How is an AMS message sent?
An AMS message is encoded into a custom binary format and sent to the AMS gateway over HTTP/S.
Does AMS work offline?
Yes. AMS is a native mobile application and uses a store and forward messaging approach for it’s network operations. This means that when a User is viewing or editing a form in AMS all standard functionality is available. The only features that will not work offline are those such as the remote database query that require a connection to an external server and GPS location capture that will require either a network or satellite access (unless you allow the form to use the last known location). All other features such as data input, photo and signature capture work offline. When the device regains network data access (Cellular or WiFi) all pending messages will be sent.
How Much Data Does AMS Use?
As little as possible. AMS uses a binary protocol to transfer messages between the server gateway and the handset. Message size varies according to the size of the template i.e. more fields = more data used.
What Devices Does AMS Work On?
AMS works on Android phones and tablets and on iOS (Apple) phones and tablets. See AMS Compatible Devices for full details.
What Browses Are Supported?
IE Edge, Firefox, Chrome. Latest versions.
How Does AMS Integrate With External IT Systems?
There is a web service API which allows external systems to send and receive AMS messages. More information can be found here Web Service API
Integration Checklist
- Does your system have an API?
- Is there someone familiar with your system who would do any integration or will you need to contract an integration service?
- What kind of database is it: a standard SQL database or is it a customised product?
Why isn’t AMS working as I thought?
This is a collection of questions we often get asked around different aspects of designing, downloading and using AMS.
Template design
- Field changes not visible? If your field changes are not visible on the mobile have you published your changes?
- Non root cards not visible on the device? Non-root cards need to be linked to the root card to be visible. This requires creating a Link command. Go to the Root card of your Template and select Add Command and then add a Link Command.
Getting AMS onto my device
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My logins don’t work. First up, check that you have a mobile account. Then, do you have the right details and are you entering your logins exactly as they appear in your Mobile account. Remember they are case sensitive. Sometimes you can simply be using the wrong logins. This is easy to do when you have many. For example if you are both the Admin for AMS and you also have a Mobile Account, sometimes you can be trying to use your AMS Web logins to login to your mobile account on the device.
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I can’t seem to download AMS onto my device.
- If you are using an Android device you may need go to Settings first and tick Unknown sources. This can be in Applications or in the Security section of Settings. It can be in different places on different models. We update the docs when we find a new location. If you are using an Apple device, AMS is only accessible through your business’s VPP or Enterprise licence. It is not downloadable directly from the retail App store.
- Another common message is around Parsing. If you get a message that mentions this, then you are trying to download a version of AMS that requires a different device OS. For example: your device may be running an older Android version - less than 5 - and you are trying to load an AMS version that only works on 5+.
- Your device can’t connect to the network.Test the connectivity by:
- Trying to access another web based app. This will tell you that the device is connecting to the internet.
- Moving physically outside. Sometimes you can be in dead areas for mobile connections.
- Check that your device is using an Operating System (OS) for which there is an AMS build.
- Recheck the setup process
Message sending statuses
The icons beside the messages mean:
- Green tick = send ok
- Blue Wifi = transmitting
- Pencil = draft message, not sent
- Red Clock = waiting send (usually failed to send and retrying)
- Red Cross = send failed
If the send fails, then you can open the message and do a manual resend.
I have downloaded but where is it?
AMS is usually found in the Downloads folder on your phone. The downloading can be very quick. Simply tap the AMS link in the Downloads folder and it will start to install. There are 3 steps to getting it set up on the Phone
- Step 1: Download
- Step 2: Install
- Step 3: Login. You need to login with your Mobile account Username/Password. The Templates and Lists assigned to you should automatically download. When you Update your templates after you have been using AMS, you also need to Update Lists separately if there have been changes.
Another way to check that your Download has been successful is to go to the Notifications Bar – right at the top or bottom of your screen and slide it open. This will reveal recent Notifications of successful Downloads