Overview

Files in Forerunner provide centralized document management for your community data. Whether you’re managing Elevation Certificates, building plans, inspection photos, or correspondence, Files help you keep documents organized, searchable, and connected to your workflows.

​

What are files?

A file is any document, image, or upload you add to Forerunner. Each file has these characteristics:

​

Common workflows

Use files to streamline document-intensive processes:

• Elevation Certificate management - Upload ECs and let Forerunner automatically extract building information, flood zone data, and elevation details for CRS documentation
• Permit tracking - Attach building permits to properties and track them alongside inspection records
• Photo documentation - Capture and organize site photos from inspections, damage assessments, or progress tracking
• Public transparency - Share Elevation Certificates, flood zone letters, and other documents with residents through your public website
• Document requests - Respond to information requests by sharing files directly via email with secure guest access

​

Key features

​

Centralized storage

All your documents live in one place, organized by property and document type. No more searching through email attachments or shared drives.

​

Intelligent processing

Elevation Certificates are automatically processed using AI-powered data extraction. Forerunner reads the PDF, extracts key information, and links it to the correct property - saving hours of manual data entry.

​

Flexible organization

Document types let you categorize files your way. Your Customer Success Manager can configure custom document types to match your workflows, such as:

• Building permits
• Inspection reports
• Correspondence
• Site photos
• Repair documentation
• Grant applications

​

Connected to your data

Files link to properties and records automatically:

• View all files for a property from the property page
• Attach inspection photos to inspection records
• See which properties have missing Elevation Certificates
• Filter properties by document availability

​

Public sharing options

Share documents with residents through multiple channels:

• Public website - Display files on your public portal for community access
• Email sharing - Send secure links to specific files for individual requests
• Guest upload - Allow property owners to upload their own Elevation Certificates

​

Powerful search and filtering

The Files table provides advanced tools to find exactly what you need:

• Filter by document type, date range, or property attributes
• Search by property address or file name
• Create saved views for common searches
• Sort by upload date, issued date, or document type
• Export filtered results for reporting

​

Image metadata

Forerunner automatically extracts and preserves metadata from uploaded images:

• Timestamp - When the photo was taken
• Location - GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude) where the photo was captured
• Orientation - The original orientation of the image

This metadata appears as columns in the Files table, making it easy to filter and sort photos by when and where they were taken. To enable location for your camera:

​

Where to manage files

Files table - Access all your files in one searchable table with filtering, sorting, and export capabilities. You can upload Elevation Certificates from the Files table since they automatically geocode to properties. All other file types must be uploaded from a property or object. See Tables documentation to learn about creating views and exporting data. Property and object pages - View and upload files directly from property or object detail pages where documents appear alongside records and tasks. This is where you’ll upload most file types like permits, photos, and reports. Mobile app - Upload photos and documents in the field, with offline support for areas without connectivity. Public website - Property owners and residents can view shared files and upload Elevation Certificates if you’ve enabled this feature.

​

Getting started with files

New to file management in Forerunner? Here’s where to begin:

1. Review your document types - Work with your Customer Success Manager to ensure you have document types configured for your workflows
2. Upload your first files - Start with a few Elevation Certificates or photos to see how files connect to properties
3. Explore the Files table - Navigate to Files in the main menu to see your documents and try filtering by document type or date
4. Try Elevation Certificate processing - Upload an EC and watch Forerunner automatically extract the data
5. Set up public sharing - Decide which document types should be visible to residents and configure visibility settings

As you become more comfortable with files, explore advanced features like bulk uploads, document templates, and saved table views for common searches.

​

File size limits

Forerunner supports these file formats and size limits:

​

Reducing Elevation Certificate file sizes

Large Elevation Certificate files can slow down uploads and processing. FEMA recommends keeping attached images under 300KB. If your ECs are too large, try one of these approaches:

​

Security and permissions

File access is controlled through Forerunner’s permission system:

• Staff users - Access based on account role (Admin, Standard, or Limited)
• Sensitive documents - Automatically hidden from public view when marked as sensitive
• Public visibility - Individual files can be toggled between public and private
• Guest access - Public users can view non-hidden files through the public portal

Your Customer Success Manager can help configure document types as sensitive by default, ensuring certain categories of files are never accidentally shared publicly.

​

Troubleshooting