Customize your records
Configure fields, conditional logic, and workflows to match your needs
Create records
Add new records from web or mobile to track your workflows
Access your records
View and manage records via tables, maps, and property pages
Export record data
Export records to CSV, Shapefile, and GeoPackage formats
What are records?
A record is a customizable form that captures information about your work.- Organized by category - Group records into categories like Inspections, Permitting, or SI/SD tracking
- Linked to objects - Connect records to properties or custom map features for geographic context
- Fully customizable - Configure fields, conditional logic, and workflows to match your needs
- Trackable - Monitor status, progress, and history across your team
- Shareable - Control public visibility and export data for reporting
Record categories and types
Records in Forerunner are organized by category and type. This two-level structure helps you organize related records and customize forms for specific workflows. Categories are fixed organizational groups—think of them as folders. You can’t create new categories, but you can organize your work into the available options. Types are customizable forms within each category. For example, within the Inspections category, you might have types for “Annual Inspection,” “Post-Storm Assessment,” and “Site Visit.”Each account starts with default record types configured during onboarding. If the Record Builder is enabled for your account, you can customize these and create additional types yourself. Otherwise, contact your Customer Success Manager for assistance.
Record categories
Forerunner provides categories to support different types of work. Here are some common examples:| Category | Description | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Inspections | Property inspections, site visits, and monitoring activities | Annual floodplain inspections, building safety evaluations, compliance checks |
| Permitting | Permit applications, reviews, and approval tracking | Building permits, EC review, development permits, grading permits |
| SI/SD | Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage tracking | Renovation cost tracking, SI/SD calculations, post-disaster damage assessment |
| Grants | Grant applications, award tracking, and program management | FEMA grant applications, hazard mitigation assistance, CDBG |
| Mailings | Communication tracking, notification logs, and correspondence | Annual notifications, permit reminders, public hearing notices |
| Code Cases | Code enforcement tracking, violation documentation | Zoning violations, building code violations, property maintenance |
| Projects | Project tracking for capital improvements and infrastructure | Stormwater projects, flood mitigation, resilience initiatives |
| Planning | Planning reviews, development applications, land use | Site plan reviews, subdivision applications, land use permits |
| Assessments | Property and risk assessments, including damage evaluations | Flood risk assessments, property condition evaluations |
| Complaints | Complaint tracking and resolution | Citizen complaints, issue tracking |
Record types
Within each category, you create specific record types tailored to your workflows. Each record type includes:- Basic information - Name, description, and category assignment
- Form structure - Fields, groups, ordering, and help text
- Permissions - Who can create and view records of this type
- Advanced features - Conditional logic, default values, notifications, and specialized modules
- Attachments - Links to properties, custom objects, or both
Common workflows
Records support a wide range of community resilience workflows: Floodplain management - Track substantial improvement/damage calculations, elevation certificate reviews, permit applications, and compliance monitoring for CRS documentation Emergency response - Document preliminary damage assessments, safety evaluations, and recovery progress during and after disaster events Inspection programs - Manage routine inspections, site visits, milestone tracking, and follow-up actions with mobile data collection Community engagement - Record resident interactions, track mailings and notifications, document complaints, and maintain communication logs Development review - Process permit applications, coordinate zoning reviews, track project milestones, and manage approval workflowsKey features
Customizable forms
Create record types with exactly the fields you need for your workflows. Choose from text inputs, numbers, dates, dropdowns, file uploads, and more. Configure conditional logic to show or hide fields based on user responses.Linked to objects
Every record connects to a property or custom object, providing geographic context and making it easy to see all records associated with a location. View records directly from property pages or filter records by location on the map.Flexible field types
Support for 15+ field types including text, numbers, dates, dropdowns, checkboxes, file uploads, user selectors, and specialized fields for damage assessments and property values.Workflow tracking
Track the status and progress of work across your team. Create records in the field with the mobile app, review and update them in the office, and export data for reporting and analysis.Public sharing options
Control which records appear on your public website. Share inspection results with property owners, publish permit status, or keep sensitive records private. Configure default visibility and override on individual records.Special record types
Forerunner includes specialized record types with enhanced capabilities for specific use cases. These record types have built-in modules that enable automated calculations, property updates, and specialized workflows.Preliminary Damage Assessments
IA and PA damage evaluations aligned with FEMA guidance
Substantial Damage Estimates
Calculate damage costs to determine 50% threshold for NFIP compliance
SI/SD Tracking
Track cumulative improvements and damage determinations
Permits and EC Submission
Process permits and Elevation Certificates with automated extraction
Getting started with records
New to records in Forerunner? Here’s where to begin:- Review your record types - Check that you have record types configured for your workflows. If the Record Builder is enabled, you can create new types yourself; otherwise, contact your CSM
- Explore the records tables - Navigate to Records in the main menu and select a category (like Inspections) to see existing records
- Create your first record - Click “Add new” from a records table or property page to create a test record
- Try filtering and sorting - Use the table controls to find specific records and create saved views for common searches
- Set up public sharing - Decide which record types should be visible to residents and configure default visibility settings
Security and permissions
Record access is controlled through Forerunner’s permission system:- Staff users - Access based on account role (Admin, Standard, or Limited)
- Record type permissions - Configure which roles and user groups can create specific record types
- Public visibility - Individual records can be toggled between public and private
- Sensitive records - Configure record types as hidden from public by default
Customizing your records
If the Record Builder is enabled for your account, you can create and customize record types directly—adding fields, configuring logic, setting permissions, and more. See Customizing Records for details.Contact your Customer Success Manager to enable the Record Builder for your account.
Getting help from your CSM
Your Customer Success Manager is available to help with:- Enabling the Record Builder - Turn on self-service customization for your account
- Specialized modules - Configure PDA, SDE, SI/SD, and EC processing modules to match your community’s requirements
- Complex customizations - Advanced configurations or bulk changes
- Migration support - Update existing records or migrate data between field types