The HG Companion is the mobile version of the Desktop Report Writer, it allows you to write reports out in the field. By using the Companion, you are allowed the freedom of navigating through the home unencumbered while still being able to write comments, take photos of deficiencies, and make inspection checks. This article will explore editing a report on the HG Companion and the features that you have at your disposal.
Download Templates and Settings
When opening the HomeGauge Companion for the first time, signing in and downloading templates is important.
Basic Interface
When you first open the HG Companion, you will be greeted with the below image:
Click the buttons on the home screen if you want to open a report, download an appointment, or get a cloud report.
Clicking the button in the top right, symbolized by three dots, will open your main menu, which contains your system options.
Clicking the button in the top left, symbolized by three horizontal lines (also known as the hamburger menu button), will open your navigation panel.
Additionally, you may use your finger and swipe from the left to open the navigation menu
Starting a Report
You can start a report from scratch, a downloaded appointment, or a cloud report.
Start a Report From Scratch
Access the Navigation Menu by clicking on the hamburger button in the top left.
Click into sections for Customer, Report Info, Misc (if appropriate) and fill out the info.
Click Select Report Template and select a template to start.
Start a Report From a Downloaded Appointment
Access the Main Menu by clicking on the button in the top right.
Click HG Services > Download Appointments.
Select the appointment you would like to download and click Download.
Access the Main Menu again and click Open Report.
Select the appointment you previously downloaded and click Open.
Select a template and begin the inspection.
Note: Appointments can only be downloaded if they are within 7 days in the past or 14 days in the future. If you are unable to download your appointments, make sure that they fall inside of this time frame.
Start a Report From a Cloud Report
Access the Main Menu by clicking on the button in the top right.
Click HG Services > Get Report From Cloud.
Select the report you would like to download and click Download.
Access the Main Menu again and click Open Report.
Select the report you previously downloaded and click Open.
Select a template if necessary, or continue the inspection from where left off.
Navigating Through a Report
To navigate through a report, click the hamburger menu button in the top left. Scroll through the list and click on an item you wish to inspect. Access the Navigation Menu when you wish to enter a new item.
Duplicate a Section
After you have selected your Template on your Companion, touch the Components Header -- the word 'Components' just to the right of the house icon.
From there, select which component you'd like to create duplicate sections for and hit the menu button, OR touch and hold down (long-hold) the name of the Component you need to duplicate. It will give you the option to add a duplicate section.
Type in a name there OR click the dropdown arrow for pre-existing duplicate section choices. Initially, you will add 2 sections. If you need to add more than two, simply repeat step 2: long-hold the Component's name and choose 'duplicate.' Add the name of the next duplicated section.
Continue filling out your report as usual.
If you need to delete or edit a duplicated section, you can long-press the name of the duplicated section and choose an action from the menu. You will be able to delete the section by choosing Remove. You can change the section's name by choosing Edit. You can also rearrange the newly duplicated sections, moving them up or down by using the up or down arrows in the menu.
Note: Making these edits on your Companion device are report changes that apply only to this current report. This is not a template change.
Making Inspection Checks
When inside a component section, you will find your column headers underneath each inspection item.
Click on each one to make an inspection check. The column header will be highlighted with an orange rectangle.
Adding Comments
In order to add comments, click the arrow next to an inspection item.
Click anywhere in the Empty Comment box to add, edit, or itemize a comment.
A box will appear containing different actions available.
Some of the notable options include:
Add Autocomment Here - Add an autocomment from your local list.
Edit This Comment - Type in a comment using your device's keyboard.
Edit Comment and Speak - Engages your device's text-to-speech mechanic, allowing you to talk text into the comment.
Add Itemized Item - Add an itemization to the inspection item.
Insert PASS Stamp/Insert Fail Stamp - Useful for re-inspections to quickly mark as pass or fail.
Erase Comment - Erases all text to start over.
Scroll through this list and familiarize yourself with the available options.
Adding Media
When in the comment editing section, you can add media, such as photos and videos, to a report. Click one of the buttons below the comment box to add the media of your choice.
The icons from left to right are the following:
- take a photo for the current section
- take a photo for a new itemized section
- take a video for the current section
- take a video for a new itemized section
- review added photos/videos, or add media from device
When you click the photo or video buttons, your device's camera will open, allowing you to take a photo or video. Once taken, the photo will show on the review screen. You may also see that the number at the bottom of the comment section will change to reflect the newly taken photo or video. Use this to confirm that media has been added.
Click the button on the far right (symbolized by a film canister) to enter the review section. Here, you may cycle through the photos and videos for the current itemization and review what is attached to the comment.
Add a picture label by clicking in the Picture Label form and typing a label. Use the camera and video buttons to snap another photo or video.
The buttons containing up arrows will allow you to access your device's film strip and add media taken outside of the HG Companion:
Click the button in the top right corner to delete the picture/video or change the order of the items.
Annotate Photos
You can annotate photos directly on Android Companion to mark specific details while in the field, saving you from remembering details later. You can add arrows, shapes, text, and even freehand drawings to your photos. Annotations made in Android Companion cannot be Reset to Photolocker while editing media on Desktop Report Writer. Resetting must be done within the Android Companion, or you can access the original photo in Photolocker on the Desktop Report Writer.
Choose a Template for your inspection.
Open an Inspection Item and take one or more photos.
Click the Camera Roll to review your photos.
Click the Pencil icon in the lower left corner to access the Annotations tool.
Crop/Rotate
Tap Crop/Rotate.
Rotate: Tap the circular icon in the top right.
Crop: Adjust the area by dragging corners and click Crop in the upper right.
Annotate
Choose Color
Add Text
Select Text.
Type your text, tap Add, and adjust its location by dragging.
Resize by dragging corners or edges.
Draw Shapes
Line or Arrow: Drag to move or adjust size and orientation.
Square or Circle: Drag to move or resize using corners or edges.
Free Draw
Tap Free Draw and draw directly on the image.
Undo
Tap Undo to remove the last change. For multiple undos, tap repeatedly.
Note: Once saved, annotations can no longer be undone. You will need to Reset the image to revert back to the Photolocker.
Save
Press Save to keep your changes.
Reset
if needed, press Reset to revert to the original photo in Photolocker.
Export Photos to Gallery
If you want to have a backup of photos, review all the photos in the report with your customer on-site or use them in the report again. you can send them to your device's gallery. The currently open report and newly taken pictures are sent to the gallery.
Click Menu
Click More
Click Photo Options
Check the box for Send a copy of photos taken in-app to the device gallery
Open the gallery of your device. Every device's gallery is different. However, if you use Google Photos, the images are in the Library and a Pictures folder.
Styles and Materials
To get to the Styles and Materials for an inspection item, simply click the header at the top of the screen, and the view will change.
Use the left and right arrows or the drop-down at the top to navigate through the styles. Click on an item to highlight a material option.
Overview
Click the Overview tab at the top to go into the section overview. You can edit the intro or footer paragraphs by clicking the Edit button. You can add section overview photos by clicking the Section Pictures button at the bottom and adding a photo like normal.
Check Your Answers
Above the comment box, you will find the below icon. You can click that to access the CYA feature for the current inspection item you are in. The CYA will provide a list of things to look out for involving that item, which is great for new inspectors.
Creating an Invoice
You can create and edit invoices on the companion, but it is not the preferred method due to limitations. The best way to create an invoice is on the Inspector Dashboard when creating an appointment.
To learn how to create and edit invoices on the Inspector Dashboard, please visit Inspector Dashboard: Create and Manage Invoices.
Adding or editing services and sending the invoice to the customer must happen in the Desktop Report Writer. To learn more, please visit Desktop Report Writer: Invoices.
Click the left menu
Click Misc
Slide over to the Invoice
Select the services
You may enter information in Payment Method, Payment Status and Payment Notes
When uploading the report to the Desktop Report Writer, the invoice will be sent to the cloud.
Reviewing the Report
Access the Navigation Menu from the side and scroll to the bottom. Use the drop-down next to the Find button to set search criteria to find unanswered, flagged items, and more. Click Find to go to the first item that matches the criteria.
At any time during the inspection, you may add or remove an item from your summary by clicking the Summary button at the bottom of the comment section.
Click one of your summaries to highlight it. A highlighted summary indicates that the comment will be added to that summary.
To review the summary, access the Navigation Menu, scroll to the bottom, and click Summary.
Each summary item will be shown with its accompanying photos. Swipe the screen right and left to navigate through the items. Use this feature if you want to review the major concerns with a customer during the inspection.
Sending Report to the Cloud
When the inspection is complete, send the report to the cloud for later retrieval onto the desktop version of HomeGauge. Click the Main Menu button > HG Services > Send Current Report to Cloud.
You may save the report and close the HG Companion.
For more info on downloading the report from the cloud into your computer, click Android Companion: Transferring a Report.