đź“‹ In This Guide
Finding Supplies
SupplyScout's primary purpose is helping you quickly locate the items you need. Here's how to find supplies efficiently.
Understanding Supply Status
Each store shows supply availability using emoji indicators that update in real-time based on community reports:
Search for Specific Items
The quickest way to find what you need:
1. Tap the Search Icon
Located at the top of the map screen. This opens the search interface.
2. Type What You're Looking For
Type "ice," "propane," "gasoline," "batteries," or any supply. The search is flexible—partial matches work.
3. View Filtered Results
The map will highlight only stores that have reports for your item. Stores are color-coded by availability.
Search by Store Name
If you know the store you want to visit, search by name instead of item. For example, search "Walmart" to see all Walmart locations with reported supplies.
Browse Nearby Stores
Without searching for a specific item, browse the map to see all nearby stores with any supply information. Stores with more recent updates appear with brighter icons.
Reporting Supply Availability
SupplyScout is powered by community contributions. When you're at a store, help others by reporting what you see. This makes the entire community more informed.
How to Report Supplies
1. Find a Store
Browse or search for a store on the map and tap it to open the store detail view.
2. Tap "Report Supplies"
In the store popup, you'll see a "Report Supplies" button. Tap it to open the reporting interface.
3. Select Supply Status
For each item, indicate whether it's in stock, limited, out of stock, or unknown. You only need to report items you can verify.
4. Submit Your Report
Tap "Submit" to share your report with the community. Your report is immediately visible to other users.
Report Quality and Accuracy
We appreciate accurate reports! Here's what helps:
- Report what you personally observed, not second-hand information
- Report soon after visiting—recent reports are more valuable
- You can report from outside the store if you saw items being stocked
- Only mark items as "In Stock" if you actually saw them available
Verification System
To maintain data quality, SupplyScout uses a verification system:
- Your reports appear immediately but are marked as pending verification
- Multiple confirmatory reports from different users increase confidence
- The system decays older reports over time (older data has less weight)
- Radius verification: reports are verified based on actual location data
Using the Map
Basic Map Controls
Zoom In and Out
Pinch your screen with two fingers to zoom. You can also double-tap to zoom in to a specific location. As you zoom, the map adjusts to show more detailed store information.
Center on Your Location
Tap the location/target icon to automatically center the map on your current position. This is helpful if you get scrolled away from your area.
Store Information Popup
Tap any store to see a detailed popup with:
- Store Name: Full name and type of store
- Address: Complete address for navigation
- Supply List: Current reported supplies with status
- Last Updated: How recently supplies were reported
- Action Buttons: Report Supplies, Get Directions, etc.
Get Directions
Tap the directions button to open your default maps app (Apple Maps or Google Maps) with directions to that store. This integration works seamlessly with your device's native navigation.
Report Supplies
See something at the store? Tap this button to immediately report supplies at that location.
Map Layers and Filtering
View by Supply Type
In search results, stores are organized by your search query, showing only those with reports for items you're looking for.
Region-Specific Information
Some regions may have specialized icons or information specific to their area. Check with your local administrator for region-specific guidance.
Alerts & Notifications
Basic Notifications (Free)
Even on the free plan, you receive important notifications:
Disaster Alerts
When a disaster is declared in your region, you'll receive an alert with relevant information and resources. These are critical community alerts—check them immediately.
System Notifications
Important app updates, maintenance notifications, or changes to service in your area.
Push Notifications
Make sure you've enabled push notifications for SupplyScout in your device settings so you don't miss important alerts. Go to Settings > Notifications > SupplyScout and enable it.
Premium Alerts
Upgrade to Premium to unlock supply-specific alerts and disaster preparation features. See Premium Features for more details.
Managing Your Account
Access Your Profile
Tap your profile icon (usually in the top-right or bottom menu) to access account settings.
Account Settings
Email and Password
Update your email address or password in Account Settings. We recommend using a strong password that you don't use elsewhere.
Location Preferences
Configure location sharing settings. SupplyScout always needs location permission to function, but you can control how precisely we track your location.
Notification Preferences
Choose which types of notifications you want to receive and at what frequency. You can disable all notifications except critical disaster alerts.
Language and Region
Set your preferred language and region. This helps us provide localized supply information and alerts.
Privacy and Data
What Data We Collect
We collect your location (for map functionality), your report submissions, and basic device information. We never sell your data.
How We Use Your Data
Your data is used to improve SupplyScout and provide better supply information. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.
Delete Your Account
In Account Settings, you can request account deletion. All your personal data will be removed within 30 days, though aggregated report data may remain for community benefit.
Getting Help
If you need assistance:
- Check our FAQ for common questions
- Contact support@supplyscout.org with detailed questions
- Reach out to your regional administrator for local guidance