Below are the questions from the Q&A session during the February 5th – Field Data Collection with Windows Mobile, Android, and Apple Devices. Similar questions have been grouped together. The list has also been grouped by topic: Data Transfer the GeoJot+ AppMapping & ReportingPricing.

Data Transfer
Q: We’re in an area with marginal cell coverage. Will the app allow the data to be stored and sent when it reaches an area with better cell coverage?
Q: What happens in a low or no internet connectivity area?
Q: How will this work when there is no mobile phone service in an area?
Q: Can you send the pictures real time back to a server or another computer?
A: GeoJot+ will still capture photos, data, and GPS location without cell service / internet connection / WiFi. If you have chosen to use the cloud data transfer, GeoJot+ will queue the data and send it as soon as there is connectivity. One notable exception is iPad without WiFi. Check out our blog post on the GPS in iPads and iPhones.

Q: Can photos be saved to hand held unit instead of the cloud?
A: Yes, absolutely

Q: Besides dropbox,what other cloud providers are compatible with your product?
A: Currently Dropbox is the only cloud provider compatible, alternative clouds and FTP data transfer could be implemented for a customer through GeoSpatial Experts professional services offerings.

App Data Collection
Q: Does the software have license sharing capability between devices?
A: Yes. One GeoJot+ subscription can cover all Android, Apple, and Windows Mobile devices, and licenses can easily be transferred as they are not tied to specific devices. The GeoJot+ app simplifies deployment and overcomes limitations of the major app stores which are not currently optimized for enterprise use. Apps no longer need to be purchased individually. The GeoJot+ Administrator’s Dashboard enables viewing and tracking of app usage, as well as the ability to add and revoke app licenses.

Q: Is there an iPad interface as well? Could you briefly display the interface?
Q: Which model of Apple can be used?
A: GeoJot+ runs on Apple and Android devices in addition to Windows Mobile. The interface is very similar enabling users at an organization to pick up any of these devices interchangeably and be able to use the app.This video shows the iPad in use. GeoJot will run on iPhone 3GS and above and the iPhone 4 with software version 4.2 or above, It will run on the iPad2 or newer but it must have the 3G option because the iPad with the 3G option has an embedded GPS chip, while the WiFi only iPad2 does not have a GPS chip. Check out our blog for more information.

Q: Which Androids can GeoJot+ work on?
A: GeoJot+ will run on any Android with an OS version of 2.3 or newer. Version 4.0 or newer is recommended.

Q: To get better accuracy have you used bluetooth with external antenna from Trimble?
Q:Can a phone/tablet use a bluetooth GPS signal with GeoJot to improve accuracy?
A: Yes, if you are using an Android device, you can use an external Trimble antenna to increase your GPS accuracy. Apple devices are more restrictive in terms of Bluetooth connectivity, there are external units available such as the sxbluegps.

Q: Can you link a higher quality camera to a GPS unit and collect more accurate data and photographs, rather than just the mobile device itself as the platform?
A: Yes, you can use any camera linked to any GPS and process that data through GeoJot+ Core to link the photos to the GPS points.

Q: What is the oldest GPS Trimble unit you can download GeoJot+ on?
Q: Which Trimble series can use GeoJot? We have a 3000 series, would this be a compatible device?
A: GeoJot+ is compatible with Trimble units running Windows 6.5 and Windows 6.1. Some of the 6.1 devices we have used for testing include a GeoExplorer 3000 and Juno SB.

Q: This is only Geo 6000 skin. You are running Windows Mobile 6.1 powered device. I think that you are using Juno S series device
A: Right you are Grzegorz! We use a piece of software called MyMobiler to display the App to the audience and the skin we were using was for a Geo 6000 but the actual demonstration device was a Juno SB.

Q: Can you display a property boundary shape file on the Trimble while in the field collecting geotagged photos?
A: That feature is not currently supported in GeoJot+.

Q: Does the Geo6000 need the NMEA option in order for GeoJot to get GPS?
A: Yes.

Q: How many attributes can a feature can have?
Q: Is there some limitation to the number of attributes and lists collected per photo?
A: You can create an unlimited number of lists. You can have 40 attributes in addition to GPS information in each list. Each attribute can have an unlimited number of values.

Q: There was a mention of 10,000 photos. If using an iPhone without connectivity in the field, won’t file storage fill up or the battery die before the end of a day or two?
A: The battery life is dependent on the hardware you are using, the settings on the device and the programs running simultaneously. Some GeoJot+ users are able to charge their phones or tablets in a vehicle between sites. Other’s can make it through an entire day without charging. Some have cases that have an additional battery. Please see the GSE blog posting on extending battery life for mobile devices.

Q: Can the field based tool be locked down so a user cannot make changes?
A: Yes the attribute lists can be locked so they cannot be edited in the field. You can also make certain fields required so that a user must enter information before the photo can be saved.

Q: What about changing units? Is possible to use metric system?
A: Yes you can change the units to the metric system under settings.

Q: How much memory will GeoJot support for multi-day offline photo sessions
A: Those limits are based on your hardware and the resolution of the phots taken, not on the GeoJot+ app.

Q: Can I view my previously captured points on a map while in the field?
A: Yes, if you go to the Camera Roll in GeoJot+, you can see all the points you have collected with your device on a map.

Q: Would you summarize GeoJot primarily as a tool for taking detailed, geotagged photos in the field? What I mean by that is the primary action for taking a point in the field, taking a photo? Versus ArcPad where I take a point and maybe attach a photo to that point in the field.
Q: How is the photo linked to the data?
A: GeoJot + is optimized for photo management. All of the data you collect in the field is written into the exif header of each photo. You can also organize and rename files based on static & dynamic parameters – which is critical when you are collecting thousands or tens of thousands of photos.

Q: If you have hundreds of values in your list, how does that impact the amount of time for collection due to scrolling?
A: That would only impact data collection by how long it took the person in the field to scroll.

Q: Can you set up the photo rename parameters at the GeoJot+ level?
A: Yes, you can rename files as they are transferred from your mobile device to the cloud. You can dynamically rename the files using attributes that you are collecting out in the field or you can assign a static name that will be used to rename all the photos. An example of dynamic naming would be having the unique ID you entered in the app being used in the file name. You can also use static and dynamic parameters to organize the photos into folders as they are uploaded to the cloud.

Q: Can we define the data type for the memos within created list? For example, numeric.
A: You can specify if the user can only select from the drop down lists you create or if they can also type in information, but you cannot set the data type to numeric.

Q: Is there a track log or only tagged photos?
A: GeoJot+ does not create a track log.

Q: Is there a way to simulate GPS tracking in GeoJot + for indoor demonstrations?
A: No, GeoJot+ does not currently have that capability.

Q: Can dropdown lists be dynamically populated based on previous selections in the attribution portion for an image?
A: Yes, there is an option you can select under advanced settings called retain values. When you select retain values, the values are sticky and the information you put in for the last photo appears when you are taking the next photo.

Q: Can we import locations and edit attributes and add a photo to the locations?
Q: Is it possible to view and edit/update records that are already stored on the cloud?
A: No GeoJot+ will not currently import existing data and allow you to edit it in the field.

Q: Can you use data from a Ricoh camera linked to a survey GPS unit?
A: Yes you can. Import that data in GeoJot+ Core just like the photos from a smartphone or tablet. But for these photos you will use the GeoTag tab (tab 2) to link those Ricoh photos with the GPS tracklog from your trimble device or the shapefile output if you are using post processed GPS data.

Q: Are there more advanced options for collection of various attribute data and photographs?
A: Yes there are more advanced options for attribute data and photo collection that can be found under the advanced settings. Items under advanced would include: GPS lock to lock in the location of an item before you step back to take the photo, Bluetooth connectivity with laser rangefinders and high accuracy GPS receivers, the ability to retain values from one photo to the next, the ability to group photos that all refer to one site/location, changing units, changing photo resolution, and others.

Q: How many pixels Geojot+ can capture?
A: Photo resolution is dependent on the mobile device you are using. GeoJot+ can take photos at the highest available resolution or can downgrade the resolution to save transfer time and disk space.

Q: Can you show the point averaging again?
A: Please watch the recorded webinar at 31:20.

Q: Can you show how the laser works with a Geo6000
A: Please watch a quick demonstration of a Trimble GPS unit with a TruPulse 360B laser at 34.25.

Q: I am having issues connecting to bluetooth on GeoXT 6000, can not find instructions
A: Please contact your Trimble resellers for support on your GeoXT 6000.

Q: Can the laser range finder be used to offset the gps coordinate also?
A: Yes absolutely. GeoJot+ can connect via Bluetooth to an external laser such as the TruPulse 360B or 200x laser rangefinders. It can also get a feed from the laser in the Trimble Geo7x.

Q: What is the accuracy level in meters?
A: GeoJot+ uses the GPS chip in the mobile device (smartphone/tablet/handheld GPS) as the primary source of GPS information. For Android and most Apple devices, the chip is not dependent on cell service, so photos collected and processed with GeoJot+ should have a 3 to 5 meter accuracy. The readings can be more or less accurate but this is the average. Trimble handheld units will have higher real time accuracy. Please contact your local Trimble reseller to get more information on the Trimble handheld GPS devices.

Q: What about Post Processing of XH data?
A: GeoJot+ can use post processed data after the fact when it is processed back in the office using a shape file in GeoJot+ Core.

Q: What does HDOP mean in the Accuracy Field while collecting data?
A: HDOP is horizontal dilution of precision. A measure of the geometric quality of a GPS satellite configuration in the sky. HDOP is a factor in determining the relative accuracy of a horizontal position. The smaller the DOP number, the better the geometry.

Q: Does GeoJot display the accuracy anywhere?
A: When you select the camera from the GeoJot+ app home screen on your mobile device, you will see the accuracy on the screen that appears before you take the photo. Accuracy data is also available in GeoJot+ Core, that data can be output to reports, shapefiles or .csv file for input into your backend database.

Mapping & Reporting & Other Output
Q: Can I use any REST service as a background layer on the map?
A: Yes, you can use any REST service as a background map on the reports that are output from GeoJot+ Core.

Q: Is there any way to automate the feed from Core into a backend database?

A: We are working with some larger customers on this. Please contact John Clark or your GeoJot+ reseller if this is a requirement for your organization.

Q:Does GeoJot+ work with ArcGIS basic?
A: Yes it works with basic, standard, and advanced. It can output shapefiles, new geodatabases, it can append existing geodatabases and it can output the data as a BLOB. GeoJot+ Core can be run within ArcGIS as an extension. Once the data is processed you should have a GeoJot+ toolbar in ArcGIS. The toolbar enables “hot linking” shapefiles to photos. You can click on a feature to the associated photo and data. Hover over a point and the thumbnail pops up.

Q: Can you export attribute data to an Access database?
A: Yes you can output to an access database when you process the data in GeoJot+ Core on your computer. During the last step of processing, Tab7 Select Output, under data files choose Access 2000 database (.mdb / .xml)

Q: How can we batch edit the gps coordinates for geotagged photos in the office using GeoJot+ Core?
A: Go to the attributes tab in GeoJot+ Core. Select all the photos you want to edit using the shift or control key, On the attribute page, the lat, long will show up as “varies”. Go ahead and type in the coordinates that you want all the selected photos to be associated with.

Q: Can GeoJot automatically increment work order numbers up in a attribute layer, as a work order is processed?
A: Not at this time.

Q: what is the best way to transfer attribute data into an Excel spreadsheet?
A: The best way would be to create the .csv output when you process the data through GeoJot+ Core on your computer.

Q: Can data be exported with projected coordinates ie) UTM NAD 83 or WGS84 ?
A: Yes, GeoJot+ Core on the desktop has integrated Blue Marble Conversion tools enabling GeoJot+ Core users to convert coordinate points to and from any map projection and datum.

Q: Is it simple to return a query of your photo data set? For example show all photos of signs which need to be replaced?
A: Yes, in the Attribute Editor tab of GeoJot+ Core, select the attribute of interest, in this case, it might be called action required , then from the drop down list, select the value you want to filter on, and then only those photos will be shown..

Q: Is there some sort of ” to do list” that can be sent to a field device that shows what inspections need to be done?
A: Not at this time.

Q: What version is the geodatabase?
A: GeoJot+ Core supports ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 and above GeoDatabases.

Q: What is the difference between Google Earth and Google Earth Pro?
A: About $399.00/year…Seriously, Google Earth is for personal use and Google Earth Pro is for professional use. See this link for more information.

Q: Can you run a report based on a certain attribute…example – you want a report where the value equals “replace” ?
A: That is coming in a future version.

Pricing
Q: Hi What is the Price of Geojot+?
Q: Can you tell us the cost of GeoJot+? what is the cost of the core vs the app? thanks
A: GeoJot+ is a full solution which includes the App, Core and the Administrator’s Dashboard. The cost is $329/user/year. There are discounts for large enterprise licenses. If you have special needs that would require the data from the GeoJot+ app to go directly into an existing database, please contact John Clark at John.Clark@GeoSpatialExperts.com or 1.303.255.5605.

Q: Do you have enterprise pricing?
A: Yes we do. Enterprise pricing includes a discount in per user cost for larger teams and the GeoJo+ 360 Implementation Blueprint. Please contact John Clark or your GeoJot+ reseller for more information.

Q: Who do we talk with to get government pricing / licensing costs, info, etc.?
A: Please talk to John Clark at John.Clark@GeoSpatialExperts.com or 1.303.255.5605. GeoJot+ is now on the GSA: GS-35F-0350S

Q: What if you bought GeoJot in 2011 for an iPhone, can you upgrade to GeoJot+?
A: Yes, we have a special upgrade deal for users of the original GeoJot app. Contact us for more information.

 

Other information

Register for the free 15 day trial of GeoJot+.

Read our case studies to see how people across the globe are photo mapping to solve business problems.