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Working with Apps

Learn how to navigate, select, and switch between apps in OpsAssist. Understand how app types work, how dashboards function, and how to manage tasks efficiently across different operational workspaces.

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Written by kevin astilla
Updated over 2 months ago

Working with Apps

Overview (What & Why)

Purpose: This article explains OpsAssist’s app-based architecture and how users can navigate, select, and work within apps to manage their daily operations.
​Audience: Intended for all registered users who use multiple apps to complete operational tasks or manage data workflows.
​Outcome: After reading, you’ll understand how apps are structured, how to access and switch between them, and how each app type supports different workflows in OpsAssist.

Prerequisites

Before you begin:

  • You must have a registered OpsAssist account.

  • You must be logged in.

  • You must have access to at least one app assigned by a platform administrator.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Accessing the Apps Dashboard

  1. Log in to your OpsAssist account.

  2. You’ll land on the main dashboard or Apps page.

  3. If not, click Apps in the top navigation bar to open the Apps dashboard.

  4. Review the app cards — each represents a workspace you have access to.

Selecting and Opening an App

  1. From the Apps dashboard, find the app card you need.

  2. Review its name, icon, and description for context.

  3. Click the app card to open it.

  4. You’ll be redirected to that app’s main dashboard or default view.

Switching Between Apps

  1. While in any app, locate the top navigation bar.

  2. Click Apps to return to the dashboard.

  3. Select a new app card to switch workspaces.

  4. If available, use the app selector dropdown in the navigation bar for quick switching.

  5. All progress in your previous app is automatically saved.

Understanding the App Dashboard

  1. After opening an app, note the app name at the top of the screen.

  2. Explore the main content area, which varies by app type:

    • Blueprint: Floor plans or facility views

    • Forms: Form templates or recent submissions

    • Intake: Requests organized by status

    • Audit: Upcoming or recent audits

  3. Use action buttons (e.g., Create, New, Add) in the top-right corner.

  4. Use the left sidebar (if present) to navigate sections like lists, reports, or settings.

  5. Apply filters, search, and sorting to locate specific records.

  6. Use view options to switch between list, grid, or calendar layouts.

Identifying App Types

  1. Return to the Apps dashboard.

  2. Check each card’s app type icon or label.

  3. Recognize the four core app type indicators:

    • 🏗 Blueprint: Floor plan or facility icons

    • 📝 Forms: Document or form icons

    • 📥 Intake: Inbox or workflow icons

    • ✅ Audit: Checklist or clipboard icons

  4. App names (e.g., Facility Floor Plans) often hint at their type.

What Are Apps in OpsAssist?

Apps are the core building blocks of OpsAssist — dedicated workspaces tailored to specific operational functions.

Key Characteristics

  • Purpose-driven workspaces: Built for tasks like managing layouts, collecting data, or tracking requests.

  • Independent data environments: Each app maintains separate data and settings.

  • Admin-configurable: Created and customized by administrators based on organizational needs.

  • Role-based access: Users only see the apps they’ve been assigned.

App Types vs. Individual Apps

  • App Types: The foundational templates (Blueprint, Forms, Intake, Audit).

  • Individual Apps: Specific instances created from those templates (e.g., multiple Forms apps for different data collection processes).

Understanding App Types and Their Purposes

Blueprint

Used for spatial visualization and facility management.
​Common uses: Floor plan layouts, asset tracking, maintenance routing, emergency planning.

Forms

Used for structured data collection and surveys.
​Common uses: Incident reporting, inspections, feedback forms, checklists.

Intake

Used for managing incoming requests or submissions.
​Common uses: Work orders, service requests, application processing, help desk tickets.

Audit

Used for inspection and compliance workflows.
​Common uses: Safety audits, compliance checks, quality assurance, regulatory reporting.

Examples / Use Cases

Multi-Facility Operations Manager:
Uses multiple Blueprint apps for each facility, navigating between them to plan maintenance and monitor assets.

Safety Coordinator:
Switches between a Forms app (incident reports) and an Audit app (safety inspections) daily.

Facilities Technician:
Uses an Intake app to manage work orders and a Forms app for inspection submissions.

Compliance Manager:
Works across multiple Audit apps to manage audits for safety, environmental, and quality compliance.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Learn each app’s purpose before entering data.

  • Use search and filters to locate records efficiently.

  • Bookmark the Apps dashboard for quick access.

  • If switching between multiple apps often, discuss workflow optimizations with your admin.

  • Use consistent naming when creating records to simplify search and reporting.

  • Ask your admin for app-specific training if a feature is unclear.

Troubleshooting

Issue: No apps are visible on the dashboard.
​Solution: Contact your admin — you may not have any apps assigned yet.

Issue: A specific app isn’t visible.
​Solution: Verify with your admin that you have access permissions for that app.

Issue: Unsure which app to use.
​Solution: Review app names/descriptions or ask your team lead for guidance.

Issue: An app isn’t loading.
​Solution: Refresh the page, check your internet, and contact support if the issue persists.

Issue: The app layout looks different.
​Solution: Dashboards are customized per app. If something seems incorrect, notify your admin.

Support & Contact

Still need help? Reach out through the Intercom chat and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

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