OPSCOM Enforce - iOS & Android

• Installation Setup & Maintenance
• First Time Installation - Enforce
• OPSCOM Enforce DEMO Mode
• OPSCOM Web
• App Logout
• Testing Your WIFI Connection
• Weak Wi-Fi and it's effects
• Working in Varying Lighting
• Best Practices (Enforce)
• Handheld Information & Troubleshooting
• Locate Application Version (OPSCOM Enforce App)
• Ionic - Handheld Training (Coming Soon)
• Plate Capture using Hand Held
• Handheld App Log
• Replication Status (Enforce)
• Ionic - Search Vehicles
• Search Vehicles - OPSCOM Enforce App
• Search Vehicle Results - OPSCOM Enforce App
• LPR Scanning
• Incorrect LPR Reads Updating
• Message Alerts Tab
• Violations View
• Chalking View
• Notifications from Permit Misuse
• Violations and Chalking
• Violations and Chalking
• Virtual Chalking Explanation
• Signature Capture on Violation Entry
• Towing Charges Displayed on a Violation
• Reprint Violation
• Printers & Printing
• Bluetooth Printer Mode
• Choosing & Connecting Printers
• Star Micronics Printer Configuration
• Zebra Printer Configuration
• SM-T300 Printer Configuration
• Enforce System Settings
• System Settings (Enforce)
• Auto-Update
• Managing Categories

Installation Setup & Maintenance

First Time Installation - Enforce

The First Time Installation guide outlines how to download and set up the legacy parking enforcement application on a new mobile device. Its primary purpose is to ensure field officers successfully download the application from the Google Play Store and understand the initial registration and permission requirements. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel provisioning new handheld devices.

Setup and Configuration

The installation requires both administrative setup in the web portal and physical configuration on your device.

Admin Side: 

1. Tap the Play Store app on the device's main screen to open it.

2. Tap the search bar and type OPSCOM Enforce or OPSCOM.

3. Tap the OPSCOM Enforce application icon from the search results to access the store page.

4. Tap the Install button to begin the download process.

5. Tap Accept on the settings pop-up window to grant the application access to required device integrations.

6. Tap the Open button directly within the store once the installation completes, or return to the device's home screen and tap the newly created OPSCOM app shortcut.

Using this Feature

Because this is a one-time installation process, interacting with the software primarily involves completing the initial launch and capturing the device's unique identifier.

Initial Application Launch

Upon opening the application for the very first time, the system will prevent immediate login and display a registration warning.

• Application UUID Prompt: A message will pop up stating that the device is not registered. This message displays a unique UUID number. This string is critical, as your administrator needs this exact UUID to manually register and authorize the physical tablet within the main OPS-COM system.

Updating the Application

1. Tap the Play Store app on the device's Apps screen.

2. Tap the search bar and enter OperationsCommander or OPSCOM.

3. Tap the OperationsCommander app icon to open the page.

4. Tap the Update button to perform an in-place update of the existing software.
   

5. Tap the Open button directly within the Play Store, or return to the device's home screen and tap the newly created shortcut to launch the application.

Application Uninstall

1. Tap the Play Store app on the device's Apps screen.

2. Tap the search bar and enter OperationsCommander or OPSCOM.

3. Tap the OperationsCommander app icon to open the page.

4. Tap the Uninstall button
5. A pop-up will appear to confirm this action, press the Uninstall button to remove the app from your device

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Document the UUID immediately: Officers should take note of the UUID displayed upon first launch and provide it to their supervisor. The application cannot proceed past the login screen until an administrator registers this specific hardware ID.

• Verify user permissions: If an officer's account login fails after the UUID has been registered, contact your organization's high-level administrator. The login failure is likely due to the user account missing the mandatory Add New Violation permission on the backend.

OPSCOM Enforce DEMO Mode

The Using the OPSCOM App in DEMO Mode feature allows users to access and explore the Enforce application without needing to formally register a physical device on the server. Its primary purpose is to provide a pre-populated, safe sandbox environment for training and testing core functionality. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel who are learning the system.

Setup and Configuration

No formal backend setup or device registration is required to access the demonstration environment.

Admin Side: Administrators do not need to register the handheld device's UUID or configure specific user permissions for this mode.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Simply ensure the legacy Android enforcement application is installed on the handheld device and ready to launch.

Using this Feature

Accessing the demonstration mode is done directly from the initial launch screen of the application.

Accessing Demo Mode

1. Open the application on your handheld device.

2. Tap DEMO MODE on the initial boot screen instead of choosing to register the handheld unit.

3. Tap LOGIN on the subsequent sign-in screen. The required test credentials are automatically supplied and pre-filled by the system.

Testing in Demo Mode

Once logged in, users can freely interact with the interface to practice core tasks. You can practice scenarios covered in other guides, such as Searching for a plate, Virtual Chalking, Violation and Permits Search.

Isolated Environment The data created or modified while in DEMO MODE is completely isolated. Any test violations issued or vehicles chalked during your session will not synchronize to your live administrative portal.

Available Test Data

The demonstration database is pre-populated with sample records to facilitate testing. Use the information in the table below to practice searches and issue test violations:

Username	First Name	Last Name	User Type	Plate(s)	VIN Number(s)	Violations	Permits
spencer	Spencer	Carr	Full Time Staff	SPENCE
jparsons	Julie	Parsons	Complimentary	JULPAR, ASDA347	1q21242143124213		COM100 - Unpaid
jrockwood	James	Rockwood	F/T Student	JROCK	5SXHANDC38RZ55506		R102 - Red Student Lot W
sjamieson	Steph	Jamieson	P/T Student	SJAM, SJAM2	2T1BU4EE5DC972469, 1N4AL3AP5DN517821	TT-10001	100 - Red Student W, 102 Red Student W
johndoe	John	Doe	F/T Staff	ABC316	1FMCU0EG1CKB65454		501 - Unpaid
skjones	Jones	Sarah	Daily Reserved	AKRJ259
vcosta	Voula	Costa	Daily Reserved	VCOST	2GCEC19V531113601		L103 - Unpaid
bcameron	Brady	Cameron	Complimentary	BCAM			COM100 - Unpaid
sbyers	Sheldon	Byers	Daily Reserved	SHELBY	1G8ZN12871Z117051		L100 - Unpaid
pbirch	Patricia	Birch	F/T Staff	BIRCH, No Plate	1N6AD0ER5FN709323, 1GKS1AKC7FR518845	TT-10003	None
mashbury	Micheal	Ashbury	P/T Staff	MASH, ASDA437, BDHE385	JNAMA43H9XGE50339	15-170420,TT-10010	Monthly, 0005 - Red Staff Lot West, 0002 - Red Staff Lot West, 50 -After 4PM, 500 - Green Staff Lot East - UNPAID

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Use demo mode for training: Organizations should establish a business rule requiring all new field officers to complete training exercises in DEMO MODE before issuing live tickets. This ensures staff are comfortable with the interface and prevents accidental test violations from entering the live production database.

OPSCOM Web

The OPSCOM on the Web feature provides a convenient shortcut from the mobile application directly to the main administrative web portal. Its primary purpose is to allow administrators and field staff to seamlessly transition from the mobile app to a full web browser to access backend tools and manage tasks. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the Enforce application.

Setup and Configuration

This feature utilizes the device's default web browser and requires no specialized backend configuration within the OPS-COM portal.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Ensure the handheld device has an active internet connection and at least one standard web browser app (such as Google Chrome) installed to load the page properly.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can use this shortcut to quickly jump from their active mobile session to the full OPS-COM login page.

Accessing the Web Portal

1. Tap OPS-COM on the Web from the main menu of the mobile application.

2. Tap your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome) from the pop-up list when prompted by the operating system to choose an application.

3. Tap Just Once or Always to confirm your browser selection and execute the launch.

4. Log in to the standard OPS-COM web portal using your credentials once the browser redirects you to the login page.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Select a default browser: Tap Always when selecting your preferred web browser to streamline future access. Setting a default browser skips the OS prompt, allowing the login page to launch immediately during subsequent uses.

• Maintain active connectivity: Ensure your device is connected to a reliable network before attempting to use this shortcut. Because this feature redirects you to a live, external web page, it will not function if the device is currently in a dead zone or operating offline.

Network Requirements In order for this feature to work properly, the tablet must be in an area in which it is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular data. If the device is offline, the browser will open but display a connection error.

App Logout

The Application Logout process securely closes the enforcement application at the end of a patrol shift. Its primary purpose is to protect access to the system by requiring a password for reentry, while automatically synchronizing all locally collected field data (such as issued violations and newly chalked vehicles) with the main database. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

This functionality is a native security and synchronization feature of the application and requires no backend configuration.

Admin Side: Enforcement officers should verify that their handheld device has an active and stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) before initiating the logout sequence to ensure a successful final data sync.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must interact with the built-in logout sequence rather than simply minimizing or force-closing the application to ensure data integrity.

Logging Out of the Application

1. Tap Logout from the drop down menu in the top left corner of the OPS-COM Enforce application.

2. Tap the confirmation on the pop-up message to confirm you want to log off. The program will automatically synchronize all data with the main database before securely closing and returning you to the main login screen.

Confirming Data Synchronization

If you want to be absolutely certain your data is secure before logging out, or if you suspect a previous automatic sync failed:

1. Tap Sync Status from the main menu or full menu to force a manual synchronization of all local records.
   

Sync Errors During Logout If you receive a synchronization error message during the automated logout process, your data has not been lost. Log back into the application when you reach an area with a stronger network connection and manually tap the Synchronize Data option to force the upload.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Properly shut down after every shift: Officers must use the Application Logout button rather than simply closing or minimizing the app. Proper logout ensures the device is securely locked behind a password and that critical citation data is immediately uploaded to the dispatch center.

• Handle offline logouts carefully: If you log off in a location without internet access, your data is securely saved locally on the tablet, but it will not synchronize with the main database. In this scenario, you must ensure a synchronization occurs the next time you sign into the OPS-COM program with an active network connection.

Testing Your WIFI Connection

The Testing Your WIFI Connection guide provides instructions for measuring Wi-Fi signal strength and channel congestion using a mobile application. Its primary purpose is to help identify and troubleshoot connectivity issues that may cause signal drops for mobile enforcement devices in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and enforcement staff.

Setup and Configuration

To accurately test your network connection, you must install a specific third-party diagnostic application on your Android handheld device.

Admin Side (Enforcement Staff):

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android handheld device.

2. Search for and download WifiAnalyzer (OpenSource) by VREM Software Group. This is a free utility application.

Using this Feature

Administrators and staff can use this application to take a precise measurement of their Wi-Fi strength and identify the source channel.

1. Open the WifiAnalyzer application on your device.

2. Tap the menu icon (three parallel lines) located at the top left of the screen to open the main menu.

3. Tap Access Points to view a detailed list of available networks and their current signal strengths.

4. Tap Channel Graph to view a visual representation of channel congestion and overlapping network signals.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• Signal Strength Graph: The signal strength is visually represented as a column of color rising from the bottom of the graph, typically ranging from -100 dBm to -20 dBm.

• Reading dBm Values: Correction note: Signal strength is measured in negative decibel-milliwatts (dBm). Because these are negative numbers, a value closer to zero (e.g., -20 dBm) indicates a much stronger and better signal, whereas a lower number (e.g., -100 dBm) indicates a very weak signal.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Monitor throughout the day: It is highly recommended to monitor the connection periodically throughout the day. Wi-Fi environments fluctuate, and observing how much the signal goes up and down can help pinpoint exactly when and why connectivity drops occur.

• Check channel congestion: Pay close attention to how many devices or networks are broadcasting on the exact same channel. Too many devices trying to access the same channel simultaneously will create interference and have a severe adverse effect on your connectivity strength.

• Capture data for support: Please provide screen captures of both the Access Points and Channel Graph screens when contacting support. Having a visual record of the exact dBm reading for your Wi-Fi source and the channel congestion allows the OPS-COM support team to assist you much more effectively.

Weak Wi-Fi and it's effects

The How weak Wi-Fi can affect OPSCOM guide outlines how network connectivity impacts the application. Its primary purpose is to help administrators and field officers troubleshoot Wi-Fi issues, understand how data synchronizes, and ensure offline records are properly uploaded to the main server. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Data synchronization occurs natively within the application, but administrators can customize how frequently the device attempts to auto-sync when idle.

Admin Side: Administrators or supervisors can adjust the idle Auto-Sync time interval (or disable it entirely) by accessing the System Settings menu on the handheld device.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Officers must ensure the device's Wi-Fi receiver is turned on and connected to a reliable network when starting a shift, or when returning to a dispatch area to upload offline data.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel do not need a constant connection to issue violations, but they must interact with the application's synchronization tools to push that data to the main database.

Testing Connectivity in the Field

If you suspect you have lost your Wi-Fi connection while on patrol:

1. Open the native web browser on your tablet device.

2. Attempt to load any standard public web page. If the browser cannot connect to the website, the device does not have sufficient signal strength to connect with the OPS-COM server.

Manually Synchronizing Data

When you return to an area with known Wi-Fi coverage (like the main office or a connected vehicle), you can manually push your offline data.

1. Tap Synchronize Data from the main menu of the OPS-COM application. The synchronization process will begin immediately.

Understanding Auto-Sync

The application is designed to automatically sync in three specific instances to protect your data:

• Startup: A sync is performed automatically when the app is launched, provided you have connectivity. (Note: If you have poor connectivity upon startup, the app will display an error and will not allow you to log in).

• Logout: The unit will run a final auto-sync when you use the formal logout button.

• Idle: The unit will auto-sync when the device has been completely idle for the duration specified in the system settings.

Idle Timer Behavior The idle Auto-Sync is a precaution to ensure syncing happens when an officer has not manually synced in a while. If your idle setting is 15 minutes, the unit must remain completely untouched for 15 minutes. If the tablet is used for any task during that time, the 15-minute timer restarts.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• Data Available Warning: When offline data is waiting to be uploaded, a red flashing message will appear at the top of the screen indicating Data available to sync: followed by the number of violations and vehicles stored locally.

• Sync Successful: Once a proper sync has occurred and all data is transferred to the main server, the red data available warning will disappear from the screen.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Understand environmental signal interference: Be aware that structural objects, concrete, brick, and load-bearing walls severely affect signal strength. Keep this in mind if patrolling interiors such as parking garages or underground levels, as you will likely lose connection and need to sync later.

• Perform an end-of-shift sync: Always return to the main menu and allow a sync, or force a manual sync, before logging out for the day at the end of your shift. This guarantees all field data is securely uploaded.

• Log out properly: Do not simply put the app in the background, close it from the recent apps menu, or power off the unit while it is running. You must log out of the application properly using the interface to trigger the final logout auto-sync.

• Consider electrical interference: Be aware that devices operating on the 2.4GHz frequency (such as certain appliances and older electronics) can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. While not the most common cause of complete signal loss, it is worth considering if you repeatedly fail to sync in a specific indoor location.

Don't Panic! If you cannot sync immediately due to a dead zone, it is not a critical issue. The OPS-COM app is designed to store your work locally. As long as you perform a manual sync when you return to an area with better connectivity, your data is safe.

Working in Varying Lighting

The Working in Low and Bright Light guide outlines how to manage device screen brightness and optimize camera settings for nighttime patrols. Its primary purpose is to ensure field officers can operate their handheld units comfortably without eye strain and capture clear violation photos regardless of ambient lighting conditions. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the Enforce application.

Setup and Configuration

Managing light settings is performed directly on the mobile device operating system and native camera application. It does not require any backend adjustments within the OPS-COM administrative portal.

Admin Side: No specific configuration is required within the administrative portal.

User Side: Enforcement officers must familiarize themselves with their specific device's quick settings shade and native camera application preferences to make on-the-fly adjustments during their shift.

Using this Feature

Field personnel can quickly adjust their screen brightness for viewing comfort and modify camera settings to ensure optimal photo evidence collection in low-light environments.

Adjusting Screen Brightness

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the device screen to reveal the quick settings menu.

2. Drag the brightness slider left to manually dim the screen for low-light conditions, or right to increase brightness for daylight visibility.

3. Tap the Auto checkbox (or equivalent auto-brightness toggle) to allow the device to dynamically adjust the screen brightness based on available ambient light.

Taking Photos at Night

To capture the highest quality photo evidence when working with the camera flash in low-light situations, adjust the native camera settings:

1. Open your device's native camera settings menu.

2. Select Matrix for the metering option (rather than a centered reading).

3. Set the flash option to Always On.

4. Enable the Low Light Detection option if your device supports it.

Brightness Overrides Depending on the manufacturer, some Android handheld units feature a specialized brightness override within the camera settings. Enabling this can significantly improve image processing, yielding much better evidentiary photos during night patrols.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Utilize auto-brightness: Enable auto-brightness to preserve battery life. Manually leaving the screen at maximum brightness during a full shift will rapidly drain the device battery. Allowing the system to manage brightness automatically ensures optimal visibility while conserving power.

• Test your camera configurations: Always take a few test photos in your patrol environment after modifying camera settings. Because native camera applications vary heavily between different tablet manufacturers, taking test shots ensures your matrix metering and flash settings are producing clear, legible license plate captures before you begin issuing active violations.

Best Practices (Enforce)

The Best Practices guide outlines the recommended daily maintenance routines for field enforcement handhelds. Its primary purpose is to ensure devices remain connected, up-to-date, and synchronized with the core database for optimal performance in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the Enforce application.

Setup and Configuration

Maintaining the handheld devices requires minimal backend configuration, but relies on consistent network availability.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure devices are properly provisioned with Play Store access so they can receive regular application updates.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must ensure their device has an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data) to successfully download updates and synchronize enforcement data.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel should regularly interact with the device's update and synchronization features to maintain system health.

Updating the Application

1. Tap the Play Store app on your handheld device to open it.

2. Search for OPSCOM using the search bar.

3. Tap the red and black OPSCOM Enforce application icon from the search results.

4. Tap the Update button if there is a new version available.

Application Closure Required Prior to tapping the update button in the store, verify that you have fully closed the active OPS-COM application running in the background.

Synchronizing Data

1. Verify the tablet is in an area with a stable internet connection.

2. Tap Synchronize Data from the main menu to force the tablet to sync all local data with the main database immediately.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

When patrolling, monitor the top left panel of the Search pages to verify your Database Connection State:

• Green Dot: Indicates a healthy, active connection to the live database systems.

• Orange Dot: Indicates that the system has lost its live connection but is currently operating on cached data. The system is still fully usable, but if the orange dot remains for an extended period, it is best to restart the application to reset the network connections.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Reset handheld units daily: It is highly recommended to restart all handheld units before each shift. Resetting the unit refreshes network connections and allows any pending auto-updates to be installed. If the app is left running indefinitely, the system cannot auto-update, and you will miss out on recent changes.

• Kill background applications entirely: Make sure to completely shut down the app, rather than simply minimizing or switching away from it at the end of your shift. To swipe the app out of memory, access the Recent Apps screen.

• Clear the application cache for persistent issues: If connection or performance issues persist even after restarting the app, try refreshing the app's cache through your device's native settings menu.

• Check your version frequently: It is important to always run the latest version of OPSCOM Parking Enforcement. Regularly checking the Play Store for updates prevents unexpected bugs and ensures you have access to the latest field features.

Handheld Information & Troubleshooting

Locate Application Version (OPSCOM Enforce App)

The Locate OPSCOM Enforce App Version guide details how to easily find the current software version and unique handheld identifier for your mobile enforcement device. Its primary purpose is to help administrators and enforcement staff quickly verify that their handhelds are running the most up-to-date software, which is critical for troubleshooting and system compatibility. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

To ensure your enforcement device is running correctly, staff must download and maintain the application via official app stores.

User Side (Enforcement Staff):

1. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your handheld device.

2. Search for the OPSCOM Enforce application.

3. Tap the application to view its store details.

4. Tap the Update button if it is visible. If the button displays as Install or Open, you are either installing it for the first time or already running the latest available store version.

Using this Feature

Finding the version details does not require logging into the application, making it easily accessible for quick reference.

Locating the Version Details

1. Open the OPSCOM Enforce app on your handheld device.

2. Remain on the initial Login Screen.

3. Look directly below the LOGIN button and the username/password fields to find the system details block.

Key Information Displayed

• Handheld Identifier: A unique alphanumeric string (e.g., cfc6e8847133ab9e) located immediately below the LOGIN button that identifies your specific physical device.

• Application Version: The current build of the app installed on the device (e.g., 13.7.291222).

• Database Version (DB): The current version of the local database schema (e.g., v240610).

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Keep devices updated: Regularly check the app store to ensure enforcement handhelds are running the latest version of the application. Running outdated versions can lead to synchronization errors, connectivity drops, or missing features in the field.

• Provide details for support: Always provide the Application Version and Handheld Identifier when submitting support tickets. This specific information allows the OPS-COM support team to accurately diagnose device-specific issues much more efficiently.

This administrative article is currently slated to be combined with a broader handheld troubleshooting guide in a future documentation update to centralize enforcement app resources.

Ionic - Handheld Training (Coming Soon)

This article will provide comprehensive training materials, including slide presentations and video tutorials, for the OPS-COM Ionic handheld application. These resources are designed to help OPS-COM administrators and enforcement personnel effectively navigate, configure, and utilize the new handheld interface in the field.

Setup and Configuration

The training materials are currently added here. This section provides instructions on how administrators can access, download, and distribute the slideshows and video content to their enforcement teams.

Using this Feature

When new training resources are made available, they will be organized below:

Training Videos: Video tutorials demonstrating key actions within the application are linked here below. These videos provide visual guidance on standard handheld interactions, such as how to Tap to select items, Double Tap to trigger specific actions, and Tap and Hold to reveal drop-down menus or popup information boxes.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Check Back Regularly: We recommend bookmarking this page or tracking its revisions to stay informed when the new training slideshows and videos are uploaded.

• Familiarize with Hardware: Ensure your enforcement staff is familiar with the basic operation of the handheld devices themselves.

• Verify Device Readiness: Ensure all field devices are fully updated and meet the necessary requirements to run the Ionic application prior to beginning formal training.

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Related Videos

Access the full playlist here: Handheld Training

Plate Capture using Hand Held

The Plate Capture feature utilizes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to allow parking enforcement officers to search vehicle license plates using the camera on their mobile device. Its primary purpose is to expedite the vehicle lookup process in the field, reducing manual entry errors and streamlining ticketing workflows. This guide is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

The plate capture functionality is built natively into the OPS-COM enforcement application and requires minimal initial setup.

Admin Side: 

1. Open the OPS-COM Enforce app on your handheld device.

2. Tap Search Vehicles.

3. Tap the camera icon.

4. Grant the requested device permissions to allow the application access to your camera (this notification will only pop up during the initial use).

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can use the OCR scanner to quickly look up vehicles instead of typing out plate numbers on the digital keypad.

Capturing a License Plate

1. Open the Vehicle Search page in the handheld application.

2. Tap the camera icon to activate the scanner.

3. Position the device so the license plate is aligned directly within the green box located in the middle of the screen's field of view.

4. Tap and Hold the screen for 3 seconds to capture the image and save the read.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Isolate the primary plate characters: Ensure only the core plate number is captured within the alignment box. Avoid capturing extraneous text on the license plate, such as the state, province, or jurisdictional mottos. If the camera captures header text (e.g., "Indiana" or "Ontario"), the read will likely be unsuccessful or inaccurate.

• Provide appropriate camera permissions: Make sure to allow access to the device's camera when prompted. If permissions are accidentally denied, the OCR feature will fail to launch, and field personnel will be forced to use manual text entry until permissions are restored in the device settings.

• Maintain optimal lighting and distance: For the most accurate reads, hold the device steady, avoid severe glare, and ensure the entire plate cleanly fills the green bounding box without cutting off any alphanumeric characters.

Check your scan results: If the search returns an incorrect plate or a "Not Found" error due to dirt, shadows, or a complex plate background, simply reposition your camera to exclude any small text and Tap and Hold to try the scan again.

Handheld App Log

The Handheld Operation Log feature allows the mobile device to record and store data regarding the operations and functions performed on the enforcement unit. Its primary purpose is to help identify and troubleshoot technical issues by providing detailed diagnostic information directly to the support team. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the Enforce application.

Setup and Configuration

The operation logging feature runs automatically in the background of the handheld application and requires no specialized backend configuration.

Admin Side: Ensure the handheld device is connected to a network and synchronizing regularly to allow for automatic log uploads.

Using this Feature

When technical issues arise, OPS-COM Support personnel may request that you manually send a log file to them. Administrators and field staff can send, view, or extract these logs using the following methods.

Viewing Logs via the Troubleshooting Panel

If you need to quickly review the recent log entries without sending them:

1. Navigate to the main menu.

2. Tap Troubleshooting which brings you to select a tool

3. Select App Logs to view data

Once in the App Logs page you can scroll through recent logs and changes as well as a few other options. 

Available Actions: At the top of the page there are three buttons: Copy, Refresh and Exit(X). Below the X there is the option to "Upload Now" and to the right is a notice of when the data was last uploaded. The last available action is the drop-down menu to select what data to show/search through by date, time and upload. 

Extracting Logs via USB

If the device is completely offline and cannot transmit the log via the application, it can be extracted manually.

1. Connect the handheld device to a computer using a USB cable or a wireless file transfer application.

2. Navigate the internal storage to locate the OPS-COM application folder.

3. Copy the specific log file to your computer.

4. Attach the copied file to an email and send it directly to your support representative.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Coordinate with support: Only manually push logs or extract them via USB when explicitly requested by OPS-COM Support personnel. Unsolicited log files without an associated support ticket may not be reviewed.

• Maintain device connectivity: Ensure field devices are brought online and synchronized regularly. Regular synchronization prevents the local storage from filling up and ensures support has access to recent data if an issue occurs.

Automatic Log Uploads Log files are natively designed to automatically upload to the OPS-COM server for review once they are more than one day old. For example, logs created on Monday will automatically upload to the server on Tuesday around midnight, assuming the handheld is online and performs a successful synchronization at some point after the 24-hour mark.

Replication Status (Enforce)

The Replication Status screen within the OPSCOM Enforce App displays the synchronization state of all local database tables against the central server. Its primary purpose is to help identify connectivity issues and allow users to manually manage data synchronization when necessary. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement staff.

Setup and Configuration

The Replication Status feature is built natively into the application and does not require backend configuration.

Admin Side: Staff must have the OPSCOM Enforce app installed on their handheld device and be logged in to view the local database tables.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can use this feature to check the health of their connection and manually force data pushes if records are failing to upload automatically.

Viewing System Status

1. Tap the Replication Status option from the main application menu.

2. Review the list of database tables on the Record Counts and Data Table Tools screen.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

The following icons are used to clearly indicate the synchronization status of each individual table:

• Green Checkmark: Table data is successfully synchronized with the server.

• Red X: Table data is NOT synchronized with the server.

• Blue Exclamation Point: There is currently no table data that needs to be synchronized between the handheld and the server.

During normal use (i.e., when actively issuing violations), it is completely expected that tables like VehicleTransfer and ViolationsTransfer may temporarily display a Red X. This simply indicates that new data has been captured on your local device and is waiting in the queue to be synced to the server.

Replication Actions (Table-Specific)

You can perform targeted actions on individual tables if they are stuck or experiencing issues.

1. Tap and Hold an individual table to open a pop-up message with additional options.

2. Tap one of the following actions:

   • Push table data to the server: This will attempt to manually upload the local device's table data to the server. This is generally safe to do, as nothing is overwritten or removed.

   • Rebuild and retrieve table data: This option will permanently delete the local table data and retrieve the newest available data from the server.

   • Delete local table data: This will permanently delete the local table data but has no effect on the server.

   • Email debug details to Tomahawk: This will send an email log file to OPS-COM support containing helpful information for troubleshooting issues.

Never select the rebuild or delete functions unless explicitly instructed by OPSCOM Support. Doing so can result in the permanent loss of violations or vehicle data that has not yet been synchronized to the server.

Replication Options (System-Wide)

There are additional system-wide options available to manage the entire database at once.

1. Tap the Options icon (menu button) located in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

2. Tap one of the following actions:

   • Rebuild database: This will delete ALL local table data across the entire device.

   • Synchronize all: The device will attempt to safely synchronize ALL table data with the server.

   • Send config to Tomahawk: This will send a comprehensive email log file to support for debugging.

   • Download new config: The device will re-download all relevant system settings (e.g., organization details, device name, ticket footer) on the next startup.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Rely on standard login for synchronization: If your unit is working correctly, none of these manual options should be necessary. We highly recommend simply logging out and logging back into the application as needed, which acts as a safe, natural trigger for proper synchronization.

• Communicate before sending logs: If you need to use the Email debug details option, please notify the OPS-COM support team first if possible, or only select it when actively requested by a support technician.

• Verify synchronization before any rebuilds: If you are instructed to rebuild your database, always ensure you have attempted to push table data to the server first. Verify that all tables marked with a Red X are cleared to prevent catastrophic data loss.

Ionic - Search Vehicles

Search Vehicles - OPSCOM Enforce App

The Search Vehicles function on the OPSCOM enforcement application is the primary tool for field personnel to look up vehicle information by license plate or VIN, verify parking permit status, and initiate enforcement actions. Its primary purpose is to allow enforcement officers to quickly retrieve actionable vehicle data in the field. This guide is intended for operators of OPSCOM handheld units.

Setup and Configuration

The Vehicle Search function is a core, native component of the handheld application and does not require any special administrative configuration or backend setup to function.

Admin Side: No setup is required. Simply ensure your device is actively connected to a network to receive real-time data, though offline cached searches are supported.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators A colored dot at the top of the search panel indicates the device's current connection status: Green Dot: The unit is actively connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network (3G/LTE). Yellow Dot: The unit is not connected. Searches can still be performed using cached data, but the information may not be real-time.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can use this feature to query vehicles using manual text entry, voice commands, or the device's camera for optical character recognition.

Performing a Vehicle Search

Tap Vehicle Search from the main menu and use one of the three methods below to enter vehicle information.

1. Select a Parking Lot Group in the drop-down menu
2. Select a Parking Zone in the drop-down menu

Text Search

1. Tap the text field on the Vehicle Search screen to activate the on-screen keypad.

2. Enter the full license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

3. Tap the Search button.

Voice Search

1. Tap the microphone icon to activate the voice recognition feature.

2. Clearly speak the license plate number when the prompt appears. The system will transcribe the speech directly into the search field.

3. Tap the Search button.

LPR and OCR Camera Search

1. Tap the camera icon to enter License Plate Recognition (LPR) search mode.

2. Position the device's camera so the vehicle's license plate is aligned within the on-screen rectangle.

3. Tap and Hold the screen to capture an image of the plate.

4. Tap the correct plate number from the resulting list of possibilities to initiate the search.

Reviewing Search Results

After a successful search, the vehicle and permit details will appear below the search area. Tapping on the vehicle record expands a yellow ribbon, revealing available actions for that specific vehicle. You can also tap directly on the permit information displayed under the license plate for a quick view of its expiry details.

Available Actions and Buttons

• Virtual Chalk: Tap this button to apply a virtual chalk to the vehicle, logging its current location and time for time-limit enforcement.

• Issue Violation: Tap this button to proceed directly to the violation issuance screen for this specific vehicle.

• Details: Tap this button to view a comprehensive screen displaying all permit and vehicle details.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Connect to a network when possible: While offline searches are possible thanks to the device's data cache, always connect to a network when possible. This ensures you are working with the most current, real-time permit and violation data.

• Optimize your camera scans: For best results with the LPR and OCR camera search, ensure the license plate is well-lit, clean, and fills as much of the alignment rectangle as possible.

• Reduce audio interference: For the most accurate voice search results, speak clearly in an environment with minimal background noise.

Search Vehicle Results - OPSCOM Enforce App

The Search Vehicle Results screen allows field personnel to interpret the information returned after looking up a specific vehicle. Its primary purpose is to help officers verify parking rights, review a vehicle's history, and make informed enforcement decisions directly in the field. This guide is intended for personnel using OPS-COM Android handheld units.

Setup and Configuration

While the handheld results screen requires no configuration for the end-user, administrators control how much historical violation data is sent to the devices.

Admin Side:

1. Hover over System Configuration and click System Settings.

2. Click the Violations tab.

3. Locate the Violation History on Handhelds setting.

4. Set the desired date range (e.g., 6 months or 12 months) to limit how far back the visible violation list goes on the handheld devices.

Using this Feature

After performing a vehicle search, the application presents detailed information in a multi-layered interface, starting with a high-level summary and allowing you to drill down into specific details.

Results Summary

Immediately after a successful search, a list of potential plate matches is shown while a summary for the vehicles is displayed.

• Key Information Displayed: The license plate, Province/State, and the type of vehicle (e.g., passenger, commercial).

Quick Actions (More Details)

Tap the vehicle record in the results list to expand the More Details section. This reveals further information on the make, model, color of the car (if available), details on the violation history, and a set of quick action buttons.

• Chalk: Tap this button to instantly initiate the Virtual Chalking workflow for time-limit enforcement.

• Violation: Tap this button to proceed directly to the Issuing a Violation screen for the selected vehicle.

• Details: Tap this button to open a comprehensive screen containing the vehicle's complete history.

The Details Screen

Tap the Details button for a complete overview of a vehicle's record. This screen is the central hub for all historical data related to a vehicle in the system and is organized into three distinct tabs.

Current Permits Tab

• Key Information Displayed: A complete list of all current permits associated with the license plate. Each entry provides key information such as the permit type, its validity period (start and end dates), and the specific lots where it is valid.

Violations Tab

• Key Information Displayed: A historical log of all violations previously issued to the vehicle. For each entry, you can review the violation date, type of infraction, and its current status (e.g., paid, outstanding).

• All-Time Violations: This count includes every non-spoiled violation the vehicle has ever received (Total Paid, Unpaid, and Warnings). This all-time total may be higher than the actual list of violations visible on the page because the list is filtered by the administrative history setting, while this summary counts absolutely everything.

• History Period Violations: This count only includes violations that occurred within the date range set by your administrator. This ensures officers apply escalation policies correctly (e.g., booting after 3 violations in the last 12 months) without accidentally counting ancient history.

The All-Time Violations count on the Violations tab will always exactly match the total violation count displayed in the More Details section of the main search results screen.

Recent Chalk Records Tab

• Key Information Displayed: A history of all Virtual Chalking events for the vehicle. It serves as a log to track time-limit enforcement, displaying the date, time, and location of each chalking instance.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Review all tabs: Always review all three tabs in the Details screen to get a complete vehicle history before issuing a violation. A pattern of previous violations or chalks can provide important context for enforcement and escalation.

• Check permit validity closely: When checking the Current Permits tab, pay close attention to the valid dates and lot assignments for each permit to ensure the vehicle is compliant at the exact current time and location.

• Monitor your connection status: Always check the connection dot at the top of the search panel, as the accuracy of the data depends on the device's last synchronization. A green connection dot indicates you are viewing real-time information, while a yellow dot means you are viewing potentially outdated data from the device's local cache.

LPR Scanning

The LPR Scanning interface provides real-time data and visual cues when using the handheld's License Plate Recognition (LPR) capabilities. Its primary purpose is to help field officers quickly identify vehicles in violation, track chalked vehicles, and effectively monitor their active scanning status during patrols. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the application.

Setup and Configuration

The LPR scanning interface relies on core system settings established in the backend, but the interface itself is ready to use natively within the app.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure that lot grace periods, permit rules, and any vehicles of interest (hotlists) are accurately configured within the core OPS-COM administrative portal, as the handheld relies on this data to display the correct flags.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): No specific device setup is required. Enforcement officers simply need to log in to the OPS-COM Enforce app and navigate to the LPR scanning section with their device's camera or external LPR hardware active.

Using this Feature

The LPR screen is designed to present crucial enforcement data rapidly as the officer moves through a lot.

Key Information Displayed

• Running Scan Total: Located on the right side of the screen, just above the recent read list. This number indicates the total amount of plate reads successfully captured during your current patrol session.

• Camera Directional Arrow: An orange arrow displayed beside the plate image indicates exactly which camera (e.g., the right-side camera) captured the recent plate read.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

The system uses colored flags to instantly communicate the status of a scanned license plate:

• Red Flag: Indicates the scanned plate is currently in violation.

• Green Flag: Indicates the scanned plate holds a valid permit or authorization.

• Orange Flag: Indicates the vehicle has been chalked and is currently still within its allowed grace period.

If no cameras are configured to the account and area the Key Info, Visual Cues and Status Indicators like mentioned above will not show up when you open the LPR Scanning tab. In the top right corner there will be a small message letting you know there are no connected cameras and head to settings to add them. 

Available Actions and Buttons

• Parking Lot Group/Zone drop-down menu: Tap these menus to select the group and the parking zone to scan through.

• Plates-of-Interest Toggle: Tap this toggle located at the top of the panel to initiate alert-only scanning. Once selected, no standard permit validation will be performed, vehicles will continue to be chalked normally, and loud alert notifications will be presented on the device only if a specific vehicle of interest is seen.

• Plate Entry: You have two options - Manual Entry and Voice Entry. Either type in the plate or read the plate out loud to be transcribed in order to find all details linked to it in the system.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Always resume scanning after edits: Remember to tap the ON button after manually editing a plate read. Failing to toggle the scanner back to green means the system remains in offline mode, and subsequent plates will not be scanned as you continue your patrol.

• Utilize alert-only mode for targeted patrols: Use the Plates-of-Interest toggle when specifically hunting for scofflaws, stolen vehicles, or banned users, rather than performing general parking enforcement. This streamlines the patrol process and prevents the officer from being distracted by standard permit validation alerts.

Incorrect LPR Reads Updating

The Incorrect LPR Reads Update process allows officers to manually correct license plate numbers that were misread by the device's camera. Its primary purpose is to ensure accurate enforcement and maintain reliable database records by fixing optical character recognition (OCR) errors directly in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the handheld application.

Setup and Configuration

This correction feature is native to the LPR scanning module and does not require any specialized backend setup.

Admin Side: Ensure you are logged into the application and actively conducting patrols using the LPR scanning tool.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can seamlessly correct misread plates without having to exit their active patrol session.

Correcting a Plate Read

1. Tap LPR Scanning from the main menu to open the LPR Scanning page.

2. Locate the incorrectly read plate from the active list of plate reads generated during your patrol.

3. Tap the text field of the incorrect plate and manually type the correct alphanumeric characters (e.g., if the camera read VZ7281, but the actual plate is BVZT282, type the missing letters).

4. Tap Search & Update to refresh the record and display the updated, correct plate number.

5. Tap the red OFF button to toggle it back to the green ON state to resume your patrol.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• Offline Mode Indicator: The moment you tap into a field to adjust a plate read, the LPR system automatically enters an offline state to prevent the camera from overwriting your work. This is indicated by the main scanning button changing from a green ON state to a red OFF state.

• Database Synchronization: Once you tap Search & Update, the correction is not just local to your screen. The record is immediately updated within the core database to reference the newly corrected plate data.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Always remember to toggle the scanner back to ON after updating a plate. If you leave the button in the red OFF state, the system will not capture any subsequent plates as you continue to move through the lot.

• Take a moment to verify the physical plate or the captured context image before submitting a fix. This ensures that you do not accidentally introduce a secondary typo while correcting the initial OCR error.

Message Alerts Tab

The Message Alerts feature provides a centralized communication channel for pushing important news, updates, and urgent notifications directly to patrol officers' handheld devices. Its primary purpose is to help administrators ensure field staff are immediately aware of changing situations, safety notices, or operational directives. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the application.

Setup and Configuration

The messaging system is native to the application and requires no specialized configuration on the mobile device itself.

Admin Side: Administrators create and push alert messages to all active units or individual specific handhelds via the core OPS-COM administrative portal.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): No setup is required. Enforcement officers simply need to be logged into the handheld application and maintain an active network connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) to receive incoming messages.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can receive alerts in real-time or review previously sent messages at their convenience through the application interface.

Reviewing Message Alerts

1. Tap Message Alerts from the main menu of the OPS-COM Enforce application to open the message center.

2. Review the list of recent alerts sent to your device.

Message Notifications

When a new message is pushed to the device, officers are notified through several standard methods even if the app is running in the background:

1. Look at the device's top header bar to see new message icons as they arrive.

2. Swipe down on the header bar to open the notification shade for a quick preview of the alert text.

3. Tap the specific alert notification to automatically open the OPS-COM application and navigate directly to the Message Alert list.

App Icon Badges If you are on the device's home screen, the OPS-COM application shortcut icon will display a notification badge (a small numbered dot) indicating that you have unread messages waiting.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

Alerts are categorized into three distinct types, indicated by color, to help officers instantly gauge the priority of the message:

• Blue Alerts: These alerts are for general informational purposes (e.g., a reminder about an upcoming shift change).

• Yellow Alerts: These alerts are used to inform users of events or situations that should be actively monitored (e.g., a large event causing lot congestion).

• Red Alerts: These alerts are reserved for high-priority situations that require immediate action or response from the officer.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Acknowledge notifications promptly: Officers should routinely check their notification shade and the Message Alerts menu while on patrol. Ensuring timely review of incoming messages is critical, especially when Red Alerts are dispatched for immediate action.

• Prevent alert fatigue: Administrators should reserve Red Alerts strictly for genuine emergencies or time-sensitive directives. Overusing the highest priority alert for standard informational updates can cause officers to become desensitized to actual urgent situations.

Violations View

The Violations Tab is a specific section within the Search Vehicle Results screen on the OPS-COM Enforce application. Its primary purpose is to provide field officers with a detailed historical log of all past violations issued to a specific vehicle, assisting them in making informed and escalated enforcement decisions. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the handheld application.

Setup and Configuration

The Violations Tab automatically retrieves its historical ticket data directly from the central database.

Admin Side: No specific configuration is required on the handheld device. Administrators manage all violation histories, payment statuses, and escalation policies within the core OPS-COM administrative portal.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): No specific device setup is required. The historical data populates automatically during vehicle searches, provided the device has a network connection.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel use this tab to review a vehicle's citation history and current payment compliance before issuing new tickets.

Accessing the Violations Tab

1. Perform a plate or VIN query using the Search Vehicles function.

2. Tap the specific plate read from the initial search results list .
   

3. Tap the Details tab in the extended plate read menu.

4. Open up the Violations section of the vehicle details page. 

Key Information Displayed

• Violation Date/Time: The exact date and time that the ticket was issued.

• Violation Number: The Violation # that was assigned when the ticket was added to the system.
  

• Offense Location: The specific lot or zone where the infraction occurred.

• Violation Type: The nature of the offense (e.g., Parked in No Parking Area).

• History Summary: A high-level count of the vehicle's past violations (e.g., within the last 18 months), including a breakdown of paid, unpaid, and warning counts.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

Each individual violation record features a clear, color-coded status indicator on the right side of the screen denoting the Payment Status Text:

• PAID (typically displayed in green) indicates the citation has been resolved.

• UNPAID (typically displayed in red or orange) indicates there is still an outstanding balance for that specific infraction.

• CANCELLED (typically displayed in grey) indicates that the citation is no longer open.
  

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Review unpaid violations before ticketing: Always check the Violations tab for a history of unpaid tickets or repeated offenses. Identifying a pattern of unpaid or frequent violations is critical for enforcing escalation policies, such as initiating a tow or applying a boot.

• Ensure data synchronization: Always verify your device has an active connection when reviewing violation history. If your device is operating strictly from its offline cache, recent ticket payments or newly issued citations from other officers may not be immediately reflected on this tab.

Chalking View

The Chalks Tab is a dedicated section within the Search Vehicle Results screen on the legacy OPS-COM Parking Enforcement application. Its primary purpose is to display a historical log of virtual chalking events for a specific vehicle, assisting officers in accurately enforcing time-limited parking zones. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the legacy Android application.

Setup and Configuration

The Chalks Tab automatically compiles its data directly from previous virtual chalking events performed by enforcement officers in the field.

Admin Side: No specific configuration is required on the handheld device to view this tab. Administrators manage global chalking grace periods and settings within the core OPS-COM administrative portal.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel use this tab to review past chalking records to determine if a vehicle has overstayed its allowed time in a specific location.

Accessing the Chalks Tab

1. Perform a plate or VIN query using the Search Vehicles function.

2. Tap the specific plate read from the initial search results list.

3. Tap the Details button to open the extended vehicle record.

4. Tap the Chalks tab (or swipe left/right across the screen to navigate to it).

Key Information Displayed

• Chalk History: Chalk records are listed chronologically, displaying from the most recent event at the top to the oldest at the bottom.

• Time Stamp: The specific date and exact time the chalk event occurred.

• Map Location: A visual map snippet illustrates exactly where the vehicle was parked when it was chalked.

• Chalk Comments: Any notes or comments entered by the patrol officer at the time of the initial chalking.

• Distance Calculation: A distance reading (in meters) indicating exactly how far your present physical position is from the location of the first chalk record.

Available Actions and Buttons

• Camera: Tap the camera icon on a specific chalk record to display the full-size image captured during that initial chalking event.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Review chalk images before ticketing: Always tap the camera icon to verify the chalk image is clear and the vehicle has not moved. Ensuring the evidence is solid and time-stamped correctly is crucial for defending against potential parking appeals.

• Leverage chalk comments: Encourage officers to add descriptive comments when initially chalking a vehicle. Notes providing valuable context (e.g., valve stem positions, specific parking bays, or vehicle damage) are highly visible on this tab and can assist the same or other officers upon their return patrol.

Notifications from Permit Misuse

The Permit Misuse Notification feature alerts parking enforcement officers when multiple vehicles sharing the exact same permit are scanned within a specified timeframe. Its primary purpose is to help identify and deter fraudulent permit sharing on-site, ensuring users are not abusing multi-vehicle permit privileges. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel using the Enforce handheld application.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is configured directly on the handheld enforcement device. Setting a timer dictates exactly how long the system remembers the first vehicle's capture before resetting the misuse window.

Admin Side: Administrators or supervisors must configure the specific duration of the misuse timer on the device itself.

1. Tap System Settings from the main menu of the handheld application.

2. Scroll to the Violations and Chalking section and tap Permit Misuse Window.

3. Tap the Permit Sharing and Misuse drop-down menu to open the duration options.

4. Choose the desired length of time (e.g., 1 Hour). Setting this time immediately activates the function.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel do not need to perform any special actions to use this feature; it operates seamlessly alongside standard vehicle searches during an active patrol.

Triggering a Misuse Alert

1. Perform a standard plate or VIN query using the Search Vehicles function while on patrol.

2. Acknowledge any on-screen pop-ups before proceeding with standard enforcement actions.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• Permit Misuse Alert Popup: If you search for a vehicle that shares a permit with another vehicle that was recently scanned within the active timer window, a prominent alert will appear directly on the device screen. This immediately notifies the officer of possible permit misuse.

Understanding the Timer Cycle If your timer is set to one hour, the system will present a warning if the second vehicle is scanned within 60 minutes of the first vehicle's scan. After that hour has passed, the first read is effectively forgotten by the handheld's local cache, and the monitoring process starts over.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Establish a clear enforcement policy: Organizations should develop a strict business rule for how officers handle a misuse alert. Officers need clear directives on whether to issue a standard parking violation, write a specific permit fraud citation, or attempt to verify the physical presence of both vehicles on-site before ticketing.

• Tailor the timer to your environment: Carefully consider the length of your misuse timer based on your lot turnover and specific permit policies. A timer that is too short may miss abusers who stagger their arrival times, while a timer that is excessively long may capture legitimate instances where family members legally swap parking spots halfway through the day.

Violations and Chalking

Violations and Chalking

The Violations and Chalking features in the OPS-COM Enforce app allow field personnel to issue citations directly to individuals or vehicles and utilize virtual chalking for time-limit enforcement. Its primary purpose is to streamline the enforcement process, ensuring accurate data capture and provable offenses without the need for physical chalk. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement staff.

Setup and Configuration

While the enforcement application handles the physical issuance of tickets, administrators must ensure the backend environment is properly configured to support field operations.

Admin Side:

1. Ensure the default chalking grace periods are properly configured within your system settings.

2. Verify that your ticket types, offense locations, and offense reasons are up to date so they populate correctly on the handheld units.

User Side (Enforcement Staff):

1. Open the handheld app and log into an active enforcement account.

2. Ensure your device is connected to a network to receive real-time permit data and user records.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel can use the handheld application to perform virtual chalking and issue violations specifically targeted at a person or an unidentified vehicle.

Chalking a Vehicle

Virtual chalking is a highly useful tool that quickly identifies vehicles eligible for time-limit violations. It alerts you if a vehicle has moved since the last chalk and exactly how long ago it was chalked, making it easy to write provable violations.

1. Tap Vehicle Search from the main screen and search for the offending vehicle's plate.

2. Tap Chalk on the vehicle record.

3. Enter the plate province/state and plate type (e.g., Passenger, Commercial, Government).

4. Set a custom chalk grace period if desired (the system default will apply automatically if left blank).

5. Tap Save. The vehicle's timer has now started, and you can return later to verify if a violation is warranted.

Issuing a Person Violation

You must know the person's name and ensure they are a registered user in the system to issue a person violation.

1. Tap Person Search from the main screen.

2. Enter the name of the registered user and tap their entry when it populates.

3. Select Private Property - Person if no vehicle is involved. (If a vehicle is involved, use the Vehicle Violation workflow below).

4. Enter the ticket type, offense location, and the specific offense reason (or reasons, if multiple apply).

5. Attach any necessary files, such as photo or video evidence.

6. Enter private (internal staff only) or public comments (user visible).

7. Tap Save to issue the violation.

Issuing a Vehicle Violation

You can enter a known plate or a plate that has never been entered before; new plates will automatically be added to the vehicle database.

1. Tap Vehicle Search from the main screen and search the license plate.

2. Review the search result icons (see the Visual Cues table below) to verify if the vehicle is eligible for a ticket.

3. Tap the Violation button.

4. Enter the ticket type, offense location, and the specific offense reason(s).

5. Enter additional vehicle information, such as province/state and plate type.

6. Tap the Failed To Identify toggle on the people tab if the driver's identity is unknown. If the identity is known, enter it normally.

7. Attach photo or video evidence and any applicable comments.

8. Tap Save to issue the violation.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

Searching a plate will return a variety of result types indicating the vehicle's current status. Use the chart below as a reference for the symbols and audio notifications you will encounter:

Icon	Audio Notification	When/Why Is This Combo Used?
Black Cross	None	Plate is not found in the database. Tap to add a new vehicle.
Red X (with Red permit pill)	None	Plate found, but has no valid/active permit, or the plate was chalked and the grace period has expired with still no valid permit. Eligible for violation/ticket.
Green Check (with Green permit pill)	Bing (LPR)	Plate found with at least one valid and active permit, or plate was chalked but a valid permit was added later.
Green Check (with Red dot)	None	Plate found and has permit(s), but the vehicle is NOT active on the user's profile. (Rare)
Notification (Red !)	None	Plate has a specific warning for Do Not Ticket or Tow (DNTT).
Notification (Blue !) (with Blue permit pill)	None	Plate found and has a valid permit, but is parked in the wrong lot/zone.
Chalk (Map)	Swoosh (LPR)	Plate has been chalked (manually or by LPR), and the grace period has not yet expired.
Flag	Buzz	Indicates that there has been a specific alert triggered on either the person or the vehicle.

Understanding the Printed Ticket

Front of the Ticket/Warning

• Ticket Number: A system-assigned number identifying the individual violation.

• Date: The date the violation was issued.

• Ticket Type: The broad category of the violation.

• License Plate & Province: The vehicle's plate number and issuing province/state.

• Offense Type: The specific violation that occurred.

• Location: The physical location where the violation occurred.

• Writer: A unique system-assigned identifier for the enforcement officer (providing officer security while allowing admins to verify their identity in the backend).

• Fine & Towing: The amounts owed for the violation or towing. *(Note: On a warning ticket, the amount is followed by "Warning", indicating it is not owed, but shows what would be due if a real ticket was issued).

• Comments: Additional notes included by the enforcement officer.

Back of the Ticket/Warning The back provides details about the issuing organization and clear policies on how the violator can pay or formally appeal the ticket. It includes a section for the violator to identify themselves and sign off, as well as office hours and contact information.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Always verify visual cues before ticketing: Pay close attention to the search result icons and audio notifications. Ensure you do not accidentally issue a violation to a vehicle with a valid Green Check or a Red Exclamation Point (Do Not Ticket or Tow).

• Leverage the Failed To Identify toggle: Use the Failed To Identify toggle immediately when issuing a vehicle violation if the driver is not present. This allows you to process the ticket efficiently against the vehicle itself without needing a registered user profile.

• Capture undeniable proof: Always attach photo or video evidence when issuing a violation. In the event of an appeal, visual proof combined with virtual chalking data strongly supports the enforcement officer's actions.

Virtual Chalking Explanation

Virtual chalking (or e-chalking) is an electronic process in the OPS-COM Enforce app that precisely mirrors the manual chalking of a vehicle's tire to monitor parking durations. Its primary purpose is to help enforcement officers efficiently track time-limited parking and automatically generate time-stamped photographic evidence for potential violations and appeals. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Virtual chalking is a native feature of the enforcement application and relies on system-defined grace periods to calculate parking violations.

Admin Side: Administrators must ensure that parking lots with timed parking or permit grace periods are properly configured within the backend system settings. This ensures the handheld application knows exactly how long a vehicle is allowed to remain parked after being chalked before it is flagged for a violation.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must have the OPS-COM Enforce app installed on their mobile device and be logged into an active account with device camera permissions fully enabled.

Using this Feature

Officers use the handheld application to record a vehicle's presence at a specific time. If the vehicle overstays the allowed time or grace period, the chalk record serves as undeniable proof for a violation.

For detailed instructions on the complete chalking workflow and how it interacts with ticketing, see the Violations and Chalking article.

Virtual Chalking a Vehicle

1. Tap Search Vehicles on the handheld device to look up the offending vehicle.

2. Capture the license plate using the LPR camera, text input, or voice command.

3. Tap the Virtual Chalk button to immediately create the time-stamped record and start the grace period timer.

4. Capture a contextual image of the vehicle manually if you entered the plate via text or voice. (LPR captures automatically take both a close-up of the plate and a contextual full-back image with time stamps).

Court-Admissible Evidence Virtual chalking provides a photographic image that is seamlessly attached to the violation. This evidence is generally acceptable in a court of law, provided the date and time stamp is clearly visible on the image.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Capture contextual images for manual entries: If you enter a plate via text or voice when chalking, you must manually take a contextual image to record the time stamp. The system only captures these automatically during LPR camera mode.

• Take multiple images when issuing violations: When capturing the plate a second time to issue the actual violation, take multiple images. Using both the timestamped image and the time printed on the ticket allows you to definitively calculate and prove the time the vehicle was parked. There is no limit to the number of images you can attach.

• Preserve your evidence: The chalked image automatically becomes part of the violation unless the patrol officer manually deletes the image. Never delete these images in the field, as they are crucial for dealing with client disputes and formal appeals.

• Leverage chalking for grace periods: Use virtual chalking to manage grace periods efficiently. For example, if a vehicle is parked and the owner is walking to a pay station to purchase a permit, chalking the vehicle allows a fair grace period for them to obtain it before a violation is issued on a subsequent patrol pass.

Signature Capture on Violation Entry

The Signature Capture on Violation Entry feature allows parking enforcement officers to capture a physical signature directly on their handheld device when issuing a ticket. Its primary purpose is to provide proof of receipt and interaction by saving an optimized image of the signature directly to the violation record. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators to help them configure the application settings and train field officers on this functionality.

Setup and Configuration

This feature requires configuration directly within the handheld application settings to determine if the signature workflow is mandatory or optional for your field staff.

Admin Side:

Administrators or supervisors will configure this setting directly on the physical handheld devices used by the enforcement officers.

1. Navigate to Settings on the handheld application.

2. Toggle the Require Signature option to ON to force officers to collect a signature before they can successfully save a violation.

3. Toggle the Require Signature option to OFF to bypass the forced workflow. The signature tab will remain available on the violation entry screen, but it will not be a required field.

Using this Feature

Administrators can use the following instructions to guide parking enforcement officers through capturing a signature in the field using their handheld units.

Capturing a Signature

1. Perform a plate search and open a vehicle's violation entry screen.

2. Tap the pencil icon located on the fifth tab of the top segment bar to open the signature panel.

3. Tap the Open Signature Pad button to launch the full-screen modal.

4. Have the individual use a single finger to sign their name on the blank canvas.

5. Tap the Confirm button to lock in the signature.

6. Review the thumbnail preview of the signature on the tab to ensure it is legible.

7. Tap Save to complete the ticket issuance process.

Note for Android users: If the signature fails to register on the first attempt on an Android device, quickly Double Tap the Confirm button to force the save.

Visual Cues and Status Indicators

• Thumbnail Preview: Once a signature is successfully confirmed, a small image preview will appear directly on the signature tab to verify the capture was successful.

• Missing Signature Alert: If the Require Signature setting is active and an officer attempts to save the violation without capturing a signature, the application will block the save action. The pencil icon tab will immediately turn red, indicating to the officer that a required field is missing.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Train staff on the confirmation workaround: Ensure enforcement officers are aware that they may need to Double Tap the Confirm button on certain Android devices if the signature fails to register immediately. Training officers on this quick workaround prevents frustration and delays during live field enforcement.

• Establish clear enforcement policies: Organizations should develop a clear business rule for when a signature should be collected if the mandatory setting is toggled OFF. Since the signature tab remains available even when disabled as a strict requirement, officers should know which specific violation types or situational encounters still warrant attempting to get a signature.

• Understand data syncing: Captured signatures are saved as highly optimized PNG files (averaging approximately 25KB). These files automatically sync back to the admin backend as image attachments on the violation record for future auditing, reporting, and appeals processing.

Towing Charges Displayed on a Violation

The Displaying Towing Charges on a Violation feature allows organizations to print a default $0.00 towing fee on all physical parking tickets. Its primary purpose is to serve as a visible deterrent, reminding parkers that their vehicle could potentially be towed for infractions, even if a tow is not ordered for the current offense. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel configuring the OPSCOM Enforce application.

Setup and Configuration

This setting is configured directly within the system settings of the individual handheld enforcement device.

Admin Side: Administrators or supervisors must configure this setting on the physical devices used by the enforcement officers.

1. Tap System Settings from the full corner menu of the handheld application.

2. Scroll to locate the specific towing charge options under Ticket Content.

3. Enable the Include $0.00 Towing Charge toggle.

Default State By default, this setting is disabled. If the checkbox remains disabled, the towing charge line item will be completely hidden on standard printed tickets unless a real fee is applied.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel do not need to perform any special actions to use this feature; it operates automatically when a physical violation is printed.

Printing Tickets with the Notice

1. Issue a standard plate or person violation on the handheld device.

2. Tap Save & Print on the violation entry screen.

3. Review the printed ticket. The physical citation will now automatically include a "Towing" line item explicitly displaying a "$0.00" value.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Understand actual towing charges: If a real towing charge is manually applied to the violation by the officer, the towing charge will always appear on the printed ticket regardless of whether this setting is enabled or disabled. This toggle strictly controls the display of the $0.00 placeholder value.

• Align with institutional policy: Organizations should ensure that displaying a towing reminder aligns with their official parking and enforcement policies. Displaying this warning is an effective deterrent, but it should be supported by actual lot signage and organizational towing rules to avoid confusing your parkers.

Reprint Violation

The Reprint Violation feature allows enforcement officers to print a duplicate copy of a previously issued parking ticket directly from their handheld device. Its primary purpose is to help quickly replace damaged, lost, or misprinted citations while officers are still active in the field. This guide is intended for field enforcement personnel and OPS-COM administrators.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is a native function of the enforcement application and does not require any specialized backend configuration. However, it does rely on properly configured external hardware.

Admin Side: Administrators simply need to ensure that field personnel are equipped with functioning mobile Bluetooth printers and have active enforcement accounts. For details on hardware configuration, refer to the Printers & Printing guide.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must ensure their handheld device is actively paired and connected to their designated mobile printer before attempting to reprint a ticket.

Using this Feature

Field personnel can quickly retrieve and reprint recent violation notices directly from the main application menu.

Reprinting Tickets

1. Tap Reprint Violation from the main menu of the OPS-COM Enforce app.

2. Review the list of recently issued tickets displayed on the Reprint Violation Notice screen.

3. Tap the specific violation record that you need to reprint.

4. Follow the subsequent on-screen printer instructions to complete the physical printing process.

Check your hardware first Before navigating to the reprint screen, always verify that your mobile printer is powered on, has sufficient battery life, is loaded with ticket paper, and is actively paired with your handheld unit.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Verify the correct ticket: Always double-check the ticket details (such as the license plate or time of issue) on the screen before tapping to reprint. This ensures you are leaving the correct duplicate citation on the offending vehicle.

• Address the root cause: If you find yourself frequently reprinting tickets due to faded ink or paper jams, report the hardware issue to your administrator. Continuous reprinting wastes time and thermal paper resources.

Printers & Printing

Bluetooth Printer Mode

The Changing Bluetooth Mode procedure explains how to adjust the internal hardware connection settings on Star Micronics mobile printers. Its primary purpose is to ensure the printer broadcasts a standard Bluetooth signal compatible with your devices. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel setting up their printing hardware.

Setup and Configuration

This configuration is performed directly on the physical mobile printer using its hardware buttons. It does not require any configuration within the OPS-COM administrative portal.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure the physical field printers are fully charged before attempting hardware configuration changes.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Ensure the printer is powered off and disconnected from any previously paired devices before beginning this setup process.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must interact with the physical Power and Feed buttons on the printer to access and modify its internal broadcast mode.

Changing the Printer's Bluetooth Mode

1. Hold the Power button down for 3 seconds until the printer beeps to turn it on.

2. Hold down both the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for approximately 5 seconds until the printer enters settings mode and the LED screen flashes. Release the buttons.

3. Press the Power button to change the current mode from Bluetooth (iAP) to standard Bluetooth Mode or Bluetooth (the exact wording depends on your specific printer model).

4. Hold down the Power button and Feed button simultaneously for another 5 seconds to exit and save your changes. The printer will immediately print a detailed paper list showing your new settings.

5. Verify that the correct standard Bluetooth mode is now displayed on the printer's LED indicator screen.

Hardware Button Navigation While in the Printer Settings mode, pressing the Power button changes the specific setting option you are currently looking at, while pressing the Feed button skips forward to the next available setting category.

Confirming Settings

Once the printer hardware is properly configured to broadcast a standard Bluetooth signal, return to your device to complete the pairing process.

1. Issue a test violation within the OPS-COM Enforce application to ensure the tablet and printer are communicating successfully.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Avoid the iAP suffix for Android devices: Always ensure your printer is set to standard Bluetooth or Bluetooth Mode when pairing with Android tablets. The Bluetooth (iAP) mode is designed exclusively for Apple/iOS devices. Even if your Android tablet appears to successfully pair with the printer while it is in iAP mode, the enforcement application will not be able to print tickets.

• Always test the connection: Always perform a live print test after altering hardware modes. Confirming the physical ticket prints correctly saves time in the field and ensures officers are not stranded with non-functioning hardware during a patrol.

Choosing & Connecting Printers

The Choosing and Configuring Printers process allows enforcement officers to connect and properly format their mobile Bluetooth printers within the Enforce application. Its primary purpose is to ensure the application communicates with the correct hardware drivers, allowing for clear and accurate physical ticket printing in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel configuring their handheld devices.

Setup and Configuration

Before configuring the printer within the OPS-COM application, the physical printer must be powered on and actively paired to the handheld device via the device's Bluetooth settings.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure the organization's chosen Bluetooth printers (such as Star Micronics or Zebra models) are fully charged, loaded with paper, and paired to the assigned handheld device.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must configure the application settings to recognize the paired printer and driver before issuing their first physical citation.

Using this Feature

Officers must explicitly select both the appropriate software driver and the specific hardware device within the application's system settings.

Accessing System Settings

1. Tap System Settings from the main menu of the OPS-COM application.

2. Scroll through the menu to locate the specific printer settings options.

Selecting the Driver and Printer

1. Tap Bluetooth print driver to select the proper driver for the hardware you are using.

2. Tap Bluetooth Printer to open a list of paired Bluetooth devices.

3. Tap the name of the specific printer you are actively using to finalize the connection.

Default Printer Driver By default, the printer driver is set to Star Micronics. If you are using a Zebra printer, tap to select Zebra. Selecting the driver will automatically close the pop-up and return you to the main settings menu.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Match your drivers to your hardware: It is critical that the selected driver matches your physical printer type. If these two settings do not match, the printer will either fail to work entirely or it will begin to print out unreadable code and odd characters instead of a properly formatted violation.

• Verify functionality before patrolling: Always issue a test violation after configuration. Printing a test ticket ensures the printer is connected, formatting correctly, and working exactly as expected before you step out into the field to begin enforcement.

Star Micronics Printer Configuration

The Star Micronics Printer Configuration process allows administrators and field staff to securely connect mobile printers to Android or iOS devices for use with the OPSCOM Enforce - iOS & Android application. Its primary purpose is to enable enforcement officers to accurately print tickets directly from their handheld devices, significantly streamlining the violation issuance process in the field. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Before using the printer with the enforcement application, the hardware must be successfully paired with the handheld device and set to the correct underlying emulation mode.

The Star Micronics T300i or higher is strongly recommended for field operations, as older models may not be fully supported by modern mobile operating systems.

Changing Printer Emulation

Emulation dictates exactly how the printer communicates with the handheld's operating system. The printer must be set to the specific mode required by your device type (Android or iOS).

1. Open the paper cover of the printer.

2. Tap and Hold the POWER and FEED buttons simultaneously.

3. Release the buttons once the red error lamp flashes 5 times and the screen indicates Setup Mode.

4. Close the paper cover.

5. Review the physical status slip that automatically prints. For Android devices, the slip must display "Emulation = ESC/POS". For iOS devices, the slip must display "Emulation = StarPRNT".

6. Repeat these steps from the beginning if the status slip does not show the correct emulation for your specific device.

Bluetooth Pairing

1. Power on the Star Micronics printer.

2. Navigate to Settings then Bluetooth on the handheld device.

3. Ensure the Bluetooth toggle is enabled.

4. Select the Star Micronics printer from the list of available nearby devices.

5. Enter the PIN to successfully pair the device.

Using this Feature

Once the hardware is paired and configured at the operating system level, it must be linked within the application settings to actively enable ticketing functionality.

Connecting in the Enforce App

1. Open the OPS-COM Enforce app and log in.

2. Tap the Menu icon at the top left of the screen.

3. Tap App Settings.

4. Scroll down to the Printer Settings section.

5. Tap the Printer Driver drop-down menu and choose Star Micronics.

6. Tap Saved Bluetooth Printer to initiate a scan for your previously paired hardware.

7. Tap the printer name (typically SM-T300) or the specific serial number from the scanned list.

8. Tap the Emulation drop-down menu and select the mode matching your device. Select StarPRNT for iOS devices, or select EscPosMobile for Android devices.

9. Tap the Menu button and tap Home to return to the main operational screen.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Verify hardware compatibility: Ensure you are using a Star Micronics T300i or higher, as older models may not be supported by the Enforce app or receive firmware updates.

• Prioritize battery management: Ensure the printer is fully charged before the start of a shift to prevent unexpected connection drops or hardware failures during live ticket issuance.

• Conduct pre-shift paper checks: Always verify paper levels before leaving the office, as the external printer will not alert the Enforce app when it is out of physical thermal media.

• Resolve connectivity issues quickly: If the printer stops responding in the field, toggle Bluetooth off and on in the device settings and verify that the printer has not automatically entered a power-saving sleep mode. If issues persist, contact OPSCOM Support.

Zebra Printer Configuration

The Zebra Printer Configuration process allows administrators to set up and connect Zebra mobile printers to Android or iOS devices for use with the OPS-COM Enforce app. Its primary purpose is to streamline parking operations by enabling the direct printing of violation tickets from handheld units. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Configuring a Zebra printer requires a one-time setup involving the official Zebra utility and the Enforce application to ensure consistent communication between the hardware and software.

Printer Discovery and Utility Setup

1. Power on the Zebra printer.

2. Uninstall and re-install the OPS-COM Enforce app on your handheld device to ensure a clean configuration environment.

3. Download and install the Zebra Printer Setup Utility from the app store.

4. Open the Zebra Printer Setup Utility.

5. Tap Discover Printers.

6. Tap and Hold the Feed button on the physical printer until the Bluetooth symbol appears on the printer display, then release.

7. Tap the printer once it appears in the Discovered list.

8. Wait for the utility to retrieve settings; the printer is ready when the status displays Ready at the top of the screen.

Connectivity and Media Settings

1. Tap Connectivity Settings, then tap Bluetooth.

2. Confirm that the Bluetooth and Discoverable switches are enabled.

3. Verify the Friendly Name (defaults to the serial number) and tap Next.

4. Tap Next on the second screen to keep default settings, then tap Apply.

5. Tap Media Settings and tap Media Settings again on the following page.

6. Follow the prompts to set the correct paper size for your rolls and tap Apply.

7. Tap Print a Test Label from the main Media Settings page to verify the hardware configuration.

Using this Feature

After the printer is configured in the Zebra utility, it must be linked directly to the Enforce app to be used for ticketing in the field.

Connecting in the Enforce App

1. Open the OPS-COM Enforce app and log in.

2. Tap the Menu icon at the top left and tap App Settings.

3. Scroll to the Printer Settings section.

4. Tap the Printer Driver drop-down menu and choose Zebra.

5. Tap Saved Bluetooth Printer to scan for the device.

6. Tap your printer name or serial number when it appears in the list.

7. Tap Save when prompted with Save Printer?.

8. Tap the Menu icon and tap Home to begin using the application.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Clean Installation: It is highly recommended to uninstall and re-install the Enforce app before setting up a new Zebra printer to prevent legacy configuration conflicts.

• Bluetooth Visibility: If the printer does not appear during discovery, ensure you Tap and Hold the Feed button until the Bluetooth icon is visibly displayed on the printer's LCD.

• Naming Conventions: Consider changing the Friendly Name in the Zebra utility to a unit number (e.g., "Enforcement Unit 01") to make it easier for officers to identify their specific printer in the app.

• Media Calibration: If the printer skips labels or alignment is off, return to Media Settings in the Zebra utility to re-run the calibration process.

• Misprint Issue: If the printer outputs code (such as ^XA, ^FO, etc.) instead of the rendered label, it means the printer is receiving raw ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) data and treating it as text. Toggling the setting for "Line Mode" or setting another language (like EPL or XML) instead of ZPL should quickly fix this issue.

[!WARNING] Ensure the printer remains powered on and within close proximity to the handheld device during the "Applying Settings" phase to avoid corrupting the printer firmware.

SM-T300 Printer Configuration

The SM-T300 Printer is a mobile Bluetooth hardware printer used to issue physical citations from the OPS-COM Enforce application. Its primary purpose is to print physical tickets in the field, and this guide outlines how to configure its core hardware connection and power-saving settings. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel.

Setup and Configuration

Before the SM-T300 printer can successfully pair with your Android handheld and print tickets, you must ensure its internal hardware settings are configured to broadcast a standard Bluetooth signal and manage power efficiently. All setup is performed directly on the physical printer using its hardware buttons.

Admin Side: Administrators should ensure that the printer hardware is fully charged and loaded with thermal paper before distributing it to field staff for configuration.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Enforcement officers must follow the hardware button sequences below to properly configure the internal settings of the physical printer before attempting to pair it with their handheld device.

Using this Feature

Enforcement personnel must interact with the physical buttons on the printer's front panel to navigate its internal menus and adjust the operational modes.

Configuring Bluetooth Mode

To pair the printer with a handheld device, the printer must be set to the standard Bluetooth mode, rather than UART or Bluetooth (iAP).

1. Hold down the Feed button and Power button simultaneously for approximately 6 seconds until the printer enters setup mode.

2. Press the Power button to cycle through the available connection modes.

3. Stop cycling when the screen displays Bluetooth.

4. Hold down the Feed button and Power button simultaneously for approximately 6 seconds to confirm and save your connection setting.

Configuring Power Down Settings

To preserve battery life during patrols, you can configure the printer's timeout setting. It can be set to "no power down" or configured to power down automatically after 1 to 5 minutes of inactivity.

1. Turn the physical printer on.

2. Press and hold the Power button, then immediately press and hold the Feed button at the same time for approximately 5 seconds until the screen becomes backlit and enters Settings mode.

3. Press the Feed button to step through the settings menu until the screen displays PWDN X min off (where X represents the current timeout duration).

4. Press the Power button to cycle through the available timeout options.

5. Press the Power button and Feed button simultaneously once you have selected your desired wait time.

Configuration Confirmation Once you save your power down settings by pressing both buttons simultaneously, the SM-T300 will automatically print out a short paper summary of your current settings and return to standard standby mode.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Optimize your battery life: Always configure a power down timeout of 3 to 5 minutes to ensure the printer battery lasts through an entire enforcement shift. Leaving the printer constantly powered on when not actively ticketing will drain the battery prematurely.

• Verify connection modes: If your Android tablet cannot discover the printer during the initial pairing process, verify that the printer is in standard Bluetooth mode. If it is accidentally set to Bluetooth (iAP), which is generally reserved for iOS devices, standard Android tablets will struggle to connect.

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Supporting References

For more advanced configuration or troubleshooting, administrators can refer to the official Star Micronics resources and SDK documentation below:

• Star Micronics StarIO SDK Application

• SM-T300 Hardware Manual PDF

• StarPRNT Android SDK Documentation PDF

• Mobile Printer Manual PDF

• StarIO POS Printer Android SDK Documentation PDF

Enforce System Settings

System Settings (Enforce)

The System Settings area in the OPS-COM Enforce application provides centralized control over the handheld's hardware integrations and local behaviors. Its primary purpose is to allow administrators and officers to configure mobile printers, adjust License Plate Recognition (LPR) camera inputs, and customize ticket formatting directly on the device. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and field enforcement personnel configuring their handheld units.

Setup and Configuration

While the handheld device offers extensive local customization, several foundational settings must be established in the core administrative portal first.

Admin Side: Administrators must manage the core organization details, unique device identifiers, and the Next Offence Number through the OPS-COM web portal.

LPR Authorization To successfully use the LPR features on a handheld unit, an administrator must first toggle the LPR functionality on within the System Settings of the main Admin Portal.

User Side (Enforcement Staff):

1. Tap the main application menu icon.

2. Tap System Settings to open the configuration interface on the mobile device.

Using this Feature

The system settings are divided into four main categories. Enforcement personnel can interact with these menus to tailor the application's performance.

Local Device Settings

This section displays read-only device information pulled directly from the admin portal, including the organization name, country of operation, and the device's unique identifier.

General System Settings

Base settings and information about the device and system.

• Organization: "Name of organization connected to the handheld device".
• Device Unique Identifier: A string of letters and numbers unique to the device being used.
• Device Name: Named identifier for your device. 
• Notice Header: The automatic header for tickets/notices.
• Notice Footer: The automatic footer for tickets/notices.
• Date Format: Tap to edit the format in which dates are displayed. (Sample date: 07/21/2026 09:18:51)

Printer Settings

Tap any item in this list to modify how the device communicates with mobile printers and formats physical tickets.

• Bluetooth print driver: Tap to select the specific printer driver (e.g., Zebra).

• Saved Bluetooth Printer: Tap to select the physical paired printer hardware.

• Paper Width: Tap to set the width of text on the ticket. (must match the paper roll loaded in your printer).

• Lines Before Ticket: Tap to adjust the blank buffer space below the printed company logo.

• Lines per Ticket: Tap to set total label height for the printed citation. (blank lines added at the bottom if content is too short).

Ticket Layout

Tap any item in this list to modify how the device formats physical tickets. 

• Include Client Name and Notice: Tap to enable the ticket to be printed with the organization name and ticket header at the top.

• Include Dotted Header Line: Tap to enable the ticket to be printed with a separator line below the header.
• Show Hyphen in Ticket Number: Tap to enable the ticket to be printed with a hyphen between the device ID and ticket number.

Ticket Content

Tap any item in this list to modify what is included in the printed ticket.

• Include Warning Value: Tap to show the dollar amount on printed warning tickets.
• Include Discount Line: Tap to show early payment discount amount and deadline on the printed ticket.
• Include $0.00 Towing Charge: Tap to show towing row on the printout even when the charge is $0.00.
• Include QR Code: Tap to print a QR code linking to the ticket payment page on the tickets. 
• QR Code Size: Tap to select the magnification factor for the printed QR code. (default: 3).

Violations and Chalking

Tap any item in this list to modify the configuration of violations & chalking usage with the handheld device.

• Violation Retention: Tap to select the hours to retain violations for reprint after sync.
• Chalk Units: Tap to select the units of measurement you will be using for chalking. 
• Chalk to Violation: Tap to select the the time until a chalked vehicle is considered in violation. (default is 20 minutes).
• Use Default State/Province: Tap to pre-select the most common province/state from the last 3 months.
• Auto-Chalk: Tap to enable automatic chalking of all plates on every manual search.
• Multi-chalk Support: Tap to allow multiple chalks per vehicle during manual chalking.
• Evidence Photo: Tap to enable the system to offer to save a photo after issuing a violation.
• Permit Misuse Window: Tap to enable alerts when the same permit is seen on a different plate within this window. (0=off).
• Require Signature: Tap to require the officers to capture a signature before submitting a violation.
• Chalk Reset: Tap to select the distance of your chalking reset. (default is 1000 meters = 3250 feet).

LPR Camera Settings

Tap any items in this list to select the configuration of LPR cameras attached to the device and modify scan behavior. 

• Current: Shows the current camera(s) connected to the system with the option to edit it or delete it.
• Scan Network: Tap to find cameras automatically through the network in the area.
• Enter Manually: Tap to type in the IP address and port to connect to the camera. 
• Min. OCR Confidence: Tap to select the confidence. Plates below selected percentage are ignored.
• Auto Chalk Vehicles: Tap to enable automatic chalking of vehicles during LPR scan.
• Trigger on Inactive Vehicles: Tap to enable the LPR cameras to trigger an alarm on vehicles marked as inactive.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Match printer drivers to hardware: Always ensure the Bluetooth print driver matches the exact Bluetooth Printer selected. If these two settings do not align, the printer will fail to connect or will print unreadable code instead of a formatted ticket.

• Leverage Auto Synchronization cautiously: Carefully consider your Auto Synchronization Frequency based on your field network reliability. Setting the sync frequency too high in areas with poor cellular reception can drain the device battery as it repeatedly attempts to connect to the database.

Auto-Update

The Setting Device to Auto Update process allows organizations to configure their handheld devices to automatically download and install application updates. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the OPS-COM Enforce app, along with other critical device software, remains on the latest version without requiring manual intervention from field staff. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators and IT personnel responsible for provisioning enforcement devices.

Setup and Configuration

This configuration is performed directly within the Play Store. It does not require any backend adjustments within the OPS-COM administrative portal.

Admin Side: Administrators configuring the field devices prior to deployment should ensure the device is connected to a stable network and logged into an active account to access the Play Store settings.

User Side (Enforcement Staff): Generally, field officers do not need to configure this setting if the device was pre-provisioned by administration. If manual configuration is required in the field, follow the steps outlined below.

Using this Feature

Administrators interact with the Play Store settings to dictate how the device handles application updates.

Configuring Auto Update Settings

1. Tap the Play Store application on the handheld device to open it.

2. Locate the Menu within the app. (For google play you have to press your account icon in the top right corner and scroll down).

3. Tap Settings from the slide-out menu.

4. Tap Auto-update apps to open the configuration prompt.
   

5. Select your preferred method of updating: Update all apps over Wi-Fi or mobile data, Update with limited amounts of mobile data, Update over Wi-Fi only or Don't auto-update apps.  

Data Charges and Connectivity When selecting the option to update apps with both connections, be aware that the device will utilize whatever network is currently active. If the device is not on Wi-Fi, cellular data charges may apply based on your organization's mobile carrier plan.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Maintain up-to-date software: Organizations should establish a business rule to keep auto-updates enabled whenever possible. Allowing the device to update automatically ensures field officers always benefit from the latest bug fixes, security patches, and feature enhancements for the OPS-COM application.

• Monitor cellular data usage: If your organization uses strict or limited cellular data plans, consider using the Wi-Fi only update option if available on your device's Android version. This prevents large app updates from exhausting your monthly cellular data allowance while officers are actively patrolling.

Managing Categories

The Incident Categories feature allows organizations to classify and organize different types of incidents, such as security events, parking violations, or maintenance requests. Its primary purpose is to help administrators standardize reporting and dispatching by defining a structured hierarchy of categories and sub-categories. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is managed entirely within the core OPS-COM administrative portal.

Admin Side: Hover over Admin Options and click Incidents then Categories. This will open the Edit Categories and Sub Categories main page.

Automatic Synchronization Handheld devices will automatically inherit the updated category and sub-category lists during their regular background synchronization with the core database.

Using this Feature

Administrators can use this interface to build a custom list of incident types, create granular sub-categories, and define operational rules such as field checklist requirements.

Adding a New Category

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Edit Categories and Sub Categories main page.

2. Click the Add New Category button.

3. Enter a descriptive name in the Category Name text field.

4. Enable the In-House checkbox if this incident type is handled strictly internally.

5. Enter a GIS number if applicable for spatial tracking and mapping integration.

6. Enable the option to include this category in system reports, if desired.

7. Click the Save Incident Category button to finalize and add the new category to the system.

Editing an Existing Category

1. Locate the specific category in the listed items on the main page.

2. Click the pencil icon next to the category to open the edit screen.

3. Update the category name or specific configuration details as needed.

4. Click the Save Incident Category button to apply your changes to the database.

Managing Sub-Categories

Sub-categories allow you to break down broad incidents into highly specific, actionable events.

1. Click Sub next to an existing category on the main list to view its associated sub-categories.

2. Enter a new name in the provided text field to add a new sub-category.

3. Enable the Required checkbox under the checklist column if a formal checklist must be completed by the officer when this specific sub-category is selected in the field.

4. Enable the Include checkbox if you want this specific sub-category to be visible in statistical reports.

5. Click the Save SubCategory button to add the new sub-category to the parent group.

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Best Practices and Considerations

• Standardize your naming conventions: Organizations should establish a clear and consistent naming convention for all categories and sub-categories. This prevents duplicate entries and ensures dispatchers and field officers can quickly select the correct option during an active, high-stress incident.

• Utilize checklists for complex incidents: Enable the checklist requirement for sub-categories that involve multi-step procedures or critical safety protocols. This ensures field officers follow standard operating procedures when responding to specific incident types, greatly reducing organizational liability.