Getting Started Guide

This guide covers the first-time setup of your Starter Kit.

Getting Started Guide – Digital Twin Starter Kit

1. Create your Sonar account

1. Open your “Welcome to Sonar” email that was sent to you by your Thinaer Customer Success Manager and select the “Let’s Get Started” button to activate your account.

2. Using the login credentials provided in the “Welcome to Sonar” email, log in to the Sonar Web application.

3. Once logged in, go to the “Gear” icon in the upper right corner and select “Change Password.”

4. Type in your current password and set your new password. Select “Update” once finished.

Your Sonar account is now updated and ready to be used!

2. Download Thinaer apps

  1. Bookmark the Sonar Web application on your desktop.
  2. Download the Sonar Mobile application. In the iOS app store, please type in “Sonar Mobile.” This must be done to configure gateways.

3. Install Thinaer hardware

To ensure an effective testing process, Thinaer recommends the following when determining where to test your Thinaer Digital Twin Starter Kit.

  • Find a digital image of the facility floor plan (this will be used later during software configuration)
  • Identify a room or area of the facility that has an area of ~750 to 1,250 SQFT – No need to worry if the space is smaller. If it is bigger than the range, location accuracy decreases.
    • This room should have space where assets can move around to test Thinaer Real Time Location
    • The area should have equipment or machinery to test Thinaer Machine Utilization
  • Now you’re ready to start installing your hardware!

a. Installing & Placing Gateways

Placement

  • Gateways should be mounted on ceilings or walls approximately 10-15feet high, with the logo facing down for best accuracy.
  • Gateways work best covering a 15-foot radius (that’s 30 feet between gateways).
  • Depending on physical obstacles, gateways can cover up to a 30-foot radius (that’s 60 feet between gateways). Note that location accuracy goes down as the radius goes up.
    • A gateway can sit on its own if you just want to know something is nearby (for example, a room far from other buildings).
    • The perimeter of your placed gateways defines the perimeter where assets can appear.
      • For instance, if you have 4 gateways in a square configuration, your assets will always appear within that square, never outside.

Tools and Supplies

  • Before determining the tools and supplies needed to install Thinaer hardware, please identify how you will be powering and connecting the gateways to your network
    • AC Power + WiFi connection
    • PoE + WiFi connection
    • PoE + Ethernet connection
  • Thinaer recommends using a WiFi connection to configure gateways as it is a user-friendly experience with the Sonar Mobile application. See Section 4 – Set up and configure your Thinaer Gateways for more details.
  • AC Power + WiFi Connection
    • Thinaer recommends working with your Facility Manager on any building or cable requirements.
    • Required:
      • AC power outlets
      • Mounting hardware (included in the kit)
  • Velcro/Zip Ties/Screws are all commonly used for gateway mounting
    • Optional:
      • Extension cord (not included)
      • Step stool or ladder (not included)

b. Installing & Mounting Beacons

Beacons can be attached to assets in a variety of ways including, but not limited to 3M adhesives (included), velcro, epoxies, double-sided tape, etc. (not included.)

4. Set up and configure your Thinaer Gateways

There are three different ways to set up, power, and configure your Thinaer Gateways.

IMPORTANT: Please coordinate with a facility or enterprise network team to whitelist gateway devices to the network, ensuring a seamless configuration process.

a. AC Power + WiFi connection

Part One: Set up your gateways

  • Find your Thinaer Gateway’s MAC ID printed on the side of the device.
  • Go to the Sonar Web application and navigate to the “Device Management” page.
  • On the “Device Management” page, select “Add Devices” and “Upload Gateways.”
    • Download the add gateways template.
  • Once the add gateways template is downloaded to your computer, add the gateway’s name and the MAC ID in its respective column. Save the template once all gateways are added.
  • Return to the Sonar Web application. Upload the add gateway template to Sonar by dragging and dropping the file or selecting a file from your computer.
  • After the gateways are uploaded, Sonar will confirm the upload as successful or prompt
    that a gateway(s) failed to upload.
    • In the event a gateway(s) fails to upload, download the failed-to-upload gateway file and confirm the MAC ID is correct. Update any incorrect gateway information.

Part Two: Configure your gateways

  • Plug in your Gateway to an outlet and confirm it powers on by checking for the red light to appear inside the gateway itself.
  • Open the Sonar Mobile application and log in using the credentials you created in the Sonar Web application.
  • In the Sonar Mobile app, navigate to “Tools” and then “Gateway Setup”. Select “WiFi Configuration” and “Continue”.
  • If your Gateway is plugged in, select “Continue” again.
  • Wait for your Gateway’s MAC ID to pop up.
    • This could take up to 5 minutes after plugging it in. Keep refreshing as needed.
  • Select your Gateway’s MAC ID and then “Continue”.
  • Enter your network credentials.
    • It MUST be the same network your phone is connected to.
    • The SSID and password are case-sensitive.
  • If prompted with a “Success” message, you can continue to confirm your gateways are online.

Part Three: Confirm your gateways are configured

  • Sonar Web
    • Go to the Sonar Web application and go to the “Device Management” page.
    • Search your gateways MAC ID or Name in the search bar.
    • See if the gateway you configured indicates “YES” or “NO” below the “Online” column
      • If “NO”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the
        network credentials were input correctly.
  • Sonar Mobile
    • Go to the Sonar Mobile application and click the profile icon in the upper left hand corner.
    • Select the “Devices”
    • Select the “Gateways” tab
    • Search the gateway name to find the gateway you are confirming
    • Identify the color of the gateways status symbol
      • If “Green”, the gateway is configured properly
      • If “Red”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the network credentials were input correctly.

b. PoE + WiFi connection

Part One: Set up your gateways

  • Find your Thinaer Gateway’s MAC ID printed on the side of the device.
  • Go to the Sonar Web application and navigate to the “Device Management” page.
  • On the “Device Management” page, select “Add Devices” and “Upload Gateways.”
    • Download the add gateways template.
  • Once the add gateways template is downloaded to your computer, add the gateway’s name and the MAC ID in its respective column. Save the template once all gateways are added.
  • Return to the Sonar Web application. Upload the add gateway template to Sonar by dragging and dropping the file or selecting a file from your computer.
  • After the gateways are uploaded, Sonar will confirm the upload as successful or prompt
    that a gateway(s) failed to upload.
    • In the event a gateway(s) fails to upload, download the failed-to-upload gateway file and confirm the MAC ID is correct. Update any incorrect gateway information.

Part Two: Configure your gateways

  • Take a PoE injector and plug in ethernet cables (you will need 1 cable per 1 gateway)
  • Run the cables from the PoE injector to each gateway location
  • Plug in the ethernet cable to the gateway’s ethernet port
  • Confirm the gateway powers on by checking for the red light to appear inside the gateway itself.
  • Open the Sonar Mobile application and log in using the credentials you created in the Sonar Web application.
  • In the Sonar Mobile app, navigate to “Tools” and then “Gateway Setup”. Select “WiFi Configuration” and “Continue”.
  • If your Gateway is plugged in, select “Continue” again.
  • Wait for your Gateway’s MAC ID to pop up.
    • This could take up to 5 minutes after plugging it in. Keep refreshing as needed.
  • Select your Gateway’s MAC ID and then “Continue”.
  • Enter your network credentials.
    • It MUST be the same network your phone is connected to.
    • The SSID and password are case-sensitive.
  • If prompted with a “Success” message, you can continue to confirm your gateways are online.

Part Three: Confirm your gateways are configured

  • Sonar Web
    • Go to the Sonar Web application and go to the “Device Management” page.
    • Search your gateways MAC ID or Name in the search bar.
    • See if the gateway you configured indicates “YES” or “NO” below the “Online” column
      • If “NO”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the
        network credentials were input correctly.
  • Sonar Mobile
    • Go to the Sonar Mobile application and click the profile icon in the upper left hand corner.
    • Select the “Devices”
    • Select the “Gateways” tab
    • Search the gateway name to find the gateway you are confirming
    • Identify the color of the gateways status symbol
      • If “Green”, the gateway is configured properly
      • If “Red”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the network credentials were input correctly.

c. PoE + Ethernet connection

Part One: Set up your gateways

  • Find your Thinaer Gateway’s MAC ID printed on the side of the device.
  • Go to the Sonar Web application and navigate to the “Device Management” page.
  • On the “Device Management” page, select “Add Devices” and “Upload Gateways.”
    • Download the add gateways template.
  • Once the add gateways template is downloaded to your computer, add the gateway’s name and the MAC ID in its respective column. Save the template once all gateways are added.
  • Return to the Sonar Web application. Upload the add gateway template to Sonar by dragging and dropping the file or selecting a file from your computer.
  • After the gateways are uploaded, Sonar will confirm the upload as successful or prompt
    that a gateway(s) failed to upload.
    • In the event a gateway(s) fails to upload, download the failed-to-upload gateway file and confirm the MAC ID is correct. Update any incorrect gateway information.

Part Two: Configure your gateways

  • Take a PoE switch and plug in ethernet cables (you will need 1 cable per 1 gateway)
  • Run an ethernet cable from your network switch or router and plug it into the PoE switch
  • Run the cables from the PoE switch to each gateway location
  • Plug in the ethernet cable to the gateway’s ethernet port
  • Confirm the gateway powers on by checking for the red light to appear inside the gateway itself.

Part Three: Confirm your gateways are configured

  • Sonar Web
    • Go to the Sonar Web application and go to the “Device Management” page.
    • Search your gateways MAC ID or Name in the search bar.
    • See if the gateway you configured indicates “YES” or “NO” below the “Online” column
      • If “NO”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the
        network credentials were input correctly.
  • Sonar Mobile
    • Go to the Sonar Mobile application and click the profile icon in the upper left hand corner.
    • Select the “Devices”
    • Select the “Gateways” tab
    • Search the gateway name to find the gateway you are confirming
    • Identify the color of the gateways status symbol
      • If “Green”, the gateway is configured properly
      • If “Red”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
      • If it continues to say “NO”, please complete Part Two’s steps again, ensuring the network credentials were input correctly.

5. Configure your Sonar application dashboard

a. Adding beacons

Sonar Web

  • Go to the Sonar Web application and navigate to the “Device Management” page.
  • On the “Device Management” page, select “Add Devices” and “Upload Beacons.” First, select “View Beacon Types” and then download the add beacon template.
  • Once the add beacon template is downloaded to your computer, add a beacon name, the MAC ID, and the beacon type ID from the “View Beacon Types” page in each respective column. Save the template once all gateways are added.
  • Return to the Sonar Web application. Upload the add beacon template to Sonar by dragging and dropping the file or selecting a file from your computer.
  • Pull the battery tab from the beacon if necessary.
  • After the beacons are uploaded, Sonar will confirm the upload as successful or prompt that a beacon(s) failed to upload
  • In the event, a beacon fails to upload, confirm the MAC ID and/or the Beacon Type ID is correct. Update any incorrect beacon information.
  • On the “Device Management” page, navigate to the Beacons page within. Search your beacons by beacon name or MAC ID
  • See if the beacon you added says “YES” or “NO” below the “Online” column
    • If “NO”, please wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
    • If “YES”, you are ready to assign beacons to assets

Sonar Mobile

  • Log in to the Sonar Mobile application. Once logged in, navigate to the upper right corner and select the “+” icon. Choose to create a new “Beacon”
  • Give the new beacon a name, input its device/MAC ID (or use the Sonar Mobile QR code scanner), and select the beacon type.
  • Select “Next” and your beacon will be added!
  • Navigate to the upper left corner of the Sonar Mobile app and select the “profile” icon. Go to the “Devices” page, and navigate to the Beacons page within. Search your beacons by beacon name or MAC ID.
  • See if the beacon you added has a “Green” or “Red” dot, indicating its online status.
    • If “Red”, it is offline. Please wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If still “Red”, confirm the MAC ID is correct.
    • If “Green”, it is online. You are ready to assign beacons to assets

b. Creating assets

Sonar Web

  • Create asset
    • Login to your Sonar Web application. Once logged in, navigate to the upper right corner and select the “+” icon. Choose to create a new “Asset”
    • Create a new asset name. You can also add additional asset information like keywords and key values. Select “Next” when all the information is added.
    • Continue creating assets if there are multiple. When you are finished, select “Done”.
  • Assign a beacon
    • In the Sonar Web application, navigate to the “Assets” page. From there, select the asset you’d like to assign a beacon(s). Choosing an asset on the “Assets” page takes you to an “Assets Detail” page.
    • On the “Assets Detail” page, scroll down to the “Associated Beacons” section and select the “+” icon.
    • An asset can have multiple beacons assigned to it. To assign a beacon to the asset, search for a beacon by the beacon’s MAC ID or its name. Select “Next”, confirm it is being assigned to the correct Asset, select “Next”, and assign the beacon as the primary beacon if necessary.
      • As asset will only show the location of its primary beacon. If the multiple beacons are assigned to the asset, the first beacon that was assigned is the primary location beacon or the one that was lost specified as the primary location beacon when assigning the beacon to an asset.
    • Select “Confirm” and now your asset is ready to be tracked!

Sonar Mobile

  • Create asset
    • Log in to the Sonar Mobile application. Once logged in, navigate to the upper right corner and select the “+” icon. Choose to create a new “Asset”
    • Create a new asset name. You can also add additional asset information like keywords and key values. Select “Next” when all the information is added.
    • When prompted if you would like to add a beacon to your new asset, choose “Yes, an existing beacon” if the beacon is already in the platform, “Yes, a new beacon” if you have to add a beacon to the platform, or “No, I’m done” if you are waiting to add a beacon.
  • Assign a beacon
    • If following our “Getting Started” steps, you would choose “Yes, an existing beacon”
    • To assign a beacon to the asset, search for a beacon by the beacon’s MAC ID or its name. Select “Next” or “Confirm” if the correct beacon is being assigned to the correct asset.
    • Now your asset is ready to be tracked!

c. Creating maps

Sonar Web – This must be done in the Sonar Web Application

  • Create a map
    • To add a Map you will need a photo image or scanned copy of your map
    • From the “Maps” page in the Sonar Web application, select “Create Map”.
    • Upload the map file, give the map a name, and add optional keywords. Select “Submit” once complete
  • Add gateways to a map
    • In the “Maps” page go to the map you’d like to add gateways to. Select “Edit”
    • In the “Map Editing” page, select “Add Gateway”. Search for a gateway by its name or MAC ID. Once selected, select the green check icon.
    • When the gateway is added to the map, select the dropper icon and place the gateway exactly where the gateway is or will be installed.
    • Select “Save Changes” and now your Sonar platform is configured!

6. Create accounts

  • In the Sonar Web application, navigate to the “Account Management” page.
  • In the upper right corner, select the “Add Users”
  • When adding users, select the application to add the users. After selecting the application, either download the add user template and upload the file or invite new users via email.
  • Depending on the method used, either select “Upload” or “Send invitations”

Explore the Sonar dashboard

PageDescription
HomeUnderstand how many gateways and beacons are online or offline. Manage your favorites and recently viewed assets.
Triggers & Bulk TriggersOverview of outstanding and resolved triggers. Manage and adjust trigger parameters.
MapsSee all the areas where you are tracking and monitoring assets.
AssetsMonitor all your assets that are being tracked.
PlacesNavigate specific, user-defined zones within your maps.
Device ManagementManage all gateways and beacons. Add new hardware to your dashboard.
Environmental ReportReporting on asset and beacon environmental metrics.
Trigger ReportReporting on activated triggers and response time.
Battery ReportReporting on device battery levels to maintain device activity.
AnalyticsLocate asset “clusters” and find misplaced assets faster.
Account ManagementManage users and create new user accounts.
Create NewAdd new beacons, assets, maps, and triggers.
SettingsUpdate user preferences, change passwords, and find Sonar support resources such as the Help Center Hub and Release Notes.

Your team is now ready to experience the power of Thinaer!

If you need any assistance, we are here to help.

Contact Support