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Objects in Forerunner can be created manually through the web or mobile app, or through data imports managed by your Customer Success Manager. Properties support manual creation on both web and mobile, while custom objects can be drawn directly on the map from the mobile app or imported from GIS data.

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Creating properties

Properties can be created manually or imported in bulk.

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Creating a property manually

Create a property when you need to add a location that isn’t in your imported parcel data — for example, a new structure not yet in assessor records, or a location you need to track for a specific workflow.
1

Navigate to Properties

Go to the Properties table from the main navigation.
2

Select Add or Create

Select the option to add a new property.
3

Enter the address

Provide the street address. Forerunner geocodes the address to determine the location on the map.
4

Verify the location

Confirm the map pin is in the correct location. Adjust if needed.
5

Add property details

Enter any additional information available — parcel ID, owner information, or other attributes your account supports.
6

Save the property

Select Save. The property now appears on the map and in the Properties table.
Manually created properties may have limited attribute data compared to imported properties. Flood zone and parcel boundary data typically require CSM assistance to populate.

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Importing properties

Bulk property imports are handled by your CSM, typically during initial onboarding or when updating parcel data. Property data sources
  • Parcel/assessor data - Boundaries, ownership, land use, values
  • Address databases - Geocoded locations for properties without parcel geometry
  • FEMA data - Flood zones, BFE, and FIRM panel information
When to request a property data update
  • New assessor data is available from your jurisdiction
  • FEMA has issued new or revised flood maps
  • You need to add properties for a newly annexed area
  • Property boundaries or addresses need correction
When contacting your CSM, provide the data source or file, what’s changed since the last import, and any specific properties that need attention.

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After creating a property

Once a property exists — whether created manually or imported — you can:
  • Attach records to track workflows
  • Upload files like photos or documents
  • Create tasks for follow-up work
  • View the property on the map

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Creating custom objects

Custom objects can be drawn on the map from the mobile app or imported from GIS data by your CSM.

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Creating a custom object on mobile

Draw custom objects directly on the map when you’re in the field and need to capture a new feature — like a stormwater inlet, a stretch of fencing, or a drainage area — without waiting for a GIS import.
1

Tap the Add object button

On the map screen, tap the Add object button in the bottom-right corner.
2

Select an object type

Choose the type of object you want to create from the list. Available object types depend on what your administrator has configured.
3

Draw the geometry

Tap on the map to place points. The geometry type depends on the object type you selected:
  • Point — Tap once to place the object
  • Line — Tap two or more times to draw connected segments
  • Polygon — Tap three or more times to draw an enclosed area
All points must be placed within your account boundary. To correct a mistake, tap a point and select Remove point.
4

Enter a label

In the form at the bottom of the screen, type a label for the object.
5

Tap Add

Tap Add to create the object. It appears on the map immediately and the object info panel opens.
When drawing lines or polygons, make sure your lines don’t cross over each other. If the app detects overlapping lines, you’ll be prompted to add or remove points to fix the issue.

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Importing custom objects

Custom objects can also be imported from GeoJSON data by your Customer Success Manager. This is the best option when you need to bring in large datasets from existing GIS systems.
  1. Prepare your data - Export your data as GeoJSON, or as a Shapefile or Geodatabase for conversion
  2. Contact your CSM - Share the file and describe what you want to track
  3. Define attributes - Work with your CSM to determine which fields to display
  4. Configure display - Specify map styling, labels, and grouping
  5. Review the import - Verify objects appear correctly on the map and in tables
  6. Attach to workflows - Start creating records against the new objects
What to prepare for your CSM
  • Source data - GeoJSON file with geometries and attributes, or another format your CSM can convert
  • Field information - Which attributes to display, user-friendly labels for technical field names, and a unique identifier field for matching on future updates
  • Display preferences - Map symbology like colors, icons, or line styles, which attributes to show in map popups, and how to group with other object types
  • Workflow needs - What record types should be attachable, who needs access, and whether objects should appear on the public website

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Updating imported custom objects

When your source data changes, your CSM can reimport to update object attributes. Existing records, files, and tasks remain attached. Forerunner matches objects by a unique identifier to preserve relationships, and new objects are added automatically. Include a stable unique identifier in your source data — this helps Forerunner match objects accurately during reimports, even if geometries shift slightly.

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Frequently asked questions

Bulk property creation requires a data import managed by your CSM. You can create individual properties manually on the web or mobile, but large-scale additions should go through the import process.
If you create a property at an address that already exists, you may end up with duplicates. Search for the property first before creating a new one. Contact your CSM if you need to merge or remove duplicates.
Custom objects can be created from the mobile app or imported by your CSM. Creating custom objects from the web is not currently supported.
You can create objects for any object type that your administrator has enabled for manual creation. The available types and their geometry — point, line, or polygon — are configured per object type.
Simple imports can often be completed within a few days. More complex imports with custom styling, multiple object types, or data conversion may take longer. Your CSM can provide a timeline based on your specific needs.
Deletion permissions depend on your user role and whether the object has attached records or files. Contact your CSM if you need to remove objects.