Entering and submitting observations overview

REQUIREMENTS
Permission	All user levels
Connectivity	Online and offline

This document describes the different possibilities for entering observations in the InfoEx system.

Background

In the new InfoEx system, the term observation only refers to true observations that were made in the field and pure data is submitted to the InfoEx. Examples are weather observations or avalanche observations. Observations are different from [[Definitions|assessments], which include interpretations of observations, such as a description of the snowpack or a hazard assessment. See Difference between observations and assessments for a complete description of the difference between observations and assessments. This document describes how to enter observations into the InfoEx system.

The new InfoEx offers much more flexibility for the entry of observations than the previous SnoInfo application. The main new features are:

• Support for observation entry from multiple users on multiple computers
• The ability to share observation within your operation prior to their submission to the InfoEx
• The ability to review previously entered observations before their final submission
• The integration of observation entry into workflows

These features were implemented in the new system to make it easier for teams to collaborative contribute to the InfoEx and to integrate the InfoEx better into the existing operational procedures of subscribers. Since not all InfoEx subscribers work in large teams that benefit from the data entry from multiple computers, subscribers can choose between two setting for data entry:

Fig. 1: Flow of observations in the configuration for entry from single computer 1. Data entry from a single computer and direct submission to the InfoEx This setting results in the following flow of information (Fig. 1): All users can enter observations on the single computer. Observation moderator submits observations from single computer directly to the InfoEx.

Fig. 2: Flow of observations in the configuration for entry from multiple computers 2. Data entry from multiple computers and sharing within the operation before the submission to the InfoEx This setting results in the following flow of information:

Step-by-step description

Please visit one of the following documents for more details on how to enter and submit observations:

• How to enter and submit observations (multiple computers)
• How to enter and submit observations (single computer)

Related documents

• How to enter and submit observations (multiple computers)
• How to enter and submit observations (single computer)

Functionality tested by

• n/a