Decade Software encourages agencies to use EnvisionConnect's Page Layout Editor to optimize the users' data-entry pages and expose only the fields necessary for the task at hand. That means removing, adding, re-ordering, and changing labels to reflect the workflow, forms, and data. Agencies can also put instructions right on the page... converting the procedures manual to an electronic form. Different forms may be used for different types of facilities, complaints, service requests, inspections, etc.
We find that 30-40% of the available fields are rarely, if ever, used. Get these fields off of your forms!
The Page Layout Editor (below) uses a familiar drag-and-drop approach. If you can drag junk e-mail to your trash folder, you can drag unused fields out of view. You have the control.
Each version of the page layout is retained in history, making it very easy to return to a previous version. And, each layout may have its own security profile... that way, the view that includes the complaint's name is restricted while the rest of the office can still see the details of the complaint.
One might ask why EnvisionConnect continues to carry the additional fields that many agencies may not need... Well, Decade Software Company has a 20-year history of being very responsive to its user community. Somebody needed... and somebody uses those fields.
Until User-Defined Fields/Forms were added to the system (in the early 2000's), new fields were added to the forms based on agencies' data management needs. And, since Decade never releases "one-off" custom versions of Envision or EnvisionConnect, everybody simply benefited from the availability of the new field(s).
Since the User-Defined Fields feature was added (the ability to add new fields on-demand), most new fields have been managed by each agency. But even User-Defined Fields sometimes outlive their utility and should be removed from view (but not from the database).
The opportunity to streamline your front and back-office view of the world is huge. Don't miss out on this opportunity by leaving the Page Layout Editor out of your plans.
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