When it comes to collecting data, forms are the unsung heroes of your business operations. They’re the front door to your services, the handshake with your users. Yet, outdated Word documents or clunky PDFs still dominate in many organisations, quietly undermining efficiency and trust. These relics aren’t just an aesthetic problem—they can cripple accessibility, inflate operational costs, and expose your organisation to security risks. Without modern, secure, and inclusive digital forms, you risk alienating users, creating compliance nightmares, and throwing money at inefficiencies that smarter solutions could solve overnight. Simply put: the cost of neglect is far greater than the cost of transformation.
It’s not just about having forms. It’s about having forms that are accessible, efficient, and designed for modern needs. If your current approach to forms leaves you wrestling with accessibility standards, a backlog of legacy documents, or a drawn-out creation process, it’s time to rethink the fundamentals.
The Public Sector Network’s Australian National Report for Digital Accessibility Policies and Practices for PDF Forms shows that federal and state governments are prioritising accessible and dynamic digital forms over static PDFs.
Here’s what we’ve learned from working with public sector organisations such as federal & state governments, emergency services, health providers, utilities, and educators: modern digital forms can make a real difference. But before you jump into a solution, consider the challenges your organisation might be facing and how to overcome them.
Are your forms welcoming everyone?
As the Australian federal and state governments move to WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, it has set the tone for accessible design across sectors for forms. This isn’t just a tick-the-box exercise; it’s about ensuring no user is left behind. Unfortunately, many organisations struggle to build forms that meet these standards. It takes effort, expertise, and a real commitment to inclusion.
The legacy forms conundrum
You’re not alone if you’re staring down a mountain of Word and PDF forms waiting to be converted. The process can feel like tackling an endless to-do list but leaving them as-is creates inefficiencies and risks falling behind compliance requirements.
Is form building slowing you down?
Here’s a familiar scenario, someone requests a new form, and weeks later, after a marathon of coding and database wrangling, it’s finally ready. But do forms really need to be so time-consuming? With modern digital tools and platforms, the answer is a resounding no.
Are manual processes holding you back?
Manual data entry is not just inefficient – it’s error-prone. Every time your team has to retype information from a static form, there’s a chance for mistakes, not to mention a loss of valuable time.
Are your forms stuck in the past?
Outdated forms often resist change. Whether it’s updating branding, fixing a broken link, or adapting to new requirements, the process can be more hassle than it’s worth. And don’t get us started on scaling forms for high usage – it’s an uphill battle.
A modern solution that works for everyone
Good news is here, these challenges aren’t insurmountable. The key lies in adopting a solution that puts users at the centre and adapts to your needs. Imagine forms that are accessible, secure, and automatically connected. Imagine features like real-time validation, dynamic behaviour, and seamless integration into your existing systems.
When built on a platform like Microsoft Power Platform, digital forms become not just tools but strategic assets. They reduce inefficiencies, meet accessibility standards, and improve the experience for both your users and your team.
The way we see it, forms are more than just a way to collect information – they’re a reflection of your organisation’s values and efficiency. By embracing smarter, user-centred solutions, you can streamline processes, improve accessibility, and show your users that you care.
Ready to transform your organisation’s approach to digital forms and enhance accessibility and efficiency? Contact us today to explore how FormFactor can empower your mission.
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