Background to electronic forms
You’ve decided you need electronic forms or have a feeling they should be implemented.
“An electronic form” is a transaction between a user and the form provider. The form can be pre-filled with data from a backend database system before it is presented to the user. When the form is submitted to the provider the data is saved to be used in a business process.
The most common reasons for using electronic forms are:
1. Cost savings by avoiding re-keying of data
2. Faster customer service resulting in better customer satisfaction
3. Comply with a government or industry regulation.
No tool will turn a bad form into a good one, and automating a bad form simply collects bad data more quickly or alienates your users.
Following these ten tips will make sure your new forms are a success.
1. Choose the right approach
Deciding which form format to use depends on what it will be used for.
If your form is very short, such as a two-box login form, then we suggest an HTML form.
You may be required to comply with regulations such as Section 501 or similar where...