OSX 4.0

OSX4 Replaces OSX3, OSX3 Retires March 2024

Iron

With the release of OnScene Xplorer 4.0 for Windows PC and iOS, Iron Compass announces that OnScene Xplorer 3.x and the automatic software and mapping data updates for 3.x will end on March 1, 2024. This will give our current customers ample time to transition to OnScene Xplorer 4.0.

OnScene Xplorer 4.0 features all new mapping data structures with automatic synchronization between devices and includes out of the box support for assets tracking. The new 4.0 features improved automatic base mapping updates and modern automatic software updates from the Microsoft Store and the Apple App Store.

OnScene Xplorer 4.0 includes tools to import Facility preplans, Map Markers, and Hydrants from OnScene Xplorer 3.x. As customers transition into OnScene Xplorer 4.0, customers using Dispatch Monitor will have the Dispatch Monitor transition to 4.0 as well.

Customers current in maintenance or with their subscription have access to Iron Compass’s tech support to ensure a smooth transition to OnScene Xplorer 4.0.

OSX 4.0 Asset Tracking in Place

Iron

Progress on OnScene Xplorer 4.0 is going very well. The work items list is shrinking and we’re getting down to a few remaining chunks of functionality.

Recently we added the asset tracking functionality. This support will be built-in to OSX4. Users will simply need to check a box and add a name of the unit to enable tracking.

While in-route to calls, all units in the department can be visible on the map display and aid incident commands to deploy the response. Now that we are tracking our beta units, we start to add in features we have on OSX3, like pausing the reporting of positions while the unit is in the station or on-scene.

Once OSX4 is released, we plan to add functionality to enable a department to share their asset locations with other departments. Cooperation like this enhances the situational awareness of all units responding to an incident.

The current OSX3’s functionality is named “Asset Tracker.” We’re not sure if OSX4 will need a separate product name for asset tracking. It will just be part of the core OnScene Xplorer 4.0.

What’s in a Name? Code Signing Certs

Iron

Our development of OnScene Xplorer 4.0 is going very well. So it is time to get a code signing cert (certificate) so users would not have to deal with that annoying popup in Windows asking if you trust to run the app.

Getting a cert is pretty straight forward: fill out a form, pay some money, provide some documentation to prove you are who you say you are, and they give you the cert. Simple, right?

We provided some docs from the Commonwealth of PA which shows our name and address. For the record, our registered name is “Iron Compass Map Company.” The cert authorities also want some additional documentation, for example, a utility bill. So we provided them with a bill from our internet service provider. The reply? We’re sorry, but this doesn’t have the full company name. You see, our ISP seems to only have 18 characters in the billing name, so our bill has “IRON COMPASS MAP C.”

We sent them a vehicle registration from the state, which has our full name, but that didn’t count. OK, so legal documents or records from our state government do not count. I guess they don’t trust the government. Then we got another reply:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for writing us.   Could you please confirm us shall we use the company name as ironcompass.com which is listing in zoominfo.com or do you wish to have Iron Compass Map Company.

Awaiting for your response !!

The lesson? Besides their English being a little suspect, they trust ZoomInfo.com more than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

OK, so we start looking at the bills from our vendors and guess what? All of our vendors either use some variation of our name (Iron Compass Map Co., Iron Compass Map, etc), or they use our mailing PO Box. Oh yes, cert company needs to have the registered address on the bill. The PO Box doesn’t count. Yes, as you would assume, we have our mail send to our PO Box. See, that is why we have a PO Box. Crazy, right? So, they wait.

Please provide us the comcast bill document document with the full company name Iron Compass Map Company, so that we will proceed further 

Wait a minute! We have a virtual phone system that bills annually…maybe they have our full name. Hey, they do. But it has our PO Box and not the registered address. But, in the last few emails, it seems like they are looking at the name separate from the address. Perhaps that will do? OK, Log in…bill history (Feb 2019), print, and email..

I think we have worn them down because they accepted the name with the PO Box address and are moving to the final item. Just thinking, if we were a fake company, wouldn’t we just fake some utility bills too? Only a legitimate company would do this whole back and forth to get a cert. Right?

After all this back and forth, they only need to verify our phone number by giving us a call and provide a code, which we then type into a web form.

Voila! Congratulation IRON COMPASS MAP C…… Iron Compass Map Co…..Iron Compass Map Company, you now have a code signing certificate. Yay!

Planning for OSX 4.0

Iron

The planning for OnScene Xplorer 4.0 has already begun. Actually, it has been on our minds for some time. We have learned a lot since releasing OnScene Xplorer 3.0 back in 2011. And a lot has changed in the world of technology too. Customers now have a range of devices to choose from like Android tablets, iPads, and Windows 10 laptops and tablets.

The component technologies that software companies use to develop apps has changed a lot too. It is much “easier” today to build apps that sync data and can be deployed onto different devices.

We actually chuckle to ourselves a little over today’s “fluent design” for apps, and realize the OSX released in 2003 looks very much like “fluent design”

We plan to post our progress here as OSX 4.0 design evolves and development progresses.