The Location custom field is used to capture a location in a custom field, either as a street address or as a set of coordinates. The location is identified with a pin on the map and a location description in the custom field in the vWork mobile app.

The Location custom field is useful when mobile workers need to:

record the specific location of a new or changed feature; e.g., a new tree planting.
find the location of something they need to work on at an address for a job; e.g., a utility tower, manhole, or service meter.

Android settings to make the best use of the Location custom field

For the Location custom field to work correctly in the mobile app, make sure you allow vWork to access your location while you are using the app. This is set up in your phone’s settings under the location permissions for the vWork app. Also, make sure you enable Location Tracking in the vWork mobile app settings.
Your Android device must run at least version 10.21.1 of the vWork mobile app. We recommend you always run the latest version of vWork on your mobile device to get the best performance from the app.
Using location tracking on a mobile device can consume a lot of power. We recommend you have a method to top up your device’s battery while in the field.

View a location saved in a Location custom field

The dispatcher may save a street address or latitude and longitude coordinates in a Location custom field to help you find the exact location you need to work at. This is often a more specific location than what is shown in the step address.

In this example, we want to find a tree to prune.

To view a location saved in a Location custom field:

From the Jobs tab in Android tap the job to open the job’s Details tab.
Tap the Fields tab to show the custom fields for the job.
Tap in the Location type custom field to see the location on the map.

In this example, the label for the Location type custom field is Feature tree location 1. It has the location of a tree that needs pruning.
The Map opens and shows the location in a zoomed-out Normal view.
Use two fingers to pinch and zoom in closer if required. You can also change the view to satellite to see more detail.

❗Caution: If you tap the pin icon on the map and tap elsewhere the pin will move. This will update the location in the custom field. You can’t revert the location back to the original location saved in the field.

Save a location in a Location custom field

When the Location custom field is empty you are able to save a new location in it.

To save a location in the Location custom field:

From the Jobs tab in the Android app tap the job to open the job’s Details tab.
Tap the Fields tab to show the custom fields for the job.
Tap in the Location type custom field to open the Map.

In this example, the Location custom field is labeled Plant Locations 1. We have planted some new shrubbery and are going to save the location of the new plants in this field.
The Map shows your current location in a zoomed-out Normal view.
Use two fingers to pinch and zoom in closer. You can also change the view to satellite to see more detail.
Tap, hold and drag your finger on the map to move the crosshairs to the location you want to save.
When the pin is where you want it tap from the grey banner to confirm your selection and return you to the Location type custom field in the Fields tab.

The location is saved in the Location type custom field. It displays as the nearest street address but if you click in the field it will show the location that you selected on the Map.

Search for a location using the Location custom field

Sometimes you may need to search for a location to add it to a Location custom field. You can do this from within the Map that you open in the custom field.

To search for a location:

From the Jobs tab in the Android app tap the job to open the job’s Details tab.
Tap the Fields tab to show the custom fields for the job.
Tap in the Location custom field to open the Map. The map opens and shows your current location.

In this example, the Location custom field is labeled Location 1. While mowing a sports field we found furniture dumped near one of the entrances to the field. We want to add a note for the dispatcher and let them know what the best access is to enable the removal of the furniture.
Tap the search icon in the grey banner.
Begin typing the address that you are searching for. When you have typed enough information tap on the keyboard to display some search options for you to select from.
Select the option that best matches your search. This drops a pin on the map at the location you select.
You can zoom in on the Map and tap a new location to move the pin to exactly where you want it. When the pin is in the best location tap to confirm the location and save this to the Location custom field.
The location is saved in the Location custom field. It displays as the nearest street address but if you click in the field it will show the location that you selected on the Map.