PlotPilot Online Documentation

Creating Your Account

1. Visit online.plotpilot.com
2. Click "Sign Up" in the top right corner
3. Choose your subscription plan:
   • Basic: Free plan with limited features
   • Standard: Full features for individual users
   • Team: Collaboration features for small teams
4. Enter your email address and create a password
5. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the confirmation email
6. Complete your profile with name and organization information

Account Management

Manage your PlotPilot Online account:

• Profile Settings: Update your personal information and preferences
• Subscription Management: View, change, or cancel your subscription
• Payment Information: Update billing details and view invoices
• Security Settings: Change password and enable two-factor authentication
• Notifications: Configure email and in-app notification preferences
• Connected Apps: Manage third-party integrations

Access these settings by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner and selecting "Account Settings."

Team Management

For Team plan subscribers:

1. Go to "Account Settings" > "Team Management"
2. Click "Invite Team Member"
3. Enter the email address of the person you want to invite
4. Select their role (Admin, Editor, or Viewer)
5. Add a personal message (optional)
6. Click "Send Invitation"

Team members will receive an email invitation to join your PlotPilot Online team.

Supported Browsers

• Google Chrome: Version 90 or newer (recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox: Version 88 or newer
• Microsoft Edge: Version 90 or newer
• Apple Safari: Version 14 or newer
• Opera: Version 76 or newer

For the best experience, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Browser Settings

Ensure these settings are enabled for optimal performance:

• JavaScript: Must be enabled
• Cookies: Required for authentication
• Local Storage: Used for saving preferences
• WebGL: Required for 3D maps (optional feature)
• Pop-ups: Allow pop-ups from plotpilot.com for certain features

Hardware Recommendations

• Processor: Modern dual-core processor or better
• Memory: 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended)
• Graphics: Integrated graphics (dedicated GPU recommended for 3D maps)
• Display: 1366x768 minimum resolution (1920x1080 recommended)
• Internet: 5 Mbps download speed minimum

Mobile Devices

PlotPilot Online works on mobile devices with these specifications:

• iOS: iOS 14 or newer on iPhone and iPad
• Android: Android 8.0 or newer
• Browser: Safari (iOS) or Chrome (Android)
• Display: Minimum 5-inch screen recommended

For the best mobile experience, we recommend using our dedicated mobile app instead of the browser version.

Storage Allocation

Each subscription plan includes cloud storage:

• Basic: 500MB storage
• Standard: 5GB storage
• Team: 20GB shared storage

Additional storage can be purchased in 10GB increments.

Managing Your Storage

Monitor and manage your cloud storage:

1. Go to "Account Settings" > "Storage"
2. View your current storage usage and allocation
3. See a breakdown of storage by map, data source, and file type
4. Sort items by size, date, or name
5. Delete unused items to free up space
6. Purchase additional storage if needed

Data Backup

Your data is automatically protected:

• Automatic Saving: Changes are saved in real-time
• Version History: Access previous versions of your maps (last 30 days)
• Disaster Recovery: Data is replicated across multiple data centers
• Export Options: Download local copies of your maps and data

To access version history, open a map and click "File" > "Version History"

Data Security

• Encryption: All data is encrypted at rest and in transit
• Access Control: Granular permissions for shared content
• Compliance: Our infrastructure meets industry security standards
• Privacy: Your data is never shared with third parties

For more details, see our Privacy Policy and Security Statement.

Sharing Options

PlotPilot Online offers several ways to share your maps:

• Direct Link: Share a URL that opens the map
• Email Invitation: Send an email with access instructions
• Embed Code: Add the map to a website or blog
• Public Gallery: Publish to the PlotPilot community gallery
• Export: Create static images or PDFs to share

To share a map, open it and click the "Share" button in the top right corner.

Permission Levels

Control what others can do with your shared maps:

• View Only: Recipients can view the map but not make changes
• Comment: Recipients can add comments but not edit the map
• Edit: Recipients can make changes to the map
• Manage: Recipients can edit and share the map with others
• Owner: Full control including deletion (cannot be assigned)

Access Restrictions

Add extra security to your shared maps:

• Password Protection: Require a password to access the map
• Domain Restriction: Limit access to specific email domains
• Expiration Date: Set a date when access will expire
• View Tracking: See who has viewed your map and when
• Download Prevention: Disable data download options

Access these options by clicking "Advanced Settings" in the Share dialog.

Managing Shared Maps

1. Go to "My Maps" in the dashboard
2. Click the "Shared" tab to see maps you've shared
3. Click the three dots menu next to any map
4. Select "Manage Access" to view and modify sharing settings
5. Add or remove people, change permission levels, or revoke access

Mobile Web Browser

Use PlotPilot Online directly in your mobile browser:

1. Open your mobile browser (Chrome or Safari recommended)
2. Navigate to online.plotpilot.com
3. Log in with your account credentials
4. The interface will automatically adapt to your screen size

For easier access, add the site to your home screen:

• iOS: Tap the share icon, then "Add to Home Screen"
• Android: Tap the menu icon, then "Add to Home Screen"

Mobile App

For the best mobile experience, download our dedicated app:

• iOS: Available on the App Store
• Android: Available on Google Play

The mobile app offers additional features:

• Offline map access
• GPS integration for field data collection
• Camera integration for photo attachments
• Optimized touch interface
• Better performance on mobile devices

Mobile Interface Differences

The mobile interface has some differences from the desktop version:

• Simplified toolbar with essential tools
• Collapsible panels to maximize map viewing area
• Touch-optimized controls (pinch to zoom, two-finger rotate)
• Location button to center the map on your current position
• Streamlined editing tools for touch input

Some advanced features may only be available in the desktop version.

Field Data Collection

Use your mobile device to collect data in the field:

1. Open a map in the mobile app
2. Tap the "Collect" button in the toolbar
3. Choose the layer you want to add data to
4. Tap the map to add a point, or use the drawing tools for lines/polygons
5. Fill in the attribute form
6. Attach photos if needed (mobile app only)
7. Save the feature

Data collected in the field will automatically sync when you have an internet connection.

Offline Maps

Save maps for offline use in the mobile app:

1. Open the map you want to save offline
2. Tap the menu icon in the top right
3. Select "Save for Offline Use"
4. Choose the area you want to save (larger areas require more storage)
5. Select the zoom levels to include
6. Tap "Download" and wait for the process to complete

Offline Data Collection

Collect data in the field without an internet connection:

1. Download the map for offline use as described above
2. Go to your field location (even without connectivity)
3. Open the PlotPilot mobile app and select your offline map
4. Use the "Collect" tools to add points, lines, or polygons
5. Fill in attributes and attach photos as needed
6. Data is stored locally on your device
7. When you regain internet connectivity, open the app to sync automatically

Offline Limitations

Be aware of these limitations when working offline:

• Only areas and zoom levels you've downloaded will be available
• Dynamic data sources (like real-time feeds) won't update
• Some analysis tools may be unavailable
• You can't access version history or collaborative features
• Large offline areas may affect device performance

Managing Offline Content

Keep track of your offline maps:

1. In the mobile app, tap the menu icon
2. Select "Offline Maps"
3. View all your downloaded maps
4. Check the download date and storage used
5. Update offline maps to get the latest data
6. Delete offline maps you no longer need to free up space

Supported Integrations

• Google Drive: Import/export files directly
• Dropbox: Access and save files
• Microsoft OneDrive: Seamless file integration
• ArcGIS Online: Access Esri web services
• Google Sheets: Live data connection
• Zapier: Connect with 3,000+ apps
• Slack: Share maps and notifications
• WordPress: Embed maps in your website

Setting Up Integrations

1. Go to "Account Settings" > "Integrations"
2. Select the service you want to connect
3. Click "Connect" and follow the authentication process
4. Grant the necessary permissions
5. Configure any additional settings

Once connected, you can access these services directly from within PlotPilot Online.

Embedding Maps

Add your maps to websites or blogs:

1. Open the map you want to embed
2. Click "Share" in the top right
3. Select the "Embed" tab
4. Configure options:
   • Map size (dimensions)
   • Initial zoom level and center
   • Which tools to include
   • Whether to allow user interaction
5. Copy the generated HTML code
6. Paste the code into your website or blog

<iframe 
  src="https://online.plotpilot.com/embed/map/abc123?zoom=12&center=-122.4194,37.7749" 
  width="800" 
  height="600" 
  frameborder="0" 
  allowfullscreen>
</iframe>

API Access

For developers, PlotPilot Online offers API access:

• REST API: Programmatically access and manipulate maps and data
• JavaScript SDK: Embed interactive maps with custom functionality
• Webhooks: Trigger actions when maps are updated

API access is available on Standard and Team plans. For documentation, visit our Developer Portal.

Performance Issues

• Slow loading: Try clearing your browser cache, using a different browser, or reducing the number of layers in your map
• Map freezing: For complex maps, try disabling some layers, reducing the data size, or using clustering for point data
• Mobile performance: Use the mobile app instead of the browser for better performance on smartphones and tablets

Connection Problems

• Can't access the site: Check your internet connection, try a different browser, or check if the service is down
• Changes not saving: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and try refreshing the page
• Sync issues: For offline maps, ensure you're connected to the internet and try manually syncing from the menu

Account Issues

• Can't log in: Reset your password, check for typos in your email, or contact support if persistent
• Subscription problems: Check your payment method, verify your subscription status in Account Settings, or contact billing support
• Missing features: Ensure your subscription plan includes the features you're trying to access

Data Issues

• Import failures: Check file format compatibility, file size limits, and try simplifying complex data
• Missing data: Verify layer visibility settings, zoom to the data extent, or check if the data source is still connected
• Geocoding errors: Ensure addresses are formatted correctly and try alternative geocoding options

Is my data secure in the cloud?

Yes, PlotPilot Online uses industry-standard security measures including encrypted data storage, secure data transfer (HTTPS), and role-based access controls. Your data is backed up daily and stored in SOC 2 compliant data centers. We never share your data with third parties.

Can I work offline?

Yes, but only with our mobile app. The PlotPilot mobile app allows you to download maps for offline use, collect data in the field without an internet connection, and sync your changes when you reconnect. The web version requires an internet connection.

What's the difference between PlotPilot Online and other PlotPilot products?

PlotPilot Online is our cloud-based solution that runs entirely in a web browser with no installation required. PlotPilot Pro is our enterprise desktop software with advanced capabilities for professional GIS users. PlotPilot SME is our solution for small and medium businesses with a balance of features and simplicity.

How many maps can I create?

There is no limit to the number of maps you can create with any subscription plan. The only limitation is your storage allocation, which varies by plan (500MB for Basic, 5GB for Standard, and 20GB for Team). Additional storage can be purchased if needed.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time from your Account Settings. Your access will continue until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel, your maps and data will be available for 30 days after your subscription ends, during which time you can export your data or renew your subscription.