5 lesser known map features

Owned by Jacob Toye (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 17 Nov, 2023 by Sarah Masefield
4 min read

The Smartrak map page contains a number of helpful little features that make specific tasks easier. This article will introduce you to some of the more hidden features.



Targeting Cross

  • Often the map can become cluttered when there are many resources visible. This means that it can be hard to determine where on the map a selected resource is. The targeting cross is a tool designed to make selected resources easier to find. When enabled it will show vertical and horizontal lines over the map that centre on the selected resource

  • Enable the targeting cross in the map options: Menu (in the top left corner) → Options → Targeting cross

View Latitude & Longitude

  • The map is not just about resources, often it is useful to understand where resources are in relation to other fixed points of interest. Using the address of a point of interest is one way of sharing its location. However sometimes this is not granular enough, especially in rural areas where addresses can mean hectares of space

  • The ` or ~ key (located next to the 1 key in the QWERTY keyboard) can be used to show the decimal latitude and longitude on the map. Moving the mouse over the map will show the latitude and longitude of the point under the mouse cursor. Clicking the map while holding the ~ key will drop a point on the map that will keep the tooltip visible

Use case: A worker was required to go fix a transformer on a rural property. Access to the facility was provided through a gate 1 km away from the main address of the property. The view latitude / longitude feature was used to identify the exact location so the remote worker could input the latitude and longitude into their device (using a map application on their phone) to navigate to the gate



Measuring Distance

Sometimes it can be difficult to estimate the distance between two points on the map. The measure tool was created to help!

How to use the measure tool

  • Click the measure tool button on the map

  • Click the map at the point to measure from

  • As you move the mouse the label will show the calculated distance from the initial point to the position that mouse is at

  • To add intermediate point click the map at the desired points

  • To hide the line click the close button or press the esc key

 

Measuring Area

While there is no dedicated area measurement tool, the geofence tool can be re-purposed to measure areas

How to measure area using the geofence tool

  • Click the geofence tool button on the map

  • Click the map at the point you want to start measuring from

  • Place subsequent points by clicking the map

  • The tooltip will continuously update with the new area

  • Click cancel or press the esc key to remove the shape from the map

 

Directions to or from a resource

With Smartrak's custom routing engine users can find the best route to or from a resource

  • Choose either from or to in the resource information box

  • Right click the map to choose the corresponding from / to point

  • From here you can make modifications to the route, for example:

    • Drag the end point to manually change the end address

    • Get detailed and printable route directions by clicking the view link in the route dialog



  • If you are unable to find an answer to your question, please log a support request via the Smartrak Service Desk

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