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Frequently asked questions

Smartflow transforms all field-related operations & inspection tasks into one flexible and configurable app, enabling organizations to standardize their processes and centralize their data collection in an agile way.

Smartflow supports inspection teams to replace paper-based checklists, digitize inspections, and safety rounds, and structure various kinds of workflows and processes using the app and the low-code/no-code capabilities of the platform.

General product questions

CAN THE Smartflow PLATFORM BE USED INTERNALLY TO CREATE CHECKLISTS FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS? HOW MUCH EFFORT DOES IT TAKE TO GENERATE A NEW CHECKLIST? IS IT DRAG & DROP OR IS SOFT CODING NEEDED?
Smartflow supports the rapid creation of checklists through drag & drop and other visual app-building elements. It also allows you to run condition-based workflows and apply extended business rules. Coding can also be used to build the app and workflow according to the exact requirements.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ASSIGN, ARCHIVE, REVIEW, FOLLOW DIFFERENT CHECKLISTS? HOW EASY AND INTUITIVE IS THIS?
Yes. Smartflow is an intuitive low-code/no-code platform & app. Smartflow has more than ten years of experience in managing checklists.
WHAT OUTPUT AVAILABILITIES (EXCEPT INTEGRATIONS) ARE THERE? IS THE OUTPUT (EXPORT) EDITABLE/CUSTOMIZABLE?

Smartflow supports export functionalities such as Excel/CSV,JSON,XML and PDF.

WHAT INTEGRATION PROTOCOL POSSIBILITIES DOES Smartflow OFFER? IS THERE ANY ON-THE-SHELF? WHAT API PROTOCOL IS USED, REST OR JSON?

Smartflow is fully compatible with the Open Data Protocol (oData) which is an open protocol that allows the creation and consumption of queryable and interoperable REST APIs in a simple and standard way. In the future, Smartflow will further improve this with webhooks and other extended integration options. 

HOW SCALABLE IS Smartflow? IS IT EASY TO INTERNALLY TEACH PEOPLE THE USAGE OF THE PLATFORM AND HOW IS THE EXTERNAL SUPPORT ARRANGED?

Smartflow is infinitely scalable within the concerning organization or even to clients and contractors. Also, different business units within the same organization can profit from Smartflow since it is easy to use, deploy and manage.

DOES Smartflow have A GOOD ORGANIZATIONAL FIT: THE SKILLS AND PROCESSES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE ENTERPRISE MATCH THE REQUIRED SKILLS TO ARCHITECT, DESIGN, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE SOLUTION.

Smartflow is being assessed by multiple Energy, Maritime & TIC enterprise companies worldwide and supports all their requirements. Furthermore, our solution uses the latest technologies when it comes to hosting and infrastructure. We know how to support critical business processes safely and securely.

DOES Smartflow PASS THE CLOUD RISK ASSESSMENT, BUSINESS IMPACT ASSESSMENT, AND PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENT?

Smartflow regularly conducts external audits to be sure we are compliant with the requirements expressed by these assessments. 

HOW FLEXIBLE IS Smartflow IN MANAGING THE ACCESS OF VIEWERS AND MANAGERS, OR THE CHECKLIST INPUT AND INSPECTION MANAGERS? IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE DIFFERENT ACCESS LEVELS WITHIN A CHECKLIST? OR WITHIN CHECKLIST CREATION? (LOCKED QUESTIONS AND CHANGEABLE QUESTIONS FOR EXAMPLE?)

We understand the importance of supporting different users to exactly meet their demands if it comes to checklists or their responsibility within a business workflow. Therefore our extended user groups, roles, and permissions allow us to define on flow, form, and control level who's able to see and do what. Questions or forms can be locked and data can be shared with the users that are authorized.

DOES SMARTFLOW OFFER FULL BUSINESS SUPPORT TO THE END-USERS?

If it comes to creating workflows and checklists Smartflow is very fast. The visual elements of creating an application allow business users to fully understand the process and be involved in every step. This also makes sure that iterative change and a test & learn mindset is not only possible but very beneficial to any organization. Our business consultants are constantly offering their full support. 

ARE NATIVE APPS AVAILABLE ON ANDROID, IOS, AND WINDOWS?

Yes, although Windows lost its focus on Mobile and we have to put a little extra effort to support this. Android and iOS are always supported and you don't even have to consider them during your deployment.

DO THE COSTS ALSO INCLUDE MAINTENANCE FEES, INTERNAL SUPPORT LABOR, PLATFORM HOSTING COSTS, ETC?

Smartflow is very stable and secure, making sure it's easy to manage for your internal organization. There are, of course, cheaper applications available in the market, but their functionality is a lot less if it comes to a fully workflow-oriented platform. On the other side, if you compare us with common low-code & no-code development tools, our pricing is competitive and much more focused on connected workers doing inspections or other field-related work.

DOES Smartflow SUPPORT at least 2 VERSIONS BACK OF THE DEVICE OS?

Yes, in fact, we can go even more versions back, but to be safe it is always wise to be up to date with your device OS.

DOES Smartflow SUPPORT BOTH OFFLINE AND ONLINE WORK?

Yes, data is locally cached and users don't even know that they are offline. Once the connection is installed again data syncs automatically through background sync and everyone is updated. 

IS THE WEB APP AVAILABLE ON WEB BROWSERS CHROME, EDGE, IE, FIREFOX, SAFARI?

Yes, our code also runs on these browsers making sure Smartflow can be used everywhere, any time. 

IS THE UI/UX RESPONSIVE AND CAN IT BE RENDERED ON SMARTPHONES, TABLETS, AND DESKTOP SCREENS? CAN THE CSS ELEMENTS BE OPTIMIZED?

Smartflow makes use of Bootstrap and is responsive to the type of screen that is used. With our theme builder and style functionalities, it can be further optimized.

IS THE APP SUPPORTING PUSH NOTIFICATIONS?

Yes, our app supports push notifications. They can be configured easily from our builder. 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO WHITE LABEL THE APP? E.G. APP ICON, ITS OWN COMPANY LOGO.

Yes, this is possible. The app can have your own logo and be published in for example the Google Play Store.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXTEND THE APP FUNCTIONALITIES WITH NATIVE DEVELOPMENT?

Yes, although this is an enterprise functionality and requires development.

IS IT EASY TO BUILD AND MANAGE FORMS?

What You See Is What You Get. Our builder is interactive and responsive so you can see and test exactly what you're creating.

IS IT EASY TO BUILD AND MANAGE DATASETS?

Same as the above. We have learned also that end users want to do data management more and more, so we are extending this functionality at the moment. 

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD AND MANAGE VIEWS?

A view is used to create easy overviews like My work orders, My inspections or To do's. Forms can be filtered and shown to the users such as only assigned user, form template = Inspection, form status = To do, and more. 

DOES THE BUILDER SUPPORT ADVANCED CONTROLS LIKE GIS MAPS, IDENTIFIER CONTROLS, GROUP CONTROLS, SUBFORMS?

This is where it gets more difficult for basic pure form builders and we excel.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DEFINE BUSINESS RULES SUCH AS RELEVANCY, FILTERS, DEFAULT VALUES, AND VALIDATIONS?

All possible making sure data is added in the best possible way with no errors.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE CUSTOM DATA DISTRIBUTION LOGIC FOR FORMS, DATASETS, AND RESOURCES?

This helps you to give access to the data only if you authorized such as a user you want to see your own reported incidents, but the SHEQ manager wants a total overview of all incidents being reported.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE JAVASCRIPT AND HTML?

This is possible but requires a good understanding of javascript to be able to use it. For commonly used coding we have developed a script wizard so that you don't have to code yourself if you want to active a field for example. So javascript is only used when more advanced coding is needed.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD AND MANAGE FORM FLOWS AND WORKFLOWS?

Form flows help you to define the exact behavior of a form. Workflows are making sure emails, push notifications, crud actions, and reports are being triggered and executed.

IS THERE A DASHBOARD IN THE PLATFORM FOR OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE? E.G. TO SEE THE STATUS OF WORK.

Yes, we are lean if it comes to structure and improves business processes. Our platform for example supports a Kanban view where status work can be managed easily.

IS THE PLATFORM SUPPORTING MULTILINGUAL?

We are already supporting Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Polish. Other languages can be added on request.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SEND NOTIFICATIONS TO A GROUP OF OR SINGLE END-USERS?

Yes, we have our own message system within the app to easily updated users.

IS THE PLATFORM HOSTED IN THE CLOUD?

Our platform is hosted in Microsoft Azure.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE, ADJUST USERS, AND SET ACCESS?

Roles and permissions can be edited on all modules and elements in our app.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE CUSTOM REPORTS?

Very important in case the reports have to meet certain requirements. The layout can be perfectly matched using Microsoft Report Builder.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOST THE PLATFORM ON-PREMISES?

It is possible, but not recommended since from our experience on-premises systems are less stable and secure.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD EXTRA DOMAINS?

Unlimited scalability.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SET UP A DTAP (DEVELOPMENT, TEST, ACCEPTANCE, AND PRODUCTION)?

Yes, all are available, and content and metadata can easily be exchanged through the DTAP.

IS THE PLATFORM GDPR COMPLIANT?

We are always improving on this. Only people that are authorized can see the real data.

IS THE DATA AVAILABLE FOR ANALYTICS USING BI OR REPORTING TOOLS?

Our enterprise versions support a data lake that can be used by any BI tool.

DOES THE APP SUPPORT NFC?

Yes, configurable from the builder. For example asset information can be shown after the scan directly.

DOES THE APP SUPPORT QR-CODE AND BARCODE SCANNING?

Yes, configurable from the builder.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISUALIZE DATA OR PINPOINT ON MAPS LIKE ESRI OR OPENSTREETMAP?

Yes, Smartflow the only thing you need is an Esri URL with your map. OpenStreetMap is our standard.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO INTEGRATE WITH BLUETOOTH DEVICES, LIKE ACCURATE GPS LAND METERS?

Yes, from our experience some devices will work with limited effort while others need some extra coding like the implementation of a new SDK.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD YOUR OWN PLUGINS TO EXTEND THE PLATFORM?

This is possible but requires development and permissions from our side.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXTEND CONNECTIVITY WITH NATIVE DEVELOPMENT?

Yes, plugins and webhooks can be created.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE SINGLE SIGN-ON?

This is possible. Smartflow uses plugins from Auth0 to use Single Sign-On and even SCIM.

ARE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD-LINE SUPPORT POSSIBLE?

All possible. The third line is included at all times.

IS DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE OF THE PLATFORM FOR BUILDER USERS AND END-USERS?

Our documentation is online available and extended with every release.

Digital ISGOTT. Ship & Shore Checklists

Is it possible to send and receive the pre-berthing checklist and complete the form in different stages?

Yes, it is. That's actually one of the main advantages of the solution. Vessel captains can fill in the form pre-berthing. Reducing their idle time and saving time at the jetty, allowing them to focus more on the most important (security) activities.

Can the ISGOTT checklists be printed?

Yes, after every step, the list is shared per email in a pdf format (with recipients of your choosing), which can be easily printed if needed.

Can the ship shore checklists be signed electronically?

Yes, by default, a timestamp is added, including the name and signature of the signee.

What is NxtPort International?

You also have the possibility to use our Digital ISGOTT solution through our partner NxtPort (secure data hub/exchange). NxtPort International will be able to offer identity access management and secure data exchange with other (future) external systems/partners. NxtPort International works with a yearly subscription fee. Setup and integration between Smartflow and NxtPort International is proven and will not introduce any delay, risk, or impact. In case you are interested, we will be happy to connect you with NxtPort (Alexander Dorhout Mees) to understand their service offering and added value. 

What is the pricing model for Digital ISGOTT?

We offer a pay per use model per ISGOTT form.

What does the ship shore checklists consist of?

When you log in to your ISGOTT Dashboard you get the ISGOTT v6 Checklist, Pre-arrival digital checklist, Ship-Shore Safety Checklists, and Summary of Repetitive Checklists.

What other checklists can terminals digitalize with Smartflow?

With Smartflow, you can digitalize any terminal process such as Operator Rounds, Truck Self-arrival, Permit Checks, Asset Handover, Monthly (Tank) Inspections, Punch Lists, Inventory management, HoTT and many more.