Understanding Primary and Secondary Hierarchies in CAMS

Overview

CAMS is a modular system, and different modules (such as Buildings, Roads, or Bridges) may be enabled depending on your organisation’s setup. Each module can contain its own hierarchical structure to organise data.

In general terms:

• The Primary Hierarchy is used to represent the physical structure or layout of an environment. It is often used to filter locations, define inspection areas, and manage spatial data.

• The Secondary Hierarchy is used to organise systems, components, and assets that exist within those physical environments.

To keep things simple in this guide, we’ll use Location Hierarchy and Asset Hierarchy as example terms for the primary and secondary structures, respectively. However, these names may differ depending on your organisation's CAMS configuration. For example, a client using the Buildings module may rename the primary hierarchy to match internal terminology (e.g. “Zones” or “Floors”), and similarly for asset structures.

Please note that labels and terminology may vary depending on how CAMS has been configured for your organisation.

For Inspectors

1. What is the Primary Hierarchy?

The Primary Hierarchy reflects the physical layout of a site or environment. It helps inspectors navigate to the correct area for inspections. The structure typically moves from broad to specific, such as:

• Campus or Site

  • Building

    • Floor

    • Room or Zone

Where to find it:
From the CAMS Mobile app or web interface, tap or click the hierarchy section under the active module (e.g. Location Hierarchy if using the Buildings module).

When you use it:

• Navigating to the inspection site

• Selecting the correct area before beginning an inspection

• Filtering inspection history by location

2. What is the Secondary Hierarchy?

The Secondary Hierarchy represents the equipment, systems, or other trackable items located within the primary structure. It allows you to select the correct asset and view its classification and condition. A typical structure might include:

• Asset Group (e.g. HVAC)

  • Asset Type (e.g. Split System)

  • Asset (e.g. Unit AC-001)

Where to find it:
In CAMS Mobile or web, access the secondary hierarchy under the active module (e.g. Asset Hierarchy if using the Buildings module).

When you use it:

• Selecting the correct asset for inspection

• Capturing data or images for that asset

• Reviewing previous condition reports

For Admins

1. Managing the Primary Hierarchy

Admins are responsible for defining the Primary Hierarchy to reflect the layout of real-world sites or areas. This supports accurate inspection mapping and reporting.

Navigation Path:
CAMS Web → [Module Name] → Primary Hierarchy (e.g. Location)

Actions Available:

• Add or edit top-level locations, sub-areas, or spatial zones

• Use Bulk Data Upload for efficient setup

• Apply consistent naming conventions across all entries

Best Practice:
Build from the top down: Site → Building → Floor → Room. Ensure labels reflect actual spaces for ease of use.

2. Managing the Secondary Hierarchy

The Secondary Hierarchy helps structure and manage the organisation’s assets or systems. Admins define this within the active module.

Navigation Path:
CAMS Web → [Module Name] → Secondary Hierarchy (e.g. Asset)

Actions Available:

• Create and manage asset groups, types, and records

• Assign assets to their respective locations within the primary hierarchy

• Use Bulk Data Upload to add or update assets

Best Practice:
Ensure assets are correctly categorised and linked to both their type and physical location. This supports better inspection workflows and reporting.

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