Configuring Google Maps API keys
Summarize
Summary of Configuring Google Maps API keys
Configuring Google Maps API keys is crucial for leveraging Google Maps features in Field Service Management (FSM). These keys enable accurate travel time and distance estimates essential for optimal service delivery. Administrators should set up these keys to ensure functionality and control costs by enabling usage limits.
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Key Features
- Geolocation: Requires a license or JavaScript API Key to calculate precise travel time estimates.
- Geocoding API: Displays ServiceNow data on a Google map based on provided location data.
- Maps JavaScript API: Allows field service agents and dispatchers to view optimized routes for assigned tasks.
- Distance Matrix API: Enables agents to view their routes and allows customers to track technicians.
- Directions API: Provides detailed route information for users.
Key Outcomes
By properly configuring Google Maps API keys and system properties in FSM, users can expect:
- Enhanced route optimization for field agents.
- Dynamic scheduling that adapts to real-time conditions.
- Accurate arrival time calculations based on agent locations.
For setup guidance, refer to the relevant sections in ServiceNow documentation.
Google Maps API keys are essential for accessing and utilizing the features provided by the Google Maps Platform in Field Service Management.
Google Maps API uses Google route data for travel time and distance estimates. As an administrator, you can set up Google Maps API keys for the FSM features. To control map usage and manage costs effectively, enable usage limits on the account to turn off the API when the limit is reached.
If Google Maps API keys are already set up, navigate to All > System Properties > Google maps to enter the API keys. To set up the Google Maps API key or the client ID to use Google Maps API for Business, see Set up Google Maps API.
Google Maps Configuration for Field Service Management
Google allocates API licenses to enable Google Maps. FSM with geolocation requires that you set up two API keys for client and server. Use the following table to match Google Maps APIs with FSM capabilities.
| FSM capability | Description | Corresponding Google Maps API |
|---|---|---|
| Geolocation | The auto-routing or auto-dispatch functions need this license or JavaScript API Key to calculate precise travel time estimates. Without these values, precise driving times can’t be calculated, and it uses rough estimates or fixed times instead. | Geocoding API |
| Map Pages | Map pages display ServiceNow data graphically on a Google map page based on the location data that you give. | Maps Javascript API |
| Optimize Route | Field service agents can view optimized routes for tasks assigned to them on a given day. Field service dispatchers can view optimize routes for tasks assigned to members in their assignment groups. Field service managers can view optimize routes for tasks assigned to members in the groups they manage. | Distance Matrix API |
| Show Route | Field service agents can view their routes for the day, or even the map a customer sees to track the tech on the way to their house. | Directions API |
System properties for Google Maps in Field Service Management
| FSM feature | Property | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Route Optimization | Route Optimization | Reorders agent task routes for the day as efficiently as possible.
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| Dynamic Scheduling | Distance calculation method | Auto assigns tasks and adapts to changing conditions, as well as needing to focus only on exception cases.
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| Last Mile | Agent expected arrival time calculation | Shows how far an agent’s location is from a task location and calculates an estimated arrival time.
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