OnStation Was Never Built to Generate DWRs, and With Good Reason. Jul 29 Written By Dave Thomas Why OnStation Doesn’t Do DWRs—And Why That’s a Good ThingWhen we demonstrate OnStation to DOTs, consultants, or inspectors, one question comes up again and again: “Do you generate Daily Work Reports?”It’s a fair question. Daily Work Reports (DWRs) are a critical part of infrastructure project management. They tie work completed to payments made, helping owners, consultants, and contractors stay compliant, accurate, and accountable.The short answer is simple. OnStation doesn’t generate DWRs. The full answer is more useful and much more critical.Let’s walk through why we made that choice and how it ultimately strengthens your reports, records, and results in the long run. What a Daily Work Report Is and What It’s ForA Daily Work Report, often referred to as a DWR, Daily Report, or Inspector’s Report, is a complex document. It is a legally significant record of what happened on a job site on a specific day, submitted and signed by an inspector, and often retained for years after a project is completed.A typical DWR includes:Site conditionsLabor and personnelEquipment on sitePay item postings (quantities completed)Because DWRs are tied to payments, they need to follow a strict process. Once submitted, they are locked from editing. Supervisors can approve or reject, but they usually cannot modify. These reports support audit trails, contract enforcement, and funding compliance, especially for federally funded projects.To manage this complexity, most agencies rely on contract management systems such as:AASHTOWare Project™ (AWP)Appia®Aurigo®Exevision, Inc.™Procore®These platforms are built to validate pay and track item quantities, block overages, track stockpiles and usage, enforce change order workflows, and ensure compliance with DOT and FHWA standards. Why OnStation Doesn’t Try to Replace ThatHere’s the truth. OnStation isn’t built for contract enforcement, and we don’t try to be.We aren’t a DWR system. We are a field documentation and digital stationing platform. Our purpose is to help crews, inspectors, and agencies capture what’s happening in the field with clarity, accuracy, and context.Where contract systems are structured and rules-based (for good reason), OnStation is flexible, visual, and location-aware. DWR systems are built for owners and consultants whereas OnStation provides value to the owner, consultant, and contractor. What OnStation Does InsteadThere a several DWR systems that have a field component, but they have a narrow focus. They are designed to support pay processing, audits, and formal documentation. They don’t always handle the realities of field work, especially when it comes to location, visual evidence, or collaboration between crews and inspectors.That’s where OnStation excels.We give your team the tools to:Capture geo-referenced, time-stamped photos and notesTag activity to precise station locations on your mapUse customizable field forms with logic, dropdowns, and textShare updates in real time across the job siteExport data to support compliance, claims, and documentationWe are not here to approve pay items.We are here to help you prove what happened. OnStation and DWR Systems Work Better TogetherWhen someone asks if we generate a DWR, what they usually mean is, “Can this tool support what I’m already doing with Appia or AWP?”The answer is yes. That is where our integrations come in.We have built workflows that let you:Import pay items from a DWR system into OnStation, allowing field users to tag them while documenting.Export flags, notes, and photos back to those platforms to supplement postings.Reduce manual entry and stationing errors by tying documentation directly to project locations.We are not trying to build a new DWR generator.We are helping you use the one you already have more effectively. Responsive Table Feature DWR Software (e.g., AASHTOWare Project, Appia) OnStation Pay item enforcementMonitors pay item quantities and prevents contractors from exceeding contract values without a change order. Automatically flags or blocks overages to maintain compliance. YesEnforces limits on pay item quantities with automated change order enforcement. No (not a pay system)OnStation supports visual documentation but does not manage contract enforcement. Change order validationFlags work that requires a contract change before payment can be processed. YesBlocks unauthorized overages until change orders are approved. No (not a contract enforcer)OnStation does not validate pay items or enforce contract limits. Audit-ready complianceEnsures all project documentation is traceable and verifiable for state and federal audits. YesCreates formal records with digital signatures and approval chains. Yes (visual + spatial evidence)Supports audits by tying data to stationing and timestamps in the field. Station-based mappingTies notes, photos, and observations directly to project stationing. ManualUsers must manually input station data. Automatic (built-in)Automatically captures and ties field notes to mapped station locations. Information CaptureOptimized for real-time use in field conditions — mobile-ready and offline capable. Desktop-focused, closed loopForm-based, rigid input structure; built for compliance, not ease of use in the field. Field-first, collaborativeProject-specific, easy to use live on-site; simplifies data collection without rigid formatting. Photo and media captureLets teams attach photos, videos, and annotations to their field documentation. LimitedMay allow uploads, but often not tied directly to map locations or timestamps. Built-in with location taggingAll photos are tagged with time and GPS/stationing data. Integration potentialAbility to connect with other systems to reduce rework and duplicate entry. YesSupports integrations with financial and project tracking tools. Yes (AWP, Appia, more)Built-in integrations for syncing project data across platforms. Together, they form a powerful combination. One is built to enforce rules, and the other to capture reality. Why This Matters for DOTs, Inspectors, and ConsultantsIf you are managing infrastructure projects, you are juggling a lot.Payments, compliance, claims, quality control, field coordination, and documentation.And when you ask, “Does this tool generate a DWR?” what you are asking is:Can I trust the field data?Is it easy to capture and verify stationing?Do we have photo evidence if this gets audited?Can we reduce disputes or avoid rework?These are precisely the problems OnStation solves.By improving your documentation at the source, in the field, at the exact location where the work is happening, we make it easier to support your existing systems, reduce risk, and build stronger long-term records. Key TakeawayOnStation doesn’t replace your DWR platform… it makes it more powerful.By bridging the gap between what happens in the field and what is recorded in your contract system, we help you build stronger documentation, prevent disputes, and streamline communication among all parties involved in a project.Your system handles compliance. OnStation captures proof. Together, they deliver projects that are clearer, smoother, and better documented from start to finish.👉 [Book a Demo Today] Still got questions? Does OnStation replace my DWR software? Not exactly. OnStation complements your DWR system by capturing visual, spatial, and real-time field data that enriches your existing documentation. Can I use OnStation for compliance tracking? OnStation provides strong location-based evidence that supports audits and compliance—but it doesn’t enforce contracts or process pay items like traditional DWR software. Is OnStation mobile-friendly? Absolutely. OnStation is built for field crews. It works offline and is optimized for mobile, so your documentation happens in real time—right where the work is. Can I use OnStation to capture station-based notes? Yes. OnStation is built around stationing. You can pin notes, photos, and forms to exact locations to build a verifiable field record over time. Is OnStation secure enough for public sector use? Yes. OnStation is SOC 2 Type II compliant, meaning our platform has been independently audited to ensure strict controls around data security, availability, and confidentiality. All user data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and our infrastructure is built to meet the security needs of public agencies and contractors alike. Can OnStation help reduce project disputes? Yes. Having clear, visual, and location-based records helps resolve questions faster and reduce claims related to incomplete or missing documentation. Dave Thomas
OnStation Was Never Built to Generate DWRs, and With Good Reason. Jul 29 Written By Dave Thomas Why OnStation Doesn’t Do DWRs—And Why That’s a Good ThingWhen we demonstrate OnStation to DOTs, consultants, or inspectors, one question comes up again and again: “Do you generate Daily Work Reports?”It’s a fair question. Daily Work Reports (DWRs) are a critical part of infrastructure project management. They tie work completed to payments made, helping owners, consultants, and contractors stay compliant, accurate, and accountable.The short answer is simple. OnStation doesn’t generate DWRs. The full answer is more useful and much more critical.Let’s walk through why we made that choice and how it ultimately strengthens your reports, records, and results in the long run. What a Daily Work Report Is and What It’s ForA Daily Work Report, often referred to as a DWR, Daily Report, or Inspector’s Report, is a complex document. It is a legally significant record of what happened on a job site on a specific day, submitted and signed by an inspector, and often retained for years after a project is completed.A typical DWR includes:Site conditionsLabor and personnelEquipment on sitePay item postings (quantities completed)Because DWRs are tied to payments, they need to follow a strict process. Once submitted, they are locked from editing. Supervisors can approve or reject, but they usually cannot modify. These reports support audit trails, contract enforcement, and funding compliance, especially for federally funded projects.To manage this complexity, most agencies rely on contract management systems such as:AASHTOWare Project™ (AWP)Appia®Aurigo®Exevision, Inc.™Procore®These platforms are built to validate pay and track item quantities, block overages, track stockpiles and usage, enforce change order workflows, and ensure compliance with DOT and FHWA standards. Why OnStation Doesn’t Try to Replace ThatHere’s the truth. OnStation isn’t built for contract enforcement, and we don’t try to be.We aren’t a DWR system. We are a field documentation and digital stationing platform. Our purpose is to help crews, inspectors, and agencies capture what’s happening in the field with clarity, accuracy, and context.Where contract systems are structured and rules-based (for good reason), OnStation is flexible, visual, and location-aware. DWR systems are built for owners and consultants whereas OnStation provides value to the owner, consultant, and contractor. What OnStation Does InsteadThere a several DWR systems that have a field component, but they have a narrow focus. They are designed to support pay processing, audits, and formal documentation. They don’t always handle the realities of field work, especially when it comes to location, visual evidence, or collaboration between crews and inspectors.That’s where OnStation excels.We give your team the tools to:Capture geo-referenced, time-stamped photos and notesTag activity to precise station locations on your mapUse customizable field forms with logic, dropdowns, and textShare updates in real time across the job siteExport data to support compliance, claims, and documentationWe are not here to approve pay items.We are here to help you prove what happened. OnStation and DWR Systems Work Better TogetherWhen someone asks if we generate a DWR, what they usually mean is, “Can this tool support what I’m already doing with Appia or AWP?”The answer is yes. That is where our integrations come in.We have built workflows that let you:Import pay items from a DWR system into OnStation, allowing field users to tag them while documenting.Export flags, notes, and photos back to those platforms to supplement postings.Reduce manual entry and stationing errors by tying documentation directly to project locations.We are not trying to build a new DWR generator.We are helping you use the one you already have more effectively. Responsive Table Feature DWR Software (e.g., AASHTOWare Project, Appia) OnStation Pay item enforcementMonitors pay item quantities and prevents contractors from exceeding contract values without a change order. Automatically flags or blocks overages to maintain compliance. YesEnforces limits on pay item quantities with automated change order enforcement. No (not a pay system)OnStation supports visual documentation but does not manage contract enforcement. Change order validationFlags work that requires a contract change before payment can be processed. YesBlocks unauthorized overages until change orders are approved. No (not a contract enforcer)OnStation does not validate pay items or enforce contract limits. Audit-ready complianceEnsures all project documentation is traceable and verifiable for state and federal audits. YesCreates formal records with digital signatures and approval chains. Yes (visual + spatial evidence)Supports audits by tying data to stationing and timestamps in the field. Station-based mappingTies notes, photos, and observations directly to project stationing. ManualUsers must manually input station data. Automatic (built-in)Automatically captures and ties field notes to mapped station locations. Information CaptureOptimized for real-time use in field conditions — mobile-ready and offline capable. Desktop-focused, closed loopForm-based, rigid input structure; built for compliance, not ease of use in the field. Field-first, collaborativeProject-specific, easy to use live on-site; simplifies data collection without rigid formatting. Photo and media captureLets teams attach photos, videos, and annotations to their field documentation. LimitedMay allow uploads, but often not tied directly to map locations or timestamps. Built-in with location taggingAll photos are tagged with time and GPS/stationing data. Integration potentialAbility to connect with other systems to reduce rework and duplicate entry. YesSupports integrations with financial and project tracking tools. Yes (AWP, Appia, more)Built-in integrations for syncing project data across platforms. Together, they form a powerful combination. One is built to enforce rules, and the other to capture reality. Why This Matters for DOTs, Inspectors, and ConsultantsIf you are managing infrastructure projects, you are juggling a lot.Payments, compliance, claims, quality control, field coordination, and documentation.And when you ask, “Does this tool generate a DWR?” what you are asking is:Can I trust the field data?Is it easy to capture and verify stationing?Do we have photo evidence if this gets audited?Can we reduce disputes or avoid rework?These are precisely the problems OnStation solves.By improving your documentation at the source, in the field, at the exact location where the work is happening, we make it easier to support your existing systems, reduce risk, and build stronger long-term records. Key TakeawayOnStation doesn’t replace your DWR platform… it makes it more powerful.By bridging the gap between what happens in the field and what is recorded in your contract system, we help you build stronger documentation, prevent disputes, and streamline communication among all parties involved in a project.Your system handles compliance. OnStation captures proof. Together, they deliver projects that are clearer, smoother, and better documented from start to finish.👉 [Book a Demo Today] Still got questions? Does OnStation replace my DWR software? Not exactly. OnStation complements your DWR system by capturing visual, spatial, and real-time field data that enriches your existing documentation. Can I use OnStation for compliance tracking? OnStation provides strong location-based evidence that supports audits and compliance—but it doesn’t enforce contracts or process pay items like traditional DWR software. Is OnStation mobile-friendly? Absolutely. OnStation is built for field crews. It works offline and is optimized for mobile, so your documentation happens in real time—right where the work is. Can I use OnStation to capture station-based notes? Yes. OnStation is built around stationing. You can pin notes, photos, and forms to exact locations to build a verifiable field record over time. Is OnStation secure enough for public sector use? Yes. OnStation is SOC 2 Type II compliant, meaning our platform has been independently audited to ensure strict controls around data security, availability, and confidentiality. All user data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and our infrastructure is built to meet the security needs of public agencies and contractors alike. Can OnStation help reduce project disputes? Yes. Having clear, visual, and location-based records helps resolve questions faster and reduce claims related to incomplete or missing documentation. Dave Thomas
