Data Collection Settings

About Offline Access

The Rounds Data Collection module includes the capability for you to complete Routes when the device you are using is in an offline, or disconnected, state. This allows those working in the field to use the mobile application to complete downloaded Routes without being connected to a wireless network.

If you want to access a Route while disconnected from a network, you must enable offline access for the Route in order to download the Route information to your device's internal storage. Once this is done, you can enter readings, create recommendations, and mark a Route done while the device is disconnected from a network. Then, when your device is reconnected to a network, the recorded data is synchronized automatically with the GE Digital APM database.

The Download Horizon and Sync Interval device settings affect the amount of data that is downloaded to a device and the frequency at which it is synchronized with the  database. An administrative user may specify default values for these device settings in the Application Settings for Rounds, and individual users may modify these values via the Device Settings window in Rounds Data Collection if necessary.

Enable Offline Access for a Route

Before you begin

If necessary, modify the Download Horizon and Sync Interval device settings.

About this task

If you want to take readings on a Route while disconnected from a network, you must enable offline access for the Route

Procedure

  1. Access the RDC Overview page.
  2. In the workspace, select the Assigned Routes tab.

    The Assigned Routes section appears, displaying a list of Routes that have been assigned to you by a Rounds Designer user.

  3. In the row for each Route for which you want to enable offline access, select the check box.
  4. In the upper-right corner of the section, select .

    The icon appears in the Off-Line Access Enabled column for the specified Routes to indicate that offline access is enabled.

    Note: If you want to disable offline access for a Route, select the check box in the row for the Route, and then select .

Results

  • The Route is downloaded to your device's local storage when the Route's Next Date is within the specified Download Horizon. The Route information downloaded includes the past five Readings for each checkpoint on the Route.
  • If the Route is currently due or overdue, it will appear on the RDC Overview page in the Due or Overdue lists, respectively, with the  icon next to the Route name, indicating that the Route has been downloaded to the device. While the Route is in the process of synchronizing with the GE Digital APM database, the icon appears.
  • When there is a network connection, the Route is synchronized with the GE Digital APM database at the frequency specified by the Sync Interval device setting.

Modify Device Settings

About this task

Depending on the conditions within which you are collecting data for Routes, you may need to modify the device settings that affect how Routes enabled for offline access are handled.

Note: These device settings are stored as a user preference, which means that your settings will be maintained regardless of the device that you use to access the application. However, your settings may be overwritten if an administrative user modifies the default device settings and chooses to overwrite existing user preferences.

Procedure

  1. Access the RDC Overview page.
  2. On the upper-right corner of the page, select Device Settings.
    Note: If you are using a small screen device, select on the upper-left corner of the screen.

    The Device Settings window appears.

    Note: The Scan Option box is not currently used.
  3. Clear the Use Default Settings check box.
  4. In the Download Horizon box, specify the amount of time before a Route or checkpoint is due that it should be downloaded to a device.
    Tip: If you anticipate that your device will be disconnected from a network for extended periods of time, increase the Download Horizon. This will enable you to access the Routes that will become due during the period that the device is disconnected.
  5. In the Sync Interval box, specify the frequency at which the information downloaded to the device should be synchronized with the GE Digital APM database when the device is connected to a network. This results both in data from the device being uploaded to the database and in changes made in Rounds Designer being reflected in Rounds Data Collection.
    Tip: You may want to increase the Sync Interval to reduce network traffic when your device is connected to a network. Or, if your mobile device is subject to slow connection speeds (e.g., if it uses cellphone connections), it may take several minutes to download all the data. In this scenario, we recommend that you increase the Sync Interval, since a Sync Interval as brief as one minute may result in the device attempting to synchronize continuously.
  6. Select Done.

    The settings are saved.

Clear Route Data from Local Storage

About this task

It is possible for Route data stored on an Android, iOS, or Windows mobile device to become out of synchronization with the data in the GE Digital APM database. If this happens, you can clear Route data from your device’s local storage. You may need to do this if:

  • You are no longer assigned to a Route.
  • A Route downloaded to your device was deleted from the database.
  • Route information displayed on your device does not align with changes made by a Route administrator in Rounds Designer.

Procedure

  1. Access the RDC Overview page.
  2. On the upper-right corner of the page, select Device Settings.
    Note: If you are using a small screen device, select on the upper-left corner of the screen.

    The Device Settings window appears.

  3. Select the Clear Route Data from Local Storage check box
  4. Select Done.

    Route data is deleted from the device's local storage. At the next Sync Interval, updated Route data is downloaded onto the device.

    Note:
    • Readings and recommendations for Routes in progress are not deleted from the mobile device. If the same Routes and Checkpoints remain on the device after resynchronizing the Route data, then these readings and recommendations will be displayed on the data collection page as before.
    • Route data will not be cleared if Route synchronization is in progress.
    • The Clear Route Data from Local Storage check box is always cleared when you access the Device Settings window.