At the center of inspection forms in iOn is the inspection item, which is one specific element to be checked that may need service or repair, such as Tires Properly Inflated, Hoses Appear Okay, and Fire Extinguisher in Cab. Each individual task of the inspection should be its own item. A set of items, or a category of things to check, is called a group, and multiple groups (as needed) are included in the template, the overall form.

Note: See An Introduction to Inspection Forms for details about the components of an inspection form template (the template, groups, and items).

To add a new item, follow these steps:


  1. On the sidebar menu on the left, click .
     
  2. Click Inspection Setup on the flyout menu that appears.
     
    The Inspection Setup screen's Templates tab will appear (unless you were on a different tab during your current iOn session).
      
  3. Click the Items tab.
     
     
  4. Click Add New at the top right of the screen.
     
    The Add Item dialog box will appear.
      
  5. Type a short name for the item in the Name box, such as "Brake Lights."
     
  6. Click the Data Type drop-down arrow and select the kind of information the item requires the driver to enter on the form. These are the available options:
     
    • Date: Opens a calendar picker, in which the driver can select a date.
       
    • DateTime: Provides a calendar and time picker, which the driver can use to specify the date and time.
       
    • Number: Enables the driver to enter a numerical value, such as for a Quarts of Oil Added item.
       
    • Odometer: Specifically for entering the vehicle's current odometer reading.
       
    • Pass/Fail: The most common data type on iOn inspection forms. This is used to specify if the item is in an acceptable condition (Pass) or not (Fail).
       
    • Signature: Allows the driver to use a stylus or finger to write their signature.
       
    • Text: Enables the driver to enter textual data, such as for a Notes field.
       
    • Time: Provides a time picker, which the driver can use to choose the time.
       
  7. Click the Severity drop-down arrow and select if the vehicle would be Driveable even if the item fails (such as for a Two-Way Radio item) or Non-Driveable (such as for a Brakes item).
     
  8. Type a full explanation of what the item requires the driver to assess in the Description box.
     
  9. If the item is one that is necessary to be filled out in order for the driver to be able to submit the form, leave the Required toggle selected. ( means selected, and  deselected.)
    Note: Almost all inspection items are set to be required. There are some items for which you will want to change this to be deselected — for example, an optional Notes field.

    If you selected Non-Driveable in the Severity drop-down list, the Required toggle will be selected automatically — and grayed out, meaning that you cannot make this an optional item.
  10. If the item has subitems, which are things to check in a subcategory of the main item (for example, a Tires item might have four subitems: Front Right, Front Left, Rear Right, and Rear Left), follow these steps:
     
    1. In the Sub Items area, click .
       
      These fields will appear:
        
    2. Type a short name for the subitem in the Name box.
       
    3. Type a more detailed description, explaining what the subitem requires the driver to check, in the Description box.
       
    4. If you needed only one subitem, skip down to step 11.
       
    5. If you need more subitems, repeat steps a through c for each one you need to add.
      Note: You can rearrange subitems by clicking  at the left of one item and dragging it higher or lower in the list, as needed.
       
      You can delete a subitem by clicking  to its right.
  11. Click Done.
       
    Your new item will appear in the Items list, and a success message will appear at the bottom of the screen.
      
  12. Click OK to dismiss it. (Or you can wait a few seconds, and it will automatically close.)