This document describes a location-based push notification solution for mobile apps using ArcGIS Online and Parse. The solution allows users to subscribe to notification channels based on geographic area and attribute filters. When new seismic events occur within subscribed areas and meet attribute criteria, a Python script checks the events against user subscriptions and sends push notifications using the Parse API. The architecture is serverless and scalable. The document provides an overview of how each component is used and potential other uses cases for the approach.

1. Location Based Push
Notifications for Mobile Apps

2. Problem
Need to add native push
notifications to QuakeFeed iOS app
based on location of events and
user’s area of interest

3. Simple User Experience
• Subscribe to Channels
– Geographic Filter
(Area of Interest)
– Attribute Filter
(Minimum Magnitude)
• Receive Notifications

4. What About Android?
Although QuakeFeed is an iOS app,
this solution works for Android too
Hey!
So don’t sleep…

5. Goal
Server-less, cloud-based solution

6. Solution Architecture
ArcGIS Online
+
+
(Easy As…)

7. ArcGIS Online
• Define Geographic Areas of Interest
• Stored in the Cloud
“SanFran” Channel
“SoCal” Channel

8. What Is Parse
• User and Device Management
• Schema-less database in the Cloud
• REST API for push notifications
• Native iOS and Android SDKs, Plus REST API
• Incredibly Cheap
– Free Level: 1M API calls + 1M Push Notifications

9. How We Use Parse
• Anonymous User Accounts
• Store Channel Preferences in Cloud DB
• Store Processed Events in Cloud DB
• Send Push Notification Through REST API

10. • Ties our solution together
• Run Python Scripts in the Cloud
– Or Ruby, Go, Node, etc.
• Insanely Cheap
– 5 cents/hr billed by the second
• Massively Scalable
– 1000s of concurrent processes

11. Python Script Psuedo-code
• Pull USGS Geo-RSS feed for Earthquakes
• Check for new Seismic Events
– Keep track of processed Quakes in Parse DB
• Query ArcGIS Online for Spatial Channels
• Assemble Push Notification Payload
• Send Notification via Parse REST API

12. Other Use Cases
• Keep in mind that any of the elements could
change in real time:
– Geographic Area of Interest
– Attributes of Interest
– User Channel Subscriptions
• Short List
– Field Management (Worker Notification)
– Emergency Event Coordination
– Alerts when Assets Divert from Expected Routes

13. Contact Info
James Richards
james (at) artisanglobal (dot) com
If Interested in Beta Testing QuakeFeed
Or Adapting This Solution to Another Use Case
Drop Me a Line