Understanding Device Health

Monitor device performance, temperature, battery levels, and network connections to ensure optimal operation.

Overview

Device health indicators in Performance Hub provide real-time insights into how your smart devices are performing. Regular monitoring of these metrics helps identify potential issues before they become problems and ensures your devices operate reliably.

Key Health Metrics:

Temperature readings (cameras and screens)
Battery levels (duress buttons)
Network connection quality
Signal strength
Device uptime

Temperature Monitoring

All electronic devices generate heat during operation. Monitoring temperature helps prevent overheating, extends device lifespan, and ensures reliable performance.

Normal Temperature Ranges

Cameras:

Normal: 40-70°C
Varies based on:
- Environment temperature
- Recording activity level
- AI processing usage
- Direct sunlight exposure
- Ventilation quality

Coaching Screens:

Normal: 30-60°C
Varies based on:
- Screen brightness setting
- Content being displayed
- Ambient room temperature
- Ventilation around device
- Display usage duration

Duress Buttons:

Normal: 15-30°C
Reflects ambient temperature (no heat generation)
Battery powered, minimal heat
Temperature changes indicate environmental conditions

Temperature Warning Signs

Consistently High Temperatures (Above 75°C):

May indicate underlying problems that need attention:

Poor Ventilation:

Device in enclosed space
Air vents blocked by objects
Insufficient airflow around device
Cabinet or mount restricting airflow

Equipment Issues:

Fan failure (cameras with cooling fans)
Dust buildup in air vents
Thermal paste degradation (rare)
Hardware malfunction

Environmental Problems:

Excessive ambient heat in room
Direct sunlight on device
Proximity to heat sources (heating vents, other equipment)
Inadequate facility cooling

Operational Factors:

Continuous high-intensity AI processing
Maximum brightness settings (screens)
Recording at highest quality settings
Device working harder than designed for

When You See High Temperatures

Immediate Actions:

Check Ventilation:
- Ensure device air vents are not blocked
- Remove any objects near or on device
- Verify adequate space around device for airflow
- Check that device is not in enclosed cabinet
Check Environment:
- Move device away from direct sunlight if possible
- Ensure device not near heating vents or heat sources
- Verify room temperature is reasonable
- Check if other devices in same area are also hot
Check Equipment:
- Listen for fan operation on cameras (if equipped)
- Look for dust buildup in air vents
- Check device is securely mounted (not vibrating loose)
- Verify cables not restricting airflow
Monitor Trends:
- Note if temperature is constant or rising
- Check if high temperature is during specific times (afternoon sun, peak hours)
- Document temperature readings over several days
- Compare to normal baseline for that device

If Temperature Remains Elevated:

Reduce recording quality temporarily (cameras)
Lower screen brightness (coaching screens)
Disable non-essential AI features temporarily
Consider relocating device to cooler location
Contact support if temperature doesn't improve

Temperature Monitoring Best Practices

Regular Checks:

Review temperature readings weekly
Note seasonal temperature changes
Identify devices consistently running hot
Address issues before they become critical

Preventive Maintenance:

Clean air vents monthly
Ensure proper mounting with adequate airflow
Position devices away from heat sources during installation
Monitor temperature after any facility changes
Keep facility HVAC system maintained

Documentation:

Record baseline temperatures for each device
Note temperature trends over time
Document any temperature-related issues
Track correlation between temperature and problems

Battery Monitoring (Duress Buttons)

Duress buttons are battery-powered safety devices. Battery monitoring is critical because these devices must function reliably in emergencies.

Battery Level Indicators

100-80% - Excellent

Battery fully charged or nearly full
Device operating at full capability
No action needed
Normal expected range for recently replaced batteries

79-50% - Good

Battery in healthy operating range
Device functioning normally
Monitor during regular checks
No immediate action needed
Plan battery replacement within next quarter

49-20% - Fair

Battery approaching end of useful life
Device still functioning but plan replacement
Order replacement batteries
Schedule battery replacement soon
Increase monitoring frequency (check weekly)

Below 20% - Low

Battery requires immediate replacement
Device may fail soon
Replace battery as soon as possible (within days)
Critical for safety device functionality
Document replacement immediately

Low Battery Alerts

Alert Indicators:

Red warning badge appears on device in Device Management
Notification sent to facility managers
Email alert to designated recipients
Dashboard warning if viewing device list

Alert Response:

Replace battery within 48 hours for safety-critical devices
Don't wait for battery to fail completely
Keep spare batteries always available
Document battery replacement
Test button immediately after replacement

Why Immediate Replacement Matters:

Duress buttons are safety-critical devices
Device may fail in emergency situation
Battery life remaining uncertain below 20%
Staff safety depends on device functionality
Regulatory or insurance requirements may mandate uptime

Battery Replacement Timing

Proactive Replacement:

Replace at 20% rather than waiting for failure
Replace all buttons every 6-12 months regardless of level
Replace before busy season or major events
Keep replacement schedule documented
Order batteries before running low

Battery Inventory:

Keep spare batteries for all duress buttons
Store batteries in climate-controlled area
Check expiration dates on battery inventory
Order replacements when inventory gets low
Document battery purchases and usage

Replacement Process:

See Duress Button Configuration for detailed battery replacement procedures including:

Correct battery type identification
Step-by-step replacement instructions
Testing after replacement
Documentation requirements

Network Connection Quality

Network connection quality directly affects device performance, reliability, and functionality. Understanding connection types and signal strength helps troubleshoot issues and optimize performance.

Connection Types

Ethernet Connected (Recommended)

Most reliable connection method
Wired physical connection to network
Consistent bandwidth and speed
No signal interference or dropouts
Lower latency for real-time features
Automatically negotiated speed (typically 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps)
No password management required
Better security than wireless

Benefits of Ethernet:

Cameras: Reliable recording with no gaps
Screens: Consistent content delivery and sync
Both: Automatic device discovery and updates

WiFi (Wireless)

Wireless radio connection to access point
Convenient when cables not feasible
Signal strength varies by location
Subject to interference and congestion
Requires password management
May experience occasional dropouts
Higher latency than Ethernet

WiFi Signal Displayed as Percentage:

Indicates connection quality at device location
Changes based on interference, distance, obstacles

Bluetooth Mesh (Duress Buttons)

Short-range wireless protocol for duress buttons
Forms mesh network through multiple gateways
Connects to nearest available gateway
Battery-efficient for long device life
Typical range 30-50 feet per gateway
Automatically reconnects if signal lost

Signal Quality Ratings

80-100% - Excellent

Optimal connection quality
No action needed
Device performing at maximum capability
Reliable operation expected

60-79% - Good

Acceptable connection quality
Minor occasional issues possible
Monitor but no immediate action needed
Consider optimization if quality decreases

40-59% - Fair

Marginal connection quality
May experience occasional issues:
- Recording gaps (cameras)
- Content loading delays (screens)
- Alert delays (duress buttons)
Improvement recommended
Monitor closely

Below 40% - Poor

Inadequate connection quality
Action required
Device reliability compromised
May go offline unpredictably
Immediate improvement needed

Improving Connection Quality

Priority Solutions (Most Effective):

Switch to Ethernet:
- Most effective solution for cameras and screens
- Eliminates wireless reliability issues
- Immediate improvement in stability
- Worth the installation effort
Add Network Equipment:
- WiFi extender near device location
- Additional access point for better coverage
- Network switch for more Ethernet ports
- Mesh WiFi system for whole facility
Reduce Distance:
- Move device closer to router or access point
- Relocate access point closer to devices
- Add intermediate access point

Secondary Solutions:

Eliminate Obstructions:
- Remove physical barriers when possible
- Avoid placing devices behind metal objects
- Consider line of sight to access point
- Minimize walls between device and router
Reduce Interference:
- Switch to 5GHz WiFi band (less crowded)
- Change WiFi channel to less congested one
- Move away from other wireless devices
- Reduce number of devices on same access point
Optimize Router Settings:
- Update router firmware
- Adjust transmit power if needed
- Enable Quality of Service for device traffic
- Configure separate SSID for smart devices

Connection Quality Monitoring

Regular Checks:

Review signal strength weekly for wireless devices
Note devices with declining signal
Track connection quality trends
Correlate connection issues with device problems

Proactive Actions:

Address fair or poor signals before devices go offline
Test connection quality at new device locations before installation
Document signal strength baselines
Plan network improvements based on coverage gaps

Red Flags:

Signal quality decreasing over time
Multiple devices in same area with poor signal
Frequent offline/online cycling
Recording gaps or content loading issues

Understanding Uptime

What Uptime Means:

Time since device last restarted
Indicates device stability
Longer uptime generally indicates healthy device

Normal Uptime Patterns:

Resets after firmware updates (2 AM automatic updates)
Resets after manual device restart
Resets after power outage
Resets after configuration changes

Concerning Patterns:

Frequent unexpected restarts (multiple per day)
Uptime resets without updates or manual restarts
Different devices showing synchronized restart times (network issue)
Short uptime with no obvious cause

When to Investigate:

Device restarting multiple times per day
Uptime much shorter than other similar devices
Pattern of restarts at specific times
Restarts correlating with other issues

Device Health Dashboard

Viewing Device Health

In Device Management:

Temperature column shows current reading
Battery level shown for duress buttons
Signal strength displayed as percentage
Uptime shows time since last restart
Status indicators (online/offline)

Color Coding:

Green - Normal, healthy operation
Yellow - Warning, attention recommended
Red - Critical, immediate action needed

Health Monitoring Workflow

Daily Quick Check:

Open Device Management
Scan for red or yellow indicators
Check all devices show "Online"
Note any critical alerts
Address urgent issues immediately

Weekly Detailed Review:

Review temperature trends
Check battery levels on all duress buttons
Verify signal strength for wireless devices
Document any devices needing attention
Plan maintenance for upcoming week

Monthly Comprehensive Review:

Export device health report if available
Identify devices with recurring issues
Plan proactive maintenance
Update device inventory documentation
Review and update baseline metrics

Getting Help

When to Take Action

Immediate Action Needed:

Any duress button below 20% battery
Temperature above 80°C
Device offline for more than 5 minutes
Signal strength below 40%
Multiple devices with same issue

Plan Action Soon:

Battery between 20-40%
Temperature consistently above 70°C
Signal strength 40-60%
Device with declining health trends

Monitor Closely:

Battery 40-50%
Temperature 65-70°C
Signal strength 60-70%
Occasional brief offline periods

Resources

Back to Device Management Overview - Main device management page

Common Issues and Solutions - Troubleshooting guide

Best Practices - Maintenance and monitoring guidance

Device-Specific Health:

Camera Configuration - Camera health and maintenance
Screen Configuration - Screen health and maintenance
Duress Button Configuration - Button battery and testing

Regular monitoring of device health prevents problems and ensures your smart technology operates reliably when you need it most.