How to configure and navigate the vMeasure Forge Cloud application to configure the device, store and manage SKU dimensional data?
This guide is for:
The Admin User who handles data and user management, device configuration, and data analytics on vMeasure Forge
Introduction
The purpose of this guide
This document is necessary to understand the vMeasure Forge Application, the cloud-based Dimensioning Intelligence Platform powering the world’s first and only dimensioning as a service solution.
vMeasure Forge collects all the measurement data from Ultima and is also used to configure and manage the device. Therefore, anyone who uses the cloud application should learn about its various features and settings to ensure smooth operations of both vMeasure Ultima and Forge (Cloud).
How to use this guide?
The vMeasure Forge Application walkthrough manual will provide step-by-step instructions using samples from the cloud application. This will cover all the essential settings within vMeasure Forge. You can also view a video demonstration of that step at the end of its section.
Pre-requisites
Whitelist the following URL and ports from the network firewall.
Ports: 8000, 6600, 8003, 8050
Getting started with vMeasure Forge
The vMeasure team will assign your system to the Forge account. This is how to initialize the vMeasure Ultima system through Forge:
In the 4th step, a default admin user and an operator will be created by the vMeasure Team. Additional operators can be created as per demand.
Resetting Password
Step 1: You will receive an automated mail from noreply@visailabs.com for resetting the password. Please check the junk folder if it does not pop up in your inbox.
Reset Password Email
Figure 1: Reset Password Email
Step 2: Click on the ‘Reset Password’ button.
Figure 2: Set New Password Window
Step 3: This will take you to the ‘Set New Password?’ web page where you can create your password. Click on the ‘Create Password’ button to proceed.
Figure 3: Password Reset Successful
Step 4: The password reset is now successful. Navigate to the Login Page to enter vMeasure Forge using the new password.
Forget Password
If the ‘Reset Password’ link expires, then you would have to create a new password (if you are logging in for the first time) or set a new password (if you have forgotten the old one)
Figure 4: Link Expired Message
Step 1: Navigate to the Login Page and click on the ‘Forgot Password’ button.
Figure 5: Forgot Password
Step 2: Enter your email ID and click on the ‘Reset Password’
Figure 6: Forgot Password Web Page
Step 3: Repeat the steps provided in section
Site Creation
The first step in system initialization is to specify your site details on the application.
Figure 7: Login Page
Step 1: Login to Forge using your credentials
Step 2: Navigate to the‘Site’tab on the left corner of the screen as shown in the image below:
Figure 8: Site Tab
Step 3: Click on the ‘Add Site’ button indicated on the image below:
Figure 9: The Add Site Button
Step 4: Enter the details of the site
Figure 10: Site Form
Step 4a: Select the ‘Site Type’ from the dropdown.
Figure 11: Site Type
Step 5: Click ‘Save’ after completion
Figure 12: Saving the Site Information
Assign site to a system
This step will allow you to assign your site to the device. If you have more than one site, then here is where you allocate specific devices to specific sites.
Step 1: Click on the ‘Systems’ tab on the left corner of the screen.
Figure 13: The Systems Tab
Step 2: Select the desired system to which you would like to assign a site.
Figure 14: System Selection
Step 3: Click the ‘Assign Site’ dropdown on the right corner of the screen. Choose the site from the dropdown.
Figure 15: Assigning Site
Step 4: Confirm the selection by clicking the tick button.
Figure 16: Assign Site Confirmation
Step 4: After selecting the site, click the reload button above the ‘Assign Site’ button for the assignment to take effect.
Figure 17: The Reload Button
With that step, you have successfully assigned a system to your site.
User Creation
There are two types of users who can be created on vMeasure Forge:
User
Admin User
Operator
Admin User: The Admin user will have a separate login credentials to vMeasure Ultima device and the Forge application. This persona can create, assign, and manage users, sites, and workflows.
Operator: An operator can only access the touchscreen. This persona is given as much access as needed to do the everyday dimensioning activity.
Creation of an Admin User
Step 1: Log in to the Forge account
Step 2: Click on the ‘Users’ on the left side of the screen.
Figure 18: The Users Tab
Step 3: Click on the ‘Add User’ on the right side of the screen.
Figure 19: The ‘Add User’ Tab
Step 4: Fill the ‘User Form.’In the ‘User Type’ field, select ‘Customer Admin’
Figure 20: The ‘User Type’ Tab
Step 5: Click the ‘Save’ user button to create a Customer Admin on vMeasure Forge.
Figure 21: Save the User
Creation of Operator
Step 1: Log in to the Forge account
Step 2: Click on the ‘Users’ on the left side of the screen.
Figure 22: The Users Tab
Step 3: Click on the ‘Add User’ on the right side of the screen.
Figure 23: The ‘Add User’ Tab
Step 4: Fill the ‘User Form.’ In the ‘User Type’ field, select ‘Operator’
Figure 24: The ‘User Type’ Tab
Step 5: Click the ‘Save’ user button to create a Customer Admin on vMeasure Forge.
Figure 25: Save a User
Assign User to the site
In this section, you will be able to assign a user to a specific site of your choice.
Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Site’ menu.
Figure 26: The ‘Site’ Menu
Step 2: Click on the Eye Icon in the site to which you want to assign a user to.
Figure 27: Eye Icon
Step 3: Inside the ‘Site View’ tab, click on the ‘Users’ on the left side of the screen.
Figure 28: User Tab
Step 4: From the dropdown menu, select the desired user.
Figure 29: User Selection
Step 5: Once you select the user you want to assign, click on the ‘+ Add User’ button beside the dropdown menu.
Figure 30: + Add User Button
Creation of workflows, webhooks, file hooks, and config groups
You can have up to 10 custom workflows on the vMeasure Ultima device which can be set up via Forge. This allows the user to capture additional data than just the SKU dimensions and weights.
For instance, you can capture the SKU attributes such as flammability and fragility before proceeding with its measurement. This will enable better slotting decisions and ensure SKU safety during the put away process.
On the integration front, you can create webhooks to integrate the cloud server of your choice with Forge. Alternatively, you can also use the device on Slave Mode which helps you to trigger measurements from a remote system.
So, vMeasure Forge allows you to combine workflows and webhooks by putting them into a ‘config group’ and assigning that config group to a system.
These are the 5 steps for configuring a new system:
A default workflow will be available on the vMeasure system. If you need any additional custom workflows, you can create them as per requirement.
Not all steps here are mandatory for the operation of vMeasure Forge.
Workflow Creation – To get a custom workflow.
Webhook Creation – To hook measurement data with 3rd Party Cloud.
File hook Creation – To hook the image data to cloud storage.
Config Group Creation – To select the workflow and webhook combination.
Assign Config Group – To assign the Group to the system.
Before we see all these steps in detail, you must know about the two primary modes of the Ultima System:
- Master Mode – The user can trigger measurements through the touch screen or any other local triggering options such as the barcode or weight sense trigger to initiate measurements. Once the measurements are done, the data will be automatically pushed to the configured webhook URL. Here, the vMeasure device is the center of all dimensioning activities.
- Slave Mode – In this mode, the vMeasure device is passive and triggered by a remote system through Rest API calls.
Workflow Creation
This section will explain the workflow creation both in the Master and the Slave Mode.
Workflow Creation in the Master Mode
To create a workflow in the Master mode, login to your Forge account and follow the below steps:
Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Workflows’ menu.
Figure 31: The Workflow Tab
Step 2: Click on the ‘Add Workflow’ button to the right side of the screen.
Figure 32: Add Workflow Button
Workflow Creation – Tab 1 – Basic Settings
Step 3: Enter all the details in this Workflow form.
Note: Please make sure ‘Master’ is selected from the ‘Device Mode’ drop-down.
Figure 33: The Workflow Form Tab 1 – Basic Settings
In this form, you can enable the Key navigation to configure the ‘Next Key’ and the ‘Skip Key’ using the keyboard buttons provided in the dropdown.
Figure 33.1: The Workflow Form – Basic Settings – Key Navigation Field
You can also use the Barcode to navigate the touch screen. For this to work, generate a Barcode for the ‘Next Key’ and ‘Skip Key’ using the key codes provided here.
Figure 33.2: The Workflow Form – Basic Settings – Barcode Navigation Field
Step 4: Click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed.
Workflow Creation – Tab 2 – Measurement Page
Figure 34 – The Workflow Form Tab 2 – Measurement Page
In the Measurement Page, you will find the following fields highlighted in the table given below. You will also get an idea of their functionalities.
| S.No | Field | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Barcode Field |
Configure the barcode settings |
|
1.1 |
Barcode Field Name |
Input the barcode field name as required |
|
1.2 |
Barcode Minimum Length |
The minimum length of the barcode to input |
|
1.3 |
Barcode Maximum Length |
The maximum length of the barcode to input |
|
2 |
Measurement Trigger |
Choose the Measurement Trigger |
|
2.1 |
Delay After Trigger |
The time delay between the barcode scan and measurement |
|
3 |
Volumetric Weight |
This section contains the Volumetric Weight configurations |
|
3.1 |
Volumetric Divisor |
This is a read-only field that displays a volumetric divisor set. |
|
3.2 |
Show Volumetric Result |
Option to turn on or off volumetric weight calculation |
|
4 |
Image Annotation |
This section contains image annotation configurations |
|
4.1 |
Date/Time |
Option to turn on or off data and time annotation on the image |
|
4.2 |
Volumetric Weight |
Option to turn on or off Volumetric Weight annotation on the image |
|
4.3 |
Barcode ID |
Option to turn on or off Barcode ID annotation on the image |
|
5 |
Custom Field |
This section allows adding custom fields on the measurement page |
|
5.1 |
Retain Data Check Box |
Check this box to retain the data on the custom field added after measurement |
|
6 |
Measurement Result |
This section contains measurement result configuration |
|
6.1 |
Enable Result Timeout |
Enables timeout to auto-clear the measurement data displayed on the touchscreen to get the screen ready for the next measurement
Note: The measurement data will be uploaded to the Forge and configured Webhooks, if any. |
|
6.2 |
Show Result Barcode |
Display the measurement data as a QR code |
Click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed to the final step of the Workflow creation process.
Workflow Creation – Tab 3 – Additional Inputs Page
In this section, you can add additional fields between the barcode and the measurement page to collect even more information.
You can do so by creating any one of the following field types:
- Text Box
- Check Box
- Radio Button
Figure 35: The Workflow Form – Tab 3 – Additional Inputs
Click the ‘Save’ to finish the workflow creation.
Workflow Creation in the Slave Mode
To create a workflow in the Slave Mode, login to your Forge account and follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Workflows’menu in the left side of the screen.
Figure 36: The Workflows Menu
Step 2: Click on the ‘Add Workflow’ button on the right side of the screen.
Figure 37: The Add Workflow Button
Workflow Creation – Tab 1 – Basic Settings Page
The Workflow creation spans 3 different tabs, starting from the basic settings. We will breakdown these tabs and their fields in the upcoming sections.
Step 1: Enter all the details in this Workflow form.
Note: Please make sure ‘Slave’ is selected from the ‘Device Mode’ drop-down.
Figure 38: The Workflow Form – Tab 1 – Basic Settings
Note: In the ‘Slave’ Mode, the‘Key Navigation’and the‘Barcode Navigation’ is disabled in the Slave Mode.
Click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed.
Workflow Creation – Tab 2 – Measurement Page
Figure 39 – The Workflow Form Tab 2 – Measurement Page
In the Measurement Page, you will find the following fields highlighted in the table given below. You will also get an idea of their functionalities.
| S.No | Field | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Barcode Field |
Disabled in the Slave Mode |
|
2 |
Measurement Trigger |
The Trigger mode is set to ‘Remote’ by default in the Slave Mode |
|
2.1 |
Delay After Trigger |
The time delay between the barcode scan and measurement |
|
3 |
Volumetric Weight |
This section contains the Volumetric Weight configurations |
|
3.1 |
Volumetric Divisor |
This is a read-only field that displays a volumetric divisor set. |
|
3.2 |
Show Volumetric Result |
Option to turn on or off volumetric weight calculation |
|
4 |
Image Annotation |
This section contains image annotation configurations |
|
4.1 |
Date/Time |
Option to turn on or off data and time annotation on the image |
|
4.2 |
Volumetric Weight |
Option to turn on or off Volumetric Weight annotation on the image |
|
4.3 |
Barcode ID |
Disabled in the Slave Mode |
|
5 |
Custom Field |
Disabled in the Slave Mode |
|
6 |
Measurement Result |
Disabled in the Slave Mode |
Click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed to the final step of the Workflow creation process.
Workflow Creation – Tab 3 – Additional Inputs Page
This page is disabled on the Slave Mode.
Figure 40: Additional Inputs Page Disabled on Slave Mode
Click on the ‘Save’ button to finish the workflow creation
All the created workflows will be displayed under Home / Workflows
Figure 41: Workflow Home Page Displaying Created Workflows
Webhook Creation
A webhook is an URL of a server you wish to push the SKU measurements and the workflow data to. This section will explain how you can create one such webhook
Step 1: After logging in to your Forge account, navigate to the ‘Webhook’ tab.
Figure 42: The Webhook Tab
Step 2: Click on the ‘Add Webhook’ on the right side of the screen.
Figure 43: The Add Webhook Button
Step 3:Input the required details in the ‘Webhook Form’ using the instructions given below
Figure 44: The Webhook Form
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
Webhook Name |
Specify the name for this webhook |
|
Request Format |
You can select the request format from anyone of these two extensions: JSON or XML |
|
Webhook URL |
The URL of the server |
|
Authentication Type |
There are three Authentication
Types available:
No Auth
Basic
Bearer |
|
Token |
A Token allows users to access data from the server over REST APIs and authenticate with cloud apps, circumventing two-step verification and SSO. |
|
Custom Headers |
You can add up to 3 custom headers |
|
Configurable Keys |
Customize data fields to match the server’s requested format |
Step 4:Switch on the ‘Configurable Keys’ to customize the payload keys containing the measurement data as shown below.
Figure 45: The Configurable Keys Menu
Step 5:Click on ‘Pencil’ icon to edit any fields based on your requirement and input the desired value
Figure 46: Key Configuration
Step 6:Click on the ‘Save’ button to successfully create a Webhook.
File hook Creation
File hook enables you to save the measured SKU photographs to your desired S3 bucket.
In this section, you will see how to create a File Hook.
Step 1:Login to your Forge account and navigate to the ‘Web Hook’ tab.
Figure 47: The Webhook Tab
Step 2:Click on the ‘File Hook’ section beside the ‘Webhook’ section.
Figure 48: The File hook Tab
Step 3:Click the ‘Add File Hook’ button to the right side of the screen.
Figure 49: The Add File Hook Button
Step 4:Enter all the required details in the ‘S3 Webhook Form’
Figure 50: The S3 Webhook Form
Step 5:Click on the ‘Save’ button to successfully create a File Hook.
Config Group Creation
Config Group is the centralized location from where the system accesses the webhook, file hook, and the workflow configurations. Once you have created a Config Group, you can easily assign a group to a system.
So, this section will provide you with the steps required to create a Config Group.
Step 1:Login to your Forge Account and navigate to the Config Group tab.
Figure 51: The Config Group Tab
Step 2:Click on the ‘Add Config Group’ button on the right side of the screen.
Figure 52: The ‘Add Config Group’ Button
Step 3:Enter all the required details in the ‘Config Group’ Form. Select the desired workflow, file hook, and webhook from the respective dropdown.
Figure 53: The Config Form
Step 3.1: If you can have up to three webhooks and also can reorder them based on their priority as shown in the example below. The webhook at the first will receive the data first.
You can rearrange webhooks by dragging on the dotted icon beside a webhook.
Figure 54: Webhook Prioritization
Step 4: Click on the ‘Save’ button to successfully create a Config Group.
System Configuration
Now that you have your Config group ready, it is now time to assign that group containing its own set of workflows, webhooks, and file hooks to a system and get it up and running.
Step 1: Navigate to the Systems tab on the left side of the screen.
Figure 55: The Systems Tab
Step 2: Selected the desired system to which you would like to assign the Config Group.
Figure 56: System Selection
Step 3: Click on the ‘Assign Group’ dropdown and select your desired group.
Figure 57: Group Selection
Step 4: Click on the Tick icon to confirm the selection.
Figure 58: Assign Group Confirmed
Step 5: Click on the ‘Reload’ button for the System configuration to take effect.
Figure 59: Reload for System Configuration to take effect
After reloading, you will see that the selected system has been assigned to the Config Group you have specified. This step will successfully configure the system and get it ready for use.
Configuring the Volumetric Divisor
Volumetric Divisor is used to calculate the volumetric weight of a parcel. It is a number by which the SKU dimensions are divided to arrive at what is known as the volumetric weight.
In this section, you will see how to configure this divisor on vMeasure Forge.
Step 1: Login to your account and navigate to the ‘My Account’ tab on the top right corner of the screen.
Figure 60: The ‘My Account’ Tab
Step 2: Click on ‘User Preference’ once inside the ‘My Account’ tab.
Figure 61: The User Preference Tab
Step 3: Edit the Volumetric Weight as per your preference. Then, click the ‘Save & Deploy’ button to make this value constant across all systems currently in use.
Getting started with Forge APIs
You can integrate your system to the vMeasure Forge (Cloud) seamlessly with the help of APIs. Refer to the vMeasure Forge API Documentation to know more about API integrations.
The Forge APIs need systemid and the userid to validate and identify the respective system(s).
This section will show you how to retrieve the systemid and the userid from vMeasure Forge.
Step 1: Login to your Forge account and navigate to ‘My Account’ tab on the top right corner of the screen.
Figure 62: The ‘My Account’ Tab
Step 2: Click on the ‘User Keys’ tab.
Figure 63: The ‘User Keys’ Tab
Step 3: Copy the API KEY. This will be the device’s userid.
Figure 64: API KEY
Step 4: To get the systemid, navigate to the‘Systems’
Figure 65: The Systems Tab
Step 5: Identify the system to which you want the integrations to be done. Copy the ‘Device Token’ of that system.
Figure 66: Device Token
Reports Management
vMeasure Forge allows you to view and download the SKU measurement data including the SKU photograph. Every SKUs you ever dimensioned will be stored here for a period of 30 days.
In this section, you will see how to download the measurement data to your system and all other features in the reports page.
Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Reports’ tab.
Figure 67: The ‘Reports’ Tab
Step 2: You can make use of the filters provided here.
Figure 68: Data Filters
Search – You can filter a measurement by entering its ID or Barcode number.
Sites – See reports taken from a specific site.
Systems – See reports taken on a specific system.
Period – See reports on a day, week, and monthly basis.
Status Filter – Classify measurement data based on successful and failed measurements.
Select Columns – Choose to view particular column fields.
Step 3: Select one or more measurements you wish to download to your system.
Figure 69: Measurement Data Selection
Step 4: You can download the data in three different formats:
- CSV
- JSON
- ZIP containing all images
Choose your desired format and click the ‘Download’ button to begin download.
Figure 70: File Format Selection
Step 5: The file is now downloaded to your system.
Figure 71: File Downloaded
Resources
Check out our videos to get easily acquainted with vMeasure Parcel Ultima.
– Product Installation Videos
– vMeasure Forge Walkthrough Video
– API Documentation
– Installation Do’s and Don’ts
– Calibration Do’s and Don’ts
– Dimensioning Do’s and Don’ts
Support
If you have any questions about our product or applications, contact our support team – send an email, call us, or use our contact form.
It might take a few minutes so that we can support you as efficiently as possible. While contacting, tell us:
- The name of the product
- The serial number of the product
- The short description of the issue
- The peripherals connected to the system for answering your questions
We will be happy to help you!
Contact us,
