Meter reading has come a long way from manual data entry, which wastes valuable time, results in human errors, and incurs excessive costs. It is now critical to provide insights into energy usage using a modern method, and that’s where QR meter reading form for electricity comes in. QR codes have changed how we do everything, and the energy sector is part of this revolution.
Today, there are around 3,000 utility companies in the US vying for the most modern and reliable data collection methods like QR codes. They have provided a convenient and contactless method of meter reading that makes lives easier for everyone.
Challenges to traditional meter reading
Traditional meter reading for electricity suffers from multiple problems and limitations, affecting efficiency and accuracy in the energy sector. The following are some of the most common challenges users encounter when reading manual meter readings.
Human error
Manual meter reading relies on human readers physically checking and recording the meter readings. No wonder it’s prone to human error resulting from fatigue, distractions, or misreading the screen.
A slow process
Traditional meter reading requires you to physically visit clients in various locations, which is certainly time-consuming. It is especially difficult if clients are in far-off areas, which means additional financial burden. Ultimately, it leads to delays in billing and collection and hurts operational efficiency.
Access problems
Meter readers might encounter various locations where it isn’t easy to access, thanks to fenced properties, locked gates, uncooperative customers, and the like. It can hinder the reading process and cause unnecessary delays.
What is a QR code?
There’s hardly a place where you won’t see QR codes. It is a combination of black and white squares or pixels, which usually appear square. You need specialized software and devices to scan the code and convert it into readable information. Today, smartphones can scan QR codes and instantly convert them into readable information for contactless meter readings.
What is a QR Code for forms?
Since almost all smartphones today can scan QR codes and convert them into useful data, the meter reading form for electricity is becoming increasingly popular. Here is how it works:
- • Users scan the code using their smartphone camera.
- • They’re instantly transported to a web page with a form containing a series of questions.
- • The user answers all the questions and clicks Submit/Done.
The information provided by users is usually stored in the cloud, which is accessible from anywhere in the world. It offers a modern solution to electricity meter reading, helping energy suppliers and clients bring efficiency to the process.
Benefits of meter reading form for electricity
Using Tiger Form for meter reading submissions is an excellent way to reduce expenses and save time. Let’s understand further the benefits of digital electricity meter reading forms powered by QR forms.
Hassle-free data entry
QR code makes it much easier for customers to submit their meter data. When they scan the code with their smartphone, the submission form pops up with all the relevant, pre-defined information boxes.
All customers have to do is provide their details in specific sections. Today, around 84% of smartphone users have already scanned QR codes at least once, showing how deeply the technology has penetrated.
Seamless integration
Utility companies can easily integrate a electricity meter reading form with existing billing systems. Whenever customers submit their data, it is automatically transferred to the existing system, eliminating the need for manual data transfers that take a lot of time. As a result, customers don’t face any delays, and utility companies experience faster data processing and billing cycles.
Data accuracy and protection
According to Gartner, poor data costs companies $13.3 million yearly on average. Whenever customers scan the QR code, the data automatically goes to the form, reducing the errors. As a result, all meter submissions reach the utility company accurately, enhancing trust and credibility between both parties.
Utilities QR code also protects data by transferring it digitally. On the contrary, physical forms can be easily lost or misplaced by customers themselves or in transit. When you use a QR code, there is no need for physical forms, eliminating potential disputes and missing information.
Convenience for customers
The QR electricity meter reading form is incredibly convenient and accessible for customers. There is no need to fill out lengthy physical forms and sweat about meeting deadlines. QR codes offer a much simpler way of submitting information: just scan the code with the phone’s camera.
These forms also offer 24/7 accessibility, as users can submit their information any time of the day. They don’t have to worry about meeting specific submission times. As long as they have a smartphone, they can submit their readings no matter where they are.
How to create a QR code for forms?
Creating a Google Form QR code can be a bit tricky, especially for someone inexperienced, since Google Forms doesn’t have a native QR code generator. Therefore, using a reliable solution like Form QR Code is the best choice. Let’s discuss the steps on how to create a QR code for forms with it.
Step 1: Open the QR Form Generator and sign up for a new account. If you already have an account, just sign in.
Step 2: Click Forms and fill in various fields with relevant content. These fields include Common, Basic, Multimedia, Special, and more.
Step 3: Click Generate QR Code, and the system will generate a code that smartphones can scan.
Step 4: Form QR Code allows you to customize the code with colors, eyes, patterns, frames, and logos. Alternatively, you can simply use the already available templates.
Step 5: Click Export QR Code to export the code. It’s important to test-scan to ensure it functions as intended.
Pro tip: Form QR Code offers a personalized look to the form. Users can upload an image or logo as the header, add a backdrop, and even set a background with a solid color or image.
Why you should use digital electricity meter reading forms
Here are some of the reasons why you should use a QR code form builder.
Measurable engagement
The form generator lets companies track the performance of their forms. They can analyze the total number of scans, locations, scanning devices, and time. This analysis helps them offer better services to consumers.
Eco-friendliness
Using a QR form creator ensures that a company no longer needs paper for meter reading submissions. Customers can simply scan the QR code and input their information, sending it digitally without ever needing a pen and paper. It helps the environment by reducing paper waste.
Surveys, quizzes, and polls
Meter submissions don’t necessarily have to be limited to a few numbers only. Companies can use the QR form generators to distribute forms that contain surveys and polls. You can create surveys to do market research and create polls to learn about customer opinions and preferences.
QR code forms: Best practices
Following are some of the best practices to adopt when creating a electricity meter reading form.
Make the form accessible
If a company creates a Google form, it’s critical to make it accessible. It can be annoying for a customer to scan the QR code only to see the permission error pop up. You can test whether the form is accessible by opening the link in private browsing mode.
Customize the QR code
The latest form QR code generators offer several customization choices to make your code more relevant and appealing, such as colors, logos, eye styles, patterns, and more. By adding branding to the QR code, the brand can enjoy enhanced recognition and engagement. However, it is important to ensure that branding doesn’t interfere with the scannability or functionality of the code.
Track the metrics
Tracking QR code metrics can help energy companies collect valuable data about customers, such as user locations, scan frequency, user devices, and more. Energy companies can analyze this data to measure the effectiveness of their QR codes, determine how frequently customers are using them, and identify areas for improvement.
Update the QR code when needed
It is critical to update the QR code immediately if the URL, design, or content of the form changes. Regularly updating the QR codes ensures that they remain robust and provide a pleasant scanning experience to customers.
Ensure data security
QR codes collect a lot of sensitive customer data, such as meter readings, account details, and the like, so implementing robust data protection measures becomes a necessity. From storage transmission, one must implement secure protocols to safeguard user privacy. It is equally crucial to provide a detailed and accessible privacy policy stating how customer data is stored and used.
Collect meter reading submissions with advanced QR code
Accurate meter readings are critical for any utility company to manage their finances, workload, and customer expectations. Doing all of that manually can be challenging—that’s where QR-based and digital electricity meter reading forms help.
QR code meter reading form for electricity is a great way of acquiring meter reading data without physically visiting locations and dealing with loads of paperwork. No matter where and who your customers are, you can simply send them the QR code, and scanning it takes them to the detailed form.
As a result, you also get valuable user data that can help you make more informed decisions. To generate effective QR code forms, you need a reliable tool like Form QR Code. It has all the latest features, such as code customization, energy consumption tracking, 24/7 customer support, and more. Deploy this QR code meter reading app to enter a new era of meter reading submissions.