Admin Manual

The Camera Accessory Selector helps users find compatible accessories for security cameras. The system is organized hierarchically:

Purpose

Sensor Categories are the top-level organization for cameras (Thermal Sensors, Visible Sensors, Radar Sensors).

How to Add/Edit

1. Navigate to the "Sensor Categories" section in Admin
2. Click "Add New Sensor Category"
3. Enter the category name (e.g., "Thermal Sensors")
4. Select an icon type (zap, eye, or radio)
5. Choose gradient colors for the visual display
6. Add a description (optional)
7. Set the display order (1, 2, 3...)
8. Upload an image by hovering over the image area
9. Click "Create Category"

Tips

• Use descriptive names that users will understand
• Lower display order numbers appear first to users
• Images should be high-quality and representative
• Mark as EOL (End of Life) to hide discontinued categories

Purpose

Sub-Categories organize camera types within each sensor category (e.g., PTZ, Fixed, Bullet cameras).

Manual Creation

1. Navigate to "Sub-Categories" section
2. Enter sub-category name
3. Select parent sensor category from dropdown
4. Add description (optional)
5. Set display order
6. Upload image by hovering over image area
7. Click "Create Sub-Category"

Auto-Import from Camera Data

1. First, upload cameras via "Cameras" section (see section 5)
2. Click "Auto-Import Sub-Categories" button
3. System will create sub-categories from unique camera data
4. Review and edit imported sub-categories as needed

Purpose

Installation Types define how cameras are mounted (e.g., Wall Mount, Pole Mount, Ceiling Mount).

How to Add/Edit

1. Navigate to "Installation Types" section
2. Enter installation type name
3. Click "Add Type"
4. Upload an image by hovering over the image area
5. Edit the display order if needed
6. Click "Done Editing" when finished

Important Information

• Each installation type shows how many links use it
• You'll see a warning if trying to delete a type that's in use
• Deleting an installation type does NOT delete existing links
• Links will reference a non-existent type if you delete one in use

Purpose

Camera management allows you to import, view, and export camera product data.

Importing Cameras (Excel/CSV)

1. Navigate to "Cameras" section
2. Click "Upload Excel/CSV"
3. Prepare your file with these columns:
   • Item Code - Unique product code
   • Main Category - Primary category
   • Use Category - Usage type
   • Sub Category - Sub-category name
   • Category ID - Identifier
   • Order Part # - Part number (required)
   • DS Link - Datasheet URL
   • ICD Link - ICD document URL
   • Image URL - Product image URL
4. Select your file and click "Upload"
5. Review the import preview
6. Confirm the import

Exporting Cameras

1. Navigate to "Cameras" section
2. Use filters to narrow down cameras if needed
3. Click "Export to CSV"
4. File will download with all camera data

Editing Individual Cameras

Currently, cameras can only be edited by re-importing the data. Export first, make changes in Excel, then re-import.

Purpose

Manage mounting hardware, brackets, and other camera accessories.

Adding Accessories Manually

1. Navigate to "Accessories" section
2. Click "Add New Accessory"
3. Fill in the form:
   • Item Code - Product code
   • Part Number - Unique identifier (required)
   • Main Category - Primary category
   • Use Category - Usage type
   • Sub Category - Type of accessory
   • Description - Brief description
   • Extended Description - Detailed info (supports formatting)
   • Price - Product price
4. Upload product image
5. Upload ICD document (optional)
6. Click "Create Accessory"

Importing Accessories (CSV)

1. Click "Import from CSV"
2. Prepare CSV with all required columns
3. Upload and confirm import

Editing Accessories

1. Find the accessory in the list
2. Click the "Edit" button
3. Modify fields as needed
4. Upload new images/documents if needed
5. Click "Update Accessory"

Extended Descriptions

The Extended Description field supports rich text formatting. Click "Edit Description" to use the rich text editor for formatted content.

Exporting Accessories

1. Use filters to narrow down results
2. Click "Export to CSV"
3. File downloads with all accessory data

Purpose

Product linking connects sub-categories with compatible accessories based on installation types. This is the core functionality that determines what accessories users see.

Creating a New Link

1. Navigate to "Link Products" section
2. Click "Create New Link"
3. Select a sub-category from dropdown
4. Select installation type
5. Enter mounting option name (e.g., "Fat Pole", "Standard")
   • This groups accessories together
   • If left blank, defaults to installation type name
6. Select one or more accessories (use checkboxes)
7. Mark as "Required" if the accessory is mandatory
8. Add notes for installers (optional)
9. Click "Create Link"

Editing an Existing Link

1. Find the link in the list (use filters)
2. Click "Edit" button
3. Modify fields as needed
4. To change accessory: uncheck current, check new one
5. Click "Update Link"

Bulk Copy Links

Use this to copy all links from one sub-category to another:

1. Select "Source Sub-Category" (copy from)
2. Select "Target Sub-Category" (copy to)
3. Click "Preview Copy"
4. Review what will be copied
5. Click "Copy All Links"

Selective Copy Links

Copy only specific links:

1. Select source sub-category
2. Check boxes next to links you want to copy
3. Click "Preview Selected"
4. Select target sub-category
5. Click "Copy Selected Links"

Using Filters

• Sub-Category Filter - Show links for specific sub-category
• Installation Type Filter - Show links for specific installation
• Mounting Option Filter - Show links for specific mounting group
• Search - Search by accessory name or part number

Sorting

• Click column headers to sort by that field
• Click again to reverse sort order

Purpose

Add quick access links to external resources (e.g., company website, support portal, documentation).

How to Add/Edit

1. Navigate to "External Links" section
2. Click "Add New Link"
3. Enter display title (e.g., "Support Portal")
4. Enter full URL (must include https://)
5. Set display order
6. Click "Create Link"

These links appear on the home page for quick user access.

Build Version

Set the current build version displayed in the footer of all pages.

1. Navigate to "App Settings" section
2. Enter new version number (e.g., "v2.1.0")
3. Click "Update Version"

The version number helps track which release is currently deployed.

Setup Order

1. Create Sensor Categories first
2. Import Camera data
3. Auto-import or manually create Sub-Categories
4. Create Installation Types
5. Add Accessories
6. Create Product Links (this makes accessories visible to users)
7. Add External Links
8. Set Build Version

Data Management

• Always export data before making bulk changes
• Use consistent naming conventions across all sections
• Test links with a few items before bulk copying
• Mark discontinued items as EOL instead of deleting
• Keep product images under 2MB for fast loading

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Deleting installation types that are in use
• Not assigning sub-categories to sensor categories
• Forgetting to create product links (accessories won't show)
• Using inconsistent sub-category names between cameras and links
• Not uploading images for categories and sub-categories

Troubleshooting