Data Collection

About Data Collection

To collect data in the Rounds Data Collection module, you must first access a Route in the RDC Overview page by selecting it in the Overdue Items or Due Items section, or by scanning the barcode of an asset or location. You can then provide readings for Measurement Locations or Lubrication Requirements, as well as create recommendations based on these readings. If geolocation services are enabled, geolocation data will be saved automatically. After you have completed taking readings on a Route, you can mark it done through one of several methods.

About the Route Progress Bar

To indicate the progress a user makes while entering readings on a Route, Rounds Data Collection displays a progress bar indicating the percentage of a Route for which you have entered readings as well as the number of Checkpoints for which you have entered readings on a Route.

This progress bar appears in the following places:

  • In the Route Map pane
  • In the RDC Overview page, in the Overdue Items and Due Items sections

This progress bar tracks only the progress of an individual user on a specific device for a given Route. In other words, the progress bar does not take into account any activity that occurs on that route by other users on other devices.

A Route with 60 Checkpoints

Consider a Route with 60 Checkpoints that uses Route Scheduling. Assume that two users download the same route. Both users will see the route with 60 checkpoints. If the first user collects 30 readings, they will see their progress bar at 50%. If user 2 collects 45 readings, they will see their progress bar at 75%. The Progress Bar for a route on a device is not aware of other users working on the route.

Consider the same 60 Checkpoint route that uses Checkpoint Scheduling. If one user downloads this route and enters 15 readings on their device, the progress bar for that user on that device for that route will indicate that the Route is 25% complete. The first user uploads and marks the route done, leaving 45 checkpoints still due. If a second user then downloads the same route, this second user does not see that the Route is 25% complete. Instead, this user sees that there are 45 Checkpoints remaining on the Route, and 0% of those 45 Checkpoints have been completed.

About Barcode Scanning

You can quickly and accurately collect data by scanning barcodes. The benefits of scanning barcodes are as follows:
  • Improves asset management
  • Improves efficiency as barcodes eliminate manual input of data
  • Improves processes and streamlines tasks

To use barcode scanning, you should verify that the barcode type that you want to use is currently supported by the GE Digital APM mobile application. You should also validate that your physical barcodes are compliant with the recommended dimensions and specifications for that type of barcode.

The following table lists the supported barcode types and the platforms that support them.
Table 1. Supported Barcode Types
Barcode TypeAndroidiOSWindows
QR_CODE
Note: This barcode type is recommended based on performance and accuracy.
YesYesYes
DATA_MATRIXYesYesYes
UPC_AYesYesYes
UPC_EYesYesYes
EAN_8YesYesYes
EAN_13YesYesYes
CODE_39YesYesYes
CODE_93YesYesYes
CODE_128YesYesYes
CODABARYesNoYes
ITFYesYesYes
RSS14YesNoYes
PDF_417YesYesYes
RSS_EXPANDEDYesNoNo
MSINoNoYes
AZTECYesYesYes
Note:
  • Use barcodes that have a length of up to 20 characters.
  • Barcode scanning is dependent on the camera resolution of the mobile devices and on the condition of the printed barcode.

About Geolocation Data for Readings and Recommendations

If geolocation services are enabled on a device, relevant geolocation data will be saved automatically when you provide readings or create a recommendation.

Accessing Geolocation Data

You can view the geolocation data that is saved for readings, recommendations, and photos via a Map query delivered in the baseline APM catalog.

Availability of Geolocation Data

Location data will be stored only if geolocation services are able to obtain coordinates. This is contingent on the user having granted permission for the APM website or application to access geolocation services on the device in use. In addition, geolocation services may be intermittent; if the geolocation service does not provide a valid response, no location information will be saved to the database.

Note: When using Google Chrome, location data is saved only when using a secure connection over https. For more information, refer to the Google Chrome security documentation.

Accuracy of Geolocation Data

In general, for horizontal location detection when using GPS-based location services (that is, when outdoors and using a smartphone or tablet with built-in GPS), there is >95% probability of the location being accurate within 3.5 meters.

Note: If you are indoors while taking a reading or creating a recommendation, GPS-based geolocation may not work, and accuracy will be limited.

If geolocation is inferred from IP network address, wi-fi, or a cell location, it may be significantly less accurate. For example, if using a browser, geolocation will be inferred from the IP address and wi-fi based location information. At best, a browser is only able to isolate location to a 3 to 5 mile radius, though it could be significantly less accurate. If you are accessing the internet via a corporate network, it is possible that the exposed IP address may imply a different location, possibly even a different country, than where you are physically located.

Access a Route for Data Collection

This topic describes how to access a Route from the RDC Overview page.

Before You Begin

  • To access a Route for data collection, the Route must be due or overdue.
  • If you want to take readings while offline, the Route must be enabled for offline access and downloaded to the device.
Important: To ensure the validity of recorded data, the device you are using must have the same time zone as your user time zone.

About This Task

Note: If you are using the GE Digital APM mobile application on a device that supports barcode scanning, you can also access the Route by scanning the barcode of the asset or location.

Procedure

  1. Access the RDC Overview page.
  2. Depending on whether the Route that you want to access is overdue or due, select one of the following tabs:
    • Overdue Items
    • Due Items

    A list of Routes appears.

    Note: The icon (blue color) next to a Route's name indicates that the Route is available for offline access. The icon indicates that the Route is synchronizing with the APM database and you cannot open the Route until the synchronization is complete.
  3. Select the Route that you want to access.

    The Route appears.

    In the Route Map pane, assets appear in blue tabs, and Checkpoints appear in gray tabs. On the right side of the page, the workspace for the selected tab appears. The workspace for a Checkpoint includes boxes in which you can enter readings as well as the following sections:

    • Additional Instructions (appears only if the Checkpoint is a Measurement Location): Contains any specific information or instructions provided by the Route administrator.
    • Lubrication Requirement Summary (appears only if the Checkpoint is a Lubrication Requirement): Summarizes basic information about the Lubrication Requirement.
    • Reference Documents: Contains reference documents added by the Route administrator.
    • Measurement Trend: Displays a trend chart for the latest five readings for the selected Checkpoint.
    Tip: You can select the Asset ID at the top of the workspace to open the health summary information for the asset in Asset Health Manager.

What To Do Next

About Small Screen Devices

To enhance data collection on small screen devices, such as mobile phones and small tablets, APM automatically adjusts the page layout when you use Rounds Data Collection in portrait mode on any device with a screen less than 769 pixels wide. Regardless of the screen width of your device, the page layout of Rounds Data Collection switches between portrait and landscape modes when you rotate your device, enabling devices with a screen less than 769 pixels wide to use the original page layout when in landscape mode.

Supported Features on Small Screen Devices

The following features are not supported in Rounds Data Collection on small screen devices:

  • Selecting an asset name at the top of the workspace for a Route to view the health summary information for that asset in Asset Health Manager.
  • Selecting the reading date/time in the in the Measurement Trend graph section of the workspace for a Measurement Location to view the Health Source page.

All other standard features of Rounds Data Collection are supported on small screen devices.

While the supported features behave in the same way when you are using a small screen device as they do when you are using a larger device, the following features are displayed differently:

  • The RDC Overview page

    As shown in the following image, the contents of the page are adjusted to fit a small screen device.



  • The barcode scanner

    On a small screen device, the button you select to open the barcode scanner () appears in the upper-right corner of a Route and of the RDC Overview page, as shown in the following image.

  • The Device Settings window

    On a small screen device, the button you select to open the Device Settings window () appears in the upper-left corner of the RDC Overview page page. Within the Device Settings window, buttons rather than drop-down list boxes appear in the Download Horizon and Sync Interval sections. Additionally, the Scan Option section does not appear on a small screen device. The following image shows the Device Settings window on a small screen device.



  • The Route Map pane

    On a small screen device, the Route Map pane does not appear automatically when you access a Route for data collection. The button you select to view the Route Map pane () appears in the upper-left corner of the workspace for a Route. The Route Map pane appears the same on a small screen device as it does on a larger screen device.

Scan a Barcode to Access a Route or Checkpoint

This topic describes how to access a Route or Checkpoint by scanning its assigned barcode.

Before You Begin

  • Assign a Scan ID to the Route or Checkpoint.
  • To access a Route for data collection, the Route must be due or overdue.

Procedure

  1. Access the RDC Overview page.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the page, select Scan.
    The barcode scanner for your mobile device appears.
  3. Using your mobile device, scan the barcode assigned to the Route or Checkpoint that you want to access.

    A Scan window appears that allows you to navigate to the matching Checkpoint or Route.

  4. Select OK.

Results

  • If the barcode that you scanned is associated with a Checkpoint on the current Route as well as a Checkpoint on a different Route, the Checkpoint on the current Route opens automatically.
  • If the barcode that you scanned is associated with a Route that is not the current Route, a window appears that allows you to navigate to the Route that you want to access.
  • If the barcode that you scanned is associated with a Checkpoint on more than one Route but not on the current Route, a window appears that allows you to navigate to the matching Checkpoint whose related Checkpoint Task has the earliest Next Date. If multiple Checkpoints have the same Next Date, you can navigate to the first Route, sorted alphabetically, that contains the Checkpoint.

Provide Readings for a Measurement Location

This topic describes how to provide readings for a Measurement Location on a Route.

About This Task

Note: Depending on your device and system settings, a message may appear, asking if you want to allow the device to use geolocation data.

Procedure

  1. Access the Route for which you want to provide readings.
  2. In the Route Map pane, select a Measurement Location.
    The workspace for the Measurement Location appears.
    Tip: You can use the arrows at the top of the workspace for the selected checkpoint to navigate between checkpoints.
  3. In the Reading box, select or enter the reading for the Checkpoint.
  4. As necessary, select or enter values in the Action Taken and Comments boxes.

Results

  • A Reading record is created.
  • Readings are saved automatically.
    Note: The icon indicates that a reading is successfully saved to the device.
  • The progress bar that appears in the Route Map pane and in the RDC Overview page in the Overdue Items and Due Items sections is updated to reflect the number of checkpoints for which you have provided readings as well as the percentage of the Route that is complete.
  • If the value that you entered in the Reading box is normal, then the Measurement Location is marked with a icon on the Route Map pane.
  • If the value that you entered in the Reading box is in alert, then a message appears below the Reading field, specifying the action that you should take. The Measurement Location is marked with a icon in the Route Map pane.

Provide Readings for a Lubrication Requirement

This topic describes how to provide readings for a Lubrication Requirement on the Route.

Procedure

  1. Access the Route for which you want to provide readings.
  2. In the Route Map pane, select a Lubrication Requirement.

    The workspace for the selected Lubrication Requirement appears.

    Tip: You can use the arrows at the top of the workspace for the selected checkpoint to navigate between checkpoints.
  3. In the Completion Status box, select a value.
  4. As necessary, enter a value in the Quantity Added box.

Results

  • A Reading record is created.
  • Readings are saved automatically.
    Note: The icon indicates that a reading is successfully saved to the device.
  • The progress bar that appears in the Route Map pane and in the RDC Overview page in the Overdue Items and Due Items sections is updated to reflect the number of checkpoints for which you have provided readings as well as the percentage of the Route that is complete.
  • If you selected Skip in the Completion Status box, the Lubrication Requirement record is marked with a icon in the Route Map pane.
  • If you selected Done in the Completion Status box, the Lubrication Requirement record is marked with a icon in the Route Map pane.

Provide Readings for an Asset

This topic describes how to provide readings for Checkpoints in the workspace for a selected asset on a Route.

Procedure

  1. Access the Route for which you want to provide readings.
  2. In the Route Map pane, select an asset.

    The workspace for the asset appears.

    Tip: You can use the arrows at the top of the workspace to navigate between assets.
  3. In the boxes, select or enter the readings for each Checkpoint associated with the selected asset.

Results

  • A Reading record is created.
  • Readings are saved automatically.
    Note: The icon indicates that a reading is successfully saved to the device.
  • The progress bar that appears in the Route Map pane and in the RDC Overview page in the Overdue Items and Due Items sections is updated to reflect the number of checkpoints for which you have provided readings as well as the percentage of the Route that is complete.

Create a Recommendation in the Workspace for a Checkpoint

Before You Begin

About This Task

You can create the following types of recommendations in Rounds Data Collection:
  • New Recommendation: This Rounds recommendation is linked to the checkpoint.
  • Standalone Recommendation: This Rounds recommendation is linked to the asset that is associated with the checkpoint.

Procedure

  1. Access a Route containing a checkpoint for which you want to create a recommendation.
  2. Select the tab for the Checkpoint.

    The datasheet for the Checkpoint appears.

  3. On the upper-right corner of the page, select .

    The Recommendations pane appears, displaying a list of recommendations linked to the Checkpoint.

  4. In the upper-left corner of the Recommendations pane, select .

    If you want to create a standalone recommendation, then select .

    A blank datasheet for the recommendation appears.

    If you are creating a new recommendation, and the reading for the checkpoint is in Alert, then the Recommendation Headline box is populated with a summary of the alert condition.

  5. If you want to attach an image of the asset or the checkpoint, select the Capture Image button above the datasheet.
    The camera application on the mobile device opens, allowing you to capture the image of the asset or the checkpoint.
    Note: The Capture Image button appears only if you are accessing the Rounds Data Collection module using the APM mobile application.
  6. As needed, enter values in the available fields, and then, in the lower-right corner of the pane, select Save.
    Note: If you select Create Work Request?, you must have the appropriate privileges to create EAM notifications (e.g., be a member of the MI SAP Interface User Security Group). In addition, your Operator Rounds Recommendation family fields must be configured to match your EAM field settings.
    The Rounds recommendation record is created.

Results

  • The recommendation that you have created is listed in:
    • The Recommendations section on the RDC Overview page.
    • The Recommendations pane of the Route, both in the Rounds Designer module and the Rounds Data Collection module.
  • If you attached an image to the recommendation, a Reference Document record for the image is linked to the recommendation and to the related checkpoint.

Create a Recommendation in the Workspace for an Asset

Before You Begin

About This Task

You can create the following types of recommendations in Rounds Data Collection:
  • New Recommendation: This Rounds recommendation is linked to the checkpoint.
  • Standalone Recommendation: This Rounds recommendation is linked to the asset that is associated with the checkpoint.

Procedure

  1. Access a Route containing a checkpoint for which you want to create a recommendation.
  2. Select the tab for an asset that is associated with the Checkpoint for which you want to create a recommendation.

    The workspace for the selected asset appears.

  3. Next to the box for the Checkpoint for which you want to create a recommendation, select .

    The Recommendations window appears.

  4. Select .

    If you want to create a standalone recommendation, then select .

    A blank datasheet for the recommendation appears.

    If you are creating a new recommendation, and the reading for the checkpoint is in Alert, then the Recommendation Headline box is populated with a summary of the alert condition.

  5. If you want to attach an image of the asset or the checkpoint, select the Capture Image button above the datasheet.
    The camera application on the mobile device opens, allowing you to capture the image of the asset or the checkpoint.
    Note: The Capture Image button appears only if you are accessing the Rounds Data Collection module using the APM mobile application.
  6. As needed, enter values in the available fields, and then, in the lower-right corner of the pane, select Save.
    Note: If you select Create Work Request?, you must have the appropriate privileges to create EAM notifications (e.g., be a member of the MI SAP Interface User Security Group). In addition, your Operator Rounds Recommendation family fields must be configured to match your EAM field settings.
    The Rounds recommendation record is created.

Results

  • The recommendation that you have created is listed in:
    • The Recommendations section on the RDC Overview page.
    • The Recommendations pane of the Route, both in the Rounds Designer module and the Rounds Data Collection module.
  • If you attached an image to the recommendation, a Reference Document record for the image is linked to the recommendation and to the related checkpoint.

Mark a Route Done

About This Task

To mark a Route done once you have completed taking readings on the Route, select one of the following methods.

Procedure

  • Mark a Route done from the Route Map pane.
    1. Access the Route that you want to mark done.
    2. Select Mark Done.

      The Mark Route Done window appears.

      This window displays the following information:
      Readings Taken
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs completed.
      Readings Expected
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs expected.
      Recommendations Raised
      This field is populated automatically with the number of Recommendations added.
      Note: The count does not include the standalone recommendations.
    3. Enter comments as required, and then select OK.

      The Route Marked Done dialog box appears, indicating that the Route is marked done, and asking you to close the tab.

    4. Select OK, and then close the tab.
  • Mark a Route done from the Due Items or Overdue Items section.
    1. Access the RDC Overview page.
    2. Depending on whether the Route that you want to access is overdue or due, select one of the following tabs:
      • Overdue Items
      • Due Items

      A list of Routes appears.

    3. In the row for the Route that you want to mark done, select Mark Done.

      The Mark Route Done window appears.

      This window displays the following information:
      Readings Taken
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs completed.
      Readings Expected
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs expected.
      Recommendations Raised
      This field is populated automatically with the number of Recommendations added.
      Note: The count does not include the standalone recommendations.
    4. Enter comments as required, and then select OK.

      The Route is marked done.

  • Mark a Route done from Assigned Routes section.
    1. Access the RDC Overview page.
    2. Select the Assigned Routes tab.

      The Assigned Routes section appears, displaying a list of the Routes assigned to you.

    3. Select the check box that corresponds to the Route that you want to mark done.
    4. In the upper-right corner of the section, select Mark Done.

      The Mark Route Done window appears.

      This window displays the following information:
      Readings Taken
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs completed.
      Readings Expected
      This field is populated automatically with the number of MLs/LRs expected.
      Recommendations Raised
      This field is populated automatically with the number of Recommendations added.
      Note: The count does not include the standalone recommendations.
    5. Enter comments as required, and then select OK.

      The Route is marked done.

Results

  • If you are working online, the Route no longer appears in the Due Items or Overdue Items section on the RDC Overview page.

    If you are working offline, the Route continues to appear in the Due Items or Overdue Items list, as applicable, with information about the Route completion.

    Tip: If you are offline, you can select Edit Comment to modify the comment that you entered when you marked the Route done.
  • A Route History record is created and displayed in the Route History section of the Route when you access it via the Rounds Designer module.