 The City of Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to launch LauderServ, a free application for Android-based mobile devices that offers direct access to the City's 24-hour Customer Service Center. With LauderServ, citizens can let the City know what's happening or how we can help them right from their mobile devices, no matter where they are, and even include a photo.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is committed to continually developing innovative ways to engage and assist citizens, especially through new and expanding technologies. The LauderServ application is the most recent addition to the City’s "customer service anytime, anywhere" strategy, which includes providing assistance through electronic and mobile technologies and resources.
For additional information, please contact the City of Fort Lauderdale 24-hour Customer Service Center online or call 954-828-8000. A Customer Service professional will respond to online inquiries within one business day.
LAUDERSERV APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
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1. OPEN THE APPLICATION
After downloading the LauderServ application from Google’s Play Store, select the LauderServ launcher from the applications on your Android mobile device.
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2. ADD YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION (REQUIRED)
LauderServ users are required to provide all of their contact information to submit a report. Use the "Add Contact" button.
Please make sure to complete the following fields and select "Save" after entering the required information.
- NAME
- TELEPHONE
- E-MAIL
NOTE: Once you have entered your contact information, it will be saved and should not be required again. |
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3. ADD A PHOTO (OPTIONAL)
Although not required, LauderServ users who would like to include a photo with their report may use this option.
Select the "Add Photo" button and choose from the following:
- TAKE NEW PHOTO
- CHOOSE FROM YOUR LIBRARY
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4. SET THE CATEGORY
LauderServ users may submit reports on a variety of topics by selecting from one of the following categories. Use the "Set Category" button.
- CODE ENFORCEMENT
- COMPLIMENT
- PARKING SERVICES
- QUESTION
- SANITATION
- STREET MAINTENANCE
- SUGGESTION
- UTILITIES
See the FAQ for the category descriptions. |
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5. SET THE LOCATION
LauderServ users may provide location information for their reports via the "Set Location" option and either selecting "Find Me" or "Address" after opening the "Set Location" screen.
GPS Feature: When choosing the "Set Location" option, LauderServ will prompt users to turn on their mobile device's GPS feature if it is not already activated.
- To use the "Find Me" option, the GPS feature must be activated.
- To use the "Address" option, the GPS feature does not need to be activated. If prompted to activate the GPS, select "Cancel" to manually enter the address for a location.
"Find Me" (requires GPS): LauderServ can automatically detect a location via the Google Maps application. Once the location is set, it must be saved by selecting "Save" before exiting the "Set Location" screen.
OR
"Address" (does not require GPS): To move the map over the center of the location pertaining to a report, enter the address in the popup box. Once the location is set, select "Save" before exiting the "Set Location" screen. |
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6. ADD COMMENTS
If you have additional information to submit with a report, it can be included in the comments box.
After the additional information has been added, select "Finish Comments" to return to the main screen. |
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7. SUBMIT A REPORT
Once all of the information for a report has been added, it is ready to be submitted.
Select the "Submit" button to process the report. A popup window will appear confirming the submission, and an email confirmation will also be sent from the City of Fort Lauderdale to the email address provided in the contact information.
LauderServ users who decide not to submit a report may simply select "Cancel."
NOTE: LauderServ requires Internet access from your mobile device. Depending on your data plan, your service provider may charge your account for the data transfer. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is LauderServ?
LauderServ is a free application for Android-based mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets that was developed by the City of Fort Lauderdale to provide mobile users with direct access to the City's 24-hour Customer Service Center.
What can the LauderServ application be used for?
LauderServ users may report a concern, inquire about a City service, or offer a compliment or suggestion to the City by simply selecting the application on their mobile device. LauderServ users may submit reports on a variety of topics by selecting from one of the categories below.
LAUDERSERV CATEGORIES
Code Enforcement: Select this category to report code enforcement violations on private property, such as overgrowth, trash and debris, bulk trash, abandoned vehicles, building maintenance, unsecured buildings, sea turtle lighting violations, or illegal signs and banners.
Compliment: Select this category if you would like to offer a compliment. We appreciate hearing what you love about the City of Fort Lauderdale!
Parking Services: Select this category to report broken parking meters, parking lot safety and maintenance concerns or for information on parking citations and payments, residential beach parking cards, special event or disabled parking, etc.
Question: Select this category for general questions and concerns.
Sanitation: Select this category to report a missed sanitation collection, to order/exchange sanitation carts, for sanitation schedules, etc.
Street Maintenance: Select this category to report litter, graffiti, clogged storm drains, potholes, damaged sidewalks, or to report City-maintained greenery, broken street lights, sprinklers, canal concerns, etc.
Suggestion: Select this category if you would like to share your suggestions to improve the City of Fort Lauderdale. Your opinion matters!
Utilities: Select this category to report concerns regarding water, sewer and stormwater, or for general account inquiries.
Is there any cost to use LauderServ?
The LauderServ application is free; however, the application requires Internet access from your mobile device. Depending on your data plan, your service provider may charge your account for the data transfer.
What version of Android do I need to use LauderServ?
Your mobile device must use Android 2.1 or higher.
How do I download LauderServ to my Android mobile device?
Installing LauderServ is easy! Just follow these simple steps:
- Open the Google Play application
- Search for LauderServ
- Install your new application
Is LauderServ difficult to use?
No. LauderServ users can quickly set their location, snap or upload a picture, select the appropriate category, and submit a report to City's 24-hour Customer Service Center. The application does require users to provide valid contact information for all reports submitted.
How do I use LauderServ?
Follow the simple step-by-step instructions provided on this page to submit a report to the City's 24-hour Customer Service Center. If you experience difficulty, please contact a Customer Service professional at 954-828-8000 for assistance. You may also inquire online at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice. Please note, Customer Service will respond to online inquiries within one business day.
Should I use LauderServ to report emergencies?
No. Time-sensitive issues such as broken water lines, sewer overflows and safety hazards should only be reported to the City's 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 for immediate assistance.
Can I use LauderServ if I am outside of the City of Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, but the address for the location you are reporting about must be within the City of Fort Lauderdale's boundaries. If the address is outside of the City, the LauderServ application will not allow you to save it.
What happens after I submit my request?
After submitting your report, a popup window will appear informing you that your report will be forwarded to the City's 24-hour Customer Service Center. You will also receive an email notification, which will be sent to the email address you included in your contact information, to confirm your report was successfully submitted.
What if I get an error message when I try to submit my report?
Please review the instructions for LauderServ and ensure all required information (i.e., contact information, category, etc.) is complete. If you are still experiencing difficulty, please contact the 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000. If you prefer the convenience of the Internet, please visit the City's website at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice and complete the customer service web form. Customer Service will respond to online inquiries within one business day.
Is LauderServ available for all mobile platforms?
Currently, only mobile users with Android-based devices may use LauderServ. The City is reviewing the possibility of expanding LauderServ to include other mobile platforms.
Will my contact information be saved to the application?
It is recommended that LauderServ users immediately enter their contact information after installing the application on their mobile device. Once the contact information is entered, it will be saved and should not be required again.
Can my personal information be accessed through LauderServ?
The LauderServ application does not access any personal information from your mobile device. The City of Fort Lauderdale will only collect the information entered in the contact fields in order to respond to your report.
How do I remove LauderServ from my mobile device?
Simply uninstall the application from your mobile device by following the manufacturer's instructions.
How can I receive more information about the new LauderServ application?
For more information about LauderServ, please contact the 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000. If you prefer the convenience of the Internet, please visit the City's website at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice and complete the customer service web form.
Acknowledgements
To keep costs down, the City of Fort Lauderdale utilized open-source and/or freeware products, wherever possible, in the development of the LauderServ application. As a result, the City would like to make the following acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Roy Cham for providing the base set of code for this project. His work can be downloaded from code.google.com at the following link under the GPL General Public License:
All client-side development was done using the Eclipse programming environment, which can be downloaded from this location:
Bug fix for the myLocation Android feature was written by Pieter @android-developers on groups.google.com as part of the open-gpstracker project. We thank him for the solution, which was made available under the GNU General Public License v3.
W Randolph Franklin, PNPOLY - Point Inclusion in Polygon Test, enabled us to locate a point within a polygon. We thank him for the solution, which was made available at:
Device to server communications were implemented using code from the and-bookworm project, which was created by Charlie Collins and is distributed under the Apache License 2.0.
LauderServ Source Code
The source code for the City of Fort Lauderdale LauderServ application is not yet available for download, but is expected to be available by release 2.0 after several revisions and enhancements are implemented.
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