SAMO Infra Tracker User Guide

About SAMO Infra Tracker

SAMO Infra Tracker is an iOS application for GPS-based tracking and management of infrastructure elements, especially gas pipelines. The app allows users to record GPS tracks, link them to existing infrastructure elements, and create damage reports.

Main features:

• GPS Tracking: Record GPS tracks along infrastructure elements
• Map Integration: Visualize gas pipelines and GPS tracks on an interactive map
• SAMO Integration: Connect to SAMO backends for data management
• Damage Reporting: Record and locate infrastructure damage
• Configurable Feature Types: Adaptation to different GIS data structures

Installation

System requirements

• iOS: Version 14.0 or higher
• Device: iPhone or iPad with GPS functionality
• Storage: At least 50 MB free storage
• Network: Internet connection for SAMO backend access

Installation steps

1. App Store installation (if available):
   • Open the App Store on your iOS device
   • Search for "SAMO Infra Tracker"
   • Tap "Get" and wait until installation is complete
2. Enterprise/TestFlight installation:
   • Follow your administrator's instructions
   • Install any required certificates
   • Download the app using the provided link
3. Initial setup:
   • Open the app after installation
   • Grant required permissions:
     • Location: "Always" for GPS tracking
     • Network: For SAMO backend connection

Getting Started

App launch and main screen

• Map View: Central map for visualization
• Info Box: Status messages at the bottom of the screen
• Toolbar: Function buttons at the top
• Pipeline List: Scrollable list of available gas pipelines

Navigation

• Configuration: Gear symbol (⚙️) for settings
• GPS Tracking: Globe symbol for GPS functions
• Clear Selection: Eraser symbol to reset selection
• New Track: Path symbol for new recordings

Basic operation

1. Zoom map in/out: use pinch gestures
2. Move map: drag with one finger
3. Adjust map height: drag the gray bar under the map
4. Select gas pipeline: tap an entry in the list

Configuration

Accessing configuration

1. Tap the gear symbol (⚙️) in the top toolbar
2. The configuration page opens with different settings areas

Connection settings

• SAMO URL: Full URL to SAMO backend (e.g. https://samo.asseco-berit.ch/EZL)
• User: Your SAMO user name
• Password: Your SAMO password (stored securely)

Object type configuration

• Line Object Name: Name for line elements (default: "Gasleitung")
• Point Object Name: Name for point elements (default: "Schaden")

SAMO Infra Tracker configuration

• GPS Track: Feature type for GPS recordings (e.g. ft_g_alg_tracking)
• GPS Relation: Relation type for GPS linking (e.g. as_r_GAS_LEITUNG_TRACKING)
• GPS Role: Role in relation (e.g. rt_tracking)
• Line (Gas pipeline) Type: Feature type for gas pipelines (e.g. ft_30015)
• Point (Damage) Type: Feature type for damage reports (e.g. ft_g_alg_damagereport)
• Point Relation: Relation type for damage reports
• Point Role: Role of damage in relation

Save configuration

• Tap "Konfiguration speichern" after changes
• Settings are automatically stored when switching apps
• Restarting the app loads saved configuration

GPS Tracking and Recording

1. Select gas pipeline: Choose a gas pipeline from the list
2. Start GPS tracking: Tap "GPS einschalten"
3. Automatic position follow: Enable "Position automatisch aktualisieren" toggle

• Track without pipeline: If no gas pipeline is selected, a new track can still be started
• Continuous recording: GPS points are collected automatically
• Background recording: Works even with locked screen
• High accuracy: Uses best available GPS precision
• Battery usage: Optimized for longer recordings
• Current track: Displayed live on map as polyline
• Track status: Button switches between "GPS einschalten" and "GPS ausschalten"
• Track info: Length and coordinates are calculated
• Temporary storage: Track data is saved locally

New Features (May 2026)

Overview of recent enhancements

• Track without relation: GPS track can be created and uploaded without selected pipeline
• Option "Position automatisch aktualisieren": Map can follow current GPS position
• Damage capture on active track: Damage can be linked to the running track
• Connection check in configuration: HTTP status shown directly as message (e.g. 401)
• More stable map/feature rendering: Status and error messages are clearer in UI

Linking and Managing GPS Tracks

1. Automatic linking: Tracks are automatically linked to selected gas pipeline
2. Upload to SAMO: Tracks are transferred to SAMO backend
3. Reset track: Tap "neuer Track"
4. Track history: Previously recorded tracks remain available
5. Monitor track status: Info box messages and visual confirmation
6. Troubleshooting linking: Hints shown when problems occur

Note: For a track without selected pipeline, data is stored without pipeline relation. The track can still be used later as context for damage capture.

Damage Reports

1. Capture damage: Prerequisites, localization, description, save
2. Damage info: Coordinates, Swiss coordinates, relation, upload
3. Damage list and management: Map display, backend synchronization

• With active pipeline: Damage is linked to selected pipeline
• Without active pipeline: Damage is linked to active track ID
• Requirement: A running or already created GPS track must exist
• Input: Enter text in "Schaden beschreiben ..." and send with "Schaden erfassen"

Damage Report with Photo Attachment

You can upload a photo as an attachment when recording a damage report.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Damage Recording Button: Tap the "Record Damage" button in the map view
2. Damage Recording Sheet Opens: A form with the following fields appears:
   • Current coordinates (GPS position and Swiss coordinates) are displayed automatically
   • Text field for damage description
   • Buttons to add a photo
3. Enter Description: Enter a meaningful description of the damage (required)
4. Add Photo (optional):
   • Tap "Take Photo" to take a new photo with the camera
   • Or tap "Photo from Library" to select an existing photo
   • The selected photo is displayed in the preview
5. Save and Upload: Tap "Save"
   • The damage is first transferred to the SAMO API
   • If a photo was selected, it is then uploaded as an attachment
   • A confirmation message is displayed

Important Notes:

• Permissions: The app requires access to camera and photo library. Grant these permissions on first launch or in iOS Settings
• Photo Requirements:
  • Supported Formats: JPEG, PNG
  • Maximum Size: Depends on server (typically up to 10 MB)
  • Recommended Resolution: At least 640x480 pixels for good quality
• Upload Status: The info box indicates whether the damage and photo were uploaded successfully
• Without Photo: You can also record damages without a photo – the photo is optional
• Troubleshooting:
  • If the photo is not uploaded: Check your internet connection and SAMO server configuration
  • If the camera doesn't work: Check in iOS Settings that the app has camera access
  • If permissions are missing: Open the app settings under iOS → SAMO Infra Tracker → Permissions

Map Functions

• Base map: Standard map with roads and terrain
• Zoom functions: Pinch-to-zoom and double tap
• Position display: Current GPS position (blue dot)
• Overlays and annotations: Pipelines, GPS tracks, damage points, crosshair
• Map interaction: Tap gestures, height adjustment, automatic follow

Notes and Tips

• GPS accuracy: Use app outdoors and wait for stable signal
• Battery management: Close other apps, use low power mode
• Data connection: Ensure internet connection, tracks are also saved locally
• Privacy and security: Local storage, password security, GPS data only during sessions
• Performance optimization: Restart app, use map cache, respect feature limits

Support and Troubleshooting

• Connection issues: Check SAMO URL, user name, password
• GPS issues: Enable location services, restart app
• Track upload issues: Check internet and configuration
• Error messages: Use guidance for common messages
• Contact and help: Contact IT administrator or SAMO system administrator
• Check requirements: iOS version, free storage, location services

Known Messages

• "Server antwortet, aber Fehler: Status 401": Server is reachable, but credentials or permissions are invalid. Check user, password and backend roles.
• "Fehler beim Laden der Features: typeMismatch... Expected to decode Double but found an array": Backend response contains geometry coordinates in unexpected format. Check feature type and geometry schema in SAMO.
• "Bitte zuerst einen GPS Track starten": A track must be started before creating a damage report.

Video: SAMO Infra Tracker Preview

Appendix

• Technical specifications: Supported coordinate systems, GPS accuracy, data formats, offline functions
• Version information: See app info in iOS settings

This guide was created for SAMO Infra Tracker. For questions or issues, contact your system administrator.