Digital Audits vs Excel Spreadsheets

Using excel spreadsheets instead of digital solutions like Trail means more time and cost.
Ben Peck
 • 
Sep 2022
4 min read

When it comes to audits, businesses are always looking to be as efficient as possible. While using technology like Trail supports that efficiency, there are still those who waste precious time and resource by sticking with excel spreadsheets (or similar) for their audits.

But what exactly are the benefits of using audit technology like Trail over a spreadsheet?

Save on time

The traditional way of completing an audit involves adding notes to paper documents to then later scan, or manually collating information from multiple spreadsheets or data points into one master document. This isn’t just time-consuming, it also risks accuracy.

Trail allows its users to easily collate relevant audit information from all areas of the business in real time. Users have an overview of this information, can add tags, and can automate the process with a few clicks. This saves a huge amount of time for businesses, who can pull audit information easily to then communicate with relevant stakeholders.

Audits require assessors to move around the site, checking all areas meticulously. When using excel, auditors are forced to go back to the (often slow) back of house PC between checks, remember scores or carry round bulky hardware to record answers. Trail can be used on any device, meaning checks can be done on the move from your phone or tablet, speeding up the process and ensuring everything's covered off accurately.

Fewer mistakes, more efficiency

When completing an audit manually using a spreadsheet, making one simple mistake can throw off the whole process. While that’s frustrating for the team having to fix, it also risks further mistakes within the audit.

This is especially important for audits that concern compliance and safety, where mistakes in auditing can have significant impacts on the business.

With tech like Trail users do not rely on manual processes, hugely decreasing the potential for human error and more work down the line. Trail helps to highlight any potential issues as they are found throughout the audit, allowing for easy fixes or extra attention where necessary.

Cut your costs

As we’ve already mentioned, sticking with excel spreadsheets for audits means more time, more work and a higher risk of mistakes. Which also means a higher cost to your business.

Trail has a number of audit templates for its users, allowing for easy audit processes through automation vs manual input with spreadsheets. It's also easy to edit existing content, allowing you to keep your audits up to date. The impact that has on cost can be significant.

“Trail greatly reduced the amount of time we need to spend on internal audits, which has been a great cost-saving for us." Matt Bamber, Operations Director, The New World Trading Company.

Trail also eliminates the need for reams of unnecessary paper, which further helps to save on costs.


Overall, opting to digitise the audit process means:

  • Efficient and easy communication with stakeholders (including requests for action).
  • Up to date data in real-time.
  • Easy identification of issues within the audit or business that can be addressed as they happen.
  • Audits accessible to relevant team members and across all devices.
  • Ability to compare audits and identify trends.
  • Less time, money and resource spent.

Whether using Trail or other assistive tech, it’s never been more important for hospitality businesses to save resources by digitising their operations. For more info on how Trail can support this, get in touch with our team for a free demo.


What customers are saying

"I f****** love Trail, it's taking my businesses to the next level."
Josh Paterson
Owner
"We rarely provide training to our guys, they just bought into the idea straight away. I love that I have a full visual of everyone's activity in front of me."
Katrin Toots
Compliance Manager
“It’s not a paper diary that’s covered in barbecue sauce. We have clarity over what’s done in our sites and are confident going into our audits.”
Jay Brown
Operations
“The EHO visited almost every site last year and every store was given a five star rating."
Jay Brown
Operations Chef
"We turned our Costa Checks and various compliance forms into regular tasks on Trail, which has contributed to some of the best scores we have had."
Delroy Daniels
Operations Director
"Our teams love it, it gives our managers of all levels absolute clarity on what they need to achieve every day."
James Brown
Operations Director

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