Importing geo-location data

Geo-location files are records which provide an accurate location of a person at an accurate time. These records may come from the mobile phone service provider (that is, the operator) if the source is for example a mobile phone, or they may come from a GPS tracker fitted to a vehicle, or a license plate reader which is located in a known position, or ankle bracelets fitted to a person. OSS-ESPA requires the following information from a geo-location file: time, latitude and longitude, and additionally for GPS ping files the accuracy buffer or call location confidence.

  1. For the case you want to upload a geo-location to, open the Manage case screen.

    On the main menu click View cases. The screen that opens depends on your setting of View cases. If it is set to:

    • Advanced view, then the Advanced view cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, click the case name to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed on the Favorite & recent cases tab, then click the Cases tab. Use the search filters to help locate your case. You can also click to open the FILTERS group which allows you to set your own default filter defining what is displayed on this tab, for example you may wish to set it to cases that you created which are currently open.

      For further information refer to Searching for a case.

    • Grid view, then the View cases screen opens.
      • If your case is listed under My recent cases click it to open the Manage case screen.
      • If it is not listed under My recent cases then select your case from the table, using the search filters to help locate it if required. Note, by default the search is set to only display cases that you created; if you are not the original creator but an assignee then ensure you set Case filter to Assigned cases before clicking Search.
    • Tree view, then the View i-cases screen opens.
      • Click at the top-right of the screen to open either the View Cases or Advanced view cases screen and follow the above description.

  2. On the Manage case screen click Upload more files.

    The Manage files screen opens.

  3. In Data type select Geo-location files.

  4. To import geo-location data there is a template that you can download and add your data to. Click here to download the template.

  5. Once downloaded, open the Excel template and replace your data into the columns. Do not change the column headers. The mandatory columns are Date/Time, Latitude and Longitude. Radius is optional and is used for the accuracy buffer or call location confidence in GPS ping files. Once you have entered your data, save the file.

  6. You must select a Person, a Source type, either a Phone number or Vehicle and a geo-location file.

    1. In Person select the applicable person for the geo-location file you want to upload.

    2. Either select a Phone number or Vehicle to associate the geo-location file with.

    3. In Source type select the source of the geo-location file.

      • GPS Ping: these are initiated by the telecom network to determine the location of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or tablet. These files are supplied by the mobile phone service provider and the data maps out as one point for each individual location.

        NOTE: GPS pings can be imported into OSS-ESPA using a variety of methods. The geo-location file type on the Manage files screen allows you to import historical GPS pings as described in Importing geo-location data. The Sentinel screen allows you to import historical GPS pings individually when you right-click the map and select Add location data. The Smart Track feature allows you to import live GPS pings from the operator as described in How to create a smart track alert.

      • GPS Tracker: these are fitted onto vehicles and are tracked via the Global Positioning Satellite System. These files are supplied by your GPS tracking software and the data maps out as a breadcrumb trail of movement per day.
      • License Plate Reader: these read the license plate of vehicles and are located in a known position. These files are supplied by your license plate reader software.

    4. Click Select. Windows Explorer opens. Navigate to the folder and select the required file.

      NOTE: The geo-location file you select must be the original file you received and not one which you have edited.

    5. Click Save.