Map Layer Configuration

Map layers define the geographic context of your EarthRanger site. In this section, you’ll configure the layers that appear on the map, organize them into categories, and import your own shapefiles or GeoJSON. You’ll also learn how to apply styling and quicklinks so your operational map is both accurate and easy to navigate.
Before you configure map layers
 

• Decide which categories and groups your features will belong to.
• Ensure shapefiles or GeoJSON files are validated and ready for import.
• Plan how map quicklinks will help users access important views.

Follow These Guides

• Understand Map Features in EarthRanger Web Interface
  Learn the basics of how features display in the map view, including categories, symbols, and grouping.
• Configure and Import Map Features in EarthRanger Admin
  Step through the process of uploading shapefiles or GeoJSON, validating imports, and assigning features to categories.
• Configure Feature Classes for Map Layer Styling
  Define colors, shapes, and symbols for different feature classes so your map remains clear and consistent.
• Add Map Quicklinks in EarthRanger
  Create shortcuts that allow users to instantly jump to commonly used map views.
• Map Features – Guided Demo
  Watch a step-by-step walkthrough of the map configuration process in action.
• Validate and Troubleshoot Map Imports
  Guidance for diagnosing and fixing issues when shapefiles or GeoJSON don’t import as expected.
   

Event Configuration

Events in EarthRanger capture and structure the information your team records in the field. This section walks you through setting up event categories, designing event types, and managing choices so that the data you collect is consistent and easy to analyze. By configuring events correctly, you’ll ensure that your workflows reflect your operational needs and that users can record the right information with minimal friction.
Before you configure Events:

• Confirm whether an Event Category already exists or needs to be created for your new Event Types.
• Use the Event Form Editor (EFE) to design and create the Event Types you require.
• Add choices to EarthRanger (if needed) to support dropdown fields in your Event forms.
• Validate that the permissions linked to the Event Category and Event Types are effective by testing with a user or test account.

Follow these guides: 

• Understanding Event Categories 
  Learn how event categories group event types and how permissions are managed at this level.
• Basic Event Type Configuration – Guided Demo
  A walkthrough of creating and configuring event types step by step, showing the process in action.
• Build Custom Event Types with the Event Form Editor
  Use the drag-and-drop interface to create event forms tailored to your workflows without requiring schema edits.
• Design Custom Events with Schemas in EarthRanger Admin
  For advanced deployments, use schemas to define event types directly in the Admin interface, giving you full control over event structure.
• Configure Choice Fields in the Event Form Editor
  Add dropdown fields to your event forms and link them to existing data for consistency.
• Manage Global Dropdown Choices in EarthRanger Admin
  Create and edit global choice lists that can be reused across multiple event types.
• Validate Event Types in EarthRanger 
  Guidance on testing new event types to ensure permissions and functionality are working as expected.
   

Device Configuration

Device Configuration ensures that your field technology is connected to EarthRanger and properly organized for use. Some devices are configured directly in EarthRanger Admin, while others are supported through Gundi and require setup in their own system. This section walks you through both paths, so you can connect devices, validate their visibility, and assign the right permissions for your team.
Before you configure devices

• Gather prerequisites for integration from the provider (for Gundi-supported devices, see the Gundi Help Center).
• Confirm that Gundi permission sets, DAS application, and access tokens are available in your system by default.
• Plan how devices will be grouped into subject groups for easier management and visibility.

Follow these guides: 
Configure devices in EarthRanger Admin

• Device Integration in Self Deployment 
  Establishes the integration path for connecting devices to EarthRanger as part of a self-deployment.
• Manage Subjects in EarthRanger Admin
  Learn how to create, organize, and manage subjects that represent devices and individuals within your EarthRanger site.
• Supported Input Devices for EarthRanger Integration
  Review the list of device types that can be connected to EarthRanger, including their integration methods.
• Create and Manage Authentication Tokens for Secure Integrations
  Step through the process of generating and using authentication tokens needed for connecting external systems.
• Connect External Systems to EarthRanger
  Follow integration steps to securely connect supported providers with your EarthRanger deployment.
• Interact with EarthRanger Data Using API
  Learn how to query and interact with device data programmatically using EarthRanger’s API.

Integrate supported devices through Gundi

• What is Gundi (Gundi Help Center)
  Understand the role of Gundi in device integration and how it streamlines connections with EarthRanger.
• All Supported Technologies (Gundi Help Center)
  Reference the full catalog of technologies supported by Gundi for integration with EarthRanger.

Finalize and validate

• Validate Device Integration 
  Guidance on testing and confirming that devices are correctly integrated, visible, and grouped as expected.
   

User Permissions Configuration

User Permissions ensure that the right people (and groups) have the correct level of access to EarthRanger. In this section, you’ll configure user accounts, assign permission sets, and link those permissions to events, patrols, subjects, and map visibility. Properly setting permissions is critical to both security and usability, ensuring that staff can only view and act on the information relevant to them.
Before you configure permissions

• Prepare a list of users and their required access levels.
• Plan which roles or groups need visibility into events, patrols, subjects, or maps.
• Optionally, decide whether to create profiles without password logins to reduce account sharing and improve security.
   

Follow these guides:

• Permissions & Access in Self-Deployment 
  Overview of how permissions work in EarthRanger and how they should be planned during a self-deployment.
• Managing Users in EarthRanger Admin
  Learn how to create new user accounts, update details, and organize your user list.
• Configure and Assign Permission Sets in EarthRanger Admin
  Step through the process of creating permission sets and assigning them to individual users or groups.
• Set Up and Assign Permissions for Event Types in EarthRanger Admin
  Control access to event categories and event types so that only the right users can create, view, or edit them.
• Create and Assign Patrol Types with Permissions in EarthRanger Admin
  Define patrol types and configure which users can access them, ensuring patrol data is properly secured.
• Set Up EarthRanger Mobile User Permissions
  Configure permissions for mobile access, ensuring that field users can record and view the data they need while on patrol.
   

Analyzer Configuration

Analyzers allow EarthRanger to automatically detect and generate events when certain conditions are met, such as geofences being crossed, subjects becoming immobile, or external data (like FIRMS fire alerts) being received. This section walks you through setting up analyzers step by step, linking them to map features, subjects, and event categories so they can function correctly.
Before you configure analyzers

• Understand how spatial and non-spatial analyzers work.
• Import and group the map features needed for geofence or proximity analyzers.
• Confirm that subjects you want to monitor are organized in subject groups.
• Check that event types linked to analyzers are active and assigned to a visible category (commonly the Analyzer Event Category).

Here you’ll find how to:

• Understanding Analyzers in EarthRanger
  Get an overview of analyzers, their types, and how they apply logic to spatial and non-spatial data.
• Configure Feature Groups for Analyzer Logic in EarthRanger Admin
  Learn how to create feature groups that analyzers use to monitor geofences, proximity zones, and other spatial conditions.
• Configure Geofence Analyzer
  Step-by-step instructions for creating geofence analyzers that trigger events when subjects enter or leave defined areas.
• Geofence Analyzers – Guided Demo
  A video walkthrough showing how to configure geofence analyzers and test their behavior.
• Monitor Subject Proximity with Feature Proximity Analyzers
  Set up proximity analyzers to trigger alerts when subjects approach specified map features.
• Proximity Analyzers – Guided Demo
  A guided demo that demonstrates how feature proximity analyzers are configured and monitored in real time.
• Immobility Analyzers – Guided Demo
  Learn how to configure analyzers that generate events when subjects remain stationary beyond a defined threshold.
• Configuring FIRMS Integration in EarthRanger Admin
  Connect FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) as an external data source to automatically generate fire-related events.