Blog

I've added two new features to the Opentime Alert service. These options can be configured in your Profile.

1. Opentime Daily Email Summary

Each morning the system can email a summary of the current Opentime. Both Current and Pending vacancies are included. This will allow you to be fully aware of Opentime. The daily summary gives you the complete picture. The SMS Alert will alert you to any new trip which might be 'early closed' before the daily summary is emailed.

2. Opentime SMS Quiet Time

You can now specify a "Quiet Time" for the SMS Alerts. During the specified period the system will not send any Opentime Alerts via SMS. Any trips that the system held back during your Quiet Time will be sent at the end of your Quiet Time - assuming they are still in Opentime.

If you configure the Quiet Time option and then wish to turn it off, just specify the same Start and End times. This is noted on the Profile page.

The Roster Calendar feature is now available for Android phones.

Click on  https://rostersms.com/calendar-setup-android/  for detailed instructions.

This has been a little harder than Apple iOS support because Google chose not to build CalDAV (the Internet Calendar protocol) support into the Android operating system. Therefore an extra app is required to be installed to add this support. Having said that, it is quite simple to configure.

I've put some instructions detailing the steps to setup iCal on the Mac with Roster Calendar in the FAQ. I will be adding some screen shots soon.

Click on:  How do I set up my Roster Calendar on iCal on my Mac?

I've been working hard on extra options for the Roster Calendar display.

There are new options to display the Stand Down/Overnight ports in the Event Title, and to display the sign on/off times in the Event Title.

• Display X and A days on Calendar
• Display sectors as individual calendar events

• Display trips as "All Day" Events (ie. remove sign on/off times from trip events)
• Add sign on/off times to Trip Title eg. "GS30 0855 0655"
• Add list of Overnight (Stand down) Ports to trip event title

It might all look a bit complicated, so the best idea is just to play around selecting different combinations to find your personal favourite.

Changes take effect within 60 seconds, normally faster. So hit refresh on your calendar a minute after changing the option on the website.

Don't forget, it's no problem (and no extra cost) to subscribe your wife/partner/etc to your calendar. Just enter the same details into their iPhone/iPhone/Desktop calendar.

Enjoy.

Finally after a lot of work (and some tears)  the Roster Calendars service is live!!

The RosterSMS system will check your webCIS roster each day and update the calendar server. Whenever your iPad is online it will automatically update itself against the calendar server.

Subscribe here (There are plenty of screen shots there.)                  Calendar Setup Instructions are here

If you want a family member or friend to see your roster, just give them your RosterSMS username/password (once you have activated the calender service). This will now negate the need of having to give your actual webCIS password to all and sundry.

There are different display options under the Profile setting on the website.

Trips can be displayed a:

• “All day events” or the trip can start/stop at the trip sign-on/off time.
• Individual sectors can displayed.
• X and A days can be displayed (Very useful when on a blank line.)

I will be looking to add more options as more people use the system.

It works great on iPads - I have a detailed instruction page on the website. It appears to work fine on iCal on the Mac and on iPhones. (It is still experimental for Android phones.)

Feel free to let me know how it works for you and any extra options you need.

Andy.

PS. Thanks to all the beta testers!

Welcome to RosterSMS

We are working hard to add extra features. Please email support@rostersms.com with any suggested features.