Elements Overview

How to create apps with no code using our standard App Template Elements

James McDonough avatar
Written by James McDonough
Updated over a week ago

Building apps can be easy, but we understand not every team has the time or resources to do it themselves.

If you need assistance and want to utilize our success coaching / consulting, please chat with us below. Our team will assist in creating templates, managing your account, sharing best practices, build integrations, enterprise features, and much more.

Create New App

To manage apps, make sure you have Admin or Manager privileges.

There are a few different ways to create a new app, but the easiest is to click the menu in the upper left hand corner and select "Apps". 

The "Apps" page will allow you to manage your App templates through creating, editing, and deleting.

Published App Templates 

All App templates created will then be in a list view that will allow you to search and select which App template you want to edit or publish.

To create a new App, select the "Create New App" button.

App Builder

You have 3 different areas in the App builder (shown in the image below). On the left, you have the Template Elements, then the Template Working Area in the middle, and lastly, the Template Preview on the right.

The Template Preview on the right side of the screen is a sample preview of what the mobile user experience will look like. 

You may now add or remove elements to your Template work area by simply clicking the element you want to add, or by clicking the red trash bin to remove elements. You can drag and drop elements up and down to rearrange.

SECTION ELEMENTS 

Section

Section (vertical) elements help you visually organize where elements will be located, and can be expanded/collapsed when creating the app.

Table/Horizontal Section

"Table / Horizontal Sections" allow you to start building horizontal (left to right) as well as add/delete as many rows as needed. Tables are helpful when building apps such as field tickets when the user doesn't know if they will be adding one row or many.

Trigger Section 

Trigger sections allow you to build smart responses similar to and/if logic.

For example, If the user selects "No" to a Yes/No element with a trigger section, the user will trigger (bring up) additional elements that need to be followed/answered (comments, photos, etc.). Please refer to the Trigger section article for more info on how to set these up.

APP ELEMENTS

All advanced properties of app elements can be viewed by selecting the down arrow to the right of the trash bin / delete icon.

Advanced options are where you would nominate elements to be required, advanced smart responses, integration setup, and more.

Digital Signature

Digitally sign with your finger on mobile or with your mouse from desktop/browser.

Photo Image

Add multiple photos as well as draw/annotate on them to highlight specific areas.

Label

Add user instructions with no data input.

Single Line Text

Allows the user to enter a single wrapped line of text. This is for short responses.

Multiple Line Text

Allows the user to enter long form comments.

Yes/No True/False On/Off

This is a two option switch where you can define the two labels. For example, Yes/No True/False, Open/Closed.

Yes/ No/ N-A

This is triple switch where you can define the three options. For example, Yes/No/NA.

Number/Decimal

Allows users to enter number values. You can set up operator alerts based on Max/Min or % tolerance. If users exceed these ranges, they will be prompted with a custom instruction. 

For instance: "You have entered a pressure that is too high, please turn down compressor one or recheck your input."

Bar Code/ QR Scanner

Allows users to scan bar codes and QR codes in all the standard formats. Once scanned, the data will populate the app field saving the user from having to key in the data.

Location

GPS location including longitude/latitude coordinates are taken and then overlaid on a Google Map. 

Multiple Choice (1 Answer)

Drop down menu where the user can select only one choice. The list of choices can be saved directly in the element or pulled from another external system of record using our API integration.

Multiple Choice (1 or more answers)

Drop down menu where the user can select multiple choices (check boxes). The list of choices can be saved directly in the element.

Date and Time

You can configure so users can select Date and Time, Date only, or Time only.

Web Image

Use this to reference an external image. For example, a safety risk matrix, photo, and more.

Attach File
Attach/upload any type of file for your team to reference while using the app including PDF, Excel, documents, and many more. 

Use this to reference an external website. For example, catalogs, PDF, install instructions, and more.

Custom Script
For advanced users to write their own custom scripts (currently in beta).

IoT DEVICE ELEMENTS

This is an Enterprise feature. Please chat with us on how to embed your connected devices with the apps you build in FAT FINGER.

For instance, If your users are doing asset inspections, they could remotely capture the tank level by connecting with the tank level sensor.

IoT Device - Get Data Point

Captures the devices data point at a particular point in time.

IoT Device - Chart Data

Charts device data over time.

IoT Device - Send Command

Allows users to remotely control devices to Open/Close, Start/Stop, and Shutdown.

*IMPORTANT* 

Be sure to save your work.

Save your app as you go, and when you're ready, you can publish it. Published apps will automatically apply to the default team. But don't worry; you can edit the app at any time and control which team has access to the app according to the teams you set up.

*Pro App Building Tips*

  • Try and create your app templates with as many yes/no, multiple choice single select and number/decimal elements as possible. These elements allow you to create more powerful reporting, and leverage the power of your data.

  • Triggers allow you to build decisions and your workforce's knowledge into your apps. Once in the apps it won't walk out the door if your team members move on.

  • Photos & reference images/videos bring life to old stale procedures - "A picture is worth a thousand words" rings very true.

  • Artificial Intelligence - Use the power of your data to the max. FAT FINGER learns what normal behavior is and can "coach" users while they are doing their jobs to take safer and more productive actions. Contact us to learn more.

Element Overview Video

*Slightly outdated as we continue to release improvements to our builder

What's next? 

How to create Trigger Sections 

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