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How to Create a Dashboard

How to Create a Dashboard

Create custom dashboards (called "Decks") to visualize sensor data, track KPIs, and share insights with your team.

Quick Summary

Enter Edit mode, click New deck, choose Monitor or Report type, enter details, and start adding widgets.

Before You Begin​

Requirements
  • You need decks:create permission
  • Widgets require assets (sensors) to display data
  • Plan limits determine how many dashboards you can create

Step-by-Step: Create a Dashboard​

Step 1: Start a New Deck​

  1. From the left sidebar, click Deck Board
  2. Click Edit to enter edit mode
  3. Click the New deck button in the toolbar
  4. The create deck dialog opens

Step 2: Select Dashboard Type​

The first step in the wizard asks you to select the type:

TypeWhen to Use
MonitorReal-time displays, NOC screens, live tracking
ReportHistorical analysis, compliance reports, trend review

Click Next to proceed.

Step 3: Enter Dashboard Details​

FieldRequiredDescription
TitleYesDashboard name (e.g., "Operations Overview")
WeightYesDisplay order (lower numbers appear first)
DescriptionNoPurpose or notes about this dashboard
Time RangeReport onlyPeriod to display (Last 24h, 7 days, etc.)

Step 4: Create the Dashboard​

  1. Review your settings
  2. Click Create
  3. Dashboard is created and ready for widgets
tip

After creating the dashboard, you can immediately start adding widgets while still in edit mode.

Real-World Examples​

Example 1: Operations NOC Screen​

Situation: Your operations center needs a large display showing real-time status of all critical sensors across multiple buildings.

Solution:

  1. Go to Deck Board and click Edit
  2. Click New deck
  3. Select Monitor type, click Next
  4. Enter details:
    • Title: Operations NOC Display
    • Description: "24/7 operations center main screen"
    • Weight: 1 (appears first in list)
  5. Click Create
  6. Add widgets:
    • Large status indicators for each building
    • Temperature readings for server rooms
    • Alert count widget

Result: A live-updating dashboard perfect for wall-mounted displays in your operations center.

Example 2: Weekly Energy Report​

Situation: The sustainability team needs a dashboard showing last week's energy consumption for monthly ESG reports.

Solution:

  1. Go to Deck Board and click Edit
  2. Click New deck
  3. Select Report type, click Next
  4. Enter details:
    • Title: Weekly Energy Report
    • Description: "Energy consumption for ESG compliance"
    • Time Range: Last 7 Days
  5. Click Create
  6. Add widgets:
    • Energy consumption trend chart
    • Total kWh card
    • Building-by-building breakdown

Result: A report dashboard that sustainability team can export each week for compliance documentation.

Example 3: Cold Storage Monitoring​

Situation: Your quality assurance team needs to monitor all cold storage units in real-time to maintain food safety compliance.

Solution:

  1. Go to Deck Board and click Edit
  2. Click New deck
  3. Select Monitor type, click Next
  4. Enter details:
    • Title: Cold Storage Monitor
    • Description: "Real-time temperature monitoring for HACCP compliance"
  5. Click Create
  6. Add widgets for each cold room:
    • Current temperature KPI cards
    • Temperature trend charts
    • Alert status indicators

Result: QA team sees live temperatures and gets immediate visibility into any units approaching threshold limits.

Example 4: Building Manager Overview​

Situation: A building manager wants a single view of all sensors in their facility — HVAC, energy, and air quality.

Solution:

  1. Go to Deck Board and click Edit
  2. Click New deck
  3. Select Monitor type, click Next
  4. Enter details:
    • Title: Building A Overview
    • Description: "Complete sensor overview for Building A"
  5. Click Create
  6. Add sections of widgets:
    • HVAC temperature readings (top row)
    • Energy meters (middle row)
    • Air quality sensors (bottom row)

Result: One-stop dashboard giving the building manager complete visibility without switching between multiple views.

Duplicating Dashboards​

Copy an existing dashboard to create similar views:

Step 1: Find the Dashboard​

  1. Go to Deck Board
  2. Locate the dashboard to duplicate

Step 2: Duplicate​

  1. Click the menu icon (⋮) on the dashboard card
  2. Select Duplicate
  3. Optionally enter a new title
  4. Click Confirm

Step 3: Customize​

  1. Open the duplicated dashboard
  2. Modify title, settings, and widgets as needed
  3. Save changes

Dashboard Settings Reference​

SettingOptionsNotes
TitleText (max 255 chars)Descriptive name
DescriptionTextOptional notes
TypeMonitor, ReportCannot change after creation
WeightNumberLower = higher in list
Auto-Refresh30s, 1m, 5m, 15mMonitor type only
Time RangePreset or customReport type only

Organizing Dashboards​

Using Weight for Order​

The weight field controls display order:

WeightPosition
1First (top of list)
10After weight 1-9
100Lower priority

Tip: Use increments of 10 to leave room for future dashboards.

Naming Conventions​

Consistent naming helps teams find dashboards:

[Building] - [Purpose]
Examples:
- Building A - HVAC Overview
- Building A - Energy Report
- HQ - Operations NOC
- All Sites - Executive Summary

Troubleshooting​

Can't Create Dashboard​

IssueCauseSolution
Button disabledPlan limit reachedUpgrade plan or delete unused dashboards
Permission deniedMissing permissionContact admin for decks:create

Dashboard Not Refreshing​

IssueCauseSolution
Data stays staleAuto-refresh disabledEnable in dashboard settings
Slow updatesNetwork issuesCheck connection
Wrong dataType set to ReportChange to Monitor for real-time

Need help? Contact Infodeck Support

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