The OpenWater Blog

Webinar Recap: Can you use OpenWater for Data Collection?

In our recent webinar: “100 Ways to use OpenWater for Anonymous Forms”, our host David L. talked about using OpenWater as a new and exciting way to collect data from users. David is an Associate Brand Manager here at OpenWater, and is an expert about the ins and outs of OpenWater and the people who use it.

Most users who use OpenWater to run their application and review programs have their users create an account on the system before they can begin an application. However, with the new feature, in lieu of opening a form and creating an account, users can register as a guest and submit a form that way instead.

As you can see, there is no profile information anywhere on the interface you’d see if you were a logged-in OpenWater user.

It’s a standard formbuilder as it would be in any other OpenWater form, as you would fill out your name and give responses to specific questions. However, with the anonymous form feature, users are given the option to “Skip and Log In as a Guest” which eliminates the need to log in in order to provide a response.

“This is a new addition to our set of standard features that are made available across all applications on OpenWater. Both guest access and full anonymous forms are standard, free features.” -David

The strengths of the Guest Access for Anonymous Users feature is that it eliminates pains for users who have previously been deterred by a long-drawn out registration process, especially if the data collection is going to be a quick and painless one; ie. collecting simple data or a quick poll. The only caveat is that there isn’t necessarily a way to block people from submitting multiple times; but because most forms require users to provide names (or some other defining identifier) it makes it easy to sort the data out on the administrative backend instead to weed out any duplicate submissions or duds. So it’s not “anonymous” in its true sense of the word – just anonymous in that it allows for guests to submit information without having to log in at all to the OpenWater system.

All in all, Guest access for Anonymous Users are a really good way to collect simple data quickly and easily from your users. We for example use it to track reimbursements within our company – any of our employees who wish to be reimbursed for an expense fill out a form that gets submitted to our staff. Automated emails are set up so that the right people can be notified right away, so that the reimbursement can be squared away in a timely manner.

How can Guest Access for Anonymous Users simplify your data collections process? Click here to learn more through our On-Demand Webinar Recording on the 100 different ways to use OpenWater with Anonymous Forms and register for upcoming ones as well!

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