Visualizing data as connected maps

As a user with Editor or Administrator, use the BMC Helix Connected Maps visualization plug-in to track the status of moving vehicles on a geo map, such as a fleet. Use the location-specific data points for these vehicles to monitor them.

Example: Monitor the vehicle fleet on a geo map

Jim is a manager in a logistics company. His company uses a dashboard configured by using the BMC Helix Connected Maps plug-in visualization for fleet management. Jim uses this dashboard to perform the following tasks:

• Track the live location of vehicles on a centralized map
• Track vehicle speed, idling, and route deviations for improved safety and efficiency
• Provide accurate delivery time estimates to customers and dispatchers

Before you begin

Make sure that you have the latitude and longitude coordinates of the vehicles that you want to track on the map.

To configure the BMC Helix Connected Maps plug-in

1. On the Home page, select Add > Visualization.
2. Configure the data sources for the map.
   For more information, see Building queries to fetch data.
3. From the list of visualization types, select BMC Helix Connected Maps.
   
   
    
4. (Optional) In the Panel options section, perform these steps:
   1. Specify a name and an optional description for the panel.
   2. Use the toggle key to view the transparent background for the panel title.
   3. In the Panel links section, add one or more links to navigate to other content.
   4. In the Repeat options section, select a variable to create a new panel for the variable value.
5. In the Basemap layer section, from the Layer type list, select the required layer type. 
6. In the Map view section, perform these steps:
   1. From the View list, select a region to be viewed after opening the map, or select Fit to data to fit the map according to the data extent of map layers.
   2. In the Zoom box, specify a zoom level.
7. In the Map layer section, perform these steps for all the elements that you want to show on the map:
   1. Configure the following parameters for the layer, which corresponds to the first element to be shown on the map.

      Parameter	Description
      Layer 1	Edit the layer name, for example, Cars.
      Data	Select a filter.
      Location mode	Select one of these options: Auto - Detect location data automatically based on the default fields. Coords - Specify the coordinates manually. Geohash - Detect the location coordinates based on the selected field containing location data.
      Symbols	Select a visual pointer to display data points on the map.
      Size	Select any of the following options: Select Fixed value and enter a value for the marker size, which is applied to the marker on the map. Select a latitude or longitude value configured in the data source.
      Group by field	Select a field to group data. For example, if you select a field such as vehicle number, all the data points for the selected duration are grouped according to the vehicle number.
      Enable maximum vehicles check	Use this toggle and specify the maximum vehicles to be displayed on the map.  Important: You can specify a maximum of 10 vehicles.
      Offset	Define an offset to avoid overlapping of multiple elements on the map.
      Path style	Specify how you want to render a route on the map.  None - Display only markers on the map. Line - Display lines joining the start, mid, and end points. Path - Display the route based on the MapBox Directions API.
      Path width	Specify the width of the route to be displayed on the map.
      Line fill opacity	Select the opacity of the route to be displayed on the map.
      Path time	Specify the duration for which you want to display the route on the map.
      Advanced icon configuration	Enable live tracking - Display moving vehicles as blinking on the map. Enable different icons - Configure the icons and their sizes to indicate the start and midpoints on the route to be displayed on the map.
      Tooltip configuration	To enable the tooltip for a vehicle, click Edit tooltip configuration and configure the tooltip parameters. The tooltip is displayed when you click a vehicle on the map. The tooltip shows the vehicle details, such as location, time zone, and the configurable links to navigate to relevant resources.

   2. Click Add layer and configure the parameters for the layer, which corresponds to the second element to be shown on the map.
   3. (Optional) Repeat these steps to add another layers and configure its parameters for other elements to be shown on the map.
8. In the Map controls setting, configure these settings:
   • Show or hide zoom controls.
   • Enable or disable the full-screen view.
   • Show or hide the map scale.
9. From the Choose Navbar color list, select a color for the navigation bar on the map.
10. Save the changes.