Improved Exercise Location Tracking
PACKTRACK Team
05 December 2019
0
min read

Last month we reworked how K9 location tracking works on the
iOS and Android mobile apps. This new update makes it significantly easier to both lay and follow tracks without having to configure everything ahead of time. For the best results, please update to the latest mobile app version (4.2.x or later). Important Note For iPhones: iOS 13 changes how location permissions work. Even if you've said yes to the prompts which ask for location permissions you should still open the Settings app and go to Privacy / Location Services / PACKTRACK and make sure the permission is set to ALWAYS. If this isn't set correctly then PACKTRACK won't be able to track your position in the background.
Lay tracks without a PACKTRACK account
You no longer need to login to the mobile app with a PACKTRACK account in order to lay tracks. Anyone can install the app and, using the SKIP LOGIN option on the login page, jump right into track laying.

When the Track Layer taps the Start Tracking button they will see a dialog where they can enter a unique track name or accept the default. After tapping OK, the Track Layer should confirm that their location is updating before they begin the track. When the track is complete the app will show that this track is now AVAILABLE to be followed.

Follow tracks by scheduling a tracking exercise
If you're comfortable with how tracking has worked in the past then you can continue to use the system as you always have. First, create an event, which defines the time, place and group members who will be attending. Next, add one or more location tracking exercises to the event. This process should be completed on the web site or mobile app before the event begins. Later, when you're at the event and ready to start following a track, simply select the FOLLOW Track mode at the top and then tap Start Tracking. Verify that the Exercise, Track Name and Dog are correct and then tap OK to start following the track. NOTE: If there's only one exercise or you only have one dog then those dropdown fields won't appear in the dialog.

Follow tracks by creating a tracking exercise automatically
You can now record training tracks "on the fly" without scheduling an event or creating an exercise ahead of time. If there's a laid track available within 500 yards of your current location then you'll see it displayed in the Tracks Laid list. Select the FOLLOW Track mode at the top of the location tracking page and then tap Start Tracking. Confirm that this is the track you want to follow by tapping OK in the dialog. You'll also have the option of choosing your dog if you have more than one.

When the track is complete the status of the track in the Tracks Laid list will change from AVAILABLE to FOLLOWED. Tracking exercise records are created automatically and either 1) inserted into the current event (if there's already an event at this time and you're the only event member) or 2) added to a new event that will also be created automatically for you. We make certain assumptions when creating the event and exercise automatically. Always review these training records after completing your exercise to update any additional fields and ensure the information was captured correctly. If you need a reminder about how K9 tracking works there's an instruction link at the bottom of the Location Tracking page.

PACKTRACK Team
05 December 2019
0
min read
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System Update
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Updates to Streamline Your Records
We’re always working to make PACKTRACK faster and more user-friendly for handlers, trainers, and supervisors. Today, we’re excited to highlight several new improvements designed to save you time and improve communication across your team.
We’re always working to make PACKTRACK faster and more user-friendly for handlers, trainers, and supervisors. Today, we’re excited to highlight several new improvements designed to save you time and improve communication across your team.
Attach Documents to Events and Exercises
You’ve always been able to upload documents to individual exercise completions — but now you can include them directly in Events and Exercise definitions as well. This update gives handlers and trainers more flexibility to provide supplemental materials such as training outlines, reference documents, maps, diagrams, etc. Adding documents at the event or exercise level ensures everyone starts with the same information and supports more consistent, well-documented training.

Faster Data Entry with Autocomplete Locations
Recording where an event or deployment occurred is now even faster. PACKTRACK’s training and deployment forms now include Google-powered location autocomplete. Just start typing a name or address and nearby matching suggestions will appear. Select the correct option, and PACKTRACK will automatically fill in the relevant location fields for you. This means less typing, fewer mistakes and more accurate location data.

Supervisor Notifications for Completed Records
Supervisors can now choose to receive notifications whenever a handler they oversee completes a training or deployment record. This gives them a heads-up to review the new records. Notifications are sent by email as well as within PACKTRACK, keeping supervisors informed without requiring constant manual review. Supervisors can configure their preferences in the Notifications section of their Profile page, choosing whether to receive training record completion alerts, deployment record completion alerts or both. Note that these alerts are off by default. This feature enhances accountability and ensures important activity never gets overlooked.

Cleaner, More Modern Email Styling
PACKTRACK emails just got a major upgrade. All system emails are now sent using clean, modern looking HTML formatting — with improved colors, visual hierarchy, and clear action buttons. These updates make PACKTRACK emails easier to read and quicker to act on, whether you're on your phone or desktop.

Share the News About Group Billing
As of a couple months ago, your supervisor or administrator can use the new Group Billing feature to pay for all department subscriptions at the same time in one invoice. We now make it easy to share this feature with others. Visit your Billing page, click the Share button and then enter the email address of anyone in your department that should know about this. They'll get an email with a link to our Group Billing help article.

These features are part of our ongoing effort to make PACKTRACK the most intuitive K9 record-keeping platform available. As always, we welcome your feedback and look forward to sharing even more updates soon. If you haven’t explored these new features yet, log in and give them a try!

System Update
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Group Subscriptions
Managing multiple K9 handler subscriptions just got a whole lot easier. We’re excited to announce our newest feature - Group Subscriptions - designed to give department billing managers complete control over their team’s subscriptions, all under a single account.
Managing multiple K9 handler subscriptions just got a whole lot easier. We’re excited to announce our newest feature - Group Subscriptions - designed to give department billing managers complete control over their team’s subscriptions, all under a single account.
One Invoice, One Account, Total Control
With Group subscriptions, billing managers can now pay for and manage the subscriptions of multiple K9 handlers together. No more juggling individual invoices or tracking down renewals across separate accounts. Everything is streamlined into one centralized billing dashboard. Managing your team’s subscriptions is simple and flexible. First, invite the handlers in your department to join your group subscription. Next, purchase a license with the desired number of seats. That's it! If handlers join or leave the department, you can easily add, remove, or reassign seats at any time.
Why It Matters
For agencies with multiple K9 handlers, managing subscriptions individually can be time-consuming and confusing. Group subscriptions eliminates that friction, offering:
- Simplified billing – One invoice covers your entire team.
- Flexible management – Add or remove handlers as your team changes.
- Better oversight – Track your active users and seat usage in one place.
Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Get the Billing Manager role
To access the group subscription feature you need to use the new Billing Manager role. A billing manager can be a handler, supervisor or administrator that's responsible for ensuring that everyone in the department has an up to date subscription. Only one person needs to do this for the department. You may select this role at
registration or, if you're currently a supervisor, then you can add the Billing Manager role from your Profile page. You may also ask for the role to be added to your account using our support chat.

Step 2: Choose handlers to be managed
Switch to the Billing Manager role and choose the Billing tab. Here, you'll add the handlers that you want to include in your group subscription. Note that your invitations are queued in the Pending list and will be sent later. The goal is simply to identify the handlers that you want to be covered.

Use the Add Handler option in the Manage menu to provide the email address for each handler. If you already supervise handlers then they can be added by clicking the plus button next to their name in the Supervised Handlers list. If you add a handler that isn't a PACKTRACK member then they will receive an email asking them to sign up. This is a great way to onboard the handlers in your department with the PACKTRACK service. When they complete the registration they'll automatically be queued in the Pending list to be included in this group subscription.

Step 3: Purchase a group subscription
Now that you've identified the handlers that you want to include, you're ready to configure the group subscription. Click the Add Subscription option in the Manage drop down menu to open the billing editor. Adjust the department name and email address if desired, choose the desired payment type (invoice or credit card) and then enter the number of seats that you'd like to purchase. You also have the option of setting a specific billing date. If you want to be billed every year on January 1st then you'd enter that date here.


Once you purchase your subscription, the Billing page will update. Pending handlers will occupy the newly available seats and be invited to have their subscription paid for by the billing manager.

Handlers accept the invite and join the group subscription. Their previous subscription is cancelled. If there is paid time left on the handler's previous subscription then the unused portion will be credited to the billing manager's group subscription.

The billing manager receives an invoice based on the number of purchased seats. All handlers who occupy seats are listed on the invoice. This reflects the handlers assigned to this group subscription at the time that it was created. Future changes to the list of handlers will be shown on the invoice which is due at your next billing date.

Step 4: Make changes later
What happens if things change? Perhaps you need to swap out one handler for another or add/remove seats before the next billing date. You can remove assigned handlers using the trash can icon next to their names. Add new ones using the Add Handler option in the Manage drop down menu or select them from the Supervised Handlers list. If you need to adjust the seat count then use the Edit Subscription option in the Manage drop down menu and adjust the Seat Count field up or down. Increasing the count will result in a prorated charge based on the amount of time remaining in your subscription. Decreasing the count will lower the subscription cost shown on your next yearly invoice.

Group subscriptions are all about making life easier for K9 teams and their departments — freeing up more time for what really matters: supporting the dogs and handlers who keep our communities safe. We encourage departments of all sizes to use the group subscription feature to simplify billing. Consider forwarding this page to your department administrator to let them know about this feature. We're constantly updating and improving the PACKTRACK experience and we'd love to hear your feedback.

System Update
0
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Single Sign-On Is Here!
The new Sign in with Microsoft feature provides a simple and secure way to sign into PACKTRACK using your Microsoft work account. Note that this feature won't work if you try to sign in using a personal Microsoft account. Instead, select this login option if your department uses single sign-on (SSO) through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Active Directory). Once configured, you'll be able to login to PACKTRACK using your department email address. This makes logging in easier but it also increases security. This feature works in both the web browser and in the PACKTRACK app (v5.2.0 or above). You must have an active PACKTRACK account. Note that if your department uses SAML technology for single sign-on then that isn't yet supported. Reach out to your IT department to confirm this feature is right for you. They can help you get set up.

The new Sign in with Microsoft feature provides a simple and secure way to sign into PACKTRACK using your Microsoft work account. Note that this feature won't work if you try to sign in using a personal Microsoft account. Instead, select this login option if your department uses single sign-on (SSO) through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Active Directory). Once configured, you'll be able to login to PACKTRACK using your department email address. This makes logging in easier but it also increases security. This feature works in both the web browser and in the PACKTRACK app (v5.2.0 or above). You must have an active PACKTRACK account. Note that if your department uses SAML technology for single sign-on then that isn't yet supported. Reach out to your IT department to confirm this feature is right for you. They can help you get set up.
Connect Your Microsoft Account
1. Click the Sign in with Microsoft button.

2. Enter your department email and then wait to get redirected to your department login. Once there, type in the department email address and password associated with your Microsoft account or select it from the list. You may also have to verify yourself using 2 factor authentication.



3. Click Accept on the permission screen to allow PACKTRACK to use your Microsoft account credentials to log in.

4. You should now be back at the login page and see a note asking you to link your PACKTRACK account. If you don't see this then try reloading the page. Type in your PACKTRACK email address and password.

5. You're all set. The next time you press the Sign in with Microsoft button you'll just need to enter your department credentials. As an alternative, you can also configure Single Sign-On after you're logged in. Simply visit the Microsoft Account option in your Profile page and click the Connect Microsoft Account button.
Disconnect Your Microsoft Account
If you connected the wrong account or just want to remove your Microsoft account from PACKTRACK then use the disconnect option. Click the Profile link in the main menu then select the Microsoft Account option. This will open the editor as shown below. Click the Disconnect Microsoft Account button.

Technical Note (For Entra ID administrators only)
In some situations it may be desirable to approve the PACKTRACK app for SSO across all users of your department. This can be especially helpful if there are restrictions on who can add service principals to your Entra ID configuration. Admins that are authorized to consent on behalf of the department can use
THIS LINK to grant tenant-wide admin consent to the PACKTRACK application. Learn More about how this works. When this is complete, the PACKTRACK service principal is added to your Enterprise Applications list in Entra ID. This allows all department users to access the application without explicitly providing consent. Note, however, that they must still link their department credentials to PACKTRACK the first time that they use SSO.