MP-Field: How collecting field data electronically improves collection efficiency and reduces errors
The Problem:
Environmental data collection is a requirement for many environmental regulations, however the collection of this data can be problematic for a number of reasons:
Use of paper documents when collecting data
- This requires the user to have a document with them whilst undertaking the site visit which details what requires collecting. Finding what needs collecting at what site can be time consuming and issues can be encountered in locations where adverse weather may cause damage to the document or make reading the document difficult.
- The frequency of data collection my not be clearly identified meaning data could be collected at locations when it is not required and other locations may be missed.
Use of paper documents for recording results
- Paper copies require the manual input of data at a later date, meaning that input errors can occur though mistyping or not being able to interpret the written information.
- It isn’t possible to highlight when a sample point has been missed. Meaning gaps in the data can occur, or it will require a user to go back out into the field again to obtain this data, causing delays to further analysis and report submission.
- Data is not automatically validated, so unusual or above compliance data inputs are not highlighted or checked.
- Data must be manually forward to laboratories for analysis.
Multiple data formats for future uploads
- In addition to having upload paper entries at a later date, other documentation such as photographs or other notes collected at the site must be manually uploaded and stored at the field visit.
- These may have to be stored in different locations or with different users making further analysis more time consuming as those performing analysis and making reports will have to find all these separate pieces of data and combine them.
Site navigation
- Without GPS, if a user only has a map with them it may cause issues in finding the site location especially if they have not had to visit the site previously.
Delay in data availability
- If site data is collected using paper records this data then has to be uploaded at a later date into the system. Resulting in delays for further analysis and reporting. These time delays can be significant if there are staff absences or if large amounts of data require input into a system.
The Solution: MonitorPro and MP-Field
MonitorPro and MP-Field provides a range of features which make data collection and further reporting quick and easy:
Instant access to data for analysis and reporting
- Once collected in the field and uploaded to the database, the data is instantly available for analysis and further reporting, this means users do not have to wait for the visit to be uploaded manually before any analysis can be completed.
Monitoring Scheduler
- The Monitoring scheduler in MonitorPro means you can clearly identify what needs collecting and at what frequency, avoiding unnecessary data collection.
Multiple input sources
- Easily take pictures in the field and upload them to the database with the sample points data, or refer back to previous images and documents previously uploaded.
Built in mapping
- Easily navigate to your required sampling locations using MP-Field’s built in mapping feature.
No missed data points
- MP-Field highlights where data collection is still required or if a point has been missed.
Avoid data input errors
- Data is captured in the field directly, removing the potential for manual data input errors, and removing the need for notebooks and other devices. The utilisation of drop down lists and date pickers for data input into MP-Field also removes the risk of any data input errors.
Automatic data quality check
- Data input into MP-Field has an auto validation feature based on compliance limits and maximum and minimum values pre-set in MonitorPro. If data is above this predefined value a warning message will be displayed and data cannot be entered. Also if data input is above a compliance limit, this will be highlighted to the user in the field.
MP-Field and MonitorPro: The perfect solution for your environmental data management
All these advantages highlight that MP-Field’s digital data collection make data collection in the field significantly easier and less error prone than manual methods. This saves considerable time and money, and ensures a site can successfully submit reports at required intervals to the necessary agencies, in turn, this avoids any late submission fines or non-compliance issues.
Want to Find Out More?
For more information on MonitorPro, check out our benefits of MonitorPro, features of MonitorPro, and why choose MonitorPro pages, or contact us at enquiries@ehsdata.com.
About MonitorPro
The complete, professional environmental data monitoring solution, MonitorPro is the IT solution trusted by environmental teams worldwide to manage their environmental compliance and data collection. MonitorPro is a web-based or locally hosted solution for the collation of ALL sources of environmental data, where it is generated by loggers, laboratories, weather stations, calculations, or other data repositories. MonitorPro is the first EHS Software solution to receive an MCERTS accreditation from the Environmental Agency.
About EHS Data
EHS Data is a world leading UK based software company providing Environmental Data Management Solutions to over 1,000 sites in 40 countries worldwide. For over 20 years, our versatile software solution, MonitorPro, has helped organisations save time, improve planning, quality control, site analysis and reporting to manage environmental obligations and sustainability.
ISO 27001
EHS Data is ISO 27001 certified.
A Carbon Negative Business
In 2020, EHS Data attained Carbon negative status and is committed to maintaining this status each year.
