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Introduction to Mantis

Mantis is a comprehensive project management system designed for managing field operations, equipment tracking, and technical resource allocation. Built on a modern web stack, Mantis provides robust tools for managing projects from initiation through completion.

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System Overview

Mantis is built on a powerful technology stack that combines:
  • Backend: Django 4.2.14 with Django REST Framework for robust API services
  • Frontend: Vue.js 3.5 with Vite build system for a modern, reactive user interface
  • Database: PostgreSQL for reliable data persistence
  • Additional Technologies:
    • Grappelli for enhanced Django admin interface
    • Simple History for audit trail functionality
    • Pinia for state management
    • TailwindCSS with DaisyUI for styling

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Key Features

Mantis provides comprehensive functionality for field operations management:

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Project Management

  • Create and manage projects with client (partner) associations
  • Track project locations with cardinal point references
  • Manage contact information and project timelines
  • Support for project lifecycle from start to closure

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Resource Management

  • Allocate equipment and service resources to projects
  • Track resource costs (rental and maintenance)
  • Flexible maintenance scheduling with multiple frequency types:
    • Day intervals (every N days)
    • Specific weekdays
    • Specific days of the month
  • Resource retirement tracking with documentation

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Technical Personnel Management

  • Comprehensive technician profiles with work area assignments
  • Certificate and license tracking with expiration monitoring:
    • Driver’s licenses
    • Defensive driving certificates
    • MAE (environmental) certificates
    • Medical certificates
  • Vaccination record management
  • Document attachment support (PDFs)

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Field Operations

  • Custody chain management for tracking equipment and samples
  • Sheet project workflows for field documentation
  • Maintenance sheet tracking
  • Shipping guide generation
  • Final disposition certificate management

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Administrative Features

  • Audit trail with django-simple-history
  • User session management
  • Email-based authentication system
  • Data export/import capabilities (JSON format)
  • Multi-environment support (Development, Test, Production)

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Architecture Overview

Mantis follows a modern client-server architecture: 
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           Vue.js Frontend Client            │
│  (Vite + Vue Router + Pinia + TailwindCSS)  │
└─────────────────┬───────────────────────────┘
                  │ HTTP/REST API
                  ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Django Backend API Server           │
│    (Django REST Framework + Grappelli)      │
└─────────────────┬───────────────────────────┘
                  │
                  ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│          PostgreSQL Database                │
│     (Relational data with audit trails)     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Backend Structure

The Django backend is organized into modular applications:
  • accounts: User authentication and technical personnel management
  • projects: Project lifecycle, resource allocation, and field operations
  • equipment: Equipment catalog and resource item management
  • api: RESTful API endpoints for all modules
  • reports: PDF report generation
  • workorders: Work order management

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Frontend Structure

The Vue.js frontend provides:
  • Single Page Application (SPA) architecture
  • Component-based UI development
  • Centralized state management with Pinia
  • Responsive design with TailwindCSS
  • Hot module replacement for rapid development

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Data Model Highlights

Core Entities:
  • CustomUserModel: Email-based authentication with role assignments
  • Project: Client projects with location and timeline tracking
  • ProjectResourceItem: Equipment/service allocation to projects
  • Technical: Field technician profiles with certification tracking
  • CustodyChain: Equipment and sample tracking workflows
  • SheetProject: Field work documentation

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User Roles

Mantis supports two primary user roles defined in accounts/models/CustomUserModel.py:11:

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ADMINISTRATIVO (Administrative)

Administrative users have full system access including:
  • Project creation and management
  • Resource allocation and tracking
  • Technical personnel administration
  • System configuration
  • Report generation
  • Data export/import operations
Typical Use Cases:
  • Office managers creating new projects
  • Administrators assigning resources to projects
  • HR personnel managing technician records
  • Supervisors reviewing custody chains and field documentation

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TECNICO (Technical)

Technical users have field-focused access including:
  • View assigned projects
  • Update field work sheets
  • Manage custody chains
  • Record maintenance activities
  • Upload field documentation
  • View their personal certificates and schedules
Typical Use Cases:
  • Field technicians completing work sheets
  • Technicians recording equipment maintenance
  • Field personnel documenting custody chain transfers
  • Mobile workers accessing project details on-site

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Localization

Mantis is configured for Spanish (Ecuador) locale:
  • Language: es-ec
  • Timezone: America/Guayaquil
  • Date and time formats follow Ecuadorian standards

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Next Steps

Quick Start

Get Mantis up and running in minutes with our quick start guide.

Installation

Detailed installation instructions for production deployment.

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