AutoData Systems now offers our users within Government fields to contact us or arrange for an order directly with www.fedbid.com.

AutoData Systems is currently taking the required steps to become a certified HCAHPS and CG CAHPS survey vendor.  We are asking for your insight and interest on HCAHPS and CG CAHPS surveys, please take a moment to provide us with your interest or disinterest in these surveys at the link below:

http://www.expertscan.autodata.com/default.aspx?webid=C413E1FF-7959-4BE4-978B-5FE75344A37C

Six Characteristics of High-Performing Healthcare Organizations – highlights some of the differences in results throughout different types of surveys, including the HCAHPS.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/6-characteristics-of-high-performing-healthcare-organizations.html

Candid Comments Make HCAHPS Results Even More Valuable - discusses the value of open-ended patient comments (something that runs seamlessly with our software).

http://blog.healthstream.com/blog/bid/108113/Candid-Comments-Make-HCAHPS-Results-Even-More-Valuable

HCAHPS Focus: 3 Ways HR Can Impact the “Always” Response

http://www.hireright.com/blog/2012/08/hcahps-focus-3-ways-hr-can-impact-the-always-response/

Oaklawn gets high scores in patient satisfaction surveys

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20120816/NEWS01/308160011/Oaklawn-gets-high-scores-patient-satisfaction-survey?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage&nclick_check=1

As you can see, don’t just take our word for it.

Find out how AutoData’s software can help improve your organization’s patient survey process and more importantly,  save your organization money.

Tablets on the Rise

There’s no use denying it, tablet use is on the rise.  Whether it’s for personal use or business reasons, many of our customers and readers use them (you may even be reading this blog on your tablet).  Here at AutoData, we have noticed an increase in the amount of questions from customers regarding a survey solution for tablets and mobile devices.  The solution?  NetE-nable: the cloud-serviced web add-on to ExpertScan.

Tablets are quickly becoming more than just a novelty; they’re gaining popularity among users seeking more portability, ease of use, and simplicity over their current computer experience.  Whether you need to catch up on emails, read the latest news in your industry, or take meeting minutes, tablets are proving to be more and more valuable in the business world.
With countless businesses capturing  data (whether it is a patient satisfaction survey, a safety practices/inspections form, a teacher evaluation, etc.), being able to use a tablet has many benefits over a traditional paper survey or form:

• Eliminate scanning – By using the web for surveys you’re able to rid yourself of messy paper.  You also can avoid trying to decipher sloppy handwriting altogether
• Instant data collection – The second the “Submit” button is clicked, data is populated and ready to be used and reported on.  No waiting around to go through the scanning process
• Ease of access – Wherever you have a tablet (or web browser with internet connection) there you will also have access to your survey.  No more waiting for your survey to be printed or copied, forgetting them on your desk, or dealing with lost or out of order surveys

Tablet and Mobile Device Survey Solution

With our cloud-serviced web add-on, NetE-nable, AutoData has the solution to gathering data via tablets.  As pictured above, tablets using a NetE-nabled physician satisfaction survey can be filled out and instantly deliver data on tablets with a web browser and an internet connection.

Since we here at AutoData still strongly believe that paper surveys will always have a place in data collection, we offer the combination of both paper and web surveys into one database.  This is what separates us from the rest.  No need to give yourself (or your IT department) more Access/Excel work dealing with having separate databases.  AutoData provides you with the all-in-one solution.

Have a device with a web browser and internet connection?  A NetE-nable survey will work!  Try out a sample survey on your device and tell us what you think.

Not an ExpertScan user?  Request a demo of our software as well as a live, screen sharing demonstration.  Watch the Learning Center’s ExpertScan with NetE-nable intro video for another look at our software.

Already using ExpertScan?  Contact us and request a free, 14-day trial of NetE-nable.

Already using NetE-nable?  Check out some tips and tricks from a previous blog post.

 The above quote is from a recent Health Leaders article titled, “Automation and the Healthcare Cost Curve.” The quote is as true as it is simple: save labor, save money. According to the article, labor costs are ranked as the No. 1 cost driver by 33% of senior health leaders, while 59% put it in the top three cost drivers. The unsustainable rising costs of health care have the industry looking to innovate to drive down costs while at the same time maintaining, or better yet, increasing efficiency. As the article points out, an underrepresented area of innovation in the healthcare industry is automation.

 This is where AutoData can help. Whether utilizing a simple form designed to collect patient information or a complicated study on bone density, the healthcare industry still heavily relies on the use of paper. AutoData’s software provides organizations the opportunity to scan paper forms into a computer where the information is then automatically placed into an Access database. In other words, AutoData’s software eliminates manual data entry. When manual entry is eliminated, labor costs are saved and efficiency is improved. Lower costs and higher efficiency is a goal every healthcare organization should try to achieve  - a goal in which AutoData has been helping healthcare organizations achieve for 20 years.

Below is a link to the full article:

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/LED-279485/Automation-and-the-Healthcare-Cost-Curve

If you’re not already aware, ExpertScan has a web add-on we like to call NetE-nable.  When using NetE-nable, data you gather off the web is populated into the same database as your paper surveys and forms, giving you an unprecedented advantage over manually key entering data or using a separate web survey source.  ExpertScan already eliminates manual entry of paper forms and surveys, but with the NetE-nable add-on you have the option to do away with the hassle creating separate surveys online, combining separate databases, and ultimately avoiding the not-so-joyful issues that may arise with those processes.  One database, one survey… One solution!

AutoData is constantly churning out new ideas to create a better experience for  our customers.  With the creation of this blog, we are now able to share many of those ideas with you, the end user or a prospective customer.  Here are two ideas to help disperse your NetE-nable forms or surveys.

Short URL’s

With the internet becoming commonplace in today’s vernacular, long and drawn-out URL’s have become more of a nuisance. As such, many websites have created generators that automatically turn a long, unwieldy URL into a simpler, shorter one. For example, the video website, YouTube, uses a customized short URL for sharing their videos. In this example, you see their short URL as “youtu.be” with a series of characters following the “/”.  The following URL links to our ExpertScan with NetE-nable Intro video:  http://youtu.be/HdQvrzwxjJ8.  I don’t need to go into detail of how this works, but the series of characters define where the URL directs the user.

Why should you care?  Glad you asked!  When using our NetE-nable software and after completing the NetE-nable wizard you are given a link as a means to disperse or “publish” your survey.  Often times, it can be a bit lengthy (especially when using barcodes) and cumbersome to display on a website, in an email, or even print on paper.  My short URL generator of choice for some time now has been Tiny URL for the following reasons:

• It’s FREE!  Who doesn’t like free?!
• No need to sign up;  quick and easy URL’s generated
• No spam filter; some short URL services require you to complete those pesky, often difficult to decipher spam filters
• Custom/alias URL option; you can add a custom URL to your link.  Ex. www.tiny.cc/patientsatisfaction
• Recent URL list; if you’re converting a series of survey links you’ll have a list of all your recent links from that session
• Further services and features are provided if you sign up.  Check them out!

So armed with Tiny URL, here’s a quick tutorial of how I converted AutoData’s online survey into a short URL:

• Copied my NetE-nable link: http://www.expertscan.autodata.com/default.aspx?webid=BB1FDEBA-0936-4EF4-BC01-DB6846029662
• Open Tiny URL and paste the NetE-nable link here:
  
• After clicking “tiny!” I’m provided with my new short URL.  That’s it!
  
• I now have a short URL that’s easy to disperse: http://tiny.cc/cbw0cw

QR Codes

Another idea I’d like to mention is the use of QR codes.  QR codes are a 2D barcode that is typically scanned by a mobile device (smart phones, tablets, etc.). Often times they’re found in magazines, online, and many varying types of print materials. When the QR codes is scanned, the device follows the barcode’s “directions”.  For example, say you are gathering forms or surveys during a large conference.  While you prefer paper surveys, you may have a number of people wishing to complete the form or survey on the way to the next speaker.  By simply providing them with a QR code (printed on a banner, note card, or even the paper survey) as a link to your NetE-nable form or survey, they are still able to fill out your survey from their mobile device.  My QR code generator of choice is BeQRious for the following reasons:

• FREE!  Again, everyone loves free!
• No sign up required
• Simple, straightforward directions on creating your own QR code
• 11 types of QR codes generated (I’ll be focusing on the URL portion)
• Customization options
• A few downloadable file types to choose from
• Ability to sign up for further features

This time armed with BeQRious, here’s a quick tutorial of how I created my QR code:

• Copy the NetE-nable link: http://www.expertscan.autodata.com/default.aspx?webid=BB1FDEBA-0936-4EF4-BC01-DB6846029662
• Open BeQRious, select URL and paste the link in the URL window:
• If you wish, select a color of QR code
• Choose the file format (I used JPG), size (large for me), click download and…
• Presto!  Your very own QR code containing a link to your NetE-nable survey.
• Give it a scan with your mobile device and fill out a sample survey!

I hope I’ve given you a couple ideas to try out with your NetE-nabled forms or surveys (or maybe I have given you the urge to buy NetE-nable!).  Post any comments or questions you may have and I’ll do my best to answer them.  Short URL’s and QR codes are not supported by our tech support staff but I am happy to assist as best I can.

Happy data gathering!

As previously made known, we couldn’t be more excited about our new website!  Not only does it bring a more modern and professional look to our company, but it’s built around helping us connect in a more efficient and effective way with our customers.  To bring you up to speed, we’d like to share what’s been going on around here lately.  First, on our home page you will find the opportunity to sign up for a free demo of our software. The demo gives prospective customers the chance to get their hands on our software and see what ExpertScan’s form creation is all about.  Once the form is submitted, you will receive an email containing instructions on how to get the free demo, a sample survey to open and edit, and further instructions on how to use the software.  We hope you find this to be a useful tool when choosing  your solution to avoiding manual key entry surveys and forms or simply moving to a more easy-to-use and intuitive software.

Second, our social presence.  Time and time again it’s been shown that a company’s social media presence is a great way to connect directly with current and future customers.  Sales, technical support, and company updates are  all quickly and easily conveyed over various media outlets.  We invite you to our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages for the aforementioned updates and more.  We would like to hear from YOU!  Connect with us and let us know how we’re doing.

Third, we’d like to announce our brand new YouTube page!  We have moved our Learning Center to YouTube for a few different reasons.  One: YouTube provides an amazing opportunity to businesses like us by providing a very open media outlet.  Two: the ease of sharing, commenting, and interacting with our videos is now readily available.  Do you have questions on doing a Mail Merge in ExpertScan?  Are you stuck on whether your check mark field should be scaled or not?  Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!  These videos are there for both current and future customers as a chance to learn more and be better.

We at AutoData hope you enjoy the updates and continue to follow us, connect with us, and give us the opportunity to help you in any was possible.  Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Welcome to our newly designed website! Our excitement over the new design is not easily expressed with words (especially if you’ve seen our old site), but if we could put it into words, it might look something like this: “YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!”

We collectively apologize for the over-excitement, but we just can’t help it. However, we’d be lying if we told you our new website is the only reason we are excited. In fact, we have many other reasons to be excited.

First, we are excited about where we’ve been as a company. Since 1993, we have helped countless organizations eliminate the costs of survey and form processing with simple, easy-to-use software. For those ‘non-math’ people out there, that’s almost 20 years of experience in our field.

Second, we are excited about where we currently find ourselves as a company. Our team is constantly working to improve our products and our service to create a better experience for you, the customer. As such, we are proud of the work Autodata does on a daily basis.

Finally, we are excited about where we are going as a company. Sure, our new site is pretty, but it has so much more to offer than stunning good looks.

What is it?

More channels of open communication. Such as this blog, for example. We want to let you know what we are doing, how we are doing it, and why we are doing it, but more importantly, we want you involved in that process. We also have a Twitter account and a Facebook page. Why? Because we want to hear from you! After 20 years in the business, we know firsthand that listening to your customer is far more important than telling your customer. We know this because that’s precisely what our software does – it allows you to listen to your customers or patients or employees or alumni network or whichever audience you target. At its core, our software allows you to know more, and therefore, be better.

So thanks for finding us and we looking forward to listening to you!