Data Collection with ODE

Welcome to the Data Collector section! Whether you're a field researcher, community health worker, or survey enumerator, this guide covers everything you need to collect data using Formulus.

Who This Guide Is For

This section is designed for non-technical users who:

• Are collecting data in the field
• Use Formulus (the mobile app)
• Want to understand how to complete forms, sync data, and work offline
• Need troubleshooting help

If you're creating or customizing forms, see the Implementer Guide.
If you're developing or extending ODE, see the Developer Guide.

Quick Start

Get up and running in 5 minutes:

1. Install Formulus - Download and set up the app
2. Submit Your First Form - Get familiar with the interface
3. Sync Your Data - Send data to the server

What You'll Learn

Getting Started

Install Formulus and set up your first project.

Get Started →

Using the App

Learn form controls, data entry, and app features.

Learn More →

Syncing Data

Upload forms and sync with the server.

Learn More →

Troubleshooting

Fix common issues and get help.

Get Help →

Offline Mode

Understand how Formulus works without internet.

Learn More →

FAQ

Answers to common questions.

Read FAQ →

Documentation Roadmap

Learn the Basics

• Installation & Setup
• Your First Submission
• Basic Form Navigation

Practical Tasks

• Collecting Different Data Types
• Managing Media (Photos, Audio)
• Working in Areas Without Internet

Data Management

• Syncing Data to the Server
• Understanding Sync Status
• Managing Local Storage

Troubleshooting

• Sync Issues
• App Crashes or Freezes
• Device Not Connecting
• Data Loss Prevention

Key Concepts

What is Formulus?

Formulus is a mobile application available for Android and iOS. It's designed to:

• Work in areas with poor or no internet connectivity
• Securely store data on your device
• Automatically sync when you connect to the internet
• Display forms customized by your project manager

What is Sync?

Sync is the process of sending completed forms from your phone to the server. Your data is:

• Encrypted during transmission
• Stored securely on the server
• Available for your project manager to review and analyze

How Does Offline Work?

Formulus keeps a copy of all data on your phone. You can:

• Create new forms even without internet
• Edit and save responses locally
• Sync when you're back online
• See sync status in the app

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• ✅ A smartphone (Android 8.0+ or iOS 13.0+)
• ✅ Access to internet (at least for initial setup)
• ✅ Instructions from your project manager (server URL, project code)
• ✅ Basic phone experience

Terminology

Term	Meaning
Form	A survey or questionnaire you fill out
Submission	A completed form with your responses
Sync	Sending your data to the server
Offline	Working without internet connection
Formulus	The mobile app you use to collect data
Synkronus	The server that stores your data

Getting Help

If you get stuck:

1. Check the troubleshooting guide → Troubleshooting
2. Search the FAQ → FAQ
3. Contact your project manager → They can help with project-specific issues
4. Reach out to the community → Get Help

Next Steps

Ready to start collecting data? Let's go!

→ Install Formulus

Or if you're already installed:

→ Submit Your First Form

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For questions about designing forms or running a project, see the Implementer Guide.