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Difference between revisions of "Smartphone App"

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[[Category:TrackAbout Module]]
 
[[Category:TrackAbout Module]]
−
==Overview ==
 
−
TrackAbout's smartphone app for iOS and Android enables users to perform a variety of asset tracking operations.
 
  
−
== Requirements ==
+
        <h2>TrackAbout Mobile 7 Smartphone App (TAM7)</h2>
−
The app is intended only for existing customers of TrackAbout. Call your sales contact for more details.
+
        <h2>Hardware Purchasing Recommendations</h2>
 +
        <p>See [[Smartphone Hardware Purchasing Recommendations]]</p>
 +
        <h2>Features</h2>
 +
        <h3>Geolocation</h3>
 +
        <ul>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>Capture device GPS information during scanning. This GPS data will be displayed in a map view on the website when reviewing Record details. Location Services should be enabled on the device. See [[Smartphone Geolocation]] for details.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
        </ul>
 +
        <h3>Supported Action Types</h3>
 +
        <ul>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Add New/Register Asset</b> — Initialize new assets or edit existing assets in TrackAbout</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Add New/Register Container/Pallet</b> — Initialize new containers/pallets in TrackAbout</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Add New/Register Bulk Tank</b> — Initialize new bulk tanks in TrackAbout</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Analyze/Analysis</b> -— Record measurements of individual gas components</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Asset Search</b> — Search for assets by tag and view asset details and history</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>[[Branch Transfer Send and Receive|Branch Transfer Send/Receive]] — Transfer assets between locations in two steps</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Close Product Lot</b> — Update the status of product lots to closed</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Collect Many Signatures/Sign Later</b> — Allows collecting signatures for multiple deliveries to the same location at once, after the last delivery.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Create Order</b> — Order creation, with the ability to add line items to the order by scanning existing assets (to look up their product code)</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Customer Audit</b> — Count all assets found on customer premise</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Delivery</b> — Delivery of assets, including not-scanned and hard good/consumable support</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Dynamic forms</b> — Collect custom data on any record*</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Empty Container/Pallet</b> — Removes all items from a container/pallet</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Fill</b> — Record the filling of assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Fill for Customer</b> — Fills assets at a customer's site, without bringing the assets back in-house</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Find Inventory</b> — Lookup assets on the go by product code or location</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Generic Action</b> — Part of the Dynamic Workflow module, this action allows clients to create custom workflows</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Inspection Scan/Sort Asset</b> — Sort individual assets when no container is needed or available.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Load and Unload Truck</b> — Track assets loaded onto and unload off trucks, including not-scanned and hard good/consumable support</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Locate</b> — Set location of assets to internal branch locations</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Maintenance</b> — Record maintenance on assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Make Pack</b> — Combine several assets together into a single "pack" and begin tracking the pack by a new barcode, preserving information about the combined assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Material Consolidation</b> — Record materials used for filling a container</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>'''[[TAM7 Photo Feature|Photo Capture]]''' — Capture pictures as part of Deliver, Flag for/Send to Maintenance, and Generic actions.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>'''[[Internal Inventory Audit|Physical Inventory]]''' — Conduct internal inventory audits.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Print Lot Labels</b> - Allows printing of lot labels from the device via a compatible printer</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Receive from Vendor</b> — Record assets obtained from a vendor</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Reclassify Assets</b> — Change service of assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Register Bundle</b> — Combine several assets together into a single "bundle" and begin tracking the bundle by a new barcode, without recording information about the combined assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Remove from Lot</b> — Clear the lot number from assets</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Replace Barcode</b> — Replace worn or missing barcodes while retaining asset history and traceability</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Reserve for Order</b> — Assign specific assets to an order</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Return Assets</b> — Similar to Delivery action, but allows returns only</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Send/Flag to Maintenance</b> — Indicate an asset requires maintenance</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Sort Container/Build Pallet</b> — Add assets to a container/pallet in preparation for Filling, Delivery, Maintenance and Interbranch Transfer</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Sort Trip Load/Picking</b> — Prepare an order for delivery</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><b>Unmake Pack</b> — Dissociate uniquely tracked assets from a pack</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p><i>Customer Portal</i> (formerly Follow-On Tracking):</p>
 +
                <ul>
 +
                    <li>
 +
                        <p><b>Asset Search</b> — Search for assets by tag and view asset details and history</p>
 +
                    </li>
 +
                    <li>
 +
                        <p><b>Move Asset</b> — Tracks customer movement of assets between their internal locations</p>
 +
                    </li>
 +
                    <li>
 +
                        <p><b>Record Weight/Volume</b> — Sets an asset volume or weight depending on asset type</p>
 +
                    </li>
 +
                    <li>
 +
                        <p><b>Set Volume</b> — Allows your customer to set assets' volume</p>
 +
                    </li>
 +
                </ul>
 +
            </li>
 +
        </ul>
 +
        <h2>Provisioning the Smartphone Module</h2>
 +
        <p>The Smartphone module needs to be provisioned and enabled in your instance. Contact TrackAbout Sales for pricing and details.</p>
 +
        <p>Once provisioned, the Support Team will enable and configure the module for your instance.</p>
 +
        <h2>Roles, Permissions and User Setup for Smartphone</h2>
 +
        <p>[[Mobile Roles|Mobile Roles Setup]] — Mobile Roles must be configured in your environment before the app can be used. The new role MUST have "Smartphone and Tablet" checked or selected.</p>
 +
        <p>[[Internal Users|Setup Internal Users]] — For each new smartphone user: </p>
 +
        <ul>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>Check the box TAMobile Android/iOS</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
            <li>
 +
                <p>Assign the TAMobile Rugged and TAMobile Desktop role and save the page.</p>
 +
            </li>
 +
        </ul>
 +
        <h2>Where To Download the App</h2>
 +
        <p>TrackAbout Mobile 7 is available from the [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trackabout/id530125664 App Store on iPhone and iPad], and the [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trackabout.mono Google Play Store on Android] mobile devices. Just search for "TrackAbout".</p>
  
−
===Smartphone operating system requirements===
+
        <p>
−
* [[Smartphone_App#iOS_Version_Support_Policy|iOS Version Support Policy (Apple)]]
+
[[File:Badge appstore-lrg.png|center]]
−
* [[Smartphone_App#Android_Version_Support_Policy|Android Version Support Policy]]
+
[[File:Android app on google play.png|center]]
  
−
==Pricing==
+
        </p>
−
The smartphone app is billed on the basis of a count of active devices per month. At the end of each billing period, TrackAbout calculates how many active, unique devices were in use within a given customer account and time period.
+
        <p class="note">If you use Mobile Device Management for deploying apps, you can download the latest version of the Android app as an APK [https://apkshare.z20.web.core.windows.net/ here].</p>
−
 
+
        <h2>Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help</h2>
−
An active device is a device on which a user logs into the TrackAbout app.
+
        <p>See [[Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help|Smartphone Vendor-Specific]] Help for notes about configuring smartphone devices from specific hardware vendors.</p>
−
 
+
        <h2>Offline Mode</h2>
−
If a user logs in on two distinct devices on the same day, this counts as two active devices.
+
        <p>Field workers often lose network connectivity due to lack of signal. The app handles this transparently to the user.</p>
−
 
+
        <p>If the app does not have network connectivity, it saves records locally until the device is back online. The user will be shown a notification that unsaved records are being retained locally.</p>
−
Reinstalling the app on a device and then logging in again can cause us to count the same device as a second active device. If you feel you are being billed unfairly for active devices, please contact Support.
+
        <p>Once the device is back online, the app sends data automatically without user intervention.</p>
−
 
+
        <h2>Enabling Integrated Scanning Hardware</h2>
−
'''Pricing:''' $15 per device per month.
+
        <p>Some rugged devices have dedicated, integrated scanning hardware. Enabling these is usually a two-step process.</p>
−
 
+
        <p>Step 1 is to configure the scanning hardware using the vendor's built-in app. [[Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help|See Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help]] for details</p>
−
== Features ==
+
        <p>Step 2 is to teach the app that a dedicated scanner should be used instead of using the built-in camera for scanning.</p>
−
 
+
        <div class="indenty">
−
===General ===
+
            <p>The user must do a "Scan Check" and use the hardware scanner successfully. These are the steps.</p>
−
* Geolocation - capture device GPS information during scanning.  This GPS data will be displayed in a map view on the website when reviewing Record details.  
+
            <ul>
−
 
+
                <li>
−
===Core Tracking - Internal Users ===
+
                    <p>Log into the TrackAbout app</p>
−
* Add New - basic add new of assets
+
                </li>
−
* Asset Search - search for assets by tag and view asset details and history
+
                <li>
−
* Create Order - order creation, with the ability to add line items to the order by scanning existing assets (to look up their product code)
+
                    <p>Go to Settings</p>
−
* Customer Audit - count all assets found on customer premise
+
                </li>
−
* Fill - record the filling of assets
+
                <li>
−
* Find Inventory - lookup assets on the go by product code or location
+
                    <p>Click "Check barcode scanning" under 'Scan Check'</p>
−
* Load and Unload Truck - track assets loaded onto and unload off trucks, including not-scanned support
+
                </li>
−
* Locate - set location of assets to internal branch locations
+
                <li>
−
* Delivery - basic delivery of assets, including not-scanned support
+
                    <p>When you see "Use this screen to test the scanning capability of your device," scan a barcode using the hardware scanner (don't select orange scan box to bring up camera). The barcode scanned will appear on the screen.</p>
−
* Dynamic forms - collect custom data on any record*
+
                </li>
−
* Maintenance - record maintenance on assets
+
                <li>
−
* Receive from Vendor - record assets obtained from a vendor
+
                    <p>Click back and a new option appears, "Preferred Scan Method".</p>
−
* Reclassify Assets - change service of assets
+
                </li>
−
* Replace Barcode - replace worn or missing barcodes while retaining asset history and traceability
+
                <li>
−
* Return Assets - similar to Delivery action, but allows returns only
+
                    <p>Ensure "Preferred Scan Method" is set to "Hardware Scanner"</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Dynamic Forms currently supports Textboxes, Dates, Checkboxes, Dropdowns, and Labels.
+
            </ul>
−
 
+
        </div>
−
=== Follow On Tracking (FOT) Users ===
+
        <h2>Enabling the Hardware RFID scanner in the TrackAbout Mobile</h2>
−
The app supports several Follow-On Tracking mobile actions:
+
        <ul>
−
*Asset Search - search for assets by tag and view asset details and history
+
            <li>
−
*Move Asset - tracks customer movement of assets between their internal locations
+
                <p>Log into the TrackAbout app</p>
−
*Record Weight/Volume - sets an asset volume or weight depending on asset type
+
            </li>
−
 
+
            <li>
−
== Apple iOS Devices ==
+
                <p>Go to Settings</p>
−
=== iOS App Download ===
+
            </li>
−
[[File:badge_appstore-lrg.png|link=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trackabout/id530125664?mt=8&uo=4]]
+
            <li>
−
 
+
                <p>Click "RFID settings"</p>
−
====Can't Find TrackAbout using iPad?====
+
            </li>
−
On an iPad, when searching for "TrackAbout" in the App Store, TrackAbout may not appear in the search results. This is because the results are being filtered for iPad-only apps (as opposed to iPhone apps). TrackAbout is built as an iPhone app, but works on iPad.
+
            <li>
−
 
+
                <p>Click "RFID device"</p>
−
Follow these steps on iPad:
+
            </li>
−
* Launch the App Store
+
            <li>
−
* Search for "TrackAbout"
+
                <p>Select your RFID device from the list and click on "Save"</p>
−
* In the top left, tap "iPad only" and select "iPhone only"
+
            </li>
−
 
+
            <li>
−
===iOS Version Support Policy===
+
                <p>Test scanning an RFID tag, and set the global power level</p>
−
''Updated June 21st, 2017. This policy is reviewed quarterly.''
+
            </li>
−
 
+
            <li>
−
====Supported iOS Versions====
+
                <p>If your device also has an integrated hardware barcode scanner please ensure you follow the steps above to setup the hardware barcode scanner as well</p>
−
*iOS version 8.4.1 or higher, including iOS 9.x and 10.0
+
            </li>
−
*'''Support for iOS 8.x will be discontinued in July 2017'''
+
        </ul>
−
 
+
        <h2>Printing</h2>
−
See Apple's [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201685 Find the software version] page
+
        <p>If you have TrackAbout's POD module, you can pair your devices with a TrackAbout certified printer. Check our [[TrackAbout Certified Devices|certified devices]] page to see which printers are supported and contact support@trackabout.com to get set up.</p>
−
 
+
        <div>
−
====Supported iPhones====
+
            <h2>App Upgrade Reminder</h2>
−
* iPhone 7 series (7, 7 Plus)
+
            <p>When a new version of the app is published in the app stores, the TrackAbout app will prompt users to upgrade.</p>
−
* iPhone 6 series (6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus)
+
            <p>One week after release, users will receive a message once every day reminding them to upgrade.</p>
−
* iPhone 5 series (5, 5c, 5s)
+
            <p>We always encourage ensuring users are using the very latest version of the app.</p>
−
 
+
            <h2>Login Session Duration</h2>
−
See [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3939 Identifying iPhone Models]
+
            <p>Users will remain logged in for 30 days.</p>
−
 
+
            <p>After 30 days, the user will be logged out and asked to re-enter their credentials.</p>
−
====Supported iPads====
+
        </div>
−
* iPad (3rd and 4th generation)
+
        <div>
−
* iPad Air series (iPad Air, iPad Air 2)
+
            <h2>In-App Settings</h2>
−
* iPad mini series (iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3)
+
            <p>
−
* iPad Pro series (9.7 inch, 12.9 inch)
+
            [[File:Image323.png|center]]
−
 
+
            </p>
−
See [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5452 Identifying iPad Models]
+
            <p>Access Settings from the app's main menu. </p>
−
 
+
            <p class="FieldNames">Preferences </p>
−
''The TrackAbout application will work on iPad, but the design is not currently optimized to take advantage of the larger tablet screen.''
+
            <div class="indenty">
−
 
+
                <p><b>Font Size</b> — Sets the size of text in the app: Normal, Large, or Extra Large. </p>
−
====Supported iPod Touches====
+
                <p><b>Vibrate on Scan</b> — When checked, your device vibrate when it scans. </p>
−
* iPod Touch (5th and 6th generations)
+
                <p><b>Require Wi-Fi for photo uploads</b> — When checked, photos will only be uploaded to TrackAbout when your device is connected to Wi-Fi.</p>
−
 
+
            </div>
−
See [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353 Identifying iPod Models]
+
            <p class="FieldNames">Scan Check</p>
−
 
+
            <div class="indenty">
−
====Support Policy Explained====
+
                <p><b>Check barcode scanning</b> — Lets you do a test scan.</p>
−
 
+
                <p><b>Data Wedge settings</b> — Additional settings.</p>
−
Apple releases new major versions of iOS (e.g. iOS 7 to iOS 8) each year. See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_iOS Wikipedia History of iOS] for the exact schedule.
+
                <p><b>RFID settings</b> — Configure the app for scanning RFID tags instead of barcodes.</p>
−
 
+
            </div>
−
TrackAbout must choose how far back to support major versions of iOS. As time passes, it becomes increasingly expensive and eventually impossible to continue supporting apps on old versions of iOS. Apple forces the hand of developers by dropping support for older versions of iOS from their developer tools.
+
            <p class="FieldNames">Server</p>
−
 
+
            <div class="indenty">
−
iPhones and iPads are consumer technology, and the pace of change in the consumer space is rapid. Whereas rugged enterprise devices are typically expected to have a useful service life of 5 years, consumer technology generally has a life-span of 2 years, 3 at the most.
+
                <p><b>Environment</b> — The environment the app logs into, either Production (www.trackabout.com) or Test (test.trackabout.com). </p>
−
 
+
            </div>
−
TrackAbout is sensitive to the needs of its customers and does not wish to unduly prohibit use of the app by paying customers who haven't yet or cannot update their devices to the latest version of iOS.
+
            <p class="FieldNames">Version </p>
−
 
+
            <div class="indenty">
−
Therefore, TrackAbout's iOS Version Support Policy balances these competing realities by:<br/>
+
                <p>The version of the app. Make sure that you have the latest version of the app downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play stores depending on your device. Updating to the latest version of the app may resolve any issues or problems you may be experiencing with the app.</p>
−
* Supporting the last two major releases (back to the most recent dot version of the older OS). For example, if iOS 8.3 is the latest version, TrackAbout supports iOS 8.X and iOS 7.1, which was the highest version in the 7.x series.
+
            </div>
−
* Prompting users periodically to upgrade from within the TrackAbout app when a newer iOS version is available.
+
        </div>
−
* Increasing TrackAbout's minimum requirements 6 months after Apple releases a new OS. New versions of iOS typically reach greater than 80% adoption within 6 months of release.
+
        <div>
−
 
+
            <h2>Things To Know about the TrackAbout Mobile 7 for Smartphones</h2>
−
== Android Devices ==
+
            <p style="font-weight: bold;">Searching within Lists</p>
−
===Android App Download===
+
            <p>Several screens contain long lists of information. When a search box is offered, here's how it works:</p>
−
[[File:android_app_on_google_play.png|link=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trackabout.mono]]
+
            <ul>
−
 
+
                <li>
−
===Android Version Support Policy===
+
                    <p>If there are 200 items or less, we show them all.</p>
−
''Updated June 21st, 2017. This policy is reviewed quarterly.''
+
                </li>
−
 
+
                <li>
−
====Operating System====
+
                    <p>If there are more than 200 items in the list, you have to search to get results</p>
−
* Android version 4.4 or higher
+
                </li>
−
 
+
                <li>
−
See [http://www.wikihow.com/Check-What-Android-Version-You-Have How to check what Android version you have]
+
                    <p>The search starts after typing 2 or more characters</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
====Hardware requirements====
+
                <li>
−
* A rear-facing camera with 2 megapixels or greater
+
                    <p>The way results are displayed can differ by type of data, but the general logic is:</p>
−
* Minimum 1 GB RAM
+
                </li>
−
 
+
                <li>
−
===Choosing an Android Device===
+
                    <p>Search results contain all items whose Name are contained in the search terms. We also do a fuzzy match, so if the letters of the search terms appear in order, we match that. Searching for "OX100" would match "Oxygen 100". "OX100" would also match "One Box of 10 screws and 50 bolts" (because O X 1 0 0 shows up in that order in that phrase).</p>
−
There are a great many consumer-grade Android devices on the market at all price points. TrackAbout does not recommend specific models. So how do you choose? Here's what's important:
+
                </li>
−
;Android OS Version
+
                <li>
−
:You must make sure the device meets TrackAbout's requirements (above) for minimum OS version. The higher the version number, the better.
+
                    <p>Some searches, such as Customer, and Location, search additional fields, such as ID/Number, Name, or Description. Priority is given to the primary identifier, usually Name or ID/Number and the additional fields are secondary in priority.</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
;Monthly Android OS Security Updates
+
                <li>
−
:Google releases monthly operating system security patches. It's important for your security and the security of your company that you choose a phone that will receive these updates. Bargain devices tend to not receive the updates. Some carrier-sold devices do not regularly receive updates. devices sold directly by Google in their Store will always receive timely updates. Flagship devices (Samsung Galaxy, some LG) sold by network carriers will likely receive updates. Ask when buying or do some Googling to find out.
+
                    <p>First, we show items whose Number ("MId" in techie terms) starts with the search term, sorted alphabetically. These are things like Customer Number, Location ID, Product Code Name.</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
;CPU + Camera
+
                <li>
−
:Scanning QR and barcodes using the smartphone's camera requires a powerful CPU. A bargain phone will likely have a poor camera and a sub-par CPU. Most mid-tier devices made in 2017 and later will probably have acceptable camera and CPU performance, but you should buy one phone and test it, and return it if it doesn't perform well enough. Compare the performance to a high-end Android or iPhone running TrackAbout.
+
                    <p>Then we show items with display names (Customer Name, Location Name, etc) that contain the search term, sorted alphabetically.</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
;Battery
+
                <li>
−
:Most Android devices get 3 to 4 hours of screen on time (SoT) under typical usage scenarios before needing a recharge. Barcode scanning makes heavy use of the camera to take rapid images of the target barcodes. Those images are fed to the CPU for image recognition processing (finding the barcodes). Barcode scanning can therefore drain a battery faster. Opt for a phone with an over-sized battery when possible. A phone with replaceable batteries could be a good choice, or provide workers with car chargers or portable battery recharge packs for use in the field so they can keep going all day. Be aware of Quick Charge technology and buy compliant Quick Charge chargers.
+
                    <p>Product code searches use a slightly different logic:</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
;Buy One and Test
+
                <li>
−
:What kind of environment are your workers in? Outdoors? Indoors in low-light? Some cameras do not perform well in low-light, they may have auto-focus problems which impacts scanning. It's important that you try out a phone in your environment before purchasing in quantity.
+
                    <p>Whole terms are matched,</p>
−
 
+
                </li>
−
;Safe Bets
+
                <li>
−
:The current generation Samsung Galaxy devices are typically safe bets because they meet all the above criteria. They are flagship (top of the line) products with great specs and a great camera, which makes for excellent scanning.
+
                    <p>All fields are searched, including Product Code name, description, Asset Category name, Asset Group name, and Asset Type name.</p>
−
:Devices sold directly in the [https://store.google.com/category/phones Google Store] are generally safe bets, although as of this writing (April 2017) they tend to be expensive, flagship devices.
+
                </li>
−
:TrackAbout does not routinely test Android devices, so we can't make other more specific recommendations here.
+
                <li>
−
 
+
                    <p>Terms may be in any order</p>
−
;Supported Rugged Android Devices
+
                </li>
−
:Zebra/Motorola TC55 (Android 4.4 or higher)
+
                <li>
−
 
+
                    <p>For example, searching for "ox med" would match "oxygen medical" in the name (or any field) as well as "medical oxygen" in any field. It would also match a product whose Category name is "medical" and Product Code name contains "ox".</p>
−
;Known-Bad Devices
+
                </li>
−
:Samsung Galaxy Note 4 - Our test device had severe camera auto-focus problems that made scanning very frustrating. There are [https://www.google.com/search?q=note+4+autofocus+fix widely reported problems with auto-focus on the Note 4]. We attempted modifying "Metering Modes" under camera settings, trying Matrix or Spot settings, but it did not help.
+
            </ul>
−
 
+
        </div>
−
;Useful Service Life
 
−
:Consumer-grade smartphones have a useful service life of about 2 years. After 2 years, one of two things will happen. (1) The battery will age and fail to hold a reasonable charge. Batteries can sometimes be replaced, but it may not be cost-effective. (2) The device will no longer receive security updates. In either case, the device should be replaced.
 
−
:Rugged-grade Android devices may have a longer service life of 4-5 years. However, they will likely not receive security updates.
 
−
 
 
−
===Android Support Policy Explained===
 
−
See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history Wikipedia's Android Version History] for detailed timeline of Android's version history.
 
−
 
 
−
Google increments the '''major version number''' of Android (e.g. Android 6.0 to Android 7.0) once a year.
 
−
 
 
−
Google increments the '''minor version number''' of Android (e.g. 6.0 to 6.1) with monthly security patches. However, not all phone manufacturers or cell phone carriers deliver the Google security updates monthly, if at all.
 
−
 
 
−
Google has an unwritten policy that states that its manufacturers ''should'' provide Android updates up to 18 months from a device's introduction date. However, manufacturers are not required to not follow this policy.
 
−
 
 
−
Different device manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, LG, etc) update their devices at different speeds. Traditionally, manufacturers have been slow to update devices, and have been known to abandon specific devices before 18 months have elapsed. This leads to a large number of simultaneously active versions of Android in the wild.
 
−
 
 
−
Android phones and tablets are generally a consumer technology, and the pace of change in the consumer space is rapid. Whereas rugged enterprise devices are typically expected to have a useful service life of 4-5 years, consumer technology generally has a life-span of 2 years.
 
−
 
 
−
There are a rugged Android devices available, and the version of Android OS installed on rugged devices tends to lag behind the latest consumer devices.
 
−
 
 
−
TrackAbout is sensitive to the needs of its customers and does not wish to unduly prohibit use of the app by paying customers who haven't yet or cannot update their devices to the latest version of Android. On the other hand, supporting so many different versions of the Android operating system adds complexity and maintenance costs to the software development process.
 
−
 
 
−
TrackAbout's Android Version Support Policy balances the competing realities by:
 
−
* Supporting Android versions that have 10% or greater market share according to [https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html Google's monthly statistics].
 
−
* Supporting rugged Android devices on a case-by-case basis and for as long as we reasonably can. Rugged device Android versions tend to lag consumer device versions and do not generally receive updates. It has been our experience that Android software development tools change to keep up with the latest versions of the OS, and sometimes we do not have a choice to support older operating systems. This can make it prohibitively expensive to support older versions of Android.
 
−
 
 
−
== App Settings ==
 
−
[[File:TrackAbout App Settings Screen.jpeg|thumbnail|right]]
 
−
On the main screen of the app tap "Settings"
 
−
;Server
 
−
:Hostname
 
−
::For production environment use: <code>www.trackabout.com</code>
 
−
::For test environment use: <code>test.trackabout.com</code>
 
−
:Port: <code>443</code>
 
−
:Use SSL Encryption should be on or checked
 
−
 
 
−
;Feedback
 
−
:If your device allows vibration you can choose to enable or disable this setting.
 
−
 
 
−
;About
 
−
:Make sure that you have the latest version of the app downloaded from the iTunes or Google Play stores depending on your device.  Updating to the latest version of the app may resolve any issues or problems you may be experiencing with the app.
 
−
 
 
−
== AWS Setup ==
 
−
The Smartphone app needs to be enabled in your instance. Call your sales contact for more pricing and details.
 
−
#The Support Team will enable the Smartphone in your instance.
 
−
#Mobile Roles Setup: Create and setup Mobile roles. Be sure to select the correct role purpose. The new role MUST select "Smartphone and Tablet"
 
−
#Setup Internal Users
 
−
##For each user requiring access, check the box '''TAMobile Android/iOS'''
 
−
##Also assign the '''TAMobile Rugged and TAMobile Desktop''' role and save
 
−
 
 
−
==FAQ==
 
−
=== Off-Line Mode ===
 
−
The App handles off-line connectivity transparently. If the App does not have wifi or cellular access, it saves the record(s) until the device is back online. The user will notice an App notification that unsaved records are saved locally until they can be pushed. Once the device is back on-line, the Apps retries automatically and saves the records without any user intervention.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Hardware scanning: TC55 and similar devices ===
 
−
 
 
−
==== Data Wedge Setup ====
 
−
In order for the hardware scanner to function in the TrackAbout app, the program DataWedge needs to be configured.
 
−
Steps:
 
−
* Ensure TrackAbout app is installed
 
−
* Open DataWedge
 
−
* Click the menu button a (third button on the bottom on the phone, next to Home)
 
−
* Choose "New profile"
 
−
* Enter "TrackAbout" and press OK
 
−
* Tap on the TrackAbout entry
 
−
* Set the following settings:
 
−
** Profile enabled: checked
 
−
** Associated apps: click and press the menu button, then "New app/activity". Select com.trackabout.mono (look for the TrackAbout icon), then select the first item, *
 
−
** Enabled under Barcode Input: checked
 
−
** Scan Params - Decode Audit Feedback: Silent (it may read Silent, go in and set it to Silent or None again)
 
−
** Scan Params - Decode Haptic Feedback: unchecked
 
−
** Enabled under Keystroke Output: unchecked
 
−
** Enabled under Intent Output: checked
 
−
** Intent action: com.trackabout.motoscan
 
−
** Intent category: scan
 
−
** Intent delivery: Broadcast intent
 
−
** Enabled under IP Output: unchecked
 
−
 
 
−
==== Enabling the hardware scanner in the TrackAbout app ====
 
−
We use a passive check to determine if a hardware scanner is available on the device. The user has to do a "Scan Check" and use the hardware scanner successfully.
 
−
* Log into TrackAbout
 
−
* Go to Settings
 
−
* Click "Check scanning capabilities of your device" under 'Scan Check'
 
−
* When you see "Use this screen to test the scanning capability of your device," scan a barcode using the hardware scanner (don't select orange scan box to bring up camera). The barcode scanned will appear on the screen.
 
−
* Click back and a new option appears, "Preferred Scan Method".
 
−
* Ensure "Preferred Scan Method" is set to "Hardware Scanner"
 
−
 
 
−
===Upgrade Nag===
 
−
Once a new version of the App has been released to the stores, the App will prompt users to upgrade. One week after release to the app stores, users will receive a message once a day reminding them to upgrade.
 
−
 
 
−
===Session Duration===
 
−
Once logged into the iOS or Android application, the user can remained logged in for 30 days without logging in again.  After 30 days the user will be logged out and asked to re-enter their credentials.
 
−
 
 
−
== Tips & Tricks ==
 
−
===iOS===
 
−
==== Screen capture====
 
−
* To capture screen in iOS device, hold the '''Home''' and '''Power''' buttons simultaneously. The snapshot will be saved in the Pictures.
 
−
 
 
−
===Android===
 
−
==== Screen capture====
 
−
Screen capture exist natively but depends on the device manufacture
 
−
* Samsung Galaxy S3: Press and hold the Power button and the Home button at the same time
 
−
* Most others: Simultaneously press Volume Down + Power for 1 second
 

Latest revision as of 12:15, 22 March 2023


TrackAbout Module
Module Name: Smartphone App
Short Description TrackAbout's smartphone app for iOS and Android enables users to perform a variety of asset tracking operations.
Supported In: TAMobile Android, TAMobile iOS
Business Process: Asset Management, Production, Distribution, Supply Chain
← Back to list

TrackAbout Mobile 7 Smartphone App (TAM7)

Hardware Purchasing Recommendations

See Smartphone Hardware Purchasing Recommendations

Features

Geolocation

  • Capture device GPS information during scanning. This GPS data will be displayed in a map view on the website when reviewing Record details. Location Services should be enabled on the device. See Smartphone Geolocation for details.

Supported Action Types

  • Add New/Register Asset — Initialize new assets or edit existing assets in TrackAbout

  • Add New/Register Container/Pallet — Initialize new containers/pallets in TrackAbout

  • Add New/Register Bulk Tank — Initialize new bulk tanks in TrackAbout

  • Analyze/Analysis -— Record measurements of individual gas components

  • Asset Search — Search for assets by tag and view asset details and history

  • Branch Transfer Send/Receive — Transfer assets between locations in two steps

  • Close Product Lot — Update the status of product lots to closed

  • Collect Many Signatures/Sign Later — Allows collecting signatures for multiple deliveries to the same location at once, after the last delivery.

  • Create Order — Order creation, with the ability to add line items to the order by scanning existing assets (to look up their product code)

  • Customer Audit — Count all assets found on customer premise

  • Delivery — Delivery of assets, including not-scanned and hard good/consumable support

  • Dynamic forms — Collect custom data on any record*

  • Empty Container/Pallet — Removes all items from a container/pallet

  • Fill — Record the filling of assets

  • Fill for Customer — Fills assets at a customer's site, without bringing the assets back in-house

  • Find Inventory — Lookup assets on the go by product code or location

  • Generic Action — Part of the Dynamic Workflow module, this action allows clients to create custom workflows

  • Inspection Scan/Sort Asset — Sort individual assets when no container is needed or available.

  • Load and Unload Truck — Track assets loaded onto and unload off trucks, including not-scanned and hard good/consumable support

  • Locate — Set location of assets to internal branch locations

  • Maintenance — Record maintenance on assets

  • Make Pack — Combine several assets together into a single "pack" and begin tracking the pack by a new barcode, preserving information about the combined assets

  • Material Consolidation — Record materials used for filling a container

  • Photo Capture — Capture pictures as part of Deliver, Flag for/Send to Maintenance, and Generic actions.

  • Physical Inventory — Conduct internal inventory audits.

  • Print Lot Labels - Allows printing of lot labels from the device via a compatible printer

  • Receive from Vendor — Record assets obtained from a vendor

  • Reclassify Assets — Change service of assets

  • Register Bundle — Combine several assets together into a single "bundle" and begin tracking the bundle by a new barcode, without recording information about the combined assets

  • Remove from Lot — Clear the lot number from assets

  • Replace Barcode — Replace worn or missing barcodes while retaining asset history and traceability

  • Reserve for Order — Assign specific assets to an order

  • Return Assets — Similar to Delivery action, but allows returns only

  • Send/Flag to Maintenance — Indicate an asset requires maintenance

  • Sort Container/Build Pallet — Add assets to a container/pallet in preparation for Filling, Delivery, Maintenance and Interbranch Transfer

  • Sort Trip Load/Picking — Prepare an order for delivery

  • Unmake Pack — Dissociate uniquely tracked assets from a pack

  • Customer Portal (formerly Follow-On Tracking):

    • Asset Search — Search for assets by tag and view asset details and history

    • Move Asset — Tracks customer movement of assets between their internal locations

    • Record Weight/Volume — Sets an asset volume or weight depending on asset type

    • Set Volume — Allows your customer to set assets' volume

Provisioning the Smartphone Module

The Smartphone module needs to be provisioned and enabled in your instance. Contact TrackAbout Sales for pricing and details.

Once provisioned, the Support Team will enable and configure the module for your instance.

Roles, Permissions and User Setup for Smartphone

Mobile Roles Setup — Mobile Roles must be configured in your environment before the app can be used. The new role MUST have "Smartphone and Tablet" checked or selected.

Setup Internal Users — For each new smartphone user:

  • Check the box TAMobile Android/iOS

  • Assign the TAMobile Rugged and TAMobile Desktop role and save the page.

Where To Download the App

TrackAbout Mobile 7 is available from the App Store on iPhone and iPad, and the Google Play Store on Android mobile devices. Just search for "TrackAbout".

Badge appstore-lrg.png
Android app on google play.png

If you use Mobile Device Management for deploying apps, you can download the latest version of the Android app as an APK here.

Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help

See Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help for notes about configuring smartphone devices from specific hardware vendors.

Offline Mode

Field workers often lose network connectivity due to lack of signal. The app handles this transparently to the user.

If the app does not have network connectivity, it saves records locally until the device is back online. The user will be shown a notification that unsaved records are being retained locally.

Once the device is back online, the app sends data automatically without user intervention.

Enabling Integrated Scanning Hardware

Some rugged devices have dedicated, integrated scanning hardware. Enabling these is usually a two-step process.

Step 1 is to configure the scanning hardware using the vendor's built-in app. See Smartphone Vendor-Specific Help for details

Step 2 is to teach the app that a dedicated scanner should be used instead of using the built-in camera for scanning.

The user must do a "Scan Check" and use the hardware scanner successfully. These are the steps.

  • Log into the TrackAbout app

  • Go to Settings

  • Click "Check barcode scanning" under 'Scan Check'

  • When you see "Use this screen to test the scanning capability of your device," scan a barcode using the hardware scanner (don't select orange scan box to bring up camera). The barcode scanned will appear on the screen.

  • Click back and a new option appears, "Preferred Scan Method".

  • Ensure "Preferred Scan Method" is set to "Hardware Scanner"

Enabling the Hardware RFID scanner in the TrackAbout Mobile

  • Log into the TrackAbout app

  • Go to Settings

  • Click "RFID settings"

  • Click "RFID device"

  • Select your RFID device from the list and click on "Save"

  • Test scanning an RFID tag, and set the global power level

  • If your device also has an integrated hardware barcode scanner please ensure you follow the steps above to setup the hardware barcode scanner as well

Printing

If you have TrackAbout's POD module, you can pair your devices with a TrackAbout certified printer. Check our certified devices page to see which printers are supported and contact support@trackabout.com to get set up.

App Upgrade Reminder

When a new version of the app is published in the app stores, the TrackAbout app will prompt users to upgrade.

One week after release, users will receive a message once every day reminding them to upgrade.

We always encourage ensuring users are using the very latest version of the app.

Login Session Duration

Users will remain logged in for 30 days.

After 30 days, the user will be logged out and asked to re-enter their credentials.

In-App Settings

Image323.png

Access Settings from the app's main menu.

Preferences

Font Size — Sets the size of text in the app: Normal, Large, or Extra Large.

Vibrate on Scan — When checked, your device vibrate when it scans.

Require Wi-Fi for photo uploads — When checked, photos will only be uploaded to TrackAbout when your device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Scan Check

Check barcode scanning — Lets you do a test scan.

Data Wedge settings — Additional settings.

RFID settings — Configure the app for scanning RFID tags instead of barcodes.

Server

Environment — The environment the app logs into, either Production (www.trackabout.com) or Test (test.trackabout.com).

Version

The version of the app. Make sure that you have the latest version of the app downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play stores depending on your device. Updating to the latest version of the app may resolve any issues or problems you may be experiencing with the app.

Things To Know about the TrackAbout Mobile 7 for Smartphones

Searching within Lists

Several screens contain long lists of information. When a search box is offered, here's how it works:

  • If there are 200 items or less, we show them all.

  • If there are more than 200 items in the list, you have to search to get results

  • The search starts after typing 2 or more characters

  • The way results are displayed can differ by type of data, but the general logic is:

  • Search results contain all items whose Name are contained in the search terms. We also do a fuzzy match, so if the letters of the search terms appear in order, we match that. Searching for "OX100" would match "Oxygen 100". "OX100" would also match "One Box of 10 screws and 50 bolts" (because O X 1 0 0 shows up in that order in that phrase).

  • Some searches, such as Customer, and Location, search additional fields, such as ID/Number, Name, or Description. Priority is given to the primary identifier, usually Name or ID/Number and the additional fields are secondary in priority.

  • First, we show items whose Number ("MId" in techie terms) starts with the search term, sorted alphabetically. These are things like Customer Number, Location ID, Product Code Name.

  • Then we show items with display names (Customer Name, Location Name, etc) that contain the search term, sorted alphabetically.

  • Product code searches use a slightly different logic:

  • Whole terms are matched,

  • All fields are searched, including Product Code name, description, Asset Category name, Asset Group name, and Asset Type name.

  • Terms may be in any order

  • For example, searching for "ox med" would match "oxygen medical" in the name (or any field) as well as "medical oxygen" in any field. It would also match a product whose Category name is "medical" and Product Code name contains "ox".

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