Purpose: Your mobile device is a powerful tool for day-to-day work out in the field. Maintaining mobile devices is essential for running the Commusoft app, along with the recommended usage practices ensures you can access and run the mobile app when you need it.
Device specifications
Hardware specifications are a necessity for all software and it is important to consider these when using the Commusoft app.
Any device used to access Commusoft must meet the minimum requirements, however, we would recommend devices used exceed these to ensure you can run the Commusoft app and any other essential app for use out in the field at the same time.
📘️Minimum requirements for running Commusoft
Internet connection
A strong WiFi/data connection is recommended when using the Commusoft app, although this is not always possible depending on location.
It is recommended to have a strong connection to the internet when first opening the app each day to ensure a full data sync can be completed before travelling between locations.
The app is able to function offline, however, it is important to know which functions are not available offline.
📘️Does the app function offline?
Accept events when the user is notified, the night before or morning of the event
Web users will see at a glance that all events have been seen and the engineer can attend, giving you time to advise the engineer to manually sync the app in cases where the event did not sync.
Please note:
- Multiple events can be accepted at any given time and events can be edited if accepted.
📘️Diary event statuses and icons
Pull to refresh
A pull to refresh can be carried out on the list view and monthly view on the diary. This will begin a check of the data queued for any diary events, searching 15 days future and past from the selected date.
The events the user will be able to view on the diary will be dependent on the mobile visibility settings on the web, for example, if a user is able to see 3 days in the past and future, a full 15-day sync will be performed but only 3 days from today's date will be visible for them.
Close apps not actively in use
Keeping apps open in the background uses up device resources and can reduce battery life.
If the Commusoft app is left open, you may also experience a build up of data to sync to the web. Closing any open app when not in use will ensure the device has enough memory free at any given time.
To close apps simply go into the recent apps list on your device (typically the bottom left button on screen) and swipe apps closed.
Please note:
- View minimized apps button may vary depending on device used
Keep the app updated
The Commusoft app receives updates constantly, enabling automatic updates on the Google Play Store ensures you always have the most up-to-date version installed.
Google Play Store allows you to select auto-updates if you are on WiFi only or WiFi and mobile data. Select the option best suited to your data allowance.
- Open Play Store app > Profile icon > Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps
Keep app notifications on
Notifications ensure engineers are aware of any new events or changes to existing events.
Users will be asked to allow notification permissions when logging into the app. This can also be enabled in the device settings.
- Settings > Apps > Commusoft > Notifications > Toggle ‘Allow notifications’ on
Please note:
- Access to installed apps may vary depending on device make/model.
Restarting your device
Mobile devices are often left on for prolonged time periods causing data to cache and device resources to be unavailable.
We would recommend restarting your phone or tablet from time to time to clear device resources. In the same way you would turn off a PC or Mac after use, your mobile device needs an occasional restart for maintenance.
Uninstalling the Commusoft app
Do not uninstall the app unless advised to do so by a support team member or carrying out a recommended quarterly reinstall.
Any data entered into the app is stored locally on the device until it has fully synced to the web, uninstalling the app will result in unsynced data being deleted and there is no way to recover this if it happens. Valuable backend data on the issue being experienced may also be lost and block investigation by the client services team.
Use the mobile app daily
The mobile app is intended for daily usage. If not used daily a large queue of data can build up to sync to that device when it is opened and can cause delays in seeing the data you need to see at that point.
We recommend uninstalling the app from any device not used for extended periods (eg. user is on leave for 5+ days).
Enable app permissions
App permissions are required for various functions to work correctly, eg. Photos access to attach files or phone access to make calls.
Please note:
- Access to installed apps may vary depending on device make/model.
When first logging into the app the user will be asked to grant these permissions. If these need to be changed at any time, you can do so within the device settings.
Settings > Apps > Commusoft > Permissions > Tap the permission to change > Allow.
- Camera - Take photos or videos in app.
- Contact - Import a contact from your device.
- Location - Record device location.
- Microphone - Record voice notes.
- Notifications - Receive notifications for diary changes.
- Phone - Make calls using customer phone numbers.
- Photos and videos - Attach files from device storage.
Troubleshooting
If you experience an issue in the app the following steps can be carried out prior to contacting support for further assistance.
- Pull to refresh on Home screen, List View or Monthly view > Wait 5 mins.
Pull to refresh will check for diary events comparing the current user's diary to the server. Pull to refresh is for diary events only.
- Close the Commusoft app along with all unnecessary apps > Open the Commusoft app > Wait 5 mins. Closing apps resets cached memory and frees up device resources.
Related guide:
📘️Why did my events not come through instantly?
Contacting support
For any queries or further investigation into issues experienced, please contact us at support@commusoft.com or if you have telephone support call us on 02030266266, option 2, to speak to a member of the team.
Please provide as much information on the mobile issue you are experiencing and include as much of the information relevant to the issue experienced listed below to allow us to effectively investigate:
- Username of affected user.
- Job/estimate/invoice number(s) or Normal event description.
- Certificate name and number (if applicable).
- Detailed description of issue experienced.
- Screenshots or screen recording of issue experienced.
You can capture a screenshot on Android devices typically by pressing the lock screen and volume down buttons simultaneously. Some Android devices may use different buttons, searching the device make/model (eg. Samsung Galaxy S21) + how to take a screenshot will provide specific instructions.
You can also capture a screen recording on Android devices, how to do this differs greatly across the wide range of Android devices available. Search the device make/model (eg. Samsung Galaxy S21) + how to record screen will provide specific instructions.