KSMI Weather clients have two different account types to choose from, one that is based on groups, and one that is based on your device.
In short, group accounts are usually used by municipalities and large companies that have fixed-locations, such as a municipal boundary, or various properties across a large geographical area or even multiple cities. Groups allow you to monitor a wide-geographical area in one central area. As a user of a group, you receive alerts based on locations in the group and settings within the group. Notifications can also be sent via the app, but also allow for email, text message*, and telephone call* (*depending on your package with KSMI Weather). Groups can also receive pre-selected hourly update emails, which are required in municipal settings. Users can access the weather portal website, too.
Features like lightning alerts and precipitation alerts follow forecast locations in your group, which is useful for some. App users can enable device-specific alerts, so they receive lightning and precipitation alerts for areas in their groups, plus their own device.
Simpy put, device accounts are simple and reflect a more traditional weather app. A device account allow you to manage your account from your device. You can add additional users, who can then log into the app using their own email. You can set a home location and add various locations as favourites. All alerts are delivered to the app.
Features like lightning alerts and precipitation alerts follow your device.
That comes down to the geography of your work, and the type of work you do. In most setups, we see groups are use by Winter crews, and device only accounts are used by Summer crews. Winter crews typically need to track several locations across town, or even multiple towns, to better plan their work flow. Summer users typically need to know about threats near them, not near any particular town or building.
Using the KSMI Weather app, navigate to the device menu, then select Account Settings. Scroll to the bottom and select Change to Device Only Account, or if you're going from a device only to group account, you can switch the account type to group-based by creating a group.
Note: When you transition from a group account to a device only account, all users and settings will be lost. KSMI Weather cannot recover users or settings lost in a transition. The account owner is the only user who is able to make a change. If you cannot see this setting, contact the account owner. Municipal, education, and event users are unable to change their account type.
If you have any questions, please contact support@ksmi.ca for assistance.