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iShare Mobile with QField

iShare Mobile with QField

What is iShare Mobile with QField?

iShare Mobile with QField is a mobile GIS data capture solution that integrates the QField app and QFieldCloud with Astun’s iShare GIS platform. Here’s a clear summary of what it is, how it works, and its main benefits.

iShare Mobile with QField enables users to collect, edit, and synchronise geospatial data using mobile (cellular) devices. Through a hosted and managed service, data can be integrated into the iShare Spatial Data Warehouse for analysis and reporting.
Use case-specific data-entry forms, designed with user interactions in mind, to capture data efficiently and accurately out in the field. The QField app gives users access to specific datasets with functionality to download / cache data on mobile devices for use in areas with no mobile / cell coverage and synchronise the content to the Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW).
The solution comprises a mobile application, a security model providing authenticated access and auditing, display of Ordnance Survey Base mapping data and integration with iShare in the Cloud that facilitates sharing of data across a corporate enterprise environment.

iShare Mobile with QField has been designed to allow users to quickly and efficiently capture data about the built environment underpinning specific central government and local government activities. Typical use cases include:

  • Tree condition surveys

  • Monument and cemetery surveys

  • Habitat surveys

  • Street furniture asset surveys

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Easily Configurable for Rapid Deployment

Customers can publish QGIS projects using SDW data to iShare Mobile with QField. They can do this directly or they can seek assistance from Astun Consultants to design a QGIS project fit for purpose through discovery sessions and prototyping.

  • Advanced editing of all vector geometries: points, line and polygon features

  • Drop-down options to mitigate input errors

  • Widgets for date/time, numerical, boolean attributes

  • Support for attachments such as photos, video or audio recordings

  • Multiple Base Map support such as WMS for OS Maps / Aerial

  • Supports QGIS expressions such as recording what polygon a point falls within

  • Supports a device’s voice-to-text feature if available

  • Works in portrait or landscape mode

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iShare Integration

  • Customers can create projects in QGIS using data from their SDW.

  • These projects are then published to iShare Mobile with QField.

  • Administrations define which users or teams have access to the project.

  • Users synchronise any data captured in the field with iShare Mobile with QField.

  • Changes to the project are fed back to iShare GIS and the SDW including any attachments such as photos taken.

  • Reports can be generated in iShare GIS, QGIS or Microsoft Power BI.

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Features

  • Efficient field data collection: Purpose-built mobile forms designed for rapid data and attribute capture, streamlining workflows for asset surveys and inspections

  • Offline capability: Enables users to download data and base maps to their device for seamless editing in areas with no cellular coverage

  • Secure access with granular permissions: Employs robust role-based access control, ensuring staff only see, edit, or capture data appropriate to their specific
    project or department

  • Integration with iShare: Fully integrated with the SDW, allowing field-captured data to be accessible to office-based GIS users

  • Input validation & smart form logic: Intelligent data entry forms with input validation and conditional visibility to ensure data quality

  • Modern styling of geographic data: Cartographic rendering on mobile devices, ensuring symbology is mirrored accurately in the field

  • Extendable functionality through plugin framework: Allowing for the addition of custom tools and functionality to meet specialised organisational requirements

  • Connection to external positioning devices: Achieving high accuracy for critical infrastructure and land surveys

Benefits

  • Professional Data Security: Protect sensitive data by ensuring access is restricted exclusively to authenticated users through secure, role-based permissions

  • Enhanced Operational Planning: Leverage seamless integration with iShare to enable real-time reporting, analysis, and accurate works programme planning

  • Improved Data Integrity: Use input validation to eliminate inconsistent data capture at the source, significantly reducing the need for back-office corrections

  • Optimised User Experience: Employ conditional visibility to keep data-entry forms focused, expanding only when specific details are required to guide the user

  • Extensible Service Capability: Utilise a flexible plugin framework to integrate powerful external services such as routing, gazetteers, or real-time weather
    forecasting into the field environment

  • High-Precision Location Accuracy: Support critical infrastructure surveys by connecting to external positioning devices, enabling a much greater level of
    positional accuracy than standard mobile sensors

  • Consistent Corporate GIS: Ensure field teams are working with the same "single source of truth" as office staff by maintaining a direct link to the central iShare
    Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW)

Service Constraints & Technical Requirements

  • Android / iOS devices with permission to install & update QField.

  • Devices require internet connection via cellular network and GPS capability

  • iShare Mobile with QField requires an active iShare GIS subscription

  • Prior QField knowledge required; documentation is in the public domain. QField training can be provided on request and is chargeable

  • Post implementation amendments to additional QField users (delete, edit, create) are chargeable and carried out by Astun using Call-Off Consultancy service days

The following can be completed in-house by the buyer, or completed by Astun as a chargeable service using Call-Off Consultancy service days.

  • Training: on-site ‘train the trainer’ training is recommended but not mandatory; remote training is also available

  • Associated consultancy services, e.g., creation of additional projects, amendments to workflow schedules or existing projects

  • Migration of existing data sets

  • Provision of mobile devices

  • Back-up restoration or extraction of versioned project data files