FormDocs

Benefits:

Cost Effective Small and customizable program Works flawless as single user

Drawbacks:

Database management could use refinement Tech support option for phone calls or chat I would pay for that.

In sum:

Our business operations would stop immediately without Formdocs. We use it to manage our jobs using the database The search function is phenomenal. We can search 10 years of data in a few seconds.

Benefits:

Ability to design custom forms relatively easily. But most importantly, the data gets embedded inside the actual form. Several years ago, our server got hacked and all files were locked out with the exception of the FormDocs files. This is a very important, probably unknown, security feature! We started with FormFlow designed forms but after that product left the market, we moved on to FormDocs. Very happy we did. On-line documentation was very helpful in getting started.

Drawbacks:

Several small glitches. For example, an option is to send documents via PDF. There is an option box to "Remember settings" but clicking it does not remember settings for future pdf sent documents. Another issue is "Forms Automation Basic" [FAB} scripting that is available in the Forms Design module. This optional feature does not have the kind of documentation available for someone who wants to learn about form automation but is not knowledgable about the FAB scripting language. The preferred method for customer support is via e-mail (but they respond quickly). "

In sum:

We evaluated several form software packages and FormDocs was the only one that allowed for serial number generation, which was very important to us.

Benefits:

It allows you to enter the current times! By creating more user friendly forms, officers can be more effective.

Drawbacks:

The learning curve is a little sharp, choose the right person to use the software and you will be fine. The person should have computer knowledge and an understanding about what the agency needs.

Benefits:

Ease of use. Helpful hints.

In sum:

I use Form Docs to help me fill out C1500 forms for motor vehicle claims. They were the lowest cost and the most accurate program I have come across. Very easy to use and printed to form specifications. I am very pleased with this program.

Benefits:

Low cost. Ease of use. Extensive collection of tools. Responsive and effective customer/technical support staff. Support specialist has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things FormDocs. They also exhibits infinite patience with those of us who do not have extensive skills in the technical arena and always responds in a timely manner.

Drawbacks:

FAB (Forms Automation Basic) is an extremely powerful tool that can turn a simple form into a powerful application. However, outside of a few included examples, there is no training made available for FAB.

In sum:

We are a public children services agency and, as such, have extensive reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels. FormDocs enables us to collect data using very user-friendly paper-like electronic forms. The data entered is retained in a relational database of all entries from the forms. Extraction of the data into a spreadsheet for extensive data manipulation and reporting is built into the system. The ability to do complex calculations within a form is powerful. Extensive if-then-else decision capabilities enable forms flow and control.

Benefits:

FormDocs is very easy to use on both the creating side and the user side and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for.

Drawbacks:

There are no cons that I can think of at this time.

In sum:

As awesome as the software is, the support team makes it the best. Not only do they respond fast, know what they are talking about and get any questions or issues resolved, they also follow up and let you know where they are in the process. I am 100% happy with our decision to go with FormDocs. Thank you guys for all the hard work you do to make a super user friendly product and build such a great team that knows what they are doing.

Benefits:

A good replacement for FormFlow*. Other than a different programming script it was an easy transfer. However, we found it easier create each template from scratch. Copy and Paste data fields makes it go faster.

Drawbacks:

Poor customer support. Source for FAB script examples hard to find. A blog called Tek tips used to publish FAB script examples but was recently taken down. Good thing we keep a binder of sample FAB. It's almost like these blogs are taken down on purpose. Not sure why. It would be helpful to new customers if Formdocs* included more samples of FAB script.

In sum:

If I had not used FormFlow* for over 10 years and was skilled in Visual Basics I would have had a much harder time coming up to speed with this program and FAB script. That said FAB script is very different than Visual Basics.

Benefits:

Being able to create and make changes to my forms.

Drawbacks:

Waiting for responses back due to questions / problem(s).

In sum:

Overall well satisfied with the workings of the software.

Benefits:

The best thing about this program is I can go in and change the report as the situation deems necessary. Which saves a lot of time and money

Drawbacks:

The customer service is the worst. The do not respond to your questions or emails. Its supposed to update with each operating system update but it does not and you have to purchase new software each time. The only way to reach someone for service is you have to call the sales department and have them transfer you to some one who, guaranty is going to have an attitude problem. I highly recommend looking somewhere else. I never refer or recommend this to any of my colleagues even though I get asked all the time. They have probably lost at least 30 to 40 new clients from me alone

In sum:

Not good

Benefits:

The software for the most part works very well for filling out CMS 1500 forms and keeping track of claims. It could be a little easier to do a new claim from an old one if you didn't have to delete all the DOS from the old one - do a template for each patient instead.

Drawbacks:

The free trial offer I found only offered the standard version and made no mention of the 2 other versions that have different features and price points. After 30 days I purchased the lite version as it met all my needs but only after the purchase did I discover that I would lose all data on the the demo version and I would have to start over re entering all the data from 30 days of claims. Very disappointed that this was not made clear from the beginning.