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The report builder functionality is limited and some way off being at a standard that we can viably use with external agencies. Below is a list of improvements that I think would be beneficial:
Ability to choose the map - map projections differ, and we use a more accurate map to capture defects. Google maps is slightly different, which means a defective hedge can appear in the middle of a road on a report. How do we tell the land owner which side of the road it is on without the original map?
Page numbering - helps keep track of whole documents, and stops pages being omitted
More intelligent repeater - Repeat horizontally as well as vertically, but has the awareness to know when it goes on to the next page, so it isn't split
There is a contains word option on data sources, but not one for doesn't contain. That be useful, and in all AQS areas of the system. I assume there is a reason for that, but an alternative that achieves the same result would be very useful
Headers and footers - It is very difficult to add a logo, title and date, without them looking off centre, so a proper headers and footers function would really help
Horizontal and vertical stacks - It would be good if they knew there limitations and continued on a separate page where required
I forgot to add that it would also be good to have a label for items to displayed on a map, that is customisable based on a value in the data source the map is looking at.
There are lots of report related ideas on this ideas portal that have been around for a number of year. It would be worth collating them into one list, to see how many organisations would like changes to the report builder.
Hi James,
Thanks for raising this with us.
We have plans to revisit report builder next year so will be sure to look at these ideas and see if we can introduce them. Keep an eye on this idea and we'll update it when things are progressing.
Thanks
Andy
Would really like to see the reports developed as well...
It would hopefully help us with pre-adoption (Section 38) reports and snagging lists we have to create and send to third party developers prior to adoption.
If report templates could be aligned and merged with a mobile interface so on-site snagging could be captured in real time along with photos and a map overview, which in turn would then create standardised reports with corporate artwork, branding and colour pallets.
The ability to incorporate map overviews with legible asset numbering and defect photos would be very helpful...
It would make sense to have a single brand design library at organisation level for each organisation. Standardised or tailored reports could then be created to suit individual needs using up to date brand designs from a ‘design standards compliant’ pick list. With this in place at organisation level, marketing teams could manage and update any re-branding, artwork, colour pallets and design standards in one place and this in turn could enhance governance, brand identity, professional standards and facilitate a consistent corporate image.
Just on choosing the map, it would be a massive improvement to be able to set the vertical size of the map ie so it is not the 'letterbox' shape and also set a target zoom level - for polygons its not too bad but when showing points the map tends to zoom in very close so it's difficult to tell what area it is ie you can see street name eg "Main Street" but not know which town "Main Street" is in.
I forgot to add that it would also be good to have a label for items to displayed on a map, that is customisable based on a value in the data source the map is looking at. Can you add this to my idea above please?