EICR Software: A Faster Way to Complete Electrical Installation Condition Reports
Completing an Electrical Installation Condition Report can involve a huge amount of information.
From installation details and distribution boards to circuit schedules, test results, observations and recommendations, even a relatively straightforward EICR can quickly become time-consuming.
That's where good EICR software for electricians should make a difference.
The software shouldn't just replace a paper form with a digital one. It should make the entire process of completing, managing and reviewing electrical certificates quicker and easier.
What Is EICR Software?
EICR software is designed to help electricians digitally complete and manage Electrical Installation Condition Reports.
It is sometimes also described as EICR certificate software, electrical testing software or electrical certification software, depending on the wider range of certificates the platform supports.
Rather than recording information on paper or relying on disconnected documents, electricians can enter inspection and testing information directly into an electrical certification app as they work.
A good system can bring together:
- Installation and client details
- Distribution boards
- Circuit schedules
- Electrical test results
- Inspection schedules
- Observations and recommendations
- EICR classifications
- Certificate completion and review
The result should be a more efficient way of moving from inspection and testing to a completed electrical certificate.
Why Does EICR Software Matter?
The electrical testing isn't necessarily what makes an EICR frustrating.
Often, it's everything surrounding it.
Repeatedly entering information, navigating cumbersome forms, reorganising circuit schedules, transferring notes and completing unfinished paperwork later can add significant time to a job.
Modern electrical inspection and testing software should reduce that administrative workload.
We've previously looked at the wider features electricians should consider when choosing electrical certification software for electricians.
For electricians regularly completing EICRs, there are also some specific features worth looking for.
Complete More of the EICR While You're on Site
One of the biggest opportunities to save time is simple:
Complete the certificate while the job is still fresh in your mind.
If certification is left until later, you're relying on notes, photographs and memory to reconstruct information you had directly in front of you earlier that day.
EICR software designed for mobile and tablet use allows more information to be entered as inspection and testing progresses.
Certly is available on iOS and Android, with desktop access launching soon, giving electricians even more flexibility over where certificates are completed and reviewed.
That can mean less paperwork waiting for you when you get home — and a completed certificate reaching the customer sooner.
Make Circuit Schedules Easier to Manage
Circuit schedules are a major part of many EICRs, particularly on larger installations.
And installations don't always reveal themselves in the perfect order.
Circuits may need adding, moving or reorganising as testing progresses.
Certly allows electricians to drag and drop circuits to reorder them, rather than having to work around a rigid circuit schedule or unnecessarily re-enter information.
It's a relatively simple feature, but exactly the kind of practical improvement that can save time across repeated electrical inspections.
EICR Software Should Handle Multiple Distribution Boards
Not every Electrical Installation Condition Report covers a small domestic installation.
Commercial properties, industrial installations, HMOs, larger residential properties and other projects can contain numerous distribution boards and extensive circuit schedules.
Your EICR software needs to scale with the installation.
Certly allows unlimited distribution boards and circuit schedules, helping electricians complete larger EICRs without running into arbitrary software limits.
The installation should determine the size of the certificate — not the software.
Reduce Repetitive EICR Data Entry
Entering the same information repeatedly wastes time.
Modern electrical certificate software should look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary input through sensible workflows, templates and reusable information.
The benefit becomes even greater for electricians completing multiple certificates every week.
Saving a few minutes on an individual section may seem insignificant.
But save those minutes across every EICR completed during the year and the difference can become substantial.
Intelligent Checks Can Help Catch Problems Earlier
An EICR needs to be accurate as well as quick to complete.
Certly includes intelligent checks based on selections made within the certificate, helping highlight inconsistencies before the EICR is finished.
For example, information entered elsewhere within the report may affect what should logically appear in another section.
Software can help identify those potential conflicts.
It doesn't replace an electrician's competence, knowledge or professional judgement.
Instead, it provides another layer of checking while the certificate is being completed.
Keep Observations and Recommendations Together
Observations are one of the most important parts of an EICR.
Being able to clearly record an issue, apply the appropriate classification and keep supporting information together makes the finished report easier to manage.
Digital EICR software also removes the need to transfer handwritten observations into another system later.
The information can be recorded as part of the certificate while the inspection is taking place.
That means fewer disconnected notes and less information to reconstruct afterwards.
Access Your Electrical Certificates Across Devices
Electrical work doesn't happen behind a desk.
You might be inspecting an installation with a tablet, need to check information from your phone, or want to continue working on a certificate from another supported device.
A good EICR app or electrical cert app should let electricians access electrical certificates across supported devices, giving greater flexibility over when and where certification is completed.
Certly is available on iOS and Android, with desktop access launching soon, so certificates won't be restricted to mobile and tablet devices.
It also means your EICRs aren't tied to a clipboard, a folder or one particular device.
EICR Software for Electrical Contractors and Teams
For electrical contractors employing multiple engineers, completing the EICR is only part of the process.
Certificates may then need to be reviewed and approved by a Qualified Supervisor (QS).
Traditional workflows can involve engineers sending certificates by email, supervisors chasing missing information and repeated messages going backwards and forwards before approval.
Certly's QC Relay creates a direct route between the electrician and QS.
Certificates can be submitted for review, the QS can see which certificates are awaiting approval, and the workflow stays within Certly.
That can mean less chasing and a smoother route from inspection to sign-off.
Keep EICRs and Other Certs Organised After They're Completed
Good electrical certification and EICR software should also make certificates easier to find afterwards.
As an electrical business grows, so does its certificate library.
Being able to organise certificates around clients and jobs provides a much clearer record than relying on disconnected PDFs, paperwork or folders spread across different devices.
The value of certification software doesn't end when you press complete.
It should make managing your electrical records easier too.
What Should You Look for in EICR Software?
Before choosing an EICR app or electrical certificate software, consider how it fits into the way you actually work.
Ask yourself:
- Can I complete the EICR efficiently while I'm on site?
- Is it easy to enter and manage circuit information?
- Can it handle multiple distribution boards and larger installations?
- Does it reduce repetitive input?
- Does it help identify potential errors?
- Can I access my certificates when I need them?
- Is it suitable for individual electricians as well as electrical contractors?
- Can certificates be easily reviewed if my business uses a QS?
- Will it make certification quicker overall?
The best EICR software for your business isn't necessarily the system with the longest feature list.
It's the one that removes friction from the work you're already doing.
A Faster Way to Complete EICRs
Electrical certification will always require care, knowledge and attention to detail.
But unnecessary admin doesn't have to be part of it.
Certly is electrical certification software built by electricians, for electricians, with EICR workflows designed around the realities of electrical inspection and testing.
From intelligent checks and flexible circuit schedules to unlimited distribution boards, multi-device access and QS approval workflows, we're continually looking for ways to make electrical certification simpler.
If you're looking for EICR software designed around the way electricians actually inspect, test and complete certificates, you can explore Certly or download Certly and start your free trial.
Because the quicker the paperwork is finished, the quicker the job really is finished.
Quickly. Simply. Certly.
