Aptli

Mobile App

Aptli's mobile interface is designed for field workers on smartphones and tablets. Install it directly from your browser — no app store required — and get offline-first access to your assignments, a QR scanner for inventory pickups, report creation with GPS and photo capture, and map drafting. The mobile experience focuses on execution; administration tasks remain on the desktop.

What is a PWA?

Progressive Web App = installable website that works like a native app:

Installation: Install directly from the browser — no app store, no approval process. The exact path depends on your device (detailed per-platform steps below):

  • Android (Chrome/Edge): log in, then tap Add to home in the app's sidebar. Fallback: the browser's three-dot menu → Install app / Add to Home screen.
  • iOS (Safari): tap the Share button → Add to Home Screen. iOS does not auto-prompt, ever.
  • Desktop (Chrome/Edge): click the small install icon on the right side of the address bar, or use the three-dot menu → Install Aptli.

Once installed, the app opens in full-screen mode with no browser chrome.

Benefits Over Mobile Browser:

  • Faster launch (cached on device)
  • Works offline (offline caching)
  • Push notifications
  • Home screen shortcuts to specific functions
  • Better performance (optimized assets)

Extra Desktop Tools: some features such as bulk imports, deep editing and data export are only available on the desktop app; the mobile PWA provides a “Data‑Transfer” shortcut but export is limited to the desktop version.

No App Store Required:

  • No Apple/Google approval process
  • Updates deploy instantly (no app store review delay)
  • Same codebase as web version (maintenance efficiency)

Mobile Scope

Included - Execution Functions:

  • ✅ View assignments (all or just mine)
  • ✅ Create reports from assignments
  • ✅ Scan QR codes (pickup authorization)
  • ✅ View map with features and tasks
  • ✅ Create simple map features (point, line, polygon)
  • ✅ View reports (all or just mine)
  • ✅ Upload photos to reports
  • ✅ Edit own user profile
  • ✅ Validate phone number (2FA)
  • ✅ Request help (help request form)
  • ✅ Respond to help requests directed to you

Excluded - Administration Functions:

  • ❌ Create assignments (desktop only)
  • ❌ Modify inventory (desktop only, except for authorized staff scans)
  • ❌ Register new features (simple drafts OK, bulk imports desktop only)
  • ❌ Add roles to users (desktop only)
  • ❌ Bulk operations (desktop only)

Rationale:

  • 5% of desktop app size/complexity
  • Focus on field execution
  • Complex admin tasks better on desktop

Mobile Interface

Mobile PWA interface — home screen, assignments, reports, and QR scanner

In-app QR code scanner interface

Bottom Navigation Bar:

  • Home (quick overview)
  • Assignments (view and filter)
  • Reports (create and view)
  • Map (features, tasks, drafting)
  • Profile (account settings)

Shortcuts (Long-Press Home Icon):

  • Scanner (QR code reader)
  • Quick Report (create report from current location)
  • My Tasks (assignments with my tasks highlighted on map)

Gesture Support:

  • Swipe between tabs
  • Pull-to-refresh (update data)
  • Long-press for context menus
  • Pinch-zoom on map

Scanner Function

QR code scanner for inventory pickups and feature references:

Use Cases:

  • Scan assignment pickup QR → authorize inventory transfer
  • Scan feature QR tag → open feature detail
  • Scan help request QR → respond to specific issue

Workflow:

  1. Tap scanner shortcut (or bottom nav scanner icon)
  2. Camera opens with QR viewfinder
  3. Point at QR code
  4. Auto-detect and decode
  5. Action performed (pickup, navigate to feature, etc.)

Pickup Authorization:

  1. Scan assignment pickup QR
  2. Validate:
    • You're authorized recipient (or have canFacilitatePickups permission)
    • Stock available at source site
    • GPS location (within geofence if configured)
  3. Confirm pickup
  4. Transfer transaction created automatically
  5. Inventory added to your personal site

Offline QR Scans:

  • Scans cached while offline
  • Processed when back online
  • Prevents duplicate pickups (deduplication logic)

Assignments View

Filter Options:

  • All assignments
  • Assigned to me
  • Created by me
  • Status (pending, in-progress, completed)

Assignment Card:

  • Name and description
  • Assigned users (avatars)
  • Status badge
  • Resource targets summary
  • Progress bar
  • Due date indicator

Actions:

  • Tap to view details
  • Create report (quick action button)
  • View QR code (if authorized and pickup code exists)
  • Update status (in-progress → completed)

Reports Creation

Quick Report Flow:

  1. From assignment → tap "Create Report"
  2. Pre-filled: assignment, tasks, suggested consumption
  3. Adjust actuals (what really happened)
  4. Tap camera icon → take photos
  5. GPS auto-captured (current location)
  6. Submit → consumption transactions created

Mobile-Optimized Fields:

  • Large touch targets (buttons, inputs)
  • Voice-to-text for descriptions
  • Photo upload from camera or gallery
  • GPS auto-fill (or manual map selection)
  • Minimal required fields (name, work completed, consumed from)

Offline Report Creation:

  • Create report while offline
  • Photos cached locally
  • Auto-submit when connection restored
  • Conflict resolution if data changed server-side

Map View

Features Displayed:

  • All committed features (from layers)
  • Tasks near current location (proximity filter)
  • Your assignments highlighted (color-coded)

Map Controls:

  • Layer selector (toggle feature visibility)
  • Current location button (recenter on GPS)
  • Basemap switcher (roads, satellite, terrain)
  • Search (find feature by name/ID)

Simple Drafting:

  • Tap the + floating action button; the first tap reveals the drawing tools, the second tap activates the selected tool (this two‑level behaviour keeps the UI uncluttered on small screens)
  • Choose geometry type (point, line, polygon)
  • Tap map to add points
  • Fill basic properties
  • Save to draft version
  • Note: drafts created on mobile participate in the same version/commit system as desktop. Mobile users can request commit, but only admins can approve; finalized versions are visible to everyone once approved.

Offline Map Tiles:

  • Map tiles cached (30-day expiration)
  • Cached tiles load first for speed; network only used if they're missing
  • Works without internet connection
  • Syncs features when back online

Stock Transfer (Authorized Staff Only)

Staff with canFacilitatePickups permission:

Workflow:

  1. Worker arrives at warehouse
  2. Shows assignment QR code
  3. Staff scans QR on behalf of worker
  4. System validates:
    • Worker is authorized recipient
    • Staff has canFacilitatePickups permission
    • Stock available
  5. Transfer performed
  6. Transaction records who performed the scan, on whose behalf, and the scan method (self vs. staff-assisted)

Manual Transfer Creation: Staff can create manual transfers:

  • Select source site
  • Select recipient
  • Select resources and volumes
  • Confirm → transaction created

Profile Management

Editable Fields:

  • Name, title, division
  • Phone number (with validation)
  • Notification preferences
  • Language selection

Phone Validation:

  1. Enter phone number
  2. Tap "Send Code"
  3. Receive SMS with 6-digit code
  4. Enter code
  5. Phone validated (enables SMS notifications)

Two-Factor Authentication:

  • Enable 2FA from profile
  • Scan TOTP QR with authenticator app
  • Enter 6-digit code to confirm
  • Required on future logins

Cannot Edit on Mobile:

  • Email (security restriction)
  • Roles (admin function)
  • Admin rights (admin function)

Help Requests

Create Help Request:

  1. Tap "Request Help" (from profile or menu)
  2. Fill form:
    • Subject line
    • Description (voice-to-text supported)
    • Category (technical, access, materials, etc.)
    • Priority (low, medium, high, urgent)
  3. Optional: Add photos
  4. Submit → notification sent to appropriate team

Respond to Help Requests:

  • View requests directed to you
  • Add comments/notes
  • Update status
  • Upload response photos
  • Close when resolved

Offline Capabilities

Offline Caching:

  • API responses cached (1-hour expiration)
  • Map tiles cached (30-day expiration)
  • App shell cached (instant load)
  • Images and assets cached

Offline-First Actions:

  • Create reports (submit when online)
  • Take photos (upload when online)
  • Draft map features (sync when online)
  • View cached assignments/reports

Sync Indicators:

  • Online: Green dot
  • Offline: Gray dot + "X items pending sync"
  • Syncing: Spinner + "Syncing X items..."
  • Last sync time displayed

Installation Instructions

Aptli installs directly from your browser — no app store, no approval process. The exact path depends on your device.

Android (Chrome or Edge)

Primary path — in-app button:

  1. Open Aptli in Chrome or Edge.
  2. Log in → you land on the mobile home page.
  3. Tap Add to home in the sidebar navigation (download icon).
  4. Chrome's native install dialog appears — tap Install.
  5. Aptli's icon appears on your home screen.

Fallback path — browser menu:

  1. Tap the browser's three-dot menu.
  2. Tap Install app or Add to Home Screen.
  3. Confirm — Aptli's icon appears on your home screen.

Chrome removed the auto-appearing install banner in Chrome 76 (2019). On modern Android, installing always starts with a tap — either the in-app Add to home button or the browser menu. Both work; the in-app button is faster once you're logged in.

iOS (Safari)

iOS is Safari-only for PWA installation — Chrome and Firefox on iOS are WebKit shells without install UI. iOS also never shows an automatic install prompt; you initiate it from the Share menu.

  1. Open Aptli in Safari.
  2. Tap the Share button (box with arrow).
  3. Scroll and tap Add to Home Screen.
  4. Tap Add.
  5. Aptli's icon appears on your home screen.

Desktop (Chrome, Edge, or other Chromium browser)

  1. Open Aptli in the browser.
  2. Look for the install icon (⊕ or a small monitor/computer icon) on the right side of the address bar.
  3. Click it — the browser's install dialog appears.
  4. Click Install.
  5. Aptli opens in its own window with no browser chrome. It also appears in your OS app launcher (Start menu, Applications folder, etc.).

If the install icon isn't visible:

  • Chrome: three-dot menu → Install Aptli.
  • Edge: three-dot menu → Apps → Install this site as an app.

Firefox and other browsers

PWA installation is best supported in Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave) and Safari on iOS. Firefox supports installation on Android but not on desktop.

Updates

PWA updates automatically:

  • No app store updates needed
  • New version downloads in background
  • Prompt to refresh when update ready
  • Instant deployment of fixes/features

Security Considerations

On-Device Storage:

  • Session data is secured on the device
  • No sensitive data is stored in plain text
  • All local data is cleared on logout

GPS Privacy:

  • Location accessed only when needed (reports, QR pickups)
  • Permission requested explicitly
  • Can decline (manual location entry supported)
  • GPS data encrypted in transit (HTTPS)

Photo Privacy:

  • Photos stored locally until uploaded
  • Deleted after successful upload
  • Server storage encrypted
  • Access controlled by permissions

Best Practices

Install the PWA:

  • Faster than mobile browser
  • Works offline
  • Better experience

Enable Notifications:

  • Receive assignment updates
  • Help request responses
  • Pickup code expirations

Sync Regularly:

  • Open app daily (even if offline)
  • Queued actions process automatically
  • Prevents large backlog

Use Camera:

  • Photos prove work completed
  • Document quality issues
  • Faster than typing descriptions

Report from Field:

  • Submit while still on-site
  • Fresh memory = accurate details
  • GPS auto-capture (don't forget location)

Cache Map Tiles:

  • Open map in service area while online
  • Tiles cache for 30 days
  • Map usable offline