The Jobs Map, a view exclusive to Job Connect Maintenance, is one of the most helpful tools for team members who move between projects throughout the day.
This article discussed the following features and functionality of the Jobs Map view.
Records Displayed
The Jobs Map view places open Cases or Work Tickets, based on filter selection, on a map interface to help technicians visually assess the geographic distribution of current work and plan related logistics in the most efficient manner.
For a record to be displayed within the Jobs Map view, it must:
- be downloaded (i.e., synchronized) to the device;
- have a defined Location attribute; and
- have Location coordinates other than 0.0, 0.0.
By default, the Jobs Map view displays all open Cases assigned to the active User. The view offers filtering options so that the User can refine the mapped records according to present operational needs. Those applied filters will stay active until the User logs out of the application. Upon logout, the default Jobs Map filters will be restored with a new login.
Device Location Services
To utilize all Jobs Map features, the mobile device settings must allow Job Connect to access the mobile device's location. If prompted, allow Job Connect to access your location while using the app.
This mobile device setting can be enabled/disabled at any time via: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Job Connect.
General Layout
The Jobs Map view consists of two primary sections, the interactive map and the records list.
Interactive Map
All listed records will be plotted by geographical location on the interactive map. Please remember that only records with a defined Location attribute will be included within the Jobs Map view.
Map Options
The Interactive map offers three map options that the User can switch to at any time:
- Standard - The standard option plots records on a web-based street map.
- Hybrid - The hybrid option plots records on a satellite map with a web-based street overlay.
- Satellite - The satellite option plots records on a satellite map.
Reposition
There is a Reposition button at the bottom of the interactive map. Tapping this icon will reposition the map to include all listed records and the User's current location. The ability to include current location relies on Job Connect's ability to access the mobile device's location.
Current Location
The User icon in the lower right corner of the interactive map quickly zooms to the User's (i.e., device's) current geographical location. This function relies on Job Connect's ability to access the mobile device's location.
Record Markers
If a single record is associated with a geographical location, that record will be marked with a red pin on the map. Zoom into that pin marker to display basic information about the record, including the summary and due date.
If multiple records share the same coordinates, or they are in close physical proximity based on map zoom levels, those records will be grouped and marked with an encircled number. The number indicates the count of grouped records. The grouping of annotations improves map legibility. Zooming in or out of the interactive map will impact the grouping of records. The larger the map region shown, the less exact the record markers will be.
Map Navigation
A User can navigate the interactive map using standard touchscreen controls.
Scroll - Drag fingertip across the screen without lifting, to move the map in that same direction.
Zoom In/Out - Double-tap the screen with a fingertip and hold. Drag fingertip up to zoom or drag fingertip down to zoom out.
Zoom In - Place two fingertips on the screen, near focal point, and spread them apart to zoom in. You can also double tap the screen to zoom in.
Zoom Out - Place two fingertips on the screen and pinch together to zoom out. Image zoom will be centered from fingertips.
Tap - Tap a Location pin or count to select that record(s). Once selected on the interactive map, only that record(s) will be included within the records list.
Map Selections
Tapping a record marker on the interactive map selects that location. Making that selection will:
- restrict the records list to only the record(s) associated with the selected location; and
- reveal a callout information box next to the marker, which includes:
- the distance and estimated drive time from the current geographical location, and
- a car icon that will link to driving directions via the mobile device's driving app.
Record Details
Tapping the callout information box for a red pin marker (i.e., single-record annotation) will open the full record details.
Distance and drive time information may take several seconds to load. If multiple navigation apps (e.g., Google Maps, Waze, etc.) are installed on the mobile device, clicking the car icon will display an drop-down menu of available navigation tools. The User must select the preferred app.
Note: When distance and ETA are provided for grouped records, coordinates for the first listed record are used for calculations.
Records List
All mapped records will also be listed down the right-hand side of the screen. This records list provides the record ID and a brief summary, including the Location, due date, and status. There are two ways to access more information about a record when selecting it from the records list:
- Tapping a record ID/summary within the records list will open the corresponding record details view.
- See Case Details View for more information.
- See Work Ticket Details View for more information
- Tapping the magnifying glass next to a record summary will zoom to that record marker on the interactive map.
The records list always reflects the records displayed on the interactive map. Any applied filter options, which impact the records mapped, will also impact the records listed.
Note: Records with no defined Location attribute cannot be mapped and will not be included in the records list. Always be sure to check the My Cases view and My Work Tickets views to ensure you do not overlook assigned work that may not have a Location specified.
View Commands
As with other views, the Jobs Map view commands are positioned in the top right corner of the screen. These commands allow Users to control which records are displayed and how they are arranged within the view.
Note: Filtering options applied via the view commands will be maintained in memory until changed by User or User logout. With User logout, default settings will be restored upon next successful login.
View Command | Icon | Details |
|---|---|---|
| User Filter |
| By default, the Jobs Map displays records assigned to the active User. Clicking the User's name, at the top of the view, allows the User to select a different User or multiple Users. The Jobs Map will expand to display the records assigned to all selected Users. Note: The drop-down options also allow for filtering Unassigned records. |
| Filter |
| While the Jobs Map view displays Case records by default, the Filter command can be used to change the records displayed on the Jobs Map. Users have the option to map:
Based on the record type selected, additional filtering options will be offered in the drop-down menu:
|
| Sort |
| The sort filter allows the User to control the records list order. Listed records can be arranged in ascending or descending order.
|
| Calendar Filter |
| The Calendar filter allows Users to limit the mapped records to only those which meet the specified schedule criteria:
For Cases, the Calendar filters by Case due date. For Work Tickets, the Calendar filters by Work Ticket scheduled date. Note: This filter is only enabled when mapping Case and Work Ticket records; disabled when mapping Locations only. |
| Hide List |
| To maximize the viewing area for the interactive map, the User can select this Hide List view command to hide the records list from view. The interactive map will then occupy the full screen. The records list can be restored by simply tapping this icon again. |
Related Topics
The following pages offer information and guidance on related topics.