Since our last update in June, we've added some incredible new features to Collect and Central. Below are the highlights of what we've been able to accomplish together and a sneak peek at what's coming early next year.
Project spaces to separate forms, data, and settings
In Collect, we’ve added project spaces that can separate forms, data, and settings. This allows data collectors to work on different data collection efforts across different servers or even share one device among multiple data collectors.
Each project is identified by a name, icon, and color, and you can switch between them from the main menu. If you are using Central, scan the QR code from Central and Collect will be configured for that project.
We’ve also reworked Collect’s look and feel to better match Android’s design guidelines. If you haven’t upgraded to Collect v2021.3, you are missing out!
Improvements to submission editing, Power BI integration, and security
In Central, we recently added submission editing and submission review states so project managers can flag problems with incoming data, discuss those problems, and make changes to the data. Our newest release adds a graphical overview of any changes to submissions so you can quickly see which fields were changed and how.
We’ve also added improvements to our live-updating Power BI integration, increased data access logging for more security, and thanks to our incredible volunteers, added Japanese and Italian translations.
The easiest way to get started with Central is with ODK Cloud because no technical skills are required. If you are technical and prefer to self-host, start here.
What’s coming next?
We'll be adding the ability to load locations into Collect and select those locations from a map in the form. If, for example, you need to select a specific household for followup or associate environmental samples with a specific river, you’re going to love this feature.
In Central, we’re adding export options so you can split select multiples, remove group names, and include previously deleted fields. You’ll also soon be able to configure all the settings in Collect from Central!
One more thing
The reason ODK exists is to help leading social impact organizations collect the data they need wherever it is. Here are three examples of the impact our users are having.
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WHO recently approved the first malaria vaccine. It's a historic rollout that will save the lives of tens of thousands of children each year. Learn how clinical data collected with ODK helped convince WHO to approve the vaccine. -
Standardized field data about smallholder farms is key to AI-powered breakthroughs in food security. We've worked with the World Food Programme, Radiant Earth Foundation, Tetra Tech, Gates Foundation and many others to meet this need. Try the ECAAS Field Mapper for ODK today. -
#FreetownTheTreeTown is a tree-planting campaign to plant 1 million trees while creating jobs and building climate resilience in Sierra Leone's capital. Read how digital tools like ODK can help encourage tree cultivation in cities.