ALIS iOS and iPadOS mobile apps usage
Some Images and descriptions might varry to the current release due to updates of the application over time. The general usage however should be similar.
Description
ALIS for iOS and iPadOS have the same functionality but due to their different form factors they can be useful for different workflows.
Setup and general functions
Each ALIS mobile device can connect and sync to your cloud data by means of logging in with your ALIS credentials - linked to your ALIS instance / tenant. You can have an unlimited amount of ALIS mobile devices active. Let's take a look at the layout of the ALIS iOS App so you know where to find which function or detail.

For best performance with ALIS mobile devices make sure you have optimal cellular connection or an additional GPS receiver. Have a look at How-to get good positioning accuracy for ALIS (iPhone and iPad) . This ensures that minimal user input is needed for identifying the right asset by use of the auto-selection tool and thus registering maintenance data onto it.
Status Bar
The top part of the app displays the current status of the app.
The left button indicates the condition of the working mode and the right show the status of the Connection Center. The text in the middle is the name of the iPhone device.
These are the different conditions possible for the Working Mode.
![]() | Workorder MODE |
![]() | AD-HOC MODE |
Workorder selection
Upon pressing the Workorder button the overview of available workorders will show, categorised per asigned Team. Select the workorder you want to work on.
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Connection center
These are the different conditions of the Connection Center status
![]() | DEVICE ALARM |
![]() | SYNCHRONISED |
![]() | OFF-LINE MODE |
![]() | SYNCHRONIZATION IN PROGRESS ALIS iOS is synchronizing with ALIS Team. This should only take a few seconds and will result in one of the statuses above. |
Sliding Panels
The bottom part of the app is build up out of different Panels that can slide to left or right which brings you more information concerning the Workorder /task or asset . The panels shown depends on the Mode you are in.
Inspection / Mark as Faulty - Replace (QR) identifier | Workorder Details |
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Allows for marking an asset as "Faulty". Other ALIS devices that are in Ad-hoc mode or Mapview will see the asset as red and will know that it needs to be replaced. Replace (QR) identifier Allows for replacing the Asset identifier - QR code. Which can be used to easily identify asset within a building where no accurate location positioning is possible. Report Observation Creating an observation for that asset. Open in ALIS Web Currently not usable in ALIS for iOS as the mobile version of the web app version is not ready yet. | A list view of the equipment that needs to be maintained/ inspected. This allows for easily finding which to be selected for indoor- assets.
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Workorder Summary | Maintenance Instruction Panel |
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Overview of Workorder status and task | Overview of sub-tasks to be performed |
General functions
Visibility of all registered asset in ALIS
At all times the map will display the assets to which maintenance can be registered too. Depending on the working mode ( see below) you will see all assets in ALIS or only
Tap to select
To see the details of an asset or to add maintenance data to it, you can simply tap on any asset displayed in the map.
By using the Tap-to-select the Auto-selection function is disabled. The Auto-selection button becomes visible and can be tapped re-use it.
Auto-selection mode
Now this is it! With Auto-selection mode activated ( by default) The technician approaches the asset to be maintained. ALIS Personal will automatically identify the asset that needs to be maintained and select it. Depending on the vicinity of other assets, the system can be in three different conditions concerning the certainty of the identification of the asset selection. This will be visualized by the color of the auto-selection certainty button.
The button is GREEN = the system is certain that it has selected the right asset you need to maintain and you can continue without hesitation.
The button is ORANGE = there are one or more assets nearby that could be potential candidates of what you need to maintain. Please verify using the map and your location awareness which asset you need to maintain. You can toggle the asset selection by pushing on the button.
The button is RED = the system has not identified any assets in your near vicinity that should be maintained -
You can still tap on the asset in the map if you know which asset you need to maintain.
A possible reason for the system to not detect the right asset could beThe GPS location registered in the system for the asset does not correspond with the actual location of the asset.
The GPS device does not have good satellite reception, which results in an inaccurate location representation on the device. Please see the Trimble information page for more info on the Trimble GPS location device.
Is your Trimble RTX Subscription service still valid? Please see Trimble R1 RTX correction service renewal for more info - Valid for 1 year - included in your ALIS Subscription!
Selection range/radius and color
The different candidates selected depends on the size of the range and thus the assets withing that range. The size of the range is related to the GPS accuracy . The better the accuracy the smaller the radius. The radius can be changed manualy by use of the tuning button - see below.
The color of the Selection range informs the user of the GPS accuracy/correction service used.
GREEN = Best possible Satellite reception (Fixed Lock - RTX correction) and thus best localisation estimation.
ORANGE = Satellite reception but no fixed signal or no RTX correction - average location estimation
RED= No Satellite fix and no correction possible - bad location estimation
Zoom and Auto-selection tuning
Buy tapping on the tuning button
Drag the buttons up or down to change the factor of the desired function to change. Double tap to reset to default values.
The selection radius will be multiplied with the selected factor to have a smaller or bigger range for candidate selection.
The right Radius depends on the job to be performed and whether a larger or smaller area is desired.
Large Selection radius - quicker but more uncertain of asset to be selected | Small selection Radius - accurate selection of assets but could miss the asset to be selected when too narrow. |
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Changing the zooming factor can give you a better overview of the assets around you (Large factor) or a more detailed view on the assets near you ( small factor) . The right viewing height depends on the job at hand and personal preference.
Torque workorders
Torque workorders can be started on ALIS Team or ALIS Personal app. The iPhone can be mounted on the AirTorque wrench and supply the operator with workorder information, asset information and location awareness. Whenever an asset is torqued it will register the maintenance actions under the identified asset.
More detailed information on torque workorders with the ALIS Personal app can be found in Torque workorders .
Starting from version 2023.1 the Torque wrenches can be paired with the iPad and iPhone ALIS app!
Validation workorders
The validation workorders is a generic term for being able to register any kind of maintenance performed as defined in the web-application, under " Assets - Maintenance Tasks" ; By using it's auto-identification function there is no lost time in figuring out which light you need to work on or trying to find the correct asset name for maintenance registration.
More detailed information on validation workorder function in ALIS Mobile apps can be found in Validation workorders .
Ad-hoc mode
Whenever no workorder is active on ALIS Team - and AUTO workorder mode is ON - the system will go to Ad-hoc mode.
![]() | workorder MODE This ALIS Personal has joined the workorder that was started on ALIS Team Push this button to leave the workorder mode |
![]() | AD-HOC MODE This ALIS Personal device is not in a workorder currently and is able to perform ad-hoc maintenance or to report assets as Faulty |
![]() | AUTO workorder Mode - enabled by 3D touch This device will automatically follow the workorder that is active on the iPad |
Alternatively - Upon pressing the workorder button - Ad-hoc mode can be selected manually.
The following is possible whenever in Ad-hoc
General ALIS iOS asset visibility and information
The following actions
Mark as faulty + Replace (QR) identifier | Maintenance Panel |
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Allows for marking an asset as "Faulty". Other ALIS devices that are in Ad-hoc mode or Mapview will see the asset as red and will know that it needs to be replaced. Replace (QR) identifier Allows for replacing the Asset identifier - QR code. Which can be used to easily identify asset within a building where no accurate location positioning is possible. Report Observation Creating an observation for that asset. Open in ALIS Web Currently not usable in ALIS for iOS as the mobile version of the web app version is not ready yet. | You can edit the task to be performed by use of the edit button Overview of sub-tasks to be performed
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QR- Code functionality ( from 2018.11)
An asset can be identified by Location ( through the GPS of the iPhone device or Trimble ) , by selecting the asset manually on a map and for indoor use the QR functionality can be used. To use the QR functionality - please find the needed information below.
Assigning a QR code to an asset
This operation can be performed on ALIS Team in the Mapview module or on ALIS iOS as part of the sliding panels on the bottom. Every asset registered in the ALIS system has a location identifier. For indoor use - these locations are ( for now) represented in a similar way as an outdoor asset but are place as a group near it's actual location.

To assign a QR code to a device we will manually select the asset from the mapview ( ALIS Team or ALIS Personal) and then use the Replace identifier button.

The camera functionality is activated ( Confirm "allow camera" if pop-up would appear) and the QR code can be scanner is activated.
ALIS Team | ALIS Personal |
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Apply a ALIS - QR code sticker to the device if not already done so and now scan the QR .
A confirmation of scanning will appear together with the ID of the QR) code.
Verify the scanned asset corresponds to this QR code and then press "Save" .
A confirmation of assignment will appear for a short time.
ALIS Team | ALIS Personal |
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QR code for workorder maintenance
The actions described below can be performed on ALIS Team and ALIS personal.QR codes are used for maintenance tasks which are validated by "scanning" and not torquing.Upon creation of the validation workorder as described in Validation workorders - the workorder can be started on the ALIS Team.
The QR Button can now be used to start the QR reader and identify the asset to be worked on / inspected.
Upon a scan of a QR or an asset that is included in the workorder list - the device will identify the the asset , select it and show the task to be performed . When the task has been completed the task can be "Validated" or marked as "Done" .
Identifying the right asset
What happens when QR codes are shown to the reader that are not in the workorder ? We use a method called "augmented reality" to show additional information to the user on whether the asset is included in the workorder or not .
Asset included in workorder - Blue QR overlay Maintenance still to be performed | Asset not included in workorder -Grey QR overlay |
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Asset - List view
How do you know which assets need to be maintained in the substation?
We have added the *List view called workorder details in the sliding panels on ALIS Personal . This shows you the name of the asset that needs to be maintained which so you can find that asset with it's name tag and then scan it's QR code for positive identification!
Are you searching for asset to be maintained and there are no labeling on the equipment?
Put the QR reader in Continues mode by means of this icon
The currently selected asset will be marked by means of the orange border around the QR code.
QR code for ad-hoc maintenance and observations/inspections
When using Mapview ( ALIS Team) or the AD-hoc mode in ALIS Team you can also use the QR code reader to identify the asset you want to select.
Upon successful scanning of the code the QR reader will be closed and the asset will automatically be selected.
The continues feature can also be used to find specific material and to see it's status.
The first identified QR will be the select asset mentioned in the assets details ( marked by orange border )
Upon individually scanning a QR - that QR will be the identified one.
The color will represent the status of the equipment ( Green= OK ; Red = marked Faulty )
Mapview and Ad-hoc on ALIS Personal can now be used as normal.