- An Audit is a retrospective check of processes, and the phrasing of questions is all that differentiates an audit from an inspection.  Both tend to use Yes/No/Not Applicable answer types and both can be subject to statistical analysis key performance indicators and scoring.

- An Inspection uses questions targeted directly at operational issues to check that compliance matters are being properly dealt with.  This is irrespective of whether the compliance is to do with health (food safety inspections, display screen equipment, occupational issues), safety (building site practices, public safety) or environment (waste control).

When using a PDA, users can score findings, use standard responses or add their own responses.  From then on, results are stored and reported from automatically.  The PDA is used to store all the data that's been locally captured and is then synchronised to the host database at a user's discretion.  The PDA questionnaire process involves;

Questionnaires can be stored as part complete, and uploaded to the host when completed.  Photos and notes (and even GPS positions) can be stored against individual answers, or against entire questionnaire sections.  Report formatting is immediate, stylish, and can contain the signatures and pictures taken on the PDA.  The on-line Internet reports can have drill downs from top level summaries right through to the basic data.  Reports can be printed in colour, to the Internet (as HTML), or to Excel. Reporting is based on the "subscription" concept, where users are told when a report becomes available, and they can view it as an email attachment or by accessing a web page. Reports can also be sent as XML outputs for data exchange with other systems such as Oracle, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics.