For many businesses, barcode technology plays a crucial role in the deliverability of goods and services. Whether you’re performing a facility inspection, a safety equipment check, merchandising product, or tracking shipments—barcodes provide a database worth of information on a single item. When leveraging barcode scanning capabilities with mobile forms, one scan can dramatically transform the way your team collects information.

Using your Mobile Device as a Barcode Scanner

The Barcode Field, in its simplest form, allows users to scan an item’s barcode (using the built-in camera on their mobile device) and extract the information into text format in a form field. The field will then display the corresponding numeric combination associated with the item, saving users time spent entering lengthy characters and human error associated with manual data entry.

The real magic of the barcode feature occurs when users reference preexisting data from an Excel sheet, Google sheet, or other database resources. When uploading an exhaustive list of assets, inventory, or product information to your Resource files, you simultaneously equip your team with the same access, right at their fingertips. When you give your users access to pick-lists of information, they can narrow down selections and expedite form completion while you receive more accurate data in return.

By using the lookup function of a resource with the barcode field, scanning a single barcode can automatically pre-populates fields with corresponding cells. No more missing line items or re-entering information before submitting forms.

You can easily recreate, upload, or delete data when scanning existing barcode labels. Users can scan barcodes and quickly determine when the next time an equipment asset needs to be serviced or replaced, or what aspect requires further inspection.

Because digital forms are inherently smarter than paper-based alternatives, they can be formatted with conditional logic specific to an asset, so users are answering the right questions about the correct item, every time. With barcode scanning, your team can significantly reduce time spent filling out form fields.

Check out more reasons why you should implement barcode scanning in your mobile forms below.

Benefits of Barcode Scanning and Mobile Forms

• All-in-one solution. Mobile Forms and Barcode Scanning exist in the same application meaning no additional third-party scanners are required. Users can scan directly from their mobile device and finance teams can reallocate funds for other projects. Because the application exists across iOS and Android platforms, employees can leverage their personal devices, saving more time and investment.
• IT team not required. Administrators logged into the Management Console can setup barcode workflows with ease using the drag-and-drop form builder. Device Magic’s intuitive user interface makes it possible to seamlessly create workflows and connect your existing tools, without an IT expert.
• Auto-Fill, all the way. When a tech needs to go back out to a job or do a task again because it was incomplete or incorrect the first time, it costs your business time and money. Preventing errors and finding ways to reduce reworks will keep projects moving forward on schedule and allow you to get more done.

Each mobile form feature offers its own unique approach to transforming how you collect data. Consider how using the barcode scanning feature in your data collection process can streamline work for your team.

See why administrators and mobile users alike choose Device Magic for their teams. Create your free account today to test the power of barcode scanning and digital forms.

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There are over one million restaurants in the United States, ranging from massive fast-food chains to small mom-and-pop bakeries, fine dining establishments, neighborhood family diners, hotel restaurants, and more. Each is equipped with a commercial-grade kitchen that must meet strict requirements to promote consumer health and safety.

You can’t afford to take shortcuts when it comes to the upkeep and maintenance of your commercial kitchen. Restaurant owners, managers, and head chefs who want to protect their consumers and be prepared for those unexpected inspection visits should use a health inspection checklist for restaurants to stay organized and up to standard. Here’s a quick template you can use to help ensure your kitchen is properly maintained.

What is a Commercial Kitchen Maintenance Checklist?

A commercial kitchen maintenance checklist is a form used by restaurant managers and head chefs to ensure that every part of their kitchen is working properly.

A kitchen in a small bakery will have different maintenance needs than a large commercial kitchen in a hotel restaurant, so there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all template. That’s why many top-performing restaurant owners and managers are using Device Magic Mobile Forms to create custom kitchen maintenance checklists that are tailored to the unique needs of their kitchens.

What to Include In Your Checklist

Preventive maintenance is key in keeping your kitchen up and running. Being intentional about equipment maintenance can help to avoid costly repairs as well as prevent health and safety violations. Every kitchen maintenance checklist will look a little different, but in general, you should cover the following areas:

Griddles & Grills

Many commercial kitchens rely on griddles and grills to cook hundreds of hot meals a day. They are easy to use, easy to clean and help maximize space in the kitchen. Some things to add to your checklist regarding your grills and griddles include:

• Wipe down griddles and grills after use
• Clean burners
• Check grease filters

Dishwashers & Sinks

Whether you hand wash your dishes and cookware or run it through a commercial-grade cleaning system, the systems you use to clean and sanitize your dishes are an important part of maintaining a clean and orderly kitchen. Some things to add to your checklist regarding your dishwashers include:

• Clean the filter every 15-20 cycles
• Train employees to rinse food and debris from plates and cookware before loading the dishwasher to prevent clogs and drainage issues.
• Check chemical levels (detergent, sanitizer, rinsing aids)
• Inspect tank water and change regularly
• Look for chips, dents or damages to dish racks

Fryers

You’ll find a gas or electric fryer in any kitchen that serves large quantities of fried foods. Countertop fryers can maximize floor space for smaller kitchens and diners, while larger, busier kitchens may use multiple floor models to keep up with the demand for fried foods. Your maintenance checklist should include:

• Extract dirty oil regularly
• Clean fry baskets and inspect for damages
• Check and clean combustion fans
• Pay close attention to the quality of the oil you’re using in the fryer
• Check for gas leaks

Ranges

Arguably, the range is the most used piece of kitchen equipment. If it breaks down, it could not only cost you a lot of money but drastically reduce the efficiency of your kitchen. To ensure your commercial range continues to work effectively, add these elements to your checklist:

• Grease valve knobs regularly
• Burners and grates are cleaned and secure
• Move range and clean behind it
• Check thermostat is working properly
• Train kitchen staff to use ranges correctly to avoid safety hazards and damages

Fridges & Freezers

Careful temperature control is vital in preserving food and extending the life of cold and frozen items. When a refrigerator or freezer goes down in a commercial restaurant, it could mean thousands of dollars in lost food. Keeping an eye on all the different elements of your commercial refrigerators and freezers is key in commercial kitchen maintenance. Be sure to include the following in your checklist:

• Look over door hinges and closers
• Clean gaskets and lubricate hinges
• Check refrigerant level
• Check and adjust defrost timers
• Check electrical connections
• Inspect suction line insulation
• Calibrate thermometers

Storage Spaces

Dry food storage areas should be cleaned regularly, organized, and inspected for leaks, evidence of electrical issues, or temperature control issues. Some things to add to your checklist regarding your dry storage spaces include:

• Food and supplies are kept off of the floor
• All food is properly labeled
• Temperatures in dry food storage spaces are up to code
• Employees are trained in FIFO food storage practices (First In, First Out)

Floor Maintenance

When you think of commercial kitchen maintenance you may focus on the equipment inside of the kitchen and look over the foundational aspects of the kitchen, like the floors. Solid, clean, slip-free floors are a must to ensure safety in the kitchen. The most important step in maintaining a commercial-grade kitchen floor is by keeping it clean. Some things to add to your checklist kitchen regarding flooring include:

• Use a degreaser to get rid of grease and soils
• Remove floor mats, sweep, and mop regularly
• Look for cracks, holes, or bumps in the floor that could be a tripping hazard
• Ensure all floor drains are draining properly

Try Device Magic for Free

Whether you’re running a food truck, small diner, neighborhood cafe, or high-end restaurant, regular preventative maintenance in your commercial kitchen is crucial to provide a high-quality guest experience. With the Device Magic custom form builder, you can easily create a commercial kitchen checklist that covers every aspect of your unique kitchen.

The post The Ultimate Commercial Kitchen Maintenance Checklist appeared first on Device Magic.

The roof is one of the building’s most essential structures, yet it can often get overlooked and ignored. Regular roof maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your roof and can help you catch small issues before they turn into big problems. Whether you’re a contractor hired to inspect a roof, a property manager, or a homeowner, here is a comprehensive roof inspection report template to help ensure all of your bases are covered.

What is a Roof Inspection Report?

A roof inspection report is a document that provides the guidelines you need to check over every aspect of a roof to ensure it is in peak condition. Since every roof is different, every inspection report will be a little bit different. But generally, you can expect to address these five key areas: Shingles, Gutters & Drainage, Flashing & Caulking, Chimneys & Vents, Attic. Let’s take a closer look at each:

Shingles

The condition of your shingles can tell you a lot about the condition of the roof as a whole. Your shingles are designed to protect your roof from the elements, while also adding an aesthetically pleasing visual element to your home. The granules on the shingles are designed to deflect heat from the roof, keeping the temperatures inside your house down and reducing energy costs.

Things to note on your roof inspection report regarding shingles include:

• Broken or missing shingles
• Shingles that are cupping on one side
• Shingles that are flapping in the breeze
• Shingles that are cracked or warped

Shingles that are not in place leave the interior materials of your roof exposed to the elements. When shingles are cracked, broken, or missing, your roof is at risk for water damage. Missing shingles also makes it easier for pests to access your roof and attic space. One or two broken or missing shingles can be easy to replace. However, if you notice there is a big section of your roof where the shingles are broken, cracked, or warped, it could be a sign that there is a more significant underlying issue.

Gutters & Drainage

The system of gutters on your roof is responsible for draining water off of your roof. When water cannot drain correctly, it can result in pools of stagnant water. This can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and it can also weaken roofing materials.

Things to look for regarding the gutters and drainage systems include:

• Dirt or debris in the gutters
• Bent or twisted gutters
• Gutters not securely fastened to the side of the building
• Gutters showing evidence of rust and leaks
• The downspout is not diverting water away from the foundation

If you notice any of these issues, you must address them right away. A dysfunctional gutter system can cause excess water to run off of the roof and quickly saturate the soil around the building. This can weaken the foundation and lead to other issues inside, such as mold growth and wood rot.

Flashing & Caulking

You will find flashing on any surface where the roof meets a vertical surface like a sidewall or a chimney. Flashing is made out of galvanized steel, and its job is to redirect water away from these vulnerable spots on the roof. You usually find flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights. A careful inspection of the flashing of your roof requires you to get up on the roof, so if this is not your area of expertise, it is recommended to hire a professional roofing contractor to do this part of the inspection for you.

Things to look for regarding the flashing and caulking of your roof include:

• Missing flashing in areas where the roof edge meets a sidewall
• Improperly flashed chimneys
• Sloppy or improper installation of the flashing
• Small holes in the roof flashing
• Signs of rust on flashing materials

Chimneys & Vents

Because roof vents and chimneys penetrate the roof, they are at high risk for water leaks. Shingles have to fit around these structures perfectly. If they don’t, it increases the chance that water will seep through. The chimney’s job is to take toxic gases produced by a fire up and out of the home, but regardless of how often you use your fireplace, the chimney should be part of a thorough roof inspection.

Things to look for regarding the chimney and roof vents include:

• The use of excess roofing tar. This could be a sign that the chimney has leaked in the past, and the tar was used as a quick fix.
• Not enough flashing around vents and the chimney structure
• Shingles were not cut correctly to form a waterway around the chimney
• Flashing around the chimney overlaps
• Vents are missing storm collars and/or storm caps

Attic

A proper roof inspection should happen in two parts: an exterior inspection and an interior inspection. You can tell a lot about a roof just by looking in the attic. Not only can you check for water leaks in the attic, but you can also check the structural ventilation of the building up there too. If air is not circulating in and out of the building properly, it could lead to higher internal temperatures and higher utility bills.

Things to look for during your roof inspection regarding the attic include:

• Dark spots on the wood beams. This is a sign that the wood is wet
• Condensation and mold on the plywood and/or rafters.
• Evidence of a rodent infestation
• Leaking ductwork
• Faulty or inadequate insulation

Try Device Magic for Free

You can’t afford to let your roof go unchecked. A thorough roof inspection can preserve the structural integrity of your home or commercial building for years to come. With Device Magic Mobile Forms, you can create custom roof inspection reports that incorporate geo-mapping, photo features, free text spaces, and give you full control over who sees and modifies the document. You can even access your forms offline and integrate them into your existing business platforms.

Start your free Device Magic account today and streamline the roof inspection process.

The post The Essential Roof Inspection Report Template appeared first on Device Magic.

Restaurant owners understand how nerve-racking a surprise visit from the health inspector can be. Their analysis of the kitchen, front of house, bathrooms, staff, and food can either make or break your restaurant.

These unexpected visits can be more manageable with preparation. Part of being prepared involves creating and implementing a restaurant inspection checklist to ensure your restaurant is always up to industry standards. Learn how to create custom mobile forms to help hold your staff accountable for meeting health and safety standards.

What is a Restaurant Inspection Checklist?

A restaurant inspection checklist is a document that restaurant owners and managers can use to ensure every aspect of their restaurant is compliant with health and safety standards. This type of kitchen checklist can cover everything from regulations for employee hygiene to the way food is stored. Having a comprehensive checklist can make your routine inspection process easy and efficient for your employees while helping you prepare for those unexpected visits from the health inspector.

What Should You Include In Your Checklist

Here are six key areas to include in your checklist, which can all be completely customized with the Device Magic restaurant inspection checklist app:

Food Storage

Proper food storage practices play a significant role in maximizing the preservation of dry goods in your restaurant. Using clear and consistent food storage strategies can help ensure your food lasts longer, reducing waste and preventing cross-contamination that can result in getting customers sick. Your inspection checklist should cover food storage methods such as:

• All food storage containers are labeled and dated
• Food is stored in cool and dry locations and not exposed to heat or other contaminants
• Food and chemicals are stored separately
• All food is stored at least six inches above the ground
• Staff and management are aware of the FIFO method—first in first out.

Refrigerators & Freezers

Controlling and maintaining temperatures of cold foods is another crucial element in following industry regulations and guidelines. Refrigerators and freezers should be maintained regularly to ensure consistent climate control. Your checklist should cover aspects pertaining to the restaurants’ refrigerator and freezer usage such as:

• Refrigerators and freezers are cleaned regularly
• A thermometer is visible and working correctly
• If there is a walk-in fridge or freezer, all items are stored off the ground
• All foods in the refrigerator and freezer are labeled correctly
• All foods are being stored in a place that is conducive to their particular “safe range” for temperature

Food Prep Process

Food Storage in a restaurant is the first step in remaining compliant with health and safety guidelines. The next step is ensuring that food is prepared in a way that eliminates cross-contamination. The kitchen can be a busy place. But following a clear and consistent food prep process will help your kitchen staff prepare, cook, and serve foods in a way that is safe for the end consumer. Some of the issues your restaurant inspection checklist should cover in regards to the food prep process include:

• Frozen foods are being thawed correctly
• Tasting utensils are washed after every use
• All foods are being heated to the correct temperatures
• Food that is not in use is covered to avoid cross-contamination
• Everyone in the kitchen who touches food washes their hands, uses gloves, and cleans utensils when switching from one food to another

Sanitation

A clean restaurant is a healthy restaurant. Every section of your restaurant should be inspected regularly and cleaned thoroughly, from the waiting area to the main dining areas and the bathrooms. Consistent sanitation processes help reduce the spread of germs and ensures that every utensil or tool that comes in contact with food is sanitized correctly. Be sure to include the following items in your checklist:

• All kitchen equipment is cleaned regularly
• All utensils are cleaned between uses
• The concentration of sanitizing solution to water is optimized for best use
• Waiting areas, tables, chairs, and menus are all wiped down and clean to the touch
• Food prep areas are wiped down and sanitized
• The water used for disinfecting and cleaning is at the optimal temperature for sanitation

Garbage & Food Disposal

Restaurants throw away a lot of food. Unfortunately, this can lead to infestations and attract vermin if not handled correctly. Overflowing garbage cans and dumpsters can attract mice and rats, which can pose a severe health risk to consumers. Make sure you are addressing the way garbage and food is disposed of in your restaurant:

• Check that the lid of the dumpster is always closed
• Make sure garbage cans are cleaned regularly
• Implement a realistic policy and schedule for disposing of waste and food
• Ensure all garbage bins have lids and covers
• Check that the outside dumpster is organized, and no food or trash is on the ground that could attract rats, mice, or other creatures

Employee Hygiene

The people who work in your restaurant play a vital role in the overall health and safety compliance of your restaurant. While you can’t monitor every interaction that your staff has with the food they produce, putting strict policies in place regarding hygiene can help eliminate many of the most common health violations. Some non-negotiable items to include in your restaurant inspection checklist:

• There are designated smoking areas and eating areas for employees that are separate from food prep areas and guest dining areas
• All employees wash their hands before handling food and after using the bathroom
• Wounds are quickly treated and immediately bandaged to reduce the risk of contamination
• Employees are required to keep their hair pulled back or wear hair nets when coming in contact with food
• Employees are required to wear close-toed shoes, and their uniform must be clean

Try Device Magic for Free

Your success as a restaurant owner is heavily influenced by your continued compliance with health and safety regulations. Device Magic Mobile Forms can function as a restaurant inspection checklist app, allowing you to easily create a custom mobile checklist with a drag and drop interface. Your form can then be accessed from anywhere, even offline.

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