Saved Queries in AssetAlly allow users to create lists that meet specific, pre-defined search criteria. In conjunction with the newly minted Operations Dashboards charts available on the various asset search pages, Saved Queries help you save time by bringing your inspection, repairs, maintenance, and reporting data to the forefront of your GIS and making it more easily accessible.
HOW TO USE SAVED QUERIES
To begin, open the Map in your AssetAlly application and find the Query Tool under the Home tab.
Note: You may notice the Filter Tool right next to the Query Tool. The functionality is similar in narrowing down search results, but the Filter Tool is more visual in that it will hide all assets on the map that do not meet the defined search criteria. There is no selection or option to export data, but it can be a great tool when you are exporting maps or creating exhibits.
The side panel will pull up the Query Tool and allow you to choose a Data Source and Map Layer. You’ll then define your query to narrow the search results and find exactly what you are looking for. For the first example, we’ll look at a simple query that identifies all the water valves that have been exercised this year
Choose Valve as your data source and All as your Map Area, then click Search.
The map will highlight all the water valves matching the search criteria and provide a list of all said valves with more detail.
Note that the hamburger menu at the top-right of the results window (highlighted in red in the figure above) allows you to export these details to a CSV file, Excel spreadsheet (XLSX), or Shapefile (SHP) that can be further analyzed, recorded, or reported on. See the How to Export and Maximize Your GIS Data article from February 2020 for additional details on exporting data.
If you run this search often, you can save time by saving this query! In the Query window, click on the hamburger menu and click Save Query As, give the query a name, and click Save.
This will take you back to the Query window. If you see an asterisk following the name of your new Saved Query, everything may not be saved. Double check by clicking the hamburger menu again and click Save.
You can easily repeat this process to create, run, and save queries that will help you navigate your data more efficiently. Other helpful Saved Queries include:
Trees of a certain species
Storm structure catch basins
Water main breaks in a year
Hydrants flushed in a year
Storm ponds that are village-owned
Maintenance done within a finely grained date range
Trees routinely pruned during the month of October
LEARN MORE
If you have any questions about the Query Tool, building your own unique datasets, or other ways your GIS can help you improve your processes, please contact one of our experts today!
