Topic

This article describes how Visual Command Center (VCC) uses the Geometry (Geo-type) field to geocode assets and place them on the map. It explains the difference between Geometry latitude/longitude and Additional Attributes latitude/longitude, and how to make sure your own coordinates are used for asset locations.

Description

Everbridge uses the latitude/longitude stored in the asset Geometry (Geo-type) field to geocode and display assets on the map. The Geometry field is where an asset's latitude/longitude is stored, and the platform prioritizes the coordinates in this field over any latitude/longitude stored as Additional Attributes.

Building assets must include valid geometry (latitude/longitude) to appear as points on the VCC map. If coordinates are not included during upload, the system attempts to geocode using the address fields. If geocoding fails, or if the address is incomplete or incorrect, the building may not display. To ensure accurate mapping, users must place the correct latitude and longitude coordinates in the Geometry section or confirm successful geocoding before expecting assets to appear on the map.

Additional Attributes that contain latitude/longitude are supplementary fields and are not used by the system to determine the asset's location on the map. If lat/long values are only included as Additional Attributes (and not in Geometry), Everbridge will not use them for geocoding. Any mismatch between Geometry and those additional fields can result in a difference between the coordinates stored as attributes and the actual asset location used on the map.

To control asset placement, users should combine separate latitude and longitude values into the asset Geometry (Geo-type) field in their upload so the asset's Geometry contains the lat/long pair. When lat/long values are provided during upload and placed in the Geometry/Geo-type field, Everbridge uses those coordinates. Updating the Geometry lat/long for an asset will re-geocode it to that location, and it will remain at that location on subsequent uploads.

Users can also set coordinates manually for any asset using the Geometry section in the asset record. From the asset list, open the asset in edit mode and locate the Geometry box. Switching the radio button to 'Geometry Coordinates' reveals a pulldown with one or more suggested addresses and allows selecting a point directly on the map. Selecting a point sets the asset location immediately. Suggested addresses may not always be perfectly accurate, so users should verify the location on the map.

If asset lists are regularly replaced, adding coordinates into the upload file for addresses that are likely to cause geocoding problems helps ensure the correct location is preserved. For addresses that regularly cause geocoding issues, including the coordinates directly in the upload file so they are encoded on import prevents mapping to incorrect locations and maintains the intended asset position.