FieldFX Mobile 2021 Updates

Introduction

This page shows the 2021 release notes for FieldFX Mobile. You can see the release channels that FieldFX Mobile uses for its release. Each of the version numbers are linked to individual sections detailing what had changed.

Release Table

This table shows the latest versions and when the channel was last updated with that version. Click on the version number to jump to that version.

Release dates are subject to change.
Version Release Date Notes

4.0.1.4768

11/2/2021

  • Upgraded on 11/2/2021 to the Sync V4 Beta Channel

4.0.1.4764

10/7/2021

  • Upgraded on 11/2/2021 to the Sync V4 Channel

4.0.1.4750

8/11/2021

  • Current version on the Sync V4 release channel

4.0.1.4737

7/15/2021

4.0.1.4718

6/15/2021

4.0.1.4709

5/18/2021

4.0.1.4708

5/4/2021

4.0.1.4705

4/20/2021

4.0.1.4700

4/6/2021

4.0.1.4694

3/23/2021

4.0.1.4692

3/9/2021

4.0.1.4680

1/26/2021

4.0.1.4672

  • Released to the Sync V4 Beta Channel on 3/23/2021

  • Updated on the Sync V4 Quarterly Beta Channel on 12/8/2020

4.0.1.4671

  • Upgraded on 8/10/2021 to these channels:

    • Sync V4 Quarterly Beta Channel

    • Sync V4 Quarterly Channel

Release Notes

Version 4.0.1.4768 (11/2/2021)

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

849

Reports

We fixed an issue where the report templates weren’t synced when saved as attachments or files for each report template. They are synced when saved as either one.

970

Ticket

We fixed an issue so the copy code allows you to copy a ticket with a lookup both with a shallow object and lookup id.

981

Ticket

We corrected an error so when filtering or searching is conducted, no error is returned.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4764 (10/7/2021)

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

920

Display Storage Limit Warning

We have a new section to the Sync screen to show when a user’s device is approaching its storage limit.

When the device has less than 20% of its storage available, a Nearing Storage Limit message displays on the sync screen.

Sync Screen Storage Warning

If a user taps on the warning, a help message displays advising the user that limited storage may impact the function of

The message also advises considering removing apps and pictures to free up space on the user’s device.

930

Changes to the + (Save) Button

We updated the Green plus button that displays in many places in FieldFX Mobile, such as when previewing a report to add to a record.

Add button green

Users select a blue button to begin creating a record. FieldFX Mobile began adding a record and, in the case of reports, displayed a preview of what the record would contain. Users then needed to tap the green plus button to actually save the previewed document to the record.

Now, we have swapped the green plus button and use a green checkmark button instead.

Green Check Save button

The button can be customized with a text label using a localization key, Button_Save.

Mobile4764 Button with Label

See customizing FieldFX Mobile labels for more information.

While updating the button, we also added a PREVIEW watermark to the report image that displays after a users selects the report to add to the record.

This helps provide a visual cue that the report is not yet added to the record and the user still needs to confirm the selection by tapping the check mark button.

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

204

DataGuide

We fixed a bug that caused the sorting of forms to change when closing and reopening a window on the mobile device.

972

Reports

We fixed an issue caused two decimal places to display for percentages when the value of decimalPlaces was defined as 0.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4750 (8/11/2021)

New Features

Issue # Summary

929

Use Field Updates to Store Geolocation

Admin Portal Field Updates tool version pr12 or later required.

  • System Administrators can now use a field action in a Field Update rule to automatically record geolocation.

  • When a field update triggers recording to a geolocation field, the update stores the user’s current geolocation coordinates.

  • The System Administrator determines in the field update rule what triggers the field action that stores the geolocation information.

936

Support Title Metadata in Report Templates

  • PDF Templates can now specify the resulting PDF’s Title metadata

  • Add the info XML Element with the title attribute to the PDF template

  • Report designers can use Handlebars expressions in the info helper to dynamically update the resulting title based on the record displayed when generating the report

  • The Title attribute is used both for the resulting file name and the Title metadata for the PDF file

Example 1. Use "Job Safety Report" as the report title each time the report generates

Add the following line inside the PDF template’s <template> tag:

<template>
 <info title="Job Safety Report" />
</template>
Example 2. Dynamically use the Customer and a Timestamp for the report’s Title

Add the following Handlebars expression to the title attribute of the info report helper inside the <template> tag:

<template>
  <info title="{{FX5__Customer_Account__r.Name}}-{{formatDate (formula "NOW()") format="MM/DD/YYYY HH:mm:ss"}}"/>
</template>

Generating reports for such a report results in the following:

Reports Tab in FieldFX Mobile

Example of a Reports tab for a Job

Note List in FieldFX Back Office

Example of a Notes & Attachments file list with a PDF Report

File Properties Details Tab

On Windows, right clicking the PDF file and selecting the Properties option, then the Details tab, shows:

Example of a report’s Details tab in Windows File Properties

951

Display Custom Text on Signature or Image Capture Pages

  • Report Templates now include a new tag that can be used to display a content block on the Signature Capture screen

  • The new block can display data from the record, helping the person signing confirm what they are signing for

    Mobile4749 Custom Signature Capture Text
    Figure 1. Example of a signature box with the custom text displayed

  • Refer to the XML Elements for details on creating the <captureHeaderTemplate> and <captureHeaderRow> elements in the PDF report template to add the custom text block.

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

904

Disable Prompt to Add Details to Items

This enhancement requires Base Managed Package 1.405 or greater.

  • System Administrators can select a new FX Setting, DisableDetailPrompt.

  • When selected, users no longer see the prompt asking if they wish to add details when they add items to a Quote or Ticket.

    Example of the add details prompt users see when the setting is not enabled.

    Example of the prompt to add details to ticket items

  • This option may prevent users from inadvertently having to navigate through many screens if they select Yes after adding a bundle of many items.

If added items contain required fields, the user continues to see screens to add the additional details even when this setting is selected.

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

923

Sync

We corrected an issue that caused an Auto Sync Sync Event Error when users quickly added multiple files in quick succession.

926

Work Tasks

We fixed a bug that caused the Description of the work task to be cut off.

928

Calculated Fields

We fixed a bug that caused a rounding discrepancy between FieldFX Mobile and FieldFX Back Office.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4737 (7/15/2021)

New Features

Issue # Summary

115

Delete Unsynced File Attachments

  • System admins can enable a permission to allow FieldFX Mobile users to delete files they have attached.

  • To grant permission to delete an attachment

    1. Add the FX5.EnableMobileAttachmentDelete custom permission to the FieldFX Mobile user’s Profile or Permission Set

    2. Confirm the user has permission to the FX5.CustomPermissionService Apex class

Considerations

  • Attachments that have synced to FieldFX Back Office cannot be deleted

  • Auto Sync must not be enabled, as the two features are incompatible

  • Enabling this feature prevents the automatic upload of attachments

Step by Step

  1. In FieldFX Mobile, add a file to a record, such as a photo for a job, ticket, or work order.

  2. From the Files tab for the record, a trash can icon displays next to any files that have been added but not yet synced to FieldFX Back Office.

    image

  3. Tap the trash can icon next to the file to delete it.

    If no icon displays, the file has already synced and cannot be deleted in FieldFX Mobile.

  4. At the confirmation, tap Delete to confirm the deletion.

891

Specify Fields to Always Show Barcode Icon

To access the barcode scanning feature, a barcode icon appears in the field after a user selects a String or Rich Text Area field.

Now, admins can create a list of fields that should always display the barcode icon, helping FieldFX Mobile users know when they should be able to scan a barcode to input data rather than waiting for the user to access the field.

  1. From Setup's Object Manager, select the object used in FieldFX Mobile, such as Ticket or Job.

  2. Select Field Sets.

  3. Select New to add a Field Set.

  4. Make the following entries:

    • Field Set Label: Always_Show_Barcode_Indicator

    • Field Set Name: Accept the defaulted entry

    • Where is this used?: Specifies the field(s) to always show a barcode icon to FieldFX Mobile users.

  5. Select Save.

  6. Drag the field(s) where the barcode icon should always display into the In the Field Set box.

    The barcode icon is only valid for String and Rich Text Area field data types.

    A barcode icon does not display for fields with other data types.

  7. Select Save.

893

Add Ticket Items by Barcode Scanning

This feature requires the org be on Base Managed Package 1.402 release or later.

  • When on the Ticket Item Add screen, users can now tap a barcode scan icon to enter a barcode scanning mode.

  • To enable this function, users must have the BarcodeQuickScan custom permission enabled in their profile or permission set.

  • The scanned barcode value must exist on a related Catalog Item’s FX5__eBarcode__c field, Equipment item’s FX5_Barcode__c field, or the Contact item’s FX5__eBarcode__c field.

  • When a field users scans a barcode, FieldFX looks for a matching value in one of the Barcode fields on those objects.

Considerations

  • Child items that require a parent cannot be added by barcode scan.

  • An item can only be added to the scanned items list once during a single Quick Scan entry mode.

  • After an item is added to the Ticket, the user can re-enter the Quick Scan mode and scan the same items again

Step by Step

  1. In FieldFX Mobile, access a ticket and the Add Items screen.

  2. Tap the Barcode Scan icon to enter Quick Scan mode.

    image

  3. Scan item(s) using the device’s camera to add them to a list of items to be added.

  4. After scanning all items, tap the check mark to add the items to the Ticket.

902

Search Within and Select Items on the Items screen

  • We have added a new search bar to the Item listing screen on Tickets.

  • Use the new bar to filter the list of items, making it easier to find and select items.

  • Select multiple items across multiple items, then perform an action on all selected items, such as bulk edit.

How to Search Items

  1. Select a ticket in FieldFX Mobile.

  2. Select the Items tab.

  3. The new search bar appears across the top of the list, under the breadcrumbs.

  4. Enter text to filter the list of items.

  5. Select the desired item(s) from the filtered list.

  6. Clear the search string and enter a new search.

  7. Select additional items from the newly filtered search.

  8. The action button notification reflects all selected items.

    image

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

903

Select All Items to Add to Ticket or Quote

  • We have added the ability to select all displayed items when adding quote items or ticket items.

  • The Select All button in the header row only displays if there are 20 or fewer items listed.

    image

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

819

Attachments

We fixed an issue that caused pictures to rotate incorrectly when adding them to a ticket log.

901

eForms

We corrected an issue that caused Forms to not display in sequence order as expected.

906

Ticket

We clarified an error message that can result when a user’s sharing access is updated to remove access to a quote they previously had access to on mobile.

910

Barcode scanning

We fixed a bug that caused the barcode scanner to display when a user pressed enter while editing a field.

911

Ticket Items

We corrected an issue that prevented the red required flag from displaying on required ticket items.

922

Ticket

We fixed a bug that caused a validation error if an active Pricebook had an account assigned.

932

Reports

We fixed a bug that prevented reports from loading while offline.

NOTE: This issue was fixed in an intermediary release to users on all release channels.

  • Release version 4.0.1.4672 to Sync V4 Quarterly and Sync V4 Quarterly Beta

  • Release version 4.0.1.4710 to Sync V4

  • Release version 4.0.1.4721 to Sync V4 Beta

939

Item Grids

We corrected a cosmetic issue that caused the grid to display incorrectly when it contained bundles.

940

Barcode Scanning

We fixed a bug that caused multiple unexpected items to be added from the continuous scan feature.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4718 (6/15/2021)

Updated to 4.0.1.4721 on July 2, 2021, to address an issue with offline reports.

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

892

Use the Barcode Scanning Function from Add or Search Screens

  • We have expanded the Barcode Scanner to also function when searching for items to add.

  • When a user enters a search screen by selecting a lookup or adding an item, they can tap the barcode icon in the search bar to activate their camera and scan a barcode.

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

886

PDF Reports

We fixed a bug that prevented hyperlinks in PDF reports from working.

889

Sync

We fixed a problem that caused ticket items and attachments to sync twice.

910

Barcode Scanning

We fixed an issue that caused the barcode scanner to activate when a user pressed Enter in a long text area field.

921

Price Books

We corrected a problem that caused price book items to be deleted from mobile during an incremental sync.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4709 (5/18/2021)

Updated to 4.0.1.4710 on July 2, 2021, to address an issue with offline reports.

FieldFX Mobile is switching from a bi-weekly release cycle to a monthly release cycle going forward.

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

174

DataGuide

We fixed a bug that caused reports that used a default formula on a question in a panel to not load correctly.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4708 (5/4/2021)

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

899

Quote, Job, and Ticket

We fixed a bug that caused long text in the Work Description field to not wrap properly.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4705 (4/20/2021)

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

New Features

Issue # Summary

863, 873

Scan Barcodes to Complete Text Fields

  • FieldFX Mobile users can use their device’s camera to scan a barcode to complete a text field.

    • iOS/iPadOS users must be on version 12 or later.

    • Android users must be on Android 10 or later.

    • Barcode scanning is available to users in the browser or in the FieldFX Mobile Pro app.

  • The following field types can be completed using the barcode scanning functionality in FieldFX Mobile Pro:

Text strings
Text area
Datetime
Date

Time
Lookup fields
Boolean
Number

  • The following field types cannot be completed using the barcode scanning functionality:

    • Rich Text Area

    • Geolocation

  • The user’s device alerts of a successful barcode scan with an audible beep sound.

  • The following barcode types can be used:

    1D Barcodes 2D Barcodes

    Code 39 Industrial

    Aztec

    Code 128 Industrial

    Data Matrix

    EAN-8

    QR

    EAN-13

    PDF 417

    ITF-14 Industrial

    RSS-14 Industrial

  • For speed, LiquidFrameworks recommends using a 2D Barcode.

    3D Barcode types are not supported.

  • The device’s camera relies on normal light and not lasers. The barcodes need to be printed with sufficient contrast.

102

Print FX DataGuide Forms

  • Users can now print FX DataGuide forms that are In Progress or Complete from their mobile device.

  • A print icon displays while viewing the form on the mobile device.

  • When selected, a PDF of the form as currently completed generates.

  • Users can print the resulting PDF using the device’s normal printing process.

  • The resulting file can also be shared using other methods available on the device, such as an AirDrop on an Apple device.

  • iOS/iPadOS users not using the FieldFX Mobile Pro app to access FieldFX Mobile must disable popup blockers to print forms.

  • Android users not using the FieldFX Mobile Pro app to access FieldFX Mobile must manually open the file after it downloads.

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

130

Filter the List of Available Forms

  • When a user selects to add a new FX DataGuide form, the list of available forms my be long.

  • We have added a search bar to the Form selection screen when adding a form.

  • Users can enter text in the search field to filter the displayed forms.

    • The list of forms remains only the applicable forms, whether independent of a job or ticket or tied to a specific job or ticket.

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

114

FX DataGuide

FX DataGuide requires that background upload sync is enabled. We added a check to verify this option has been enabled. If not, the DataGuide tab does not display in FieldFX Mobile.

140

FX DataGuide

We fixed an issue that caused forms to not load when a user was in offline mode. Files are no longer cached and can only be displayed when a user is online. When a user is offline, the Files tab in FX DataGuide screens does not display.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4700 (4/6/2021)

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

101

FX DataGuide Forms Can Include a File Upload Question

  • FX DataGuide forms now have the option to add a File when completing a form.

  • The question accepts a file of the following types:

  • .xls (Microsoft Excel)

  • .xlsx (Microsoft Excel XML)

  • .doc (Microsoft Word)

  • .docx (Microsoft Word XML)

  • .pdf (Adobe portable document format)

  • .rtf (rich text format)

  • .txt (text format)

  • Images that are .png, .jpg, .jpeg

  • Users can add one file per question, and replacing the file creates a different content version of the form in the form’s version history

  • Form managers can limit the types of files allowed and set a maximum file size

  • Files can be viewed in the FieldFX Mobile files tab or in FieldFX Back Office with other Files

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

107

DataGuide

We fixed an issue that prevented some data from child objects from being accessible on Forms in FX DataGuide.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4694 (3/23/2021)

Prerequisites

Switch to Sync 4.0

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

97

IsAvailable Formula Options for DataGuide Forms

  • FX DataGuide forms include the ability to filter forms with a formula in the form’s IsAvailable configuration.

  • The formulas in the IsAvailable field can now filter forms using the $User and $Profile fields, allowing for greater customization of what forms display to users.

Table 1. Formula Effect Examples
Formula Effect

$Profile.Name != 'FE'

Users assigned the FE User Profile do not see the form.

$User.Department == 'Houston'

Only users assigned to the Houston Department see the form.

$User.Department == 'Houston' && $Profile.Name == 'FE'

Only users with the FE Profile who are assigned to the Houston department see the form.

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

100

DataGuide

We fixed an issue that prevented formulas on Job and Ticket forms from populating correctly for picklist, reference, and formula fields.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4692 (3/9/2021)

Background Changes

  • This version includes updates with no impact to users to support functionality currently in development.

  • There are no other changes.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4689

Bug Fixes

# Area Description

867

Sync

We fixed an issue that prevented mobile users from downloading to their devices Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel files attached to a record.

877

Sync

We fixed a bug that prevented the deletion of quote items and ticket items from syncing to FieldFX Back Office.

Back to Release Table

Version 4.0.1.4680

Enhancements

Issue # Summary

861

Print Support for Android Devices using FieldFX Mobile Pro

  • Adds support for users on Android mobile devices accessing FieldFX through the FieldFX Mobile Pro app

  • Users can print to any printer available to the device

Back to Release Table