Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding BaseManager Map Levels

BaseManager provides three distinct map levels to help you manage irrigation systems at different scales: company level, site level, and controller level. Each level serves a specific purpose depending on the scope of your operations.

The company level map displays all sites across your entire service area. This view is particularly useful for national or regional operations where you need to see multiple locations at once. Controllers appear as colored pins indicating their current status—blue for active/watering, gray for offline, and other colors corresponding to different operational states. You can zoom this map to focus on your specific geographical area, whether that's a city, county, or region.

The site level map focuses on a single property or location. This level is most valuable when you have multiple controllers at one site, such as a large park with 10 controllers spread across different quadrants. You can zoom to show the entire property boundary and see all controllers positioned geographically within that space.

The controller level map provides the most detailed view, showing individual zones and devices connected to a specific controller. This is where you'll spend most of your time managing day-to-day irrigation operations.

Setting and Saving Your Preferred Map Zoom Level

By default, when you navigate to a map, it may display at a zoom level that doesn't match your needs. For example, a company map might show the entire United States when you only work in one metropolitan area.

1. Navigate to the map level you want to adjust (company, site, or controller).

2. Click the Edit button.

3. Zoom in or out to your preferred view using standard map controls.

4. Click Save to preserve this zoom level.

The next time you return to this map, it will automatically display at the saved zoom level. This eliminates the need to repeatedly adjust your view and saves time when managing multiple sites or controllers.

Navigating Between Map Levels

There are multiple ways to move between different map levels in BaseManager.

• From the company level map, you can click directly on a site pin to view that site, or use the Maps menu and select Current Site.
• From the site level map, you can click on a controller pin (marked with "C") to view that controller's detailed map, or use the Maps menu and select Current Controller.
• To navigate back up the hierarchy, use the Maps menu to return to the site or company level as needed.

Understanding Color-Coded Status Indicators

BaseManager uses consistent color coding throughout the entire system to provide at-a-glance status information. These colors appear on zone pins in the controller level map and follow the same scheme used elsewhere in the BaseManager interface.

Common status colors include blue for zones that are currently soaking (part of a cycle-and-soak program), active colors for zones currently watering, green for zones that are done or idle, and error indicators for zones with problems. When you open the menu on a controller map, you can see the color status legend that explains what each color represents.

This visual system allows you to quickly assess what's happening across your irrigation system without drilling into detailed programming. You can see which zones are watering, which are in soak cycles, and which may need attention—all from a single map view.

Viewing Geographic Patterns and Troubleshooting

The geographic layout of zones on a controller map provides valuable troubleshooting insights that aren't available in the standard Quick View grid format.

For example, if you see multiple zones in one area of a property all showing error indicators, this suggests a localized problem—perhaps related to recent construction in that area or a mainline issue affecting that section. Similarly, if you're managing flow balancing or hydraulic distribution, you can visually confirm that zones are running in the intended pattern, such as alternating between different sides of a property or concentrating irrigation in one area at a time.

This geographic perspective is particularly valuable when working with BaseManager's AI watering engine, which doesn't run zones in simple sequential order but instead activates zones based on real-time conditions, resulting in complex watering patterns throughout the day.

Adding Zone Markers to Your Map

When you first set up a controller map, zones may not be displayed. You'll need to manually place zone markers to show where each zone is located on your property.

1. Navigate to the controller level map.

2. Click Edit to enter editing mode.

3. Look for the list of available items to place on the map. This includes all zones that were discovered during the search and assign process.

4. Click on a zone number from the list (for example, Zone 14).

5. Click on the map where you want to place that zone marker.

6. Repeat for each zone you want to display.

7. Click Save when you're finished placing markers.

If you need to adjust the position of a marker after placing it, you can click Edit again, then click and drag the marker to a new location. Zoom in for more precise placement if needed, then return to your preferred zoom level before saving.

Choosing Between Area Marking and Valve Box Marking

There are two schools of thought when it comes to where you should place zone markers on your map: at the physical valve box location or over the area being irrigated.

Valve box marking places the pin at the exact location of the valve manifold or valve box. This approach can be helpful for technicians who need to locate physical equipment for repairs. However, it has limitations. Most sites have multiple valves in a single manifold, which means multiple pins would stack on top of each other or cluster very tightly, making the map difficult to read and less useful for management purposes.

Area marking places the pin over the general area that the zone irrigates—for example, center field, left field, or a specific landscape bed. This approach is generally preferred for water management purposes because it provides a visual representation of what's being watered rather than where the equipment is located. It's also more practical because BaseManager maps are not designed to be precision GPS locating tools, but rather visual management aids.

For most users, especially water managers, area marking provides more value. It makes it immediately clear which parts of the property are being irrigated at any given time and helps with spatial planning and troubleshooting. Technicians who need to locate physical equipment can use other methods or documentation for that purpose.

Adding Other Connected Devices to Your Map

In addition to zones, you can place markers for any device that has a unique BaseManager serial number and is connected to the two-wire path. This includes moisture sensors, temperature sensors, flow meters, event switches, precipitation sensors, and pressure sensors.

1. Click Edit on your controller map.

2. Look for the device categories in the list of available items to place.

3. Select the specific device you want to add (for example, a moisture sensor).

4. Click on the map where that device is located.

5. Repeat for all devices you want to display.

6. Click Save.

All devices that appear in this list were populated during the search and assign process, so they're already recognized by the system. If you've named these devices, those names will appear in the list, making them easier to identify and place accurately.

For devices like moisture sensors that are buried in specific locations, you may want to mark their exact GPS coordinates if you have them. This can be valuable for future reference when you need to service or replace sensors.

Interacting with Zone and Device Markers

Once you've placed markers on your map, you can interact with them to perform operations and view information without leaving the map view.

Click on any zone marker to open a menu with the same operations available in Quick View. You can start the zone for a specific duration, set it to done, test it, learn flow, or chart moisture data. The menu also displays information such as which program the zone is assigned to and which mainline it's associated with.

The Set to Done function is particularly useful when viewing the map. For example, if you see a zone showing blue (soaking status) but you determine it doesn't need additional water, you can set that specific zone to done without terminating the entire program. The zone will change from blue to green (idle/done) and the program will continue with its remaining zones.

You can also set an entire program to done from this menu, which will mark all zones associated with that program as complete.

Creating Custom Markers for Non-Connected Equipment

Custom markers allow you to place pins on your map for equipment, infrastructure, or points of interest that are not connected to the two-wire system and don't have a BaseManager serial number. This is a two-step process: first create the marker type, then place it on the map.

Creating the custom marker type:

1. Click Edit on your map.

2. Navigate to Custom Markers.

3. Click the plus (+) button to create a new custom marker.

4. Enter a Name for the marker type (for example, "PS" for pump station).

5. Select a Color for the marker. Note that the available colors are intentionally different from the status colors used for zones to avoid confusion.

6. Enter a Description (for example, "5 horsepower pump station").

7. Click Save.

⚠️All three fields—name, color, and description—are required for the marker to save properly. Once saved, the custom marker type appears in your list of available markers but is not yet placed on the map.

Placing the custom marker on your map:

1. From the list of custom markers, click on the marker type you just created.

2. Click on the map where you want to place it.

3. Click Save to preserve the placement.

The custom marker now appears on your map. When you click on it, you'll see the name and description you entered, but you won't see operational controls like start or stop because this equipment isn't connected to the two-wire system.

Adding Detailed Information and External Links to Custom Markers

Custom markers become significantly more powerful when you add detailed notes and external links. This transforms your map into a central hub for accessing information about your site.

Adding notes:

When creating or editing a custom marker, use the Notes field to record important information. For example, on a backflow prevention device marker, you might note "Last serviced March 2021" to track when the annual testing is due. These notes appear when you click on the marker, providing quick reference information without needing to consult separate documentation.

Adding external links:

The URL field in custom markers accepts any valid web link, opening up extensive possibilities for connecting your map to external resources.

For equipment like backflow preventers, you can link to parts schematics or exploded diagrams hosted on manufacturer websites. When you click the marker and then click the link, it opens the external page in a new window, giving you immediate access to technical documentation.

You can also link to cloud storage locations like Google Drive. For example, you might create a Google Sheet to track maintenance history, parts inventory, or service schedules, then link directly to that sheet from a custom marker. This allows you to maintain detailed records in a spreadsheet while accessing them instantly from your BaseManager map.

Other useful external links include:

• Company Cam or similar photo documentation services where you store site photos
• Google Docs with detailed maintenance procedures or site-specific instructions
• Weather Underground pages for specific weather stations (particularly useful if you've created a custom marker for your weather station location)
• Pump station web interfaces if your pump system has internet connectivity
• Any other web-based resource relevant to managing your site

The key principle is that BaseManager maps are not intended to be the world's best mapping software ever created for irrigation systems, but rather a tool to make site management easier. By linking to specialized tools and resources where detailed information already exists, you create a centralized access point that enhances efficiency without duplicating data entry.

Requesting Custom Map Overlays

The default maps in BaseManager use Google and Bing satellite imagery. However, these services don't update daily, which creates challenges for new construction projects, recently developed properties, or sites where the satellite imagery doesn't accurately represent current conditions.

BaseManager offers custom map overlay services where you can replace the default satellite imagery with your own image. Suitable images include:

• Drone footage of the property
• Architectural renderings
• CAD irrigation plans
• Site photographs
• Any other image that better represents your site

To request a custom map overlay:

1. Go to baselinesystems.com.

2. Click the Support tab.

3. On the left side of the page at the bottom, click Request Map Overlay (or similar wording).

4. Fill out the JotForm with your information and upload your image.

5. Submit the form to BaseManager support engineers who will work with you to complete the overlay.

The overlay process requires GPS coordinates for the top-left corner and bottom-right corner of your image. The engineers use these coordinates to position and scale the image correctly over the map area. The image itself must be rectangular (all images are), and it will be inserted as a rectangle on the map.

For high-resolution images, there may be limitations on how far you can zoom in while maintaining image quality within BaseManager's interface. In some cases, the GPS coordinates may need to be adjusted to allow for greater zoom capability. For example, on one high-resolution residential property image, the pins were placed approximately a mile apart (rather than their true distance) so the map could be zoomed in far enough to see the image detail clearly.

Creating Transparent Overlay Images for Pipe Networks

A particularly useful type of custom overlay is a transparent image showing only specific elements like irrigation pipes, while allowing the underlying satellite imagery to show through.

To create this type of overlay, you'll need an image file in PNG or GIF format with a transparent background. The visible elements (such as pipe lines) appear on the map, while everything else remains transparent, allowing you to see both the pipe network and the satellite imagery of the property simultaneously.

The same GPS coordinate requirements apply—you'll need coordinates for the top-left and bottom-right corners of the image area. Once the engineers insert these coordinates, the transparent overlay will snap to scale over your map, providing a combined view of infrastructure and site imagery.

Using Geolocating to Speed Up Map Setup

Geolocating is a mobile feature that uses your smartphone's GPS to automatically place markers on your map as you walk or drive the site. This dramatically speeds up the map creation process compared to manually placing each marker from your office.

1. Open the BaseManager app on your smartphone.

2. Log in to your account.

3. Navigate to App Manager, then select Mobile Access.

4. Select Geolocate Device (or similar option).

5. You'll see a list of all devices available to geolocate, including zones, custom markers, flow meters, and any other connected devices.

6. Walk to the physical location of the device you want to mark (for example, Zone 14).

7. Select that device from the list.

8. Tap Mark.

9. The app will display the GPS accuracy (for example, "33 feet accuracy" or "8 feet accuracy"). Better accuracy is achieved with clear sky visibility.

10. Confirm the marking. The device is now placed on your map at your current GPS coordinates.

11. Move to the next device location and repeat.
 

The geolocating feature works in real-time, immediately placing markers as you confirm each one. If you're using the area marking approach (marking the irrigated area rather than the valve box), simply stand in the middle of the area you want to mark before tapping the mark button.

GPS accuracy varies based on conditions. Users have reported accuracy as good as 8 feet under ideal conditions, though 33 feet or moderate accuracy is more common. If a marker isn't placed exactly where you want it, you can always return to the desktop interface, click Edit, zoom in, and drag the marker to fine-tune its position.

For large sites or properties with many zones, geolocating can reduce map setup time from hours to minutes. You can walk the entire site once, marking zones as you go, rather than trying to remember or research where each zone is located when working from your office.

Enhancing Client Handover with Completed Maps

For installation contractors, a fully configured map represents significant added value during the client handover process. Rather than delivering just a functioning controller, you can present a complete visual management system that impresses clients and demonstrates professionalism.

During handover meetings, walk the client through their map, showing them how to:

• View which zones are currently watering
• Identify zones with errors or issues
• Access information about equipment through custom markers
• Navigate between different map levels
• Perform basic operations directly from the map

This educational component transforms the handover from a simple "here's your controller" transaction into a value-added service that helps clients understand and appreciate the sophistication of their new system. It also reduces future support calls by empowering clients to monitor and manage their irrigation more effectively from the start.

Changing Map Types

BaseManager offers different base map styles beyond the default satellite imagery. While in edit mode, you can select different map types such as road maps, terrain maps, or hybrid views depending on what works best for your site and preferences.

For company-level maps covering large geographic areas, road maps often work well because they clearly show city and regional boundaries. For site and controller level maps, satellite imagery typically provides the most useful context for irrigation management.

To change the map type, click Edit, select your preferred map style from the available options, then click Save to preserve your selection.

Video Walkthrough

Video originally published April 2021.

If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:

1. Search within this Baseline knowledgebase

2. Visit the Baseline support page

3. Call 866-294-5847 or email support@baselinesystems.com, hours are from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time or 4:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.