As you probably already know, you can specify an address for any step when you create a job. You can also save geocoded addresses with customer details. What you might not know is that you can save a Latitude and a Longitude (GPS Coordinates) instead of a geocoded street address with a step when you manually create or update a job.

In this article

• Why use GPS Coordinates instead of a street address? 
• How do I use GPS Coordinates?
• Supported GPS Coordinate formats

Why use GPS Coordinates instead of a street address? 

GPS coordinates are the Latitude and Longitude of a location.  They represent any geographical location on a map. Most step addresses use a geocoded address to display the location of that step on the map. This is a street address that has latitude and longitude coordinates associated with it. You can learn more about Geocoded Addresses in the article: Geocoded Addresses on the Map.

Sometimes a company might need to fix or replace something that has no street address - like a manhole cover, post box, power pylon, tree, or pothole.  In this instance, GPS Coordinates provide a more precise location than a street address. The dispatcher can simply enter the exact GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the step to enable the mobile worker to find the right location quickly and efficiently.

How do I use GPS Coordinates?

There are two options for using GPS Coordinates in a step address. Both options ensure the green tick is applied to the step showing that we know where to plot the location on the map. 

Option1 – find the closest address to a known set of coordinates

If you enter a set of coordinates without any brackets, vWorkApp will suggest the closest address for the step location.

For example, to find the closest street address to the coordinates N27 9.927, W80 8.673 you:

1. Type the coordinates into the step address field
2. Click a proposed address to select it and save it as a geolocated address with the step.
   
   

Option 2 – plot the exact location regardless of the address

Supported GPS Coordinate formats

We support either degrees decimal minutes or decimal degree coordinates in a variety of formats.  Some of the supported formats are:

Note: These formats are supported when you manually create or update a job.
If you bulk import jobs we only support formats for a street address. They must:

• include a comma.
• not have the compass direction in the coordinate.

These are supported examples:

Drop us an email at support@vworkapp.com if you need a hand with GPS coordinates or run into any problems.