Terminology
- POG (Planogram): A visual representation of product placement in stores.
- Asset: The cabinet or equipment where the camera is installed.
- Playbook: The management interface used for tracking and assigning assets.
- Tenant: A specific account or environment where assets are assigned.
Routes
| Route | Description |
|---|
| A | Retrofit camera installation in the field |
| B | Retrofit camera installed in a factory or warehouse |
| C | Cabinet pre-fitted with a camera (typically powered), with OEM-managed operations |
Walk-Away Install (B/C)
What it is
Walk-Away Install enables cameras fitted in factories or warehouses to be deployed in the field with minimal on-site effort.
- The camera is installed in a factory or warehouse.
- For battery cameras, activation should occur in a warehouse (preferred) or factory (discouraged).
- Field users do not need to perform setup actions; they can drop off the asset.
- For battery cameras, cellular mode must be activated as close to deployment as possible.
What it is not
- Completely error-free: GPS accuracy can vary due to environmental factors, so a small number of manual validations may still be required.
- Completely no-touch: Battery-operated cameras still require cellular activation, and at least one validation test is recommended.
Background
Rationale
- The current in-store retrofit process is challenging.
- Installation typically takes 5-10 minutes and may require multiple retries to establish connectivity.
- Installers may lack technical expertise, and distributors may not have trained personnel available.
- Retailers may resist in-store disruptions that can negatively affect customer experience.
- Lengthy installation draws unnecessary attention and may raise privacy concerns.
- A streamlined approach with minimal on-site effort and remote follow-up improves efficiency, adoption, and scalability.
Walk-Away Installation Process
- Pair the device with the asset and power it on (factory, warehouse, or in-field).
- Keep the device in low-depletion mode with no photo capture during physical installation.
- For battery-operated devices, activate cellular mode before dispatching to the store; for Route C / VistaZ Power devices, cellular activation occurs automatically on DC power-up in the field.
- Detect movement by analyzing pings away from known locations.
- If pings show that the asset has moved away from a known warehouse or factory location and remained stable at a different location, generate a Location Mismatch alert.
- Clients or reps access Playbook to manage priority cabinet events.
- The client or rep reviews the current location and assigns an outlet from the preloaded list of likely nearby outlets.
- After the asset is assigned to an outlet, immediately request the Installation and Take Picture commands.
- When the first image is received, CoolR generates a store-level POG based on the detected SKUs.
- The client or rep approves the proposed POG or assigns a saved POG.
- The asset is considered online after location and POG are assigned.
- If the asset moves to an unknown location and remains stable for 2 days, trigger an alert to reset location and POG.
Walk-Away Installation (Visualized)
- Pre-map warehouses where assets are likely to be located.
- Optionally test cabinets before dispatch.
- For battery cameras, activate cellular mode using a mobile or desktop app.
- Do not send commands while the asset remains in a known location.
- If the asset moves away from a known location and remains stable, raise a Location Mismatch alert.
- Alert the client or rep to review the location and assign the outlet.
- After the outlet is assigned, immediately request the Installation and Take Picture commands.
- When the first image is received, generate a proposed store-level POG based on the detected SKUs.
- The client or rep approves the proposed POG or assigns a saved POG.
- The asset appears online in Playbook only after both the outlet location and POG are assigned.
Walk-Away Installation Benefits and Risks
Benefits
- Supports scalable deployment.
- Enables controlled installation in factory or warehouse environments.
- Reduces in-store friction for distributors, reps, and retailers.
- Increases retailer adoption.
- Supports asset relocation using the same workflow.
- Simplifies retrofit installations.
- Supports OEM camera installations through the same method.
- Enables remote management by reps.
Risks
- Connectivity status may be unknown before installation.
- Some assets may require an additional activation process.
- Poor signal at deployment locations can prevent tracking.
Walk-Away Installation Alerts
- Email notifications are sent to clients or reps when new locations require action.
- In Playbook, users can access Playbook → Tasks → Alert Overview.
- Top priority is to configure and resolve asset alerts.
- Users can view asset details and photos, assign locations, and approve or assign POGs.
Workflow
- Navigate to Playbook → Tasks → Alert Overview.
- Search for the "Location Mismatch" alert.
- Locate the asset (for example, by serial number).
- Assign a location by:
- Selecting from nearby locations (sorted by distance), or
- Searching by location name or code.
- Confirm assignment with the following prompt:
"You have selected |LocationName| to assign to |AssetSerial|. Do you want to continue?"
- The alert closes automatically.
- After the alert is resolved, the system automatically requests or runs the commands configured for that asset type.
- If no appropriate location is found, the alert remains in "New" status.
Process
- Factory or Warehouse Install (VistaZ only)
- Activation and Validation Before Dispatch
- Field Install
- Automated Installation Notifications
- Planogram Assignments
Factory and Warehouse Install
Considerations
- Factory Install
- OEM serial numbers may differ from asset serial numbers.
- Camera and asset tenants should differ from customer tenants.
- Distributor assignment management is required.
- Warehouse Management
- Battery recharging may be required before seasonal deployments.
Factory Install Options
| Option | Associate Only | Associate and Validate | Custom Method |
|---|
| Available in Web App | No | No | Via file upload |
| Available in Mobile App | Yes | Yes | No |
| Automatically creates asset | Yes | Yes | Via bulk upload/CoolR processing |
| Requires connectivity to device | No | Yes | No |
| Validates device functionality | No | Yes | No |
| Recommended for Factory Install | Yes | Optional | Acceptable |
| Recommended for Warehouse Install | Optional | Recommended | Not recommended |
Activation and Validation Before Dispatch
Purpose
- Ensure units are validated before field deployment.
- Validate:
- Camera functionality
- Connectivity
- Correct asset-camera pairing
- Asset setup in the CoolR environment
System Requirements
- Validation tool (mobile or desktop app)
- Wizard for Route A/B; Route C does not use a pre-dispatch activation wizard and may be optionally validated through the mobile-app associate/validate workflow when applicable
Challenges
- Poor warehouse connectivity
- Limited access to mobile and web tools
- Unpacking and repacking feasibility