Entering and submitting observations (single computer)

REQUIREMENTS
Permission	All user levels with restrictions
Connectivity	Online and Offline

This document describes the process for entering and submitting observations with a single computer setup to the InfoEx.

Background

The process of entering and submitting observations with a single computer setup has two distinct phases:

1. Entering observations
   • All users of an operation have the permission to enter observations
   • Observations can be entered without connectivity
2. Submitting observations to InfoEx
   • Only users with submission moderator permissions or higher can submit the observations that have been entered on a computer to InfoEx
   • Whereas it is possible to click on the submit button while being offline, the actual submission to InfoEx requires connectivity. In this case submission will occur automatically the next time you are in InfoEx and connect to the internet.

The following section describes the steps included in both of these phases in detail.

Step-by-step description

Entering observations (all user levels)

1.	Fig. 1: Observation menu for submission moderator in single computer mode Click on the 'OBSERVATION' menu and select 'Enter & Submit' (Fig. 1). All user accounts associated with your operation have the necessary permission level to access this menu item.
2.	Fig. 2: Observation summary table for submission moderator in single computer mode This will open an observation overview table that lists all of the supported observation types (Fig. 2). If you are a user with only general user permissions, the Submit to InfoEx will be disabled on this screen.
3.	Click on the on the right end of the relevant observation type to open open the relevant observation entry form.
4.	Fig. 3: Completed weather observation form Enter all the information you have collected for your observation. Ensure that you complete all of the required fields, which are highlighted with a red * (Fig. 3). Click on Save & Done to save the the observation to the local computer. NOTE See Customizing observation entry forms for details on how to customize your observation entry forms
5.	Fig. 4: Weather observation form with validation error If a field is not filled out correctly (e.g., mandatory field is missing, maximum temperature is lower than minimum temperature), you will get a validation error message and you will have to fix the issue before you can save the observation. The fields that cause the validation error are highlighted with a red boarder and a red label (Fig. 4). If you cannot see the validation error in your favourites section at the top of the form, open all of the collapsed sections in the lower part of the form and you will find the field that is causing the issue. NOTE One of the most common validation issues is a weather observation that has an HST value, but the HST CLEARED DATE or HST CLEARED TIME fields are not filled out. BOTH of these fields are mandatory when submitting an HST or HSTW value. This is the reason why the HST CLEARED DATE or HST CLEARED TIME fields are dragged into the favorites section when the you move any HST field in there.
6.	Fig. 5: Observation overview table for user in single computer setup with a single weather observation This will get you back to the observation overview table with the entered observation showing in the appropriate table (Fig. 5).
7.	Repeat steps 3 to 6 until you have entered all of your observations.
8.	Edit your observations as required. Click on at the right end of an existing observation row to edit it. Click on at the right end of an existing observation row to clone it. NOTE This can be a useful tool for entering multiple observations (e.g., avalanche observations) that have similar characteristics. Once you entered the first observation, you can simply clone it. This will open a new observation entry screen prefilled with the values of the previously entered observation. You can then change whatever fields are different and click on Save & Done to save the observation. Click on at the right end of an existing observation row to delete it.

NOTE	At this point, all the observations that you have entered are stored in the cache of your Google Chrome browser on your local machine. These observations will persist even if you completely close the browser or even turn off your computer completely.

NOTE	All of these steps can be completed regardless whether you are online or offline. See the top right corner of the application to view your online/offline status.

Submitting observations (Submission moderator or higher)

1.	Follow the steps described under Entering observations (all user levels) to enter observations or edit observations that have been entered on the same computer by other staff members.
2.	Fig. 6: Observation overview table for submission moderator in single computer setup with a single weather observations To submit all of your observations to InfoEx, click on Submit to InfoEx (Fig. 6). You will receive a series of system messages confirming the upload of the observations. Once the observations have been uploaded, they will be removed from your local cache and disappear from the observation overview tables. NOTE Once observations have been submitted to InfoEx, they can only be deleted by special request to CAA staff explaining the reason for deletion.
3.	If you are not connected to the Internet (see top right corner for status) when you click on the Submit to InfoEx button, you will get a system message saying that your are currently offline, but that the observations automatically will be submitted as soon as you are online and in InfoEx. The observations will remain in the observation overview screen until they have been uploaded to the server.

Related documents

• Entering and submitting observations overview
  • Specifying the operational setting for entering and submitting observations
  • Entering and submitting observations (single computer)

[1] Click to watch a help video

• • Entering and submitting observations (multiple computers)

[2] Click to watch a help video

• Providing the exact location of an avalanche or snowpack observation

Functionality tested by

• Dec. 23: Pascal Haegeli