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Elements XS

Name: Elements XS
Rating: 4.6 (12 reviews)

Elements XS

4.6 (12)

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GIS-Centric Asset and Work Management Software

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About Elements XS

Elements XS goes beyond traditional asset and work management technology by providing users a new set of powerful tools to tailor and customize the application to meet the unique needs of their organizations. Designed specifically for smart utilities and governments, Elements XS is an all-inclusive web-based application that can be accessed from anywhere on any device. Elements XS integrates seamlessly with ESRI’s ArcGIS platform as well as utility billing, financial, and ERP applications to leverage an organizations existing technology investments. Elements XS is an all-inclusive application that allows any asset within any department to be managed without purchasing separate modules, and the application works with any standard web browser on any device, in the cloud or on client-side servers. Elements XS users have the ability to further enhance the application by defining unique workflow processes to streamline operations and fulfill the unique business requirements of organizations both small and large.

Elements XS provides robust tools for asset management, work management, inventory control, project management, and reporting analysis. Elements XS Connect, a permitting and citizen engagement site, provides tools for tracking permits, licenses, citizen requests and problem reporters. Elements XS Connect is fully integrated with the Elements XS main application, allowing for a seamless experience to track the life cycle of requests and permits. Elements XS is built on the Microsoft .NET framework and utilizes a Microsoft SQL database. Websites are deployed via IIS and map services published via ArcGIS for Server and/or ArcGIS Online are consumed by Elements XS.

Whether you are in the office or out in the field, Elements XS has you covered. The entire Elements XS application can be accessed when a data connection is present. In areas where no data connection is available, the Elements XS native app, downloadable for IOS and Android devices, is designed for task-based work to be completed in the field. Download your work and maps for offline usage and reconnect when cell service is present. The application can be deployed on premise or in the cloud and accessed using any industry standard web browser on any device, no apps or client-side installations are required.

Elements XS has been designed as an open platform with a standard Microsoft SQL database. All data can be accessed openly using industry standard technologies. Having an open platform allows for integrations with other software to transfer data to and from Elements XS, which acts as a central hub. Our philosophy is to let other applications continue to do what they do best and integrate with them to enhance the overall Asset and Work Management experience.

Elements XS uses the following integration devices:

• Named API- Elements XS has developed a robust API (Application Programming Interface) to interact with other third party systems.

• Webhooks- A webhook (also known as a web callback or HTTP push API) is a way for Elements XS to interact with other applications in real-time. A webhook delivers data to other applications as it happens.

• Workflow Processor- Elements XS includes a workflow processing engine that allows users to analyze data from any combination of third party applications and/or datasets to trigger events within Elements XS based on criteria from external sources.

Key benefits of Elements XS

1. Tailored & Responsive User Interface
Elements XS provides tools to tailor menus, page layouts, map toolbars, and other interface components to reduce clutter and streamline data collection processes. Each user (or group of users) can have a tailored interface that contains toolbars, buttons, map settings, forms, and other functionality specific to their individual job function. Elements XS has been designed to be completely mobile friendly and work on screens as small as a phone. Every page in Elements XS can look and feel like it was designed for the device it is on, whether for a phone or desktop monitor.

2. Ultra Flexible, No Custom Code
Elements XS is a commercial off the shelf application that includes building blocks and tools for each client to configure their own unique processes, data collection requirements, interface configuration, and much more. Users can configure unlimited custom data fields, unlimited custom forms and custom form layouts, and unlimited custom workflow processes - all without modifying application code or requiring custom application development. Elements XS also includes many options for pre-configured templates and workflows to streamline the deployment process.

3. Workflow Processor
Elements XS includes a workflow processing engine that allows users to analyze data from any combination of third party applications and/or datasets to trigger events within Elements XS based on criteria from these external sources. Common uses of the workflow processor include 811 automation (for one-call locates/tickets), SCADA system integrations (to trigger Service Orders when alarms are issued), and fleet management (trigger vehicle maintenance Service Orders based on fuel consumption or other criteria).

4. Workflow Designer
Users can create custom workflows using a drag and drop interface to automate and streamline processes. These workflows can be used to trigger follow-up events, route work to designated personnel, send notifications, and much more. These user-generated custom workflows can be applied to any scenario and provide an unmatched level of customization throughout the application.

5. Utility Billing Integration
Elements XS includes tools for a live connection to multiple utility billing applications to provide location, customer, meter, and service data to field technicians in realtime directly from the utility billing application. Tools to update the utility billing software directly from Elements XS are also available to avoid duplicate entries. Utility billing data can be visualized in the GIS to show consumption data, usage history, and other field-critical data.

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Elements XS Software - Heat Maps and Map-based Reports

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Reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

(12)

Value for Money

4.8/5

Features

4.6/5

Ease of Use

4.3/5

Customer Support

4.6/5

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Overall rating

Industry: Utilities
Company size: 11–50 Employees
Used Daily for 1-5 months
Review Source

Overall rating

Value for Money
Ease of Use
Customer Support
Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10

Elements XS has rejuvenated our operations

Reviewed on 2022/02/10

Great!

Pros

It integrates well with other systems. It enables field workers to work in GIS, instead of viewing for reference only.

Cons

There was a little struggle to scope out how we integrated with other systems.

Alternatives Considered

Trimble Cityworks and Cartegraph Asset Management

Reasons for Choosing Elements XS

The other product was GIS-centric in name only. The menus were clunky and it was hard to integrate with other systems. Luckily we found Elements, which is the opposite of all of those things.

Reasons for Switching to Elements XS

It just functions better, is more intuitive for end users

Roger

Overall rating

Industry: Government Administration
Company size: 51–200 Employees
Used Daily for 2+ years
Review Source

Overall rating

Value for Money
Ease of Use
Customer Support
Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10

Asset Management With or Without a Map

Reviewed on 2022/02/18

We use Elements to plan and track maintenance to assets. It helps with coordination and accountabil...

We use Elements to plan and track maintenance to assets. It helps with coordination and accountability. It helps managers see the great work their employees are doing. It helps plan budgets for assets, personnel, and supplies.

Pros

There is a lot I like about this software. After having used it for years, I wish now that I'd done more out-of-the-box configuration than customized workflows. The software is good for mobile devices and was redesigned from its previous version for that purpose. The documentation is getting better, and I hope that more users start using the forums. I like the look and feel of the user side and administration side. Whenever a product allows you to customize more, it becomes more complex, which is no one's fault; it's just a universal law. Thus it is with Elements. It's tricky to build even simple workflows at first because there's so much you _could_ do to make a workflow, so they offer those additional, if ill-used, options all the time. And, over time, we do end up using some of those more complex options.

Cons

In order to avoid reinventing the wheel, Novotx went for a solution that consumed other products to get stuff done. It can use ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS.com, and uses Geocortex Essentials, Reporting, and Workflows to do mapping and customized behavior. As a natural consequence of this, the administrator has to go to a lot of places to make Elements do stuff. Some stuff is done over here, some is done over there, and yet other stuff is done in this other place.

Various UI improvements could be made as well, like which things pop up in other browser tabs versus which things pop up to replace the content I was looking at. Customizing the user experience as an administrator can also be a challenge since it's not all done in one place. And lastly, the word "type" is too frequently and too often for me to full understand what the software wants in parts. Examples in the documentation would be nice.

Lastly, there isn't a great way within the administrative side of the software to document what you're doing, why you set things up this way, or record changes. That has to be done in Google Docs, Word, or whatever other word processor your organization uses.

Alternatives Considered

Trimble Cityworks

Reasons for Choosing Elements XS

We switched to Elements so that all of Public Works would have licenses to view each other's data in one system. We wanted to pay maintenance on one product instead of four and spread the cost through the sections. We also liked how, with training and education, we could customize Elements ourselves.

Switched From

iWorQ, Cartegraph Asset Management and Microsoft Excel

Reasons for Switching to Elements XS

The map was so central to the experience, and yet you can run without one, which one section chose to do. We liked our knowledge of HTML could help us customize the look and feel of pop-up boxes and title cards. A lot of Elements is modified using simple commands like edit boxes, check boxes, drag-and-drop operations, and copy/paste commands. The advanced stuff, however, (workflows) does take some knowledge of VBScript.

Amanda

Overall rating

Industry: Government Administration
Company size: 11–50 Employees
Used Daily for 2+ years
Review Source

Overall rating

Value for Money
Ease of Use
Customer Support
Likelihood to recommend 6.0 /10

West Jackson County Utility District one oldest customers

Reviewed on 2022/02/07

Overall when I first started working with Elements XS, I was extremely disappointed but the program...

Overall when I first started working with Elements XS, I was extremely disappointed but the program is upgrading and increasing capabilities

Pros

ability to make work orders on in the field

Cons

Need to improve communication with customer service which is starting to get better

Rick

Overall rating

Industry: Utilities
Company size: 51–200 Employees
Used Daily for 2+ years
Review Source

Overall rating

Value for Money
Ease of Use
Customer Support
Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Elements XS

Reviewed on 2022/01/28

Novotx was able to import in our spreadsheet of users and other data that we had from previous...

Novotx was able to import in our spreadsheet of users and other data that we had from previous programs.

We first started using ElementsXS for our utility locates (811). Using Elements has helped with this since we are able to see where the locates are needed on the map and it sends the results back to the 811 processing company.

We are able to get a visual view of how our hydrant maintenance is going, since completing tasks in Elements can update an attribute in my GIS map that will change the color of the hydrant. So this provides managers a way to visually see what has and hasn't been done without having to go individually through each task.

I was able to create GIS related dashboard reports that are accessed in Elements that display feature counts and water and sewer line mileage so that users don't have to go get that information from a different web page. Users can stay in the Elements interface to access almost all of the information they need.

Pros

It is highly customizable and easy to use. Mapping of open tasks is really useful. Being able to update GIS feature attributes when tasks are completed is awesome to save, for example, the last flush date and chlorine residual of a hydrant, so this can be displayed when they click on the hydrant on the map. I like being able to create custom workflows and forms so the tasks can be processed exactly how we want.

Cons

This isn't really a con of the product, because all software is unfamiliar when you first get it, but there is a learning curve if you want to create custom workflows for the tasks on your own. Novotx can train someone for this and if you have an employee with some programming knowledge then it would be easier, but not entirely necessary, to train.

Alternatives Considered

Trimble Cityworks

Reasons for Switching to Elements XS

The capabilities of the system were similar and the price was more affordable. We also saw the potential for the system to be able to do much more because of how customizable it is. We were able to create a ticketing system and construction project inspections system with it that are not "normal" service tasks. So like Novotx says, they give you the lego blocks and you can build almost anything.

Sam

Overall rating

Industry: Government Administration
Company size: 11–50 Employees
Used Daily for 1-5 months
Review Source

Overall rating

Value for Money
Ease of Use
Customer Support
Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

More than just Asset Mangement

Reviewed on 2022/02/07

Now that we have a easily accesible platfomrm that employees that share information, document work,...

Now that we have a easily accesible platfomrm that employees that share information, document work, and have work order histories at their fingertips , emplyees are more efficient and confident. We are looking to incorporate Recreation into Elements.

Pros

Elements is extremely customizable. It is desinged to work with your existing processes and make them more efficient.

Cons

In the COVID world, timelines are stretched due to unforeseen reasons. We would have liket the implementation completed sooner, but we are understanding of the changes of the timeline and are happy with the finished product.