo over the top of your remark and release. This automatically attaches your photo to your chosen remark. You will now see your photo attached in your Section Remarks Window. You can also add multiple photo’s to any remark. Just select your desired additional photos then drag and drop them on to your remark. Now let’s talk about editing your photo and adding an indicator arrow to your photo. To edit a photo, double click on the highlighted photo and eInspections will open the Photo Editor. Click once on the arrow of your choice then simply move the cursor to your photo and point your arrow to the location of your condition and release. Notice how easy it is to position your arrow to the exact location of your condition. With eInspections you can add as many arrows as needed.

Let’s review the Arrows Properties Tab. When you hold your curser over the Arrow Property Tab, you will see how you can adjust all of the settings for your arrows, including color, outline, size and transparency. eInspections offers you the flexibility you need in the field.

On the Photo Properties Tab, you can quickly adjust the brightness and contrast of your photo. Fantastic for attics and crawlspaces. When your photo is complete, click on the Accept Image Button on the top of your toolbar and you will see your updates and arrows back in Section Remarks of the Remarks and Photo Section.

When you are done with your remarks and photos in the Roofing Section, simply left click away from the open window and it automatically closes. Remember, you can use our provided remarks, create your own remarks or add remarks you have been using throughout the years. View our Remark Management Video to see how.

You decide what remarks are in your report. You decide where your photos are displayed in your report. In the Summary Section or front of the report, in the Appendix or back of the report or Inline under each section of the report. With eInspections you are always at choice.

We hope will take a few minutes to view some of our other videos. Let us know if there are any changes you would like us to make to your eInspections report. Our support team will look forward to customizing a report just for you and your company.

This concludes our topic on adding Remarks and Photos. If you have any questions or are ready to get started with eInspections call us at 800-700-8112.

Saving to PDF from eInspections™

Chris Schuld — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:00:16 +0000

Using eInspections™ there are two different ways to save your inspection to PDF. The first way (and quickest way) is to print the report and then save the report to PDF at the Report Viewer window. The second way to create a PDF of your report is to export the inspection to PDF by clicking on Tools → Save this Report to PDF.

Here are the two methods:

The quickest way to generate a PDF is to save a PDF from the Report Viewer. To do this first print the report by clicking on the printer icon on the tool bar or by clicking on File → Print Report

When your report appears click on the Disk Icon in the top left hand corner of the window

Next, give your report a file name (IMPORTANT: make sure you understand and know what directory you are saving your report – choose My Documents from the drop down above if you are unsure where to save your PDFs). Contact us at (800) 700-8112 with any questions)

After you give the report a filename click Save and your PDF will be generated.
First, click on Tools and then on Save this Report to PDF

Next, give your report a file name (IMPORTANT: make sure you understand and know what directory you are saving your report – choose My Documents from the drop down above if you are unsure where to save your PDFs). Contact us at (800) 700-8112 with any questions)

After you give the report a filename click Save and your PDF will be generated.

Resetting the Fly-In Windows

Chris Schuld — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:16:57 +0000

eInspections™ features a lot of fly-in windows and tabs. During an inspection these windows and tabs can get “messed up” and you can find yourself stuck without a window you need.

To Fix this click on Window–>Arrange Windows–>For my Laptop PC

All Fixed!