For field managers/contractors who relied on NoteVault’s daily reporting tools to manage field updates and logs, there’s a major shift ahead.
Bentley is retiring NoteVault’s core features, including Notes, Crew, and Daily Log, starting September 1, 2025.
Those tools will only be accessible through Synchro Field, a broader Bentley system built with more office-heavy functionality.
For contractors who loved NoteVault’s simple, field-first reporting, this raises a big question:
What’s the best alternative that works for crews, not just coordinators?
The answer is SmartBarrel. It gives your field teams a faster, easier way to capture daily progress, with live dashboards, mobile-first logging, and zero tech complexity.
In this post, we’ll break down:
- What’s changing with NoteVault (and what’s not)
- What to look for in a real field-ready alternative
- Why SmartBarrel is your perfect replacement
Take Back Control of Your Time Keeping
What Does the End of NoteVault Mean for Your Field Teams?
The retirement of NoteVault’s daily reporting tools puts thousands of contractors at risk of losing fast, field-first documentation.
Daily reporting tools like Notes, Crew, and Daily Log are being folded into Synchro Field (part of Bentley’s larger construction software suite).
But Synchro was never built for field teams. It’s complex, office-driven, and the opposite of what crews need to document work in real-time.
That leaves you with two options:
- Find a field-ready replacement
- Or risk falling into reporting chaos (missed logs, lost documentation, and zero visibility).
With option 1, all that reporting chaos can be avoided. If you choose a tool built for the field, not just the backend.
Let’s break down what to look for in a real replacement.
What a Real Field-Ready Reporting Tool Should Look Like – 3 Core NoteVault Features:
Not every platform that claims to replace NoteVault is built for the field.
Some are stuffed with features no crew will use.
Others skip the basics that made NoteVault work in the first place.
Before you commit to another system, here’s what actually matters if you want to keep your reporting fast and jobsite-ready.
1. Built for the Jobsite, Not Just the Office
Field tools should work in the field.
That means no clunky interfaces, no laptop-only access, and no waiting for tech support.
Your next platform should be mobile-first and simple enough that foremen can log updates without slowing the job down.
2. Supports Fast, Hands-Free Logging with Voice Dictation
Typing out reports doesn’t work on busy jobsites, and it never did.
A solid replacement should support fast, hands-free logging by working with your phone’s built-in voice dictation. That way, crews can speak updates on the fly and keep moving, without needing to stop and type out every note.
3. Syncs Everyone Without the Back-and-Forth
Data stuck in someone’s notes or inbox doesn’t help anyone.
A solid replacement should instantly connect field updates to the people who need them, such as project managers, admins, and execs.
Real-time visibility isn’t a bonus. It’s the baseline.
4 Reasons Why SmartBarrel Is a Smarter Alternative to Retired NoteVault Tools:
If you’re looking for a field-ready replacement for NoteVault’s retired daily reporting tools, SmartBarrel delivers exactly what field teams need with simpler workflows and real-time updates.
Here’s what sets SmartBarrel apart:
1. Field-First Simplicity That Crews Actually Use
SmartBarrel is built for foremen and supers, not IT teams.
It works with minimal setup and nothing extra for your crew to learn. Everything runs directly from mobile devices, without stopping the job.
2. Real-Time Dashboards for Total Jobsite Visibility
Every update, clock-in, and field log flows directly into a live dashboard. PMs, admins, and office staff get immediate access to daily activity across all jobsites without waiting on end-of-day uploads.
SmartBarrel keeps everyone aligned in real-time.
3. Offline Functionality Built for Real Jobsites
Not every jobsite has stable service.
SmartBarrel works even when the connection doesn’t.
Field teams can continue logging updates and clocking in offline. Everything syncs automatically once the signal returns.
No gaps in documentation. No risk of lost data.
4. Structured Reports That Auto-Generate, No Chasing Paperwork
SmartBarrel automatically compiles all logged activity into daily reports that follow a consistent format, organized by crew, time, and cost code.
That means no end-of-day scrambling to piece together updates, and no manual formatting for compliance or review.
How to Switch from NoteVault to SmartBarrel Without Disruption
SmartBarrel skips the bloated IT setup. There’s no need for weeks of configuration or complex rollouts. Your crews can start generating daily reports within minutes.
Here’s how SmartBarrel keeps your transition simple:
1. Keep Your Data. Keep Your Momentum.
SmartBarrel ensures that project documentation doesn’t get lost in the switch. Time entries and field logs are tracked from day one, so you don’t lose visibility mid-project.
It’s a clean transition with no missing reports, no data gaps, and no disruption to how your team documents the work.
2. Train the Field. Stay on Track.
Training starts with the people who use the platform, such as supers, foremen, and crew leads.
SmartBarrel keeps the learning curve short with hands-on, field-first onboarding. Most teams are fully operational within a day or two.
No waiting, no confusion, and no digging through support articles to figure it out.
Take Back Control of Your Time Keeping
Make the Switch Before the Shutdown Hits:
NoteVault’s daily reporting tools may be retiring, but that doesn’t mean you need to rebuild your reporting process from scratch.
SmartBarrel covers the core daily reporting needs that contractors rely on most.
The best part?
You can make the switch without disrupting your projects or retraining your teams. Field reporting shouldn’t fall apart just because one platform disappears.
Book a free demo with SmartBarrel and see how effortless field reporting can be.
A Better Way to Log the Day
NoteVault was built to capture daily jobsite activity. SmartBarrel takes that further.
Instead of relying on voice notes and post-shift uploads, SmartBarrel logs the day as it happens, accurately, automatically, and in real time.
Here’s how SmartBarrel replaces (and improves on) the traditional daily log process:
- Live Field Activity
Every time a worker clocks in or updates a shift, it’s captured and logged instantly in the dashboard. No waiting for someone to upload notes. - Context-Rich Reports
SmartBarrel’s daily logs auto-generate from real-time data: worker names, cost codes, timestamps, face photos, weather, and summaries. No guesswork. No reformatting. - Mobile-First Simplicity
PMs and Supers can review and contribute to daily logs right from their phones or tablets. No complicated systems, no job trailer required. - Fewer Errors. More Visibility.
With GPS and facial verification behind every log, accuracy becomes the default, not the exception.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a direct migration tool from NoteVault to SmartBarrel?
There’s no one-click migration between the two. But SmartBarrel’s onboarding team helps you capture current workflows and bring them into the platform without data loss or downtime.
The transition is fast, hands-on, and designed to keep your reporting consistent from day one.
2. How long does it take to fully switch to SmartBarrel?
Most teams are fully operational within 1–2 days. SmartBarrel is built for field adoption, so the learning curve is minimal and rollout doesn’t require a tech lead or a six-week setup window.
3. Can SmartBarrel match the same voice-to-text functionality that NoteVault offered?
While SmartBarrel doesn’t offer built-in voice-to-text features, it works with your mobile device’s native voice dictation. This allows crews to quickly log updates without needing a separate tool.
4. What was NoteVault, and why is it being retired?
NoteVault is a field reporting tool acquired by Bentley Systems, offering features like Notes, Crew, and Daily Log.
However, the tool will be retired on September 1, 2025, and integrated into Synchro Field, Bentley’s broader construction management platform. This is being done as part of their strategy to streamline their software offerings
