Electronic Forms (e-Forms) – What you need to know

Electronic Forms (e-Forms) and what to know…

We all know what a form is.

A document that requires the person to fill in the information in specified fields.

For a long time forms have come physically, using pen-to-paper-based methods – and are still used today.

Whether you have gone to home affairs, applied your child to a school, or opened a bank account, you have to fill in a form or forms to either start or complete the process.

Nowadays, with most of the world based online, or things needing to be done remotely – the world is shifting to a new norm – Electronic Forms or “e-Forms”.

Electronic Forms (e-Forms)

What are electronic forms (e-Forms)?

The same principle applies to e-Forms, where a user needs to fill in the information in specified fields – only now, it will be done using a web browser or software application, digitally.

e-Forms allow the data filled in to be captured validated and submitted for processing remotely and far more efficiently.

Benefits of Electronic Forms (e-Forms)

e-Forms have many benefits, for the creator, the submitter, and the processor.

e-Forms are very simple, easy to use, and quick to submit. Allowing users the ability to reach and complete forms electronically means they can access it anywhere with an internet connection, and save time and money from printing, scanning, and mailing costs (this goes both ways).

The creator of an e-Form can send the form to the submitter immediately, through email or IM apps, reducing time spent waiting to send and/or receive these forms, they also can have full control of the data needed for the form-making certain fields required, only allowing specific data types (numerical or text) and even setting character limits on fields.

This control over the data on e-Forms gives real-time feedback to the submitter if there is an error or missing information – this ensures only the correct and the completed form will be submitted for processing.

If forms are electronically received and stored, and their information is correct and complete, this saves time and money for the processor. The processor doesn’t have to waste money or space on storing large amounts of paper forms, or waste time going through all the forms to reject incomplete or incorrect forms.

What can electronic forms be used for?

With the control, the e-Form creator has over the data, data types, and even the visuals of the e-Forms, how easy it is to send, complete, and return, and how simple it is to process without error, and the technology we have at hand – the use of e-Forms is virtually endless.

e-Forms can be used in any circumstance where data needs to be collected and processed. From something as simple as a survey to general HR and even complicated accounting tasks.

e-Forms are especially useful when data needs to be collected in an agile manner, requires accuracy, and ideal data protection.

With the development of electronic and digital signatures, and their accuracy and legality – eForms can now even be used for certain legally binding documents, saving time and money in those processes as well.

Want to know more?

2 thoughts on “Electronic Forms (e-Forms) and what to know”

Mzwakhe Msibi says:

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E-form is the most simplest way to collect data and submit it without physically going to that specific place, it makes our lives easier and we can now do everything digital at the comfort of our own homes.

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