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Handhelds Devices Settings (Handheld Commons)

The Handhelds Devices section in OPS-COM allows administrators to manage and configure handheld devices used for enforcement and data collection. This includes registering new devices, pushing messages, and updating device settings, ensuring seamless operation for field personnel and accurate data synchronization.

Using this Feature

  1. Click Tools, Handhelds Devices. Alternatively, you can access this on the Violations menu as well.
  2. The Handhelds - Common Settings screen appears, where you can manage various aspects of your handheld fleet. From here, you can edit settings such as ticket due dates, customize ticket footers, view device information, and add or manage individual handheld units.

Adding a New Device

When adding a new handheld device, the process involves both the device itself and the OPS-COM system configuration.

  1. Install Software: Start by installing the OPS-COM for Android software on the handheld device.
  2. Obtain UUID: After the first login attempt on the device, you'll receive a notice indicating the device isn't registered. This message will display a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) number. This is a 16-digit alphanumeric code typically found under your login screen on the device.
  3. Register Device in OPS-COM:
    • Once on the Handhelds - Common Settings page in the admin portal, click Add New Device.
    • A new screen will open. You must add the following information:
      • UUID: Enter the UUID obtained from the handheld device.
      • Server to Sync with: Always start by selecting the Production Server. This is a critical step for initial device registration, regardless of whether the device will eventually be used for testing on a Preview server (explained further in "Important Note - Additional Information").
      • Name: Enter a descriptive name to easily identify this device (e.g., "Patrol Unit 1," "Enforcement Officer John's Device").
      • Ensure the Enabled checkbox at the top of the entry form is selected.
    • Click Add Device once all information is in place.
Pushing Messages

You can send messages directly to your configured handheld units:

  1. On the Handhelds - Common Settings screen, click the Push Message button.
  2. Follow the prompts to compose and send your message to the selected devices.
Updating Device Data

To modify settings for an existing handheld device:

  1. On the Handhelds - Common Settings screen, click on the device name you wish to update. This will open a drop-down list of editable settings.
  2. Make your desired changes to the device's configuration.
  3. Once finished, ensure you click Process Updates to save and apply your changes to the device.

Best Practices & Considerations

  • Production Server First (Crucial):
    • Important Note: Due to the underlying logic of the Handheld Common tool, you must always register a new handheld unit on the Production admin portal first, even if its ultimate purpose is for testing on a Preview site.
    • The system initially connects to the production server, then references the PA Common/handheld assignment table (which is written from production) to determine if a unit is registered for Production or Preview. This ensures the correct routing is established in the database.
    • This initial production-side registration is also why you can refresh preview sites without losing the handheld units configured for them.
  • Adding a Handheld Unit to Preview for Testing:
    1. First, add the handheld unit to Handhelds - Common Settings on the production admin portal as described in "Adding a New Device," but select your Preview Server in the Server to Sync with field. This sets the proper database route.
    2. Next, navigate to the preview admin portal and enter the exact same device information into its Handhelds - Common Settings section.
    3. Finally, perform a reinstallation of the OPS-COM for Android software on the handheld device itself. This reinstallation allows the handheld to pick up the newly set path to the preview server.
  • Switching Between Production and Preview:
    • Once a handheld entry exists in both Production (configured for Preview sync) and Preview, you can generally switch between environments by re-pointing the Sync With setting on both the Production and Preview admin portals to your preferred path.
    • However, remember that you must perform a reinstallation of the software on the handheld unit each time you change the synchronization path in the system for the handheld device itself to update with the selected path.
  • UUID Accuracy: Ensure the UUID is entered precisely, as any error will prevent the device from connecting.
  • Descriptive Naming: Use clear, identifiable names for your handheld devices to simplify management and troubleshooting.



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