Looking for data collection solution

[luckachi]

I need a data collection solution for volunteers working in the field. While I have Field Maps set up, I want an alternative for those who might find Field Maps intimidating or are less tech-savvy.

Volunteers will be collecting points, lines, and polygons for a single species, with only 5 fields to fill out from the 40+ fields in each layer. Three fields (area, density, phenology) require user interaction, which rules out QuickCapture since it doesn't support dropdown selections or hiding fields. Survey123 also seems unsuitable as it doesn't allow multiple layers unless they are related.

Does anyone have suggestions for a suitable solution or can point me in the right direction if Survey123 / QuickCapture can be used in this manner?

[abureaux]

You could set up a simple S123 solution, and use automation software like Power Automate to dump the data into the relevant Feature Layers.

[luckachi]

I'm curious how that could be done - esp the s123 side of things. Would each layer need its own survey or would it be one survey with the option to capture a point, a line or a polygon - like a repeat? Each layer has the same fields.

[abureaux]

I don't know your set-up, so I am guessing here. But, I would...

• Have a single survey, not linked to anything else.
• The content/questions for that survey would match (as close as possible. And mainly just to keep things simple) the content/questions of the other layers in question.
• A "switch" within the survey, so I know where the data should end up. This mechanism would likely also dynamically toggle visible questions, so the interface is as streamlined as possible for the end user.
• I would then connect this survey to a Power Automate flow, which would then use the "Switch" step to add data to specific layers (example below).
  

In this way, this single S123 form can link to multiple Feature Layers.

[luckachi]

Thank you for the info and for the visual - this is helpful.

One last question that came to mind was how to handle the creation of the features seeing that volunteers will need to be able to either create points, lines or polygons. 

[abureaux]

Esri's connectors include options for creating features.

I've used it in the past, but only a limited capacity. TBH, when I did use them, I had the issue of the features not being created properly. However, I have a big project coming up sooner than I'd like, and I will be diving back into feature creation early next year (after I'm back from holidays).