Scheduling with GPS (Nearest Task or Resource)

Learn how to schedule a task to the nearest resource in AroFlo Office

Updated on October 29th, 2024

Using the GPS features within AroFlo's calendar, you can create an efficient job run for your resources by scheduling tasks within the same area, or route urgent jobs to the nearest available resource.

We recommend that when creating a new client or location, you generate GPS coordinates so GPS Scheduling will be available to you. AroFlo uses these coordinates to compare distances between jobs and to help your field staff locate job sites.

If you don't include GPS coordinates in your client or location cards, you will see a blue banner and message when you try to use the GPS scheduling feature.

 
 

 

Find Nearest Task

Once you have scheduled the first task of the day to a resource, you can quickly find and schedule the next nearest task.

  1. Go to the Calendar.
  2. Use an existing task schedule, or schedule a task.
  3. Hover your mouse over the task schedule, then click (building icon).
  4. You should now see a list of all current tasks sorted by distance. Double-click to add a task to the current resource, or drag the task to the appropriate resource in the calendar.

    Filter

    Use the search boxes at the top to filter the list.

    Columns can be added or removed from this list view by clicking (Columns icon), e.g. displaying the due date of each task.

     
     
     
  5. Continue until all tasks are scheduled and close the Search Tasks window.
 

 

Map view

You can also use a map view to find the nearest task:

  1. Follow the instructions above to access Find Nearest Task (up to step 4) and then click the address at the top of the search box.
  2. From here, a map view of your scheduled tasks will display:
    1. single-click a task or quote to view the Task or Quote Preview so you can change the status, add notes, and more, or
    2. double-click a task or quote to schedule it to the current resource
  3. Close the window once finished.

The amount of time blocked out for the task on the resource's calendar is set in the Calendar General Settings.

 

Icons explained

Icon Description
The task/quote you used Find Nearest Task from
Task
Quote

When double-clicking a task or quote to schedule it, the map marker will update to reflect that that task/quote is now the one you're using Find Nearest Task from.

 
 

Show Resource Zones

Click Show Resource Zones to display your resource zones set up in Site Administration.
 
 
 

Day Task Map

A similar feature to this is the Day Task Map feature, which is designed to show you all the tasks that have been scheduled for a resource for a given day.

 

 

Find Nearest Resource

If a resource is unable to attend a job or you have an urgent call out, you can quickly find and schedule the nearest available resource.

Enable GPS tracking

This feature is only available for resources that have 'Enable AroFlo Field Tracking' enabled on their user card. For more information, see Feature Access Settings - Enable AroFlo Field Tracking.

 
  1. Go to the Calendar.
  2. Use an existing task schedule or create a new task schedule.
  3. Hover over the task schedule, then click (person icon).

    You should now see a list of resources that are currently located near this task location.

    Use the search boxes at the top to filter the list. Columns can be added or removed from this list view by clicking (Columns icon).

     
  4. Double-click the resource you want to schedule for this task.