Overview
Both Team Layers and Asset Layers help you visualize data on the Tracking map, but they serve different purposes.
- Team Layers focus on people and their activity
- Asset Layers focus on equipment, resources, or locations
Understanding the difference will help you choose the right layer for your use case—or use both together for full visibility.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Team Layer | Asset Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Tracks | Users (people) | Equipment, resources, or locations |
| Data Source | Mobile app tracking data | Data Tables |
| Location Updates | Real-time or activity-based | Based on Data Table values |
| Examples | Technicians, inspectors, field workers | Vehicles, tools, job sites |
| Setup Required | Enable tracking features | Connect a Data Table with location data |
Team Layer
What It Shows
A Team Layer displays your team members on the map based on their activity in the FastField mobile app.
Best For
- Monitoring where your team is in real time
- Tracking movement throughout the day (breadcrumbs)
- Viewing where forms are completed
- Dispatching work based on proximity
How It Works
Team Layers rely on tracking features such as:
- Check In / Check Out
- Location Breadcrumbs
- Form Actions
Asset Layer
What It Shows
An Asset Layer displays items from your Data Tables as pins on the map.
Best For
- Tracking equipment or inventory
- Visualizing job sites or customer locations
- Managing static or semi-static resources
- Mapping any dataset with location fields
How It Works
Asset Layers pull data from:
- Data Tables with latitude/longitude or address fields
- Records that represent assets or locations
When to Use Each
Use a Team Layer if you need to:
- See where your people are
- Track movement and activity in real time
- Monitor work being completed in the field
Use an Asset Layer if you need to:
- See where your resources or equipment are
- Map locations stored in a Data Table
- Manage inventory, vehicles, or job sites
Using Them Together
For many organizations, the most powerful setup is using both layers together.
For example:
A field service company can:
- Use a Team Layer to track technicians in real time
- Use an Asset Layer to display job sites or equipment locations
This allows dispatchers to quickly assign the closest technician to the nearest asset or job.