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Version: 3.9

Using Custom Maps in R-COM Gateway

Custom Maps in R-COM Gateway Gateway enable spatial representation of tracked assets by overlaying digital objects onto real-world layouts such as floor plans, warehouses, or campuses. This tool is ideal for visualizing object positions, managing zones, and interacting with object data contextually.

Create a New Custom Map​

Where to begin​

From the R-COM Gateway Gateway Dashboard, go to:

Custom Maps > Manage Maps

You’ll see the Custom Map Management page, with a Group panel for browsing existing maps by Access Group. Only users assigned to a given group can view or edit its maps.

Custom map navigation

Custom map navigation

Step 1: Create a New Map​

  • Select the desired Access Group from the left-hand menu. This filters the view to only show maps relevant to that group.
  • Select Create Custom Map.
Create new custom map

Create new custom map

This opens the Create New Custom Map form.

Step 2: Fill Out Map Configuration​

Start by adding one or more building layouts to configure.

  • At the bottom, add a layer name (A map can have multiple layers, e.g., Multiple floors of a building.)
  • Upload an image of the map/layout
  • Select Add New Layer to add more layers.
Add layout layers

Add layout layers

info

A single map can support multiple layers, all aligned to the same coordinate system. This is useful when representing multiple floors of a building or when you want to group different sets of objects visually.

For example, you might use one layer to show all racks and another to show only high-value items, both mapped to the same layout. To implement this, simply add multiple layers during map configuration.

In the configuration panel, complete the following fields:

FieldDescription
Custom Map NameDisplay name for the map (e.g., GroundFloor)
RoleOne or more roles that can access the map.
GroupSelected Access Group. Only users from this group can interact with this map.
Left Bottom GeolocationPhysical world coordinate (GeoX, GeoY) for the bottom-left of the map. (e.g., 51.09068170613481, 10.380832526876302)
Right Top GeolocationPhysical world coordinate (GeoX, GeoY) for the top-right of the map. (e.g., 51.09068170613481, 10.380832526876302)
Left Bottom CoordinatesPixel coordinates (X,Y) of the bottom-left corner of the image on screen or canvas.
Right Top CoordinatesPixel coordinates (X,Y) of the top-right corner of the map image.
Configure new custom map

Configure new custom map

warning

Use a clean, properly scaled image where the layout is clearly visible and objects can be visually mapped with accuracy. The geolocation data will be aligned with pixel coordinates to ensure precise tracking and positioning within the map.

tip

Tip: If your image contains white margins or padding around the layout, do not use the image’s full size as your coordinate bounds. Instead, measure from the actual layout edges. This ensures accurate geolocation mapping.

To find the correct pixel coordinates:​

  1. Open the image in a viewer/editor like Paint or Photoshop.
  2. Locate the bottom-left and top-right corners of the actual layout (ignoring white space).
  3. Record the pixel positions of those points.

💡 Example: If the full image is 1000×1000 pixels, and your layout begins at (100,120) and ends at (900,880):

Custom map coordinates allocation

Custom map coordinates allocation

  • Left Bottom Coordinates = (100, 120)
  • Right Top Coordinates = (900, 880)

Step 3: View and Interact with the Map​

After creation, return to Custom Maps > Manage Maps, then select Set Locations from the map row to display the interactive viewer.

You will see the full map image with tools to draw and manage geolocations.

Assign custom map geolocations

Assign custom map geolocations

Step 4: Draw Zones and Assign Location Points​

Drawing Interface​

ComponentPurpose
SELECT LAYERChoose which layer to draw on (for example, a floor).
SELECT TOOLChoose the drawing tool available for the current map view.
New DrawingEnables shape creation
Viewing ModeShows the available map-view mode.
LOCATION POINTS (n)Opens the defined location points; n is the number shown for the current map.
CANVAS (X, Y)Shows the canvas coordinates reported by the view.
GEO (LNG, LAT)Shows the geographic coordinates reported by the view.

Drawing Workflow​

  1. Click on New Drawing.
  2. Select a drawing tool from SELECT TOOL.
  3. Use the mouse to draw zones on the uploaded image (e.g., to outline storage bins or rooms).
  4. Click on Save Drawing.
  5. In the dialogue box, provide the info for the selected area:
  • Storage Number
  • Storage Location
  • Storage Area
  • Storage Bin

Zones can later be tied to Object Schemas or logic in workflows.

Add new zone in map

Add new zone in map

info

Granularity for tagging storage positions:

  • Storage Number only: marks an entire storage zone.
  • Storage Number + Location: tags a specific location within that storage.
  • Storage Number + Location + Area: defines a precise area.
  • Storage Number + Location + Area + Bin: pinpoints an exact bin location.
warning

The current Edit custom map form does not include a status field. Confirm the activation procedure used by your deployment before relying on a newly created map in an operational view.

Step 5: Map Objects to Locations (Optional)​

To enable real-time tracking:

  • Link map areas to Object Schemas that include geo_x and geo_y attributes.
  • Use the SetGeoLocation action in workflows to update an object’s coordinates.

These updates will reflect on the map in near real-time if configured properly.

View Map and Inspect Zone Data

Once a custom map is configured and saved, you can visually inspect it using the Map Preview feature. This provides a real-time overview of all defined zones, such as storage numbers, locations, areas, and bins, layered onto your uploaded layout.

How to Access Map Preview​

  1. Navigate to Custom Maps > Manage Maps.
  2. Find your map entry and select Map Preview from its row actions.

This opens the map in a read-only view showing all marked regions and labels.

Review Custom Map Versions​

Each map row includes a Versions action. Select it to review the saved versions of that map when you need to confirm which configuration was available at a particular point in time.

Interactive Zone Details​

  • Hover over or click on any marked zone (e.g., a bin or area).
  • A pie chart will appear, showing a breakdown of the current objects present in that zone.

This chart is dynamically generated and reflects the latest data based on real-time object attributes like storage_number, location, area, and bin.

Add layout layers

Add layout layers

This feature is ideal for quickly assessing object distribution, inventory clustering, or zone-specific density.

tip

Zones are matched based on object attributes stored in Object Schemas. To ensure accuracy, workflows should update these fields consistently using the SetStorageLocation and SetGeoLocation actions.

✅ Best Practices

  • Keep geolocation coordinate ranges (e.g., 0,0 to 100,100) proportional to your image resolution in pixels.
  • Use distinct layer names and icons for clarity.
  • Store maps under relevant Access Groups for visibility control.
  • Choose the drawing tool that best represents the boundary you need to map.

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