Using Locate & Message with Messages prioritized

Step 1

From the Dashboard, select the Locate & Message tab.

Step 2

If you have prioritized Messages, enter the subject/bystander's 10-digit phone number in the provided field and enter a name or other identifier, like a task number and click 'Start.'

Step 3

This will open a new session where you can send text messages to your subject/bystander. Simply type your message in the text field and, when done, hit the return key or click the arrow on the right side of the text field to send your message. All administrators and dispatchers will be able to view these messages and, if needed, can participate in the text message exchange. All sent and received text messages will be saved to your account and can be reported on if needed.

Step 4

If you need to send a Locate request to the subject that you are exchanging text messages with, simply select the 'Location' tab.

Step 5

To obtain a Location, click 'Request Location' to initiate the Locate process.

Step 6

Once received, the subject simply clicks the link and allows their phone to share their location. Once they've done this, their phone will send location coordinates back to the app. Connect Rocket will make several further requests over the course of 120 seconds to try and refine the subject's location.

Step 7

Once the subject/bystander has permitted the sharing of their location, the active Locate request will update to display additional information and options:

1. The name and mobile number used to initiate the request.
2. For reasons of privacy, Connect Rocket will only retrieve location data from a device for 120 seconds. If you wish to confirm location data or send a follow-up request in future, you can click Send Again.
3. Each location request will show when the Locate request was initiated and by whom.
4. In the case of a successful Locate request, watch for the status to update to 'Located.'
5. In ideal conditions, up to 5 sets of coordinates will be obtained over 120 seconds, along with a margin of error (shown in meters).
6. To view location coordinates on a map, click View Map.
7. To send location coordinates to contacts in your organization, click Share Coordinates by Notification. This will forward coordinates, in your account's default format to the Group(s) of your choosing.
8. Click Download Coordinates as KML File to obtain a .kml file of the location coordinates in your account's default format. The file can subsequently be imported into mapping tools, or shared with third-parties.
9. Click Copy Public Link to Map to copy the URL to a map with the location coordinates. The URL can then be pasted into third-party communications tools (text messaging apps, email, etc.)
10. If you need to share location coordinates in a format other than your account's default, you can use the select menu to cycle between available formats.

Best Practices

• Where possible, speak with your subject before sending the location request to tell them what to expect.
• Once you have established a location, have your subject close out all applications on their mobile device to conserve battery power.
• Train with Locate so you remember how to use it and are familiar with the workflow on the subject/bystander's end.

Notes

• The Locate feature works with all smart phones with onboard GPS, a data plan and the capacity to send/receive text messages (SMS).
• The Message feature works with all text message capable phones.
• Connect Rocket will prompt the subject to leave their browser open for 120 seconds while further attempts to refine location are made at preset intervals. This allows the phone time to better orient itself and refine the device's location.
• Remember that Locate is only one way of finding a subject and it should be utilized in concert with other information that is available to you about a subject's location.