Introduction to the Fundamentals App

About the video

This recording was made with the older desktop interface. The screens have since been redesigned, but the tasks it describes — the project plan, the reporting and accounting integrations, and how the pieces fit together — are done the same way. The written overview below reflects the current web app.

The pieces of your system

HomeWatch IT Fundamentals is made up of two apps that share one set of data, plus two optional integrations:

• The web app — open a browser on your laptop or desktop and go to https://app.hwit.me. This is your hub for administration and running the business: properties and contacts, schedules, reports and tasks, actions, billing and invoicing, vendors, communications with your customers, and all of your settings.
• The mobile app — Home Watch IT Fundamentals on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It is built for the field: your technicians see their reports for the day, take each report, capture photos, and complete it. It keeps a local copy of the data on the phone so it works without a signal and syncs when it has one.
• A reporting system — the report checklist your technicians fill out. The default is HWIT’s own built-in reporting, taken in the mobile app. You can instead connect MonitorQA or SafetyCulture if you already use one of them (see Integrating Your Reporting System).
• An accounting system (optional) — QuickBooks Online, Zoho Books, Zoho Invoice, Pennylane or InvoiceXpress. When linked, customers, items and invoices sync between the two. If you would rather not run separate accounting software, HWIT Invoicing handles invoicing inside the app (see Integrating your Accounting System).

Every property record in the web app holds the complete picture: contacts, alarm and security details, property notes (turn off the water, boat on site, and any other custom details), attachments, forms and agreements, schedules, reports, billing and actions. That information syncs out to your reporting system and, for the accounting contact, to your accounting system. Although customer data syncs in both directions with your accounting platform, we strongly recommend entering and updating all customer information directly in HWIT so that updates flow to your accounting and reporting apps automatically.

Finding your way around the web app

The left-hand navigation has these entries (some only appear for Admin users or once a feature is turned on):

Menu item	What it is for
Home	Your dashboard: today’s reports, items that need attention, a map of your properties, news and events.
Properties	Every property you service, with a detail screen of twelve tabs per property. See The Property Screen.
Reports/Tasks	Pending and completed reports and tasks, plus Route Planning and AI Search.
Actions	Follow-up items raised during reports or by your customers.
Scheduling	Recurring schedules, the In Residence list and the calendar. See Adding a Schedule.
Billing Items	Charges waiting to be invoiced, and recurring charges.
Invoicing	Invoices already raised, and the Generate Invoices step.
Home Assets	Equipment and systems tracked at each property.
Rentals	Guest bookings and turnover work at short-term rentals (appears once Rentals is switched on in Settings › Company Info and a property is set up as a rental). See Intro to Rentals.
Vendors	Outside companies you work with, their bills and receipt charges.
Communications	In-app messaging with the property owners who use the customer app (appears once turned on in Settings).
Lists	Manage Lists: report templates, item codes, notes prompts, forms/agreements, home asset lists and tags.
Settings	Company Info, Account (users), Report Options, Integrations and your Project Plan.

Getting set up: the Project Plan

When you first log in to the web app you are offered a short guided walkthrough of the main screens. At the end it lands on your Project Plan — a checklist that guides you step by step through setup. You can return to it any time from Settings → Project Plan.

1. Open Settings and click the Project Plan tab. Some steps may already be marked complete; those were handled during your onboarding.
2. Steps that need you show a status of Waiting for You. Steps HWIT is handling show Waiting for HWIT.
3. Many steps include a link to the relevant help article. When you finish a step, click Mark Complete and the next step is revealed.
4. Keep working through the list until setup is finished. You can replay the walkthrough later from Settings → Account → Show the walkthrough again.

The Help entry at the bottom of the navigation opens this help site, and the Ask HWIT assistant on the help site answers specific questions directly. Make sure to review all of the articles in Setting Up Your System — the Project Plan walks you through them one at a time, covering email settings, accounting sync options and more.

Like any software there is a learning curve, but with the Project Plan and these help resources you will be up and running quickly. If you have questions, email support@homewatchit.com.

Where to get the apps

• Web app (Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad): open a browser and go to https://app.hwit.me.
• Mobile app (iPhone, iPad, Android): search the App Store or Google Play for Home Watch IT Fundamentals.

Frequently asked questions

Should I add a new customer in HWIT or in QuickBooks / Zoho Books first?

Either order works, because customer data syncs both ways between HWIT and your accounting system. Starting in HWIT is usually the simpler path: you enter the property once — address, contacts, security and notes — and the customer record in QuickBooks or Zoho Books is created by the sync. If you start in the accounting system, the customer syncs into HWIT, but you then still open the property in HWIT to finish the details the accounting system does not hold. So the recommendation is: create new customers in HWIT and let the accounting system follow.

Video transcript (previous desktop app)

Show the transcript of the recording above

(0:10 - 0:28)Hi, in this video we’re going to give you a brief introduction to the HomeWatch IT Fundamentals app. HomeWatch IT offers two systems, the Pro package and the Fundamentals package. For most HomeWatch companies, both packages provide similar core functionality to run your business.(0:29 - 0:50)The Fundamentals package is designed in the same layout and structure as the Pro package, making it easy to upgrade in the future if you ever need additional features. Within the Fundamentals app, you typically have three core components, although depending on your setup you may only use two. The optional component is your accounting system, such as QuickBooks or Zoho.(0:50 - 1:06)You’ll also have a reporting app, like Monitor QA or Safety Culture. You may have your own subscription to the reporting app, or one provided through HomeWatch IT. If you have your own subscription, you can easily integrate that later on our settings screen.(1:06 - 1:30)The reporting app is used during property visits. It allows you to complete checklist items, take photos or videos, add notes and send a detailed report to your client immediately after the visit. Primary application, the HomeWatch IT Fundamentals app, is where you manage everything else, customer records, property details, visit schedules, reporting logs, invoice generation and more.(1:31 - 1:57)Inside the Fundamentals app, you’ll find complete customer data, contact info, alarm codes, property notes, like whether to turn off the water, boat presence and other custom details. This information syncs to your properties in Monitor QA and also to your customer data in your accounting system. Although data syncs in both directions with your accounting platform, we strongly recommend entering and updating all customer information directly in the Fundamentals app.(1:58 - 2:12)That way, updates will flow to your accounting and reporting apps automatically. The main Fundamentals app is used on your laptop or desktop in a web browser. This is your hub for administration and managing your business.(2:12 - 2:25)You’ll also have a mobile app available from the App Store. It’s designed for use while you’re out in the field. It stores a local database on your phone and syncs with the reporting app so everything works smoothly together.(2:26 - 2:40)When you first log into the desktop app, go to the settings screen. Here you’ll find a project plan, a checklist that guides you step-by-step through setup. You’ll also find links to help videos, documentation and other resources.(2:41 - 2:48)Click on the project plan link. You’ll see a list of setup steps. Some may already be marked complete.(2:49 - 3:00)These were likely handled during initial onboarding. The steps you need to complete first are clearly marked with a red pointing finger. These will show a status of waiting for you.(3:01 - 3:11)Some steps include helpful links for more detail. Once you’ve finished a step, just click mark complete. This will update the status and reveal the next steps.(3:12 - 3:26)Continue working through the list until your setup is finished. You can also access the help system anytime from the left-hand menu. It includes tutorials, webinar recordings and articles on a wide range of topics.(3:27 - 3:46)At the bottom of the screen, there’s an AI chat tool where you can ask specific questions and receive direct answers. Make sure to review all the materials in the setup section of the help system and remember the project plan will walk you through those steps one at a time. You’ll learn how to configure email settings, accounting sync options and more.(3:47 - 4:00)The fundamentals package is our newest system. Simple to get started with and powerful enough to support your operations. Like any software, there’s a learning curve, but with the project plan and help resources, you’ll be up and running quickly.(4:01 - 4:12)And don’t hesitate to reach out by email if you have questions. Thanks again for subscribing to HomeWatch IT. We’re excited to support you and wish you the best in growing your business.