New mapping features have been added to SuccessWare21®.  These features can be accessed from the Call Center.  Right-Click on a Call, or Employee, and select the Map submenu to access the new features detailed below.

Modifications have also been made in preparation for integration with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) which can enhance these features further.  3rd-party applications may become available which can record GPS data and send that data through the SuccessWare API so SuccessWare21® can make use of it.

Setup

Version Requirements

Mapping features of SuccessWare21® have been tested for use with MapPoint® versions 2002, 2004, and 2006.

ASP Users

Contact WNY and let them know you would like to access MapPoint on the ASP.  They will inform you of fees and setup.  Once you have been setup, you will see two new menu options available when you right-click in the Call Center. 

LAN Users

You must install (and license) Microsoft MapPoint® on each workstation on that requires mapping features within SuccessWare21®.  Once you have Microsoft MapPoint® installed, you will see two new menu options available when you right-click in the Call Center.

Map Functions

Map Route for Selected Employee

Use the Map Route for Selected Employee function to display an employee’s Calls for the day, with Mappoint’s recommended driving directions from one location to the next.  Mappoint will also calculate total distance and estimated drive time which can be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of your calll assignment and scheduling.

If you are using GPS, a ‘breadcrumb’ trail will be also displayed, showing where the employee actually was during the day.

Map Current Positions

Use the Map Current Positions function to find the current location of all employees based on their Assignments.  A red truck icon will be displayed at their most recent Call location.

If GPS information is submitted to SuccessWare21® via SW API, this data will be used to show the employee’s location with greater accuracy.  A color-coded triangle will display for each employee.  A white triangle means the GPS data is older than 1 hour in age.  A yellow triangle means the GPS data has been updated within the past 30-60 minutes.  A red triangle means the GPS data was updated within the past half hour.

Map Selected Call

If you right-click on a call/assignment and select “Map call”, a map will be generated plotting the service call in the center of the map.  Technicians will be plotted using their last known service location based on call progress.

Map Selected Employee

If you right-click on a technician in the call center and select “Map tech”, a map will be generated plotting the tech (based on call progress / last service location) in the center with current open calls.  You can use this map to help decide where to send a tech next.

Map Dialog Form

Initial Departure

This new setting appears on the options form that appears when you select a Mapping function.  It is only enabled when using the Map Route feature.  You can choose to have the driving directions supplied by Mappoint begin from your company’s address, the selected employee’s home address, or the Employee’s first assignment.  The default selection is company address.

Map Form

Auto Refresh

The map can now be set up to Auto Refresh on a 60 second interval reflecting dispatch changes made by other users (and newly gathered GPS activity, if available).  Auto Refresh is off by default.  To turn Auto Refresh on, select the Auto Refresh option for the SuccessWare menu in the map form.  Re-select the option to turn Auto Refresh back off.  This otion can be particularly useful when showing a single map on a big screen for viewing by all dispatch center personnel.