October 2022 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners!

In this newsletter, we will introduce the updated functionality of Charts that has gone through some changes over the last few months.

Here is a look at the main changes and how they can help you and your team with updated functionality.

 

New chart features

Charts in Astreon have been transformed to increase efficiency, accelerate work with different datasets and simplify interaction with different elements within charts.

As a result, you can now get an instant 360° view of your daily operations regardless the number of asset in your fleet and as you scale up.

 

Current tools have also been updated and enhanced, as well as new tools have been added that can help you and your team do their work better and faster. Charts within the Messages and Reports tabs have also gone through substantial upgrades.

 

Important: As you probably know, Astreon has charts that are rendered on the server, as well as at the front end/web. These changes only apply to charts rendered at the front end. To take advantage of these changes it is important to ensure that “Render Charts on Serveris disabled (default setting) from within your “User Settings”.

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Messages tab & Reports tab Changes

New toolbar design, tooltips, axes, and other elements 

The interface has changed with a redesign of existing icons, as well as newly added ones.

  • Zoom in/out of a certain area in a chart
    • Helps compare data, see more information about points in the chart
  • Save a chart as a PNG file
  • A cursor line has been added when hovering over the chart
    • Helps to better navigate data sets

monthly newsletter oct_interface 

Updated point tracing 

Point tracing has been simplified to more easily identify the correct area on a line in a chart and get the necessary data right away. Once you hover the mouse cursor over it, you get data for all the lines of the displayed charts by default.

The new feature allows you to easily compare the values for different lines when necessary. When the cursor hovers over a line, a visually highlighted block pops out and shows the relevant data.

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Customizing the legend

You can customize the legend and chart items by selecting which lines and/or elements to display or hide. This allows users to create a customized chart that is more relevant to their task/information that they are trying to visualize.

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Comparing data (ruler icon)

The new ruler icon has been implemented to help when trying to compare 2 points within the data set that you are working and better visualize the change from 2 points in time. You would first click on the ruler icon to activate it (and subsequently click it again to deactivate). Once activated, you can now click on an initial spot within the cart (initial value) and then click on a second spot (final value). This will trigger a popup window that will provide a comparison between the two points and information regarding that duration. This provides a quick and simplified way to compare the change in data.

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Reports tabs changes

Easily switching from a chart in Reports to the Messages tab

When you are working with Charts within a report (you must be using a Chart in a report for the following functionality to apply), it is sometimes necessary to check the messages surrounding a specific event to get a more granular view of that event, which in turn can help you to better understand what transpired and get a clearer picture.

Instead of leaving the reports tab, opening the messages tab, and running a new query of messages for that period, you can now jump directly the message of that event directly from the chart within Reports. Simply click on the desired point within the chart in your report, this will open a popup option “Go to messages”. Left clicking on this icon will automatically take you directly to that point within the messages tab, as well load the messages for that period. This makes for a more fluid experience as well as allows you to then jump between both tabs as both sets of data are now open (until you close them off once you are done).

switching-from-reports-to-messages

Scaling charts in two windows within the Reports tab

A simplified method has been added to compare tow different sets of data on your screen while running a chart within your Reports. By clicking on the “Show as a second window” icon, this will display the secondary chart above/below the primary chart you are viewing.

two-windows

An additional button “Zoom charts simultaneously” will appear when you have 2 charts selected and displayed to view at the same time. By toggling this on it will allow you to zoom in/out of both charts at the same time (keeping the same zoom level). Toggling this button off will let you zoom in/out of each chart independently.

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Up to six different data types in a report template 

The maximum number of data types in the Y-axis has increased to up to six axes to enable you to compare more types of data in a single chart. This feature also helps you identify patterns and draw better conclusions more easily. You can adjust the borders of the selected area even after you have set the second point.

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Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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September 2022 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners. We trust everyone has had a great summer and are looking forward to jumping into a busy September.

This month we have a lot of new features in our supported applications, along with a new service. You don’t want to miss this one!

 

Astreon New features and enhancements

Mobile App – New Features

New enhancements to the mobile app have added a bunch of new data points to make managing your fleet from your mobile device easier than ever:

 

Astreon Mobile appAstreon Mobile app

  • Vehicle Profile information like vehicle type. For example, Bus, Heavy Truck, etc.
  • Expanded date/time information in the history tab
  • New Geofences report by group, not just a single vehicle

 

Upgraded History

Event messages that trigger a notification are now visible. An example of this is that a speeding event was triggered. It will now show that speeding even in the Unit history. This is displayed on the map with an icon depicting the event type, location, and time.

 

Hecterra – Agricultural Management

New Report – By Campaign

To provide a deeper level of management, we have added a new report for campaigns. This report provides detailed information on campaign fulfillment, including every instance of cultivation in each field throughout the season.

Hecterra

Logistics – Last Mile & Task Management

Optimized planning by geofences

A lot of businesses assign work by geographic area. The field employee is responsible for all customers in a certain area, or the driver services just this specific part of a city. These businesses generally have large geofences that segment each service or delivery zone.

 

Dispatch+ has been enhanced to take into account vehicles assigned to a geofence, and orders or services scheduled in those geofences. This new option when creating a route, only assigns orders in a geofence to a vehicle or a group of vehicles assigned to it.

 

To leverage this new feature, activate “Planning by geofences” in Settings/Planning. Then go to the new Geofence tab in the Settings.

You can add geofences created in Astreon hosting, filter and delete them in the new tab. You can also attach vehicles to geofences. A vehicle attached to a certain geofence will only receive orders from within that geofence.

Logistics geofenceLogistics geofence

 

Geofences with assigned vehicles can be found in the new Geofences column at the second and third stages of planning, as well as on the Routes and Templates pages.

 

Driveroo: A mobile and cloud-based fleet inspection application

Maximize Asset Availability

Driveroo is an easy, mobile and cloud-based fleet operation management solution. Offering breakthrough, fully visual inspection workflows, Driveroo’s intuitive, easy to use app cuts inspection time, improves accuracy and engages drivers and operators to be more accountable.

 

Driveroo also provides a complete set of digital tools to help streamline fleet operations, and built-in capabilities for alerts, notifications and reminders that keep the whole team aligned and on track.

 

A Faster DVIR

Driveroo’s unique visual inspection workflows provide an exact representation of every vehicle making it easy to understand and simple to use. Prior issues are preloaded into each new inspection saving drivers time and effort.

Simple Tap-n-Go inputs eliminate tedious data entry, and pictures, voice-to-text and videos provide the detailed information you need to understand fleet health.

 

Easy Inspection Reporting

Inspections are instantly available on the operator app and online through Driveroo’s cloud-based web portal. Dashboards make it easy to see issues by severity, asset, teams, locations or individual drivers.

 

Asset Management

Keep track of every vehicle, with a history of all inspections. Collect and save critical vehicle documentation such as insurance and registrations, and assign reminders and notifications for renewals.

 

Fuel Management

Track fuel use and key metrics across vehicles, teams and locations. An easy fuelling workflow is included in the Driveroo mobile app with the ability to capture fuel amounts, costs, images of receipts and fuelling location which is automatically captured through the app GPS.

 

Accident & Incident Reporting

Accidents happen, and when they do, you want your drivers to take all the necessary steps to address the situation. Driveroo provides an easy workflow that simplifies the process for drivers to collect the necessary information and report the accident or incident, with step by step instructions. Accident reports are immediately available and can trigger alerts for management.

 

Driveroo App Features at a Glance:

  • Instant VIN scanner
  • VIN-based Inspection and financial transaction history
  • Speech-to-text customer contact
  • Email quotes to customers with photos
  • Automotive icons to streamline inspections
  • Turbographics to help customers quickly understand repair issues
  • Universal Mobile Receipt, (Communicate with customers through text, email, phone)
  • Customers receive an interactive repair report
  • Unlimited tracking of vehicles (subscription service)
  • Unlimited statistics (subscription service)

 

Task Management

The Driveroo Fleet solution includes flexible task management capabilities. Create one-time or recurring tasks, and assign tasks to individuals, teams or roles within your organization. Make it easier on you and your team to ensure that work gets done with visibility to task status and notifications.

 

Alerts, Notifications and Reminders

Accidents happen, and when they do, you want your drivers to take all the necessary steps to address the situation. Driveroo provides an easy workflow that simplifies the process for drivers to collect the necessary information and report the accident or incident, with step-by-step instructions. Accident reports are immediately available and can trigger alerts for management.

 

Users, Teams and Roles

Driveroo is easily configured to meet the needs of simple and complex fleets. Every user in Driveroo can be assigned a specific role and permissions. Roles can also be used in task assignments. Organize by locations and teams to make it easy to send notifications, and assign assets or tasks.

 

Document Management

Driveroo document management makes it easy and convenient to link documents to individual accounts or to assets. Drivers can have their own documents attached to their accounts, and every asset has its own document repository as well. With just the touch of a screen, operators can retrieve any information they need.

 

For more information about Driveroo, visit Driveroo page.

 

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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January 2022 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners!

2022 kicked off with a bang!  Let’s hope this year treats everyone well with renewed business success, good health, and general well-being!

Last year, the Developers significantly extended the functionality of Astreon hosting and add-on apps. Our services improve every month with new releases, features, and enhancements. This year we will continue improving the apps’ interface and user-friendliness. New branding options to white label Hecterra and Nimbus were added. Logistics added new lines and tabs, including more advanced routing for Google Maps licensees.

Logistics

Undistributed orders display

Due to resource availability, logistics users occasionally encounter situations where some orders are undistributed during daily delivery route planning. For example, if there is a shortage of vehicles, or the delivery destination is too far from the main route, the dispatcher can reassign the delivery.

When this happens, orders are not displayed in the last planning step and may go unnoticed.

To solve this issue, we added a new line for undistributed orders at the last planning step. The line is highlighted in red and is located at the top of the list. Once you click on the iconicon logistics, you’ll see the reason why the order is undistributed.

Undistributed orders are added to the route on the map and in the table. If you recalculate the route without considering route restrictions, these orders will be distributed to benefit for your customer.

 

Vehicle types and delivery requirements

Assigning a suitable vehicle depending on delivery characteristics: temperature conditions, large-sized vehicles for large loads, etc. is difficult and time-consuming for a dispatcher. It’s a lot easier if you can find it, we show you the best options without additional filtering. We added a Delivery requirements tab in settings to make it easier to find the best vehicle.

This new Logistics functionality displays appropriate vehicles to the dispatcher and automatically assigns selected orders to them.

logistics2 jan 2022 blog

After you select orders and suitable vehicles, the system automatically assigns the orders to the selected vehicles to maximize profitability and client SLA.

Need to transport perishable goods? We have you covered. The application will find a refrigerated truck. Is the item too large? Logistics will display vehicles with a suitable size and hide vehicles that are not a fit.

Visit the forum to read more about the new Logistics options. Please share your experience with the updated functionality.

 

Hecterra

Hecterra can now be white labeled!

Like with other Gurtam products, you can white label the Hecterra app including the app logo.

To change the logo, please contact your manager.

 

Saving maps with a related file name

When downloading files from Hecterra, the file names were automatically saved with the “mapImage” name as a default.  If you wanted to customize the file name, you needed to manually overite it.

Now if you save a PNG file with a map, its name contains basic information about what’s inside.

For example, you save a map with cultivation. The file name will indicate its interval (start and end date), field name, unit, and operation.

Users share their opinions and ideas about Hecterra on the forum – come and join us there.

 

Nimbus

Upgraded User Interface

We have recently improved the appearance of some elements and tabs to improve the overall user experience.

White Label Nimbus!

You can also change the logo in Nimbus, similar to Hecterra.

To use your logo in the app, please contact your manager.

Visit the forum and share your thoughts on what features you’d like to see in NimBus.

 

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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November 2021 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners!

Can you believe it’s December 2nd?  Where did the year go?  Wow 2021 went fast.  We truly hope 2021 was a good year for you, better than 2020, and everyone is healthy and doing well!

This month, we have added new functionality to the video module and add-on applications. The new functionality in the video module allows users to watch video from multiple cameras simultaneously, fantastic! Add-on applications; Hecterra, users can now save a map with all the necessary layers as a PNG file on the Reports and Registrar pages. In addition, in Logistics, there are many changes and updates: new types of notifications, the design of some UX/UI elements, the list of orders and a map with their statuses. Read through and check out new updates.

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

Watching playback from several cameras with save function

The video module now allows you to watch playback from several cameras on a single screen and save it as a single file.

To request playback, go to the Playback tab in the Video tab, select cameras on a unit you need, and specify the period for which you request a video recording.

You get a single timeline where the presence or absence of a video for the selected period is highlighted in colour. Click on the time you need, and the videos will appear on the same screen.

 

Would you like to save the video playback as it is? Click on the Save to files icon, and the videos will be saved in a single file.

 

Logistics

Window redesign

The settings section has gotten a visual redesign to improve workflow and simplicity.  It now has a more modern design, improving user-friendliness and efficiency.

logistics_window redesign

New notification types

Notifications are critical for drivers and dispatchers alike.  Our new notification options expand our ability to improve field communications, helping avoid delivery delays.

  • Visiting an order. The driver receives this notification type when order is visited but its status hasn’t been indicated yet. For example, a vehicle enters a geofence and stops there, while the order isn’t fulfilled yet. The new notification type makes it easier for the driver and the dispatcher to track the order fulfillment.
  • Orders ready to be sent. Such notifications are used when the order has been picked from the warehouse but has not yet been passed to the driver. They are sent simultaneously to all clients whose orders are on the list. So the client is always aware of what is happening with their order.

Adding range selection and displaying order statuses on the map

Order status (ConfirmedRejected, or The status is not specified) can be viewed on the map in the Routes page and in reports for planned and actual routes: tick boxes and cross icons. This allows you to quickly track changes in the number of orders and adjust the route.

logistics_order status on the map

You can now select several orders arranged one after another. To do this, you should select the first order of the range, hold down Shift, and select the last order. This way you won’t waste time processing each request separately.

logistics_range selection

Hecterra

Generating files for maps with cultivations

Last month we added a new feature allowing users to export a map with fields to a PNG file. This month, this feature was added to the Reports and Registrar pages for potential and registered cultivations as well.

You can now get a map for a group of cultivations (for example, for a week) or each cultivation separately, with the scalable ability. The map may contain several layers, previously selected in the properties of cultivation. Now it’s easier to track the volume of cultivations and provide this information to stakeholders.

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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October 2021 Monthly Update

Good day, Astreon clients and partners!

Q4 is here, our busiest time of year!  With the increased sales demand, we continue to work with our providers to bring important enhancements and updates.  Please read this month’s platform enhancements and check out some cool blog articles we’ve done this month.

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

Sensor Report Enhancements

Sensor names are now visible in report columns, making it much easier to select a specific sensor for summary data, including calculations of the selected sensors.  Previously you needed to know the sensor name, and manually search for it, which can be quick a challenge. This is particularly handy if you have several similar sensors like multiple reefer zones or Tire Pressure.

Data is now represented in the report in a more readable and easier-to-understand summary format.

Hecterra

Generating files for maps with fields

We have implemented a new feature that allows you to download a map with fields as a separate file.

Now, both pages of the map and the general map in reports have buttons to save the visible part of the map in a PNG file. The downloaded file includes the map on the user’s screen with the same filters, names, tracks, and omissions.

The image on the downloaded file covers approximately the same area that is visible on the screen. The level of detail of the map is selected automatically: for example, when zooming in, you see more details, and they will be displayed in the PNG file.

The downloaded map can be used in reports and presentations, during planning sessions, and for a better explanation to agricultural operators.

 

Search settings on the Registration page

Some agricultural operates need to use options settings in the resources section quite frequently.  This is necessary when some of your units have sensors and others don’t, or if one works starts at a different time each day. You then had to assign drivers in the system manually or adjust the resource settings every time.

We have now made this much simpler by adding a new option to customize the search settings on the Registrar page. By clicking on the iconicon in the upper right corner, you set the necessary parameters for the current session. You no longer need to open the resource tab in settings each time to make adjustments.

hecterra1

 

Showing the compound cultivation straight after creation

When several units are cultivating a field simultaneously or when a single unit works on a field for a number of days, you can group the cultivations in a compound one.

Previously, you had to go to the Reports page, configure parameters, request data, and design new cultivation to create compound cultivation. The whole process was quite time-consuming.

Now compound cultivation opens automatically once it’s created, with all the properties are visible in it – you immediately see the result of the action performed. This will save a lot of time for your dispatchers as most farms perform compound cultivations every day.

 

Sorting data on the Campaigns page

Last month, we discussed launching campaigns in Hecterra. We have continued to expand the functionality of this page. For example, we’ve now added a feature to sort the table contents by any column.

The column containing the list of operations is sorted alphabetically, intervals – by the campaign’s start date, fields – by the number of fields. You can now choose which parameter to apply to put in order campaign data visualization. For example, if you choose to sort by the Interval column, you’ll see the most recent cultivations. While using the Operation column, you’ll quickly find the type of work you are looking for.

 

Updating data in the Progress tab

We’ve added a new button to the Progress tab that allows you to quickly update information. This button requests new cultivation data updates these graphs.

This is great for organizations with several dispatchers, or when a dispatcher works on several tabs throughout their day.  All stakeholders will now always have the latest information on campaign progress.

 

Visit the forum dedicated to Hecterra. There you can learn more about our latest updates and leave your ideas and comments – we always take them into account in our work. 

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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September 2021 Monthly Update

Good day, Astreon clients and partners!  Has September been a crazy busy month for you?  It’s not just us, right?  On top of being super busy here at Astreon, the Dev Team has been as busy as ever building great new feature enhancements to Wialon and add-on applications.  Read more to see what’s new this month.

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

Video Module Enhancements

Wialon has recently launched a new Video module.  This Video module supports all Dash Camera manufacturers support by Wialon which do not have their own VMS portal.  Astreon regularly uses StreaMax as its premier video management product.  That being said, Astreon also supports Howen and is testing other lower-cost dash camera products.  All of these are compatible with Wialon’s new Video module.

Wialon does plan on charging for this feature in the future, however, these costs have yet to be determined.  For now, there is no cost to use this additional service in Wialon, however, please budget a similar amount to the VMS license that you have today when quoting customers on this service.

We have now added a map function to the Video section so you can see the video live stream, and also see the vehicle’s current position on a map at the same time.

video module enhancement

The video player and the map in the video module

Unit Type Search Function

Wialon has recently added a Unit Type feature where you can select a specific vehicle type.  Ex, Passenger Vehicle, Dump Truck, etc.  Wiaon’s monitoring tab has a search function that also includes Unit Type, which is very convenient.  Think about a Dispatcher that needs to dispatch some work to a Dump Truck only.  You may not be able to differentiate on vehicle type when looking at a large fleet in the system.  You can now search, Dump Truck for example, and then you’ll see a filtered list of Dump Trucks.

We’ve now added a search field here so when you select a Unit Type, you can search for the vehicle or equipment type that you’d like to assign to that Unit.

We also now prioritize recently used vehicle/equipment types to reduce the amount of manual selection or searching, further speeding up this process.

wialon_unit type search

New recently used category in unit properties

 

 

Hecterra

Production campaign control

There is a new Campaigns tab in the navigation panel designed for medium-term planning.

This feature allows you to manage and control agricultural work and implementations.

 

The updated navigation panel in Hecterra

The campaign includes the following features:

  • Operations related to the campaign – sowing, combining, etc
  • Interval, i.e. dates of the operations – From 2 to 30 days
  • Selected fields that apply to the campaign

After you create and save your campaign in Hecterra, you need to register cultivations every day. This allows the application to build a graph based on the data obtained during the campaign: the total area, how much work has been completed, whether the campaign is running late/ahead of schedule, etc.

The data is displayed in the form of a general report on the selected parameters and a report for each day of the campaign. This allows you to easily determine how much work needs to be done per day to meet the target campaign deadline. It’s very easy to see things that are behind schedule, allowing you to proactively take measures to catch up.

hecterra new campaign tab

New Campaigns tab for medium-term planning

Vist the the Wialon forum to learn more.

 

 

Logistics

New Units page

We have added a new Units page to the menu where you can see a list of all the available units and their characteristics, including the usage cost for each unit per 1 km, 1 hour, 1 order, and 1 vehicle departure.

How does this affect your business?

  1. You can leverage the most appropriate vehicles and routes based on cost values

A dispatcher now can see the cost values for each vehicle. Leveraging these values, the dispatcher can calculate the route cost, monitor other parameters, and find the most suitable transport for an order.

  1. Edit unit properties for each vehicle

The dispatcher now sees unit properties and can edit them for each vehicle. For example, if the vehicle’s capacity or volume has changed, the unit information can be easily updated in the app.

 

Move Orders Between Routes

You can now move an order from one route to another.  This is a very useful new feature and it’s easy to do.  Just click and drag the order from one route to another.  The route will also automatically recalculate and update itself with new ETA’s etc.  This is all synchronized with the mobile app, so your drivers are always in the loop with new changes, etc.

dispatch order arrangement between routes

Moving an order from one route to another

There is now a tooltip with information on how to move orders from one route to another.

New table design

The tables in the Planning, Routes and Template pages have been designed to be more user-friendly and easier to read. These are subtle changes that make a huge difference in daily operation.  Go check them out!

Visit the forum for more details.

 

 

NimBus

Automatic Online 2.0 mode activation for new depots

Nimbus 2.0 was released last month.  At that time, activation of the new features was manual.

This is now enabled by default for new depots created by Wialon users.

 

Daylight saving time (DST) for the USA and Canada

North America DST is now supported in the Depot settings tab under the Daylight saving time setting.

Once you choose and save the option, the time zone will shift automatically twice per year:

  • 1 hour back: second Sunday in March at 2 a.m.;
  • 1 hour ahead: first Sunday in November at 2 a.m.

Visit the forum  to learn more about new Nimbus features and see past updates as well.

 

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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August 2021 Monthly Update

Good day, Astreon clients and partners!

We hope you are all doing well and enjoying this hot summer weather!  Internally, Gurtam development efforts have been focusing on changes to our add-on applications for Astreon VAR partners.

This month, we’ve made small changes and nice-to-have features in our applications, with a large feature enhancement to Nimbus.

We improved the Logistics app design and the notification settings. In Hecterra, we added the turning time setting and enhanced the warning system in Fleetrun. Continue reading to see all the enhancements!

Full NimBus Updates page

In July, a major product update has been done. We encourage you to use the new features if you have not done them yet because these new functionalities will help you save time and costs.

Nimbus

What’s New: New Logic & Auto-assignment

Transit+ uses new logic which continuously calculates ETA’s and early/late arrival times, including which vehicle in on a particular route.  It is no longer necessary to manually assign vehicles to routes, the system detects this automatically and makes the assignment from there.

The new method

Automatic assignment of a unit to a route happens when a vehicle enters the route’s first stop geofence.

The new functionality works as described below.

1) Units are assigned to a ride, and the Automatic assignment of the units check box is activated.

nimbus units check box

2) The rides for these routes will be created upon the ride activation time or entering the stop geofence. In addition, we have also added a new type of ride activation – upon entering a geofence.

3) When creating a ride, the system will assign the unit to the ride from the list of bound units. If there are several active rides, the unit will be assigned to the next ride automatically.

The new automatic assignment option allows you to avoid manual assignment of units when a fixed set of units is bound to a route.

Circular routes

A circular route is a route in which the first stop coincides with the last one but has a different visiting time specified in the schedule.

A route can now be looped in two ways:

a) when creating a route using the Circular route option;

nimbus circular route option

b) when editing a route using the Loop option.

nimbus loop option

The route can also be looped using the map.

nimbus loop map

This functionality enables you to use looped routes and use the first stop as the last stop specifying individual visit time in the schedule. Thanks to this, it determines whether the unit is ending the previous ride or simply is approaching the first stop using a different road.

Please note that for reports, the time of visiting such a stop will be recorded twice: at the beginning and the end of the ride.

Additionally, when a unit arrives at the first stop and crosses other stops on the route, the system will not record these visits as a valid stop.

Relative schedules

Another change significantly expands the scope of Transit+ implementation, as it allows tracking public transport rides without schedules, which in its turn means effective monitoring of:

  • rides that are not bound to a specific schedule;
  • transport that departs when there is a sufficient number of passengers;
  • public transport in regions where scheduled rides are not possible for various reasons.

The new feature allows the creation of rides upon visiting the first stop of the route just like when units are automatically assigned to a ride, but only without a specific schedule. You can create relative schedules or change the type of schedules you already have.

nimbus Relative schedules

Please note: relative schedules only work with the automatic unit assignment.

With a relative schedule, a one-time schedule is created where the stops visit time is detected from the start of a ride. A one-time schedule is displayed each time a ride time is displayed. The ride events’ data is also generated according to a one-time schedule: hurry, delay, no-show, etc.

Hecterra

Turning time setting

When Agri+ calculates mileage and fuel consumption, the turning time value defaulted to 2 minutes. However, this 2-minute default doesn’t apply to all businesses. For example, turning time could take longer when machinery is too bulky or terrain is too rough. Some users want to reduce the 2-minute period when a tractor works on two fields and moves between them.

To make mileage and fuel consumption data more accurate, we updated the turning time setting and now users can customize the turning time value in the Search settings section of the Resource tab.

hecterra Turning time setting

Turning time in the Search settings

The default value is 2 minutes, but the user can select from 1 to 5 minutes in the drop-down list in the settings.

 

FleetRun

Warning about changes in mileage

In Maintenance+, the values of mileage and engine hours used in the charts are synchronized with the vehicle in LVM Track.

If you update the data in LVM Track, there may be a discrepancy in the cost per 1-kilometer parameter in the charts and in these sections. To avoid the possible error caused by this discrepancy, we have added warnings that will appear when the values of mileage or engine hours were changed in LVM Track.

If you decrease the values of mileage and engine hours in the selected period, you will see a warning icon with a tooltip.

fleetrunhecterra Turning time setting

Warning about changes in mileage

Logistics

Client notification method configuration

We have moved the Notification method option from the Import orders section to the Order parameters section on the General settings tab for all orders you import and create.

logistics Client notification method

Notification method setting in Order parameters

The notification methods have now been relocated to a separate section, where you can configure notification defaults for all orders.

We also added the Show button to notification cards of all types, except for notifications when a route is deleted. After clicking on the button, the order or route is centered and highlighted in the table.

logistics notification card

The Show button in notification cards

Login page redesign

We have completely changed the login page design and updated the application logo in the navigation bar. Now the page has a different background, the Dispatch+ icon, and a new simple design.

logistics login redesign

Login page

 

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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July 2021 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners!

The summer is racing by.  I hope you all get a chance to enjoy the summer before it’s gone!  This month we have a lot of new features and enhancements to discuss.  Let’s dive in!

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

Fuel Filing and Theft Tracks & Reports – when using 2 or more tanks on an asset

Markers like fuel fillings are extremely helpful on tracks, in maps, and in reports. For example, X volume of fuel has been drained; the tank has been refueled to volume Y, etc. Separate fuel tanks were previously not considered when summarizing this information.

With the new feature, charts, report maps, and tracks display data for each Fuel Level Sensor (FLS). Filling markers show which FLS has detected a fuel filling or theft. For example, the Tank sensor is marked as No.1, the Main tank sensor – No.2, and so on. In addition, the tooltip displays the name of the corresponding sensor.

Marker settings are grouped in a separate section in the report template properties. In addition, users can also configure marker visibility on the map and marker filtration on the map and in charts.

Report template

Reports – Custom sensors in unit group reports

Many clients use custom sensors, for example, when they want to receive mileage and speed data from the CAN-bus and not GPS data.

This became challenging for reports when you need data on a unit group where every unit features several sensors with different names. It was difficult to display so many custom sensors in a single report.  Considerable effort has been placed on making this work and we are proud to announce that this is now available in group reports.

We have added columns for custom sensors (displaying an average/maximum/minimum value and so on) in reports on unit or driver groups, as well as reports on drivers.

Reports - Custom sensors

 

To display data from a custom sensor, select the name of the sensor in the settings under table properties.

 

table properties - geofences

The new feature allows users to receive data from various custom sensors in one table, track and analyze the data all in one report.

Reports – Thousand separators in reports

Numbers can become quite large when report results have a lot of data or cover a long time period. To make these numbers easier to read, we added a thousand separators. To activate this feature, you can choose this setting in the General block of the Report template properties.

It will be displayed, for example, instead of 1234567.89, the user will see 1,234,567.89.

Thousand separator in reports

Hecterra

Crop rotation tab

We added a separated Crop rotation tab with a table that displays;

  • The crops currently being cultivated
  • What was cultivated over time in different fields

A dynamic search enables you to search the specific data using a filter by name or description of the field.

Crop rotation tab

 

Thanks to this new tab, users can quickly make a decision on what crop to sow in a particular field by reviewing the field’s history.

Hecterra – Potential cultivations search according to work shifts

A new option has been added to divide cultivations by shifts without assigning a driver. With this option, you do not have to assign drivers in Astreon.  This saves a lot of time when assigning drivers to equipment for each shift.

To activate this option, users activate the “Divide potential cultivations considering shifts” option in the Search settings and specifies the shift intervals. After that, potential cultivations on the Registrar page are divided by shifts. This simplifies the user’s work in Hecterra and reduces the time spent on its configuration.

Potential cultivations search

Logistics

Order rejection reasons

On the General tab in settings, we added the Order rejection reasons section which helps increase customer satisfaction. Users can specify the reasons for rejecting orders or create a list of the required reasons using the Autocomplete button.

This feature saves the driver’s time since they no longer have to enter text manually whenever an order is not delivered.

Order rejection reasons

Order confirmation upon attaching a file with a signature

On the General tab of the settings, we added the Order fulfillment requirements section which contains two options, “Not to confirm orders outside the radius” and “Not to confirm orders without signature”.

If this is selected, the driver can only confirm the order after attaching a signature.

Order confirmation

 

The option controls delivery security by drivers, as the order can be completed only upon delivery confirmation.

New design of the settings and warehouse cards

Settings in the Logistics interface have been redesigned to be more user-friendly.

Firstly, we changed the settings page, with save and cancel buttons.

They appear only when there are any changes. If wrong data is specified or the required fields are not filled in, warnings are popped up on the setting tabs.

New design of the settings

 

Secondly, the Warehouse tab is more compact. Now all the specific parameters are displayed as icons. We also added a dynamic search by parameters for warehouses.

Warehouse tab

Logistics – New capabilities of the Google routing service

We have improved the Distribution optimization section on the Planning tab for those who use Google as a routing service.

 

Google routing service

 

Creating routes has never been easier or more accurate when using Google’s navigation service.  The user chooses one of the available models: balanced, optimistic, pessimistic.

For example, if you select the Pessimistic model, an additional time based on Google statistics is provided to fulfill the route. If the driver often arrives earlier, you can select the Optimistic model.  

Users can also exclude the routes (toll roads, highways, ferries) they would like to avoid when planning routes. With this option, you will be able to have customized and optimized routes with more flexibility.

Astreon WiaTag and the Configurator

Astreon mobile app – New Wiatag

It’s very important to note that the new Wiatag is available.  This new version has much better battery management, and also a web-based configuration tool.  In order to white label this all-new app, a new white-label request needs to be submitted.  This will also result in an additional cost to white label this new version.  Please reach out to your Astreon Account Manager if you’re interested in this new version and would like it to be white-labeled.

On June 30, our users saw a full-fledged release of the new WiaTag version. We have already described in detail the updated functionality of the mobile personnel management app, but in this communication, we will feature only the key changes:

 

  • The design and interface have completely changed

All functions of the application are presented in the form of separated widgets. When users want to send photos or SOS signals, they only have to find the right widget and open it.

wiatag design and interface

 

 

  • The approach to operation modes has become clearer

The approach to operation modes has become more precise. Now it is easier for users to navigate the WiaTag modes and choose the most appropriate one among them.

The new version has 3 modes:

  • Light. This is a minimum battery consumption mode, its accuracy is enough to keep track of the unit and the route of movement.
  • Standard. The mode has moderate battery consumption and provides a detailed track of the unit movement.
  • Custom. If the ready-made modes don’t fit the user’s needs, they can configure their own and select the interval for collecting and sending data, as well as configure filtration.

The first and second modes are pre-installed and can’t be changed by users. If these settings don’t suit the user’s needs, users can choose the Custom mode and indicate the frequency and accuracy of the data received from the unit. There can be only one Custom mode on the device.

This way the user avoids confusion with dozens of modes when the difference between them is no longer clear and the user sets a new one over and over again.

wiatag operation modes

 

  • The user chooses the most convenient authorization option

It can be a QR code, a Astreon account, or an ID number with a password.

Configurator web application

All the settings are grouped in a separate Configurator web app, that allows you to:

  • configure units in WiaTag flexibly, remotely, and in bulk, without physical access to a smartphone;
  • generate and send a QR code to enter the app;
  • get access to logs remotely without involving the user.

Now partners configure and diagnose the app on their own, while their clients can focus on using WiaTag in their work.

Please find more details about the new WiaTag on the forum

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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June 2021 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners! We at Astreon hope you are all keeping healthy, happy and safe and that business is going well for you this year.  On that note, can you believe 2021 is half over?  Thankfully, we’ve had some great warm weather this year to enjoy the outdoors.

This month brings some nice user interface and reports design tweaks and the launch of a new video management portal within Astreon.  Users of our add-on applications will benefit from feature enhancements there.

As always, we never stop improving Astreon and partner applications. Read on for full details.

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

New Video Monitoring & Reporting

This new video management section with Astreon and partner applications was added to provide better support to resellers who use Howen and other non-StreaMax camera systems.

Video monitoring

The release of the new video module has dramatically changed the work with MDVR devices and video files. Now it is easier for partners to connect end-users to the video monitoring service since they no longer need to deploy servers between devices and Astreon and integrate each model into the system. End-users have received new useful features: the ability to request a video for 24 hours, save video files and receive reports with an attached video.

New solution architecture

First, now it’s our responsibility to configure servers for video monitoring. The new video module no longer requires intermediate servers – the whole process of converting a video stream from an MDVR now takes place on the AWS servers that our team is responsible for.

Secondly, the specialists of the hardware department integrate video devices into the new video module themselves. Now it is much easier for the partner to connect video monitoring – all that they need to do is to install and activate the equipment.

Separate Video tab

All the video monitoring features are now collected in a separate Video tab.

separate video tab

It contains a video player and tools for working with video streaming and video files for units (a user can save, delete, filter them, and so on) on which an MDVR is installed. A user does not need to open different tabs and windows for each unit, everything is in one place now.

Live video and video playback

Our new video monitoring allows you to connect to online video from a unit with an installed MDVR right from the Video tab.

Regarding video playback (in Astreon it can be a video for 24 hours): a user connects to a recorded video in the same Video tab by choosing a unit, MDVR, and time interval.

Saving video files

A user can save video files:

  • manually while watching a recorded video. To do this, it is enough to choose a file up to 60 seconds long, click the Save to files icon and choose a relevant tag making it easier to find the file in the future;
  • automatically while setting up notifications. A new Save video as a file function has appeared in the notification parameters. A user specifies the total duration of the file and the duration of a time interval before and after the event. As soon as the event is triggered, Astreon automatically saves the video fragment on the server.

Video files in reports

In the new video module, video files are linked to the events that triggered their saving. When a user sees that an event has occurred with the unit (fuel theft, speeding, and so on) in reports, they will be able to immediately view the attached video file.

Want to offer video monitoring to your customers? Find out how to get started with the new video module in our blog.

Reports

Choosing a unit group in the Geofence table

When creating a report on geofences and a group of geofences, we added the ability to select not only a single unit but a unit group.

Now when a user creates a new unit, the user no longer needs to manually edit the report template. All that the user needs to do is to add a unit to the unit group, and our system will automatically generate a report on the whole group.

Hecterra

Specifying a crop quickly

This month, we added the following features;

  • Edit the sowing date: Previously, the default date was January 1 of the current year, but now a user can select any date themselves.
  • Indicate the harvesting date: A user can now do this on the Field page, without using the properties for the selected field.

For example, if a user planted several fields with one crop, they will be able to enter this information , and indicate the sowing date with the estimated harvesting date in a single action so that a user can complete this task much faster than before.

To do this, a user needs to set up the following;

  1. On the Fields page: click on the leaf icon in the row in the list or in the field menu on the map
  2. After selecting the crop, indicate the sowing (required) and harvesting (optional) dates and save the option

If a user works with several fields, a user needs to select the fields and then click on the leaf icon to indicate the crop, the sowing and harvesting dates.

Hecterra - Specifying a crop

Updating the top menu

We added the following subitems under the Catalogues navigation tab: Crops, Operations, Implements, and Consumables.

The top bar now has fewer tabs so it’s easier to find the other tabs.

Hecterra - Updating the top menu

Fleetrun

Making the dashboard customizable

On the dashboard page, you can see some blocks: Services, Intervals, Cost, Units, and so on. This dashboard gives you quick visual insight into your fleets. Now you can customize your dashboard and add/delete blocks. To delete, a user just needs to click the three vertical dots on the right of the calendar and remove the unused blocks from the opening window.

fleetrun - dashboard customization

Some of the blocks, for example, Services and Units, can be resized manually by pulling the lower right corner of the section. Blocks can also be moved in any order to assemble a page that is optimal for a user.

A user can also disable the indicators they don’t need in those blocks:

  • Cost: by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner, you can deactivate the Services and fuel checkbox selected by default and leave only Services or only Fuel;
  • Total cost of services: by clicking on the icon Units, Drivers, or Trailers, a user turns off the indicators for these items. The total cost is then recalculated in the Total column, and the graph displays the data minus the deactivated items.

Graph updating

Total cost of services

We changed the “Total cost of services” graph on the dashboard and unit page to keep fleet expenses data for a certain time period visible by adding the following features;

  • a Total field with the total amount of the fleet services expenses for the selected period;
  • a field with the total amount of expenses per 1km for the selected period;
  • a field with the total amount of expenses per engine hour for the selected period.

The period is set in the calendar on the Dashboard and on the unit page.

Fleet metrics/Unit metrics

For easier estimation and calculation, we have added the fleet metrics graph on the dashboard and to the similar Unit metrics graph on the unit page. Now a user can check the vehicle mileage in kilometers or engine hours for the selected period, and the information will be displayed in the Total field.

A new Total cost of fuel graph

In order to see the fuel costs for the entire fleet and an individual unit, a new “Total cost of fuel” graph has been added on the dashboard and on the unit page. It helps users compare the expenses in the different time periods.

Logistics

Moving orders on the map

This month we’ve added a huge feature which will save dispatchers a lot of time.  You can now move orders on the map from one route to another, simply by clicking and changing the route.

The Move button was added to the order cards in the upper right corner. A user just needs to click on the button and select the route on the map to which the order will be transferred. The new order automatically changes the route, while the app assigns a position number to it.

dispatch Moving orders on the map

The improved “Take into account the location of units”‎ option

If the “Take into account the location of units” option is enabled when creating a route, the route from the unit to the first point is displayed on the map. In addition, the estimated arrival time and the distance from the unit to the first point are calculated and displayed in the table.

The Route cost column

The column of Route cost has been added to reports on routes and to reports on routes and orders. This can be insightful data to simplify expenses planning. The column shows the route cost values that are calculated during the optimization if the corresponding parameters are indicated in the settings in the Route cost calculation section.

New notification window design

With the improved design of the notifications window, it is now easier to see relevant information in the window. The following items have been improved;

  • The window size has become larger;
  • Updated the style of the pop-up notifications about errors and completed actions;
  • Improved display of unread messages;
  • All notifications can be marked as read;
  • The Show button is added for simpler navigation.

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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May 2021 Monthly Update

Good day Astreon clients and partners! Thank you very much for your continued support and loyalty to Astreon. We value your business and it’s our pleasure to provide you with much-needed services to help manage your mobile assets.

2021 is off to a fast-paced start. Can you believe June is already around the corner? Let’s hope for some great weather for outdoor activities this summer!

Please note that due to the global chipset shortage, we experience occasional lengthy delays in device orders. We also expect some heft price increases for the same supply shortage reasons, so please check in with your sales rep prior to placing an order to get updated pricing, stock availability, and possibly a suggestion on using a different device to fill the order more quickly.

As always, we never stop improving Astreon and partner applications. Read on for full details.

Astreon New Features and Enhancements

Reports enhancements include new templates for additional data in your reports and expanded information on Drivers.

 

Driver column

Driver information is now available as a column in reports which provides the driver’s name in the following fields: Binding Bindings, Custom fields, Driver activity, Infringements.

report template

Trailer column

We’ve added the Trailer column to the Bindings and Custom fields tables for the Group of trailers report template, which displays information about the trailer.

 

Passenger column

We have added the Passenger column to the Bindings table for the Group of passengers report template, which displays passenger information.

 

Event type column

We have added the Event type column to the Events table in the Unit and Unit group reports.

If an event is registered manually – this can be done through the Events Registrar or by registering any event from the online notifications window.

 

User column

The user is the one who registered the event manually or the one who created the resource, for which the event was generated automatically.

The User column has been added:

  • to the Events table for the Unit and Group of units report types;
  • to the Infringement table for the Unit and Group of units report types.

Note: the user must have at least minimum rights to view the item and its main properties. If not, a dash is displayed in the column.

 

Initial mileage, Final mileage, Initial engine hours, Final engine hours columns

Based on client feedback, we’ve added these values to the geofences report.

Now the user can see the parameters of the mileage sensor and the absolute engine hours sensor at the time of entering and leaving the geofence.

Fleetrun

Changes to the dashboard

  • Units, Drivers, Trailers, Intervals

These sections are displayed in a user-friendly dashboard that provides important information. Click on the line with the required category to go to the corresponding page with the filter activated.

Maintenance+ dashboard

 

  • Services

The section can provide more visual data to quickly see a status. The statistical data is represented in the form of a pie chart which shows the ratio of due and overdue services and the ones in progress. Click on the required chart sector or category in the legend to go to the Services page with the filter activated.

Maintenance+ service

 

  • Cost

The section contains info about the fleet expenses: how much the owner spends on fuel fillings as well as fuel fillings and services together. In the left part of the section, we added a histogram showing the percentage of the total cost of services and that of the fuel.

Maintenance+ costs

 

Logistics

Navigation bar

We added the function to hide the navigation bar and make space more for information on the map and in the table. The bar is not collapsed by default.

Dispatch+ navigation bar

 

Language selection and help tips

Previously, the application language depended on the language selected in the user settings. Now you can change it on the General tab of the application settings.

Dispatch+ language selection

We have also improved the logic for displaying help tips. Now you can enable help tips (in the application settings) or disable them (in the settings or in the help tip itself) at any time.

Nimbus

Relative schedules

We’ve added a bunch of new features to the Nimbus Beta: the ability to create relative schedules. It extends the Nimbus scope of applications as now you can monitor rides without schedules. Providing the ability to monitor:

  • shuttle vans that normally work without fixed schedules;
  • transport that departs only when there are enough passengers;
  • public transport in the regions where work scheduled operation is unavailable.

With the new functionality, rides are created upon the visit of the first stop without being time-bound. Users can create relative schedules or change the type of schedules that were created before.

 

Transit+ relative schedules

 

Based on the relative schedule, the system creates a one-time schedule where the time of stop visits counts off starting the moment of the ride’s activation. The one-time schedule is displayed wherever the ride time is indicated. Also, data on the ride events are formed according to this schedule (hurry, delay, no-show, and so on).

 

Hecterra

Expanding the crop rotation functionality

  • Using future dates both for sowing and harvesting
    • It allows users to use crop rotation as a sort of planning tool as well as fill in data at the planning step without waiting for actual field works to be done.
  • Sowing more than one crop within one year
    • Sometimes it happens that in temperate latitude after harvesting a winter crop, they still have time to grow another crop. Besides, in warm countries, the climate allows for a few harvests a year. In case of crop loss, they sow something else. Now, these agricultural processes can be recorded in Hecterra.
  • Specifying the harvest date in any year and the ability to not specify the harvest date at all or to remove the previously specified harvest date
    • It allows you to assign the crop for a long period, for example, grass or fruits and berries.

New rules apply to the crop rotation specified through the field settings, quick specifying, cultivation registration.

Contact us today!

Contact us today for more information, pricing, and specific case studies.

Tel: +1 (800) 647-4730

Email: sales@astreon.com

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