Canvas (company)

Canvas
Private
Industry Mobile Software
Founded 2008
Founder Chris Morrisette
James Quigley
Matt Warner
Headquarters Reston, Virginia, USA
Services Data Storage
Website

Canvas is a global technology company based in Reston, Virginia. Canvas provides mobile apps to expand data collection and make sharing easier for organizations of all sizes. They create apps to gather information, and the apps can be used from expense reports to installing soda fountains.[1] All submissions are stored in the cloud and accessible for the user. Canvas allows the user to customize their apps and can include GPS location capture, photos, signature capture, and reference data. Data can be exported in a comma-separated values spreadsheet or a pdf[2] Canvas provides users a free month to try the product. After that, it relies on a subscription model for access to the app builder and to upload new data via the mobile app.

Origins

Founded in 2008 by Chris Morissette, James Quigley, and Matt Warner as a company specializing in Software as a Service (SaaS).[3]

Operations

Canvas is headquartered in Reston, VA. A regional office covering Asia Pacific in Sydney, Australia was opened in 2013.[3] It has apps in 4 languages including English, French, Spanish, and Dutch.

Organizational structure

Canvas is run as a flat organization free of hierarchical structure. Rather, performance is judged based on metrics.[4]

Products & Services

Canvas services can be broken down into: The App Builder, The Application Store, Account Portal, Dispatch and MyCanvas

The App Builder

Allows users to customize their apps to include features such as GPS capture, signature, photo capture or use reference data.

The Application Store

A library full apps made by Canvas subscribers and partners from all over the world. Includes industries from construction to pet sitting.

Account Portal

Allows subscribers to access their submissions, edit previously submitted data, or export data to back end data systems.

Dispatch

This service allows administrators to pre-populate apps and send them to other users.[5]

MyCanvas

A new program from Canvas. Anyone who has work done by a subscriber, can now have that data stored in the cloud for them at no cost.[6][7]

Supported platforms

The Canvas smart client is available for Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), Windows Mobile, Windows Phone,and BlackBerry. Computers are used for accessing submissions, and the app builder. Filling out the apps occurs primarily on smart devices such as phones and tablets. There are some minor differences between operating systems. Still, all major functions are shared between platforms.

Ante Up

Rather than volunteer or donate money towards social causes, Canvas donates their product and employee time to nonprofit organizations.[8] Every year, they award one nonprofit with whom they work the Ante Up Award. Previous recipients include The Dandelion Network and Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve[9]

References

  1. ↑ King, Rachel (5 September 2012). "How Pepsi Bottling Ventures IT Says Yes, Even When Strapped for Resource". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Gahran, Amy. "Tracking Inventory Have You Stressed? Try These 5 Mobile Apps". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Overly, Steven (7 December 2012). "The Download: Canvas goes international with Sydney office". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. ↑ Quigley, James. "Getting to Know Canvas - Our Culture, Structure, How We Get Things Done (aka New Candidate Tips)". Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "Introducing Dispatch for Canvas".
  6. ↑ Seo, Michael. "MyCanvas Allows Homeowners To Access Their Personal Service Data History In The Cloud". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Introducing MyCanvas!". Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Small, Vanessa (28 August 2012). "Canvas selects nonprofits to get its app for free". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Ravindranath, Mohana (22 March 2013). "Deriving profit from nonprofit work". Washington Post.

External links