Updates: what’s new in February 2021

Last month, we worked on our flagship apps and added the unit types library in Wialon Hosting. Read on to learn what other new features appeared in the system.

Wialon Hosting

Introducing the unit type library 

Previously, a Wialon user created unit type names on their own. It was time-consuming, and the name could be incorrect or misspelled. The use of these names in Wialon was very limited: they couldn’t be used to create unit groups, customize the interface, and so on.

We carefully analyzed all the unit type names that our users entered and created a universal library. Now the user does not need to invent anything: in the general unit settings, they select the right unit type from our list. If the selected unit is a vehicle – the user goes further and selects the right vehicle type in the Profile tab. These types will be displayed in the unit properties window, used as a filter in the CMS and in the worklist, applied for generating reports, and added as a new parameter in the calculator.

The data that the user has already entered manually will not be lost – it will be transferred to the Note field.

Unit type selection

In the General tab, a new Unit type field has been added, placed under the Name field. Using it, you can select among the three unit types:

• Vehicle;
• from the Personal GPS tracker category: Person, Animal, Other;
• from the Stationary object category: Camera, Container, and so on.

Vehicle type selection

For the Vehicle unit type, we have added two fields to the Profile tab with a drop-down list:

• a higher-level field named Vehicle type on the left with values like Cargo transport, Passenger transport, etc.;
• a lower-level field on the right with more detailed characteristics. For example, the Special machinery vehicle type, selected in the field on the left, allows the user to choose between Tractor, Combine, and a dozen of other types.

Transferring the current unit values

If you have already entered unit type in the settings manually, don’t worry, this data will not be lost. All the current unit values saved in the Vehicle unit type field will be displayed in the Note field. This field is located in the Profile tab and in a pop-up window (if the option is enabled in the user settings).

The Note field has also been added to the calculator and to the report containing profile information. These fields are exported and imported, including data transfer via API. The other applications such as Logistics can access the data contained in them on request.

Display of data from the unit type library

You can see the unit types in the following places: 

In CMS

• as a filter based on the profile fields.

On the Monitoring tab

• in the Profile tab in the unit properties dialog when adding a vehicle – in the worklist and in a pop-up window, if the option is enabled in the user settings;
• as a filter in the worklist;
• in additional information, if the option is enabled in the user settings.

In reports and the calculator

• in the unit properties report;
• as a new parameter in the calculator.

Feedback on new functionality

We have added a new questionnaire to collect feedback by vehicle type. The obtained information will be further used to refine the unit type library and clarify the following questions:

• whether the old values of the vehicle types have been transferred correctly;
• how intuitive the interaction with the field is;
• what vehicle types are missing for our clients.

Setting up a unit on the Video tab

In the unit properties, there is a tab with video settings. The tab is used to view connected cameras, edit their numbers, and rename them. Information about cameras can be updated and changed, so it is important to provide quick and convenient access to their settings.

Besides, the option with video settings is present on all the other tabs associated with the unit.

Therefore, we have aligned it with the rest of the interface.

What we have done:

• the unit properties icon is added on the pages with video streams;
• clicking on the icon displays a dialogue window with the unit properties;
• while the window is open, the stream stops and resumes after the window is closed.

Custom fields filter in the Order table

Previously, we added the ability to display the order’s custom fields in the Orders table for a unit. Now, this ability is available for the order report for drivers, unit groups, and driver groups. To use this option, specify the custom field you want to see in the report in the table’s settings using the custom fields filter.

It will help get even more valuable information in a user-friendly format.

This is it for the new system features. Register on the forum and learn about Wialon Hosting updates on a dedicated topic.

Hecterra

Information on consumables and rates

We added the option of keeping track of consumables used upon growing crops. It will help control the cultivation costs.

There are three types of consumables:

• Seeds
• Fertilizers
• Chemicals (crop protection products, for example) 

These consumable types can’t be edited, but within them, you can create as many specific items as you need and also specify the measurement units for them. The list of available measurement units will be updated as we receive your requests. Meanwhile, you can select from kilograms and liters or pounds and gallons depending on the measurement system selected for the resource.

When registering the cultivation you can specify the used consumables and their amount. The amount of consumables is specified as a rate – the material/substance volume per area unit (for example, 10 kg per hectare or 33 gallons per acre, etc.)

The consumables table also includes fuel in its upper undeletable line. All the other lines can be added or deleted in the process of selecting seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals. You can add several items of one type or different types but the specific item can be added only once.

Interface enhancements

To improve user experience, we added arrows to switch the month in the calendar on the Registrar page. Another enhancement allows manual changing of the column width in the reports.

Find more on the new features, as well as comments on the app processing and user experience on the forum.

Fleetrun

Notification enhancements

• Now the unit name is automatically added to the notification subject. Thus, it’s easier to understand which unit this notification is for. It will also help find the necessary email faster.
• Added the data on mileage and engine hours to the notification. Now you can find out the vehicle’s mileage or engine hours at the time of sending the notification. 
• Added the service term of completion to the notification. It helps understand how soon the service is due. The new option works both for upcoming and overdue services.

Window informing of the Fleetrun update

We added a special window notifying of the application update. Thus, the user can learn about the new Fleetrun functionality as soon as it is rolled out.

Recount of the fuel cost per measurement unit 

If for some reason the user decided to change the fuel measurement units, the total filling cost specified before will retain while the cost of fuel per liter or gallon will be recounted. 

Fuel fillings import and export 

Fuel fillings that were previously managed in other systems now can be imported from the CSV or XLSX files for further use.

In order to store and use fuel fillings data outside the system, you can export it to the CSV file.

Fuel fillings import

Fuel fillings export

Find more details on Fleetrun new features in Wialon Help Center. Your requests and suggestions are discussed in the forum topic.

Logistics

Route cost calculation

We added the ability to calculate the total route cost. It is displayed on the third step of planning and on the Routes tab.

In the app settings on the Planning tab, there’s a new block where you can specify the cost for the order key parameters: cost per 1 kilometer, 1 hour, 1 order, and vehicle departure. If several methods are selected, the calculation results are summed up.

The cost measurement units are the ones specified in the settings on the General tab.

The received data will help calculate the cost-effectiveness allowing to plan routes at a lower cost. 

New columns in the table on the Routes tab

We added several new columns to the routes table: Delivery interval, Estimated time to point, Estimated service time, Weight, Volume, Cost. The info from custom fields is also displayed in corresponding columns. It allows getting even more helpful data when planning the routes. All the columns are available for export and printing.

New documentation

We completely redid the Logistics documentation and made it more clear and user-friendly. You can find the updated version in the Wialon Help Center.

Comfortable work with a chat

Previously, to start working with a chat in the Logistics app for Android, users had to give multiple permissions both in the app itself and in the system, which was an issue for many. Now the messages display in the chat doesn’t need any additional actions while the chat is updated every 10 seconds.

The option to attach several files with signatures 

In the Logistics app for Android, we added the option to attach several files with signatures to the order (previously, you could attach only one file). In some cases, such as medicine delivery, for example, there’s a need to attach at least two different signatures. 

Custom address format 

We added the ability to change the address format in the Address field for the source of address information Gurtam. The address format will be the same as in Wialon Hosting settings.

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

In a month, we will prepare a recap of March’s features. Meanwhile, feel free to try and test the new features of the platform and apps, as well as leave your comments on the forum. Remember that we make almost all decisions based on your comments.