Identify the nearest technician from an asset using Power automate

Hi john john,

your question is really interesting.

Here is just an idea how it could be done:

Prerequisites:

• Power Automate account
• External mapping service account (e.g., Azure Maps, Google Maps)
• Two SharePoint lists:
  • One list to store the assets' locations (Latitude & Longitude)
  • One list to store the technicians' current locations (Latitude & Longitude)

Steps:

1. Create a Power Automate flow that is triggered when a new item is created in the SharePoint list that contains the assets' locations.
2. Use an HTTP action to call the external mapping service and pass the coordinates of the asset and the technicians' locations.
3. Parse the response from the mapping service to identify the technician with the shortest distance or travel time to the asset. This technician is the nearest one.
4. Send an email notification to the nearest technician, informing them of the support ticket and providing details on the asset's location.
5. Optionally, update a SharePoint list or record associated with the support ticket to indicate that the nearest technician has been assigned.
   
   

More about the idea:

• You can use the Azure Maps API or Google Maps API to calculate the nearest route and distance/time between the asset and each technician.
• You will need an API key for authentication and usage limits may apply.
• You can consult with your organization's IT or development team for any specific requirements or updates related to Power Automate and SharePoint.