How to set up Crunchtime Temp Monitoring gateways and sensors for Ops Execution

Crunchtime Temp Monitoring allows you to automate temperature monitoring and alerts to ensure food safety. After you've received your temperature monitoring hardware, you need to set up the gateway and sensors to start getting the data in Ops Execution.

This article provides an overview of how to prepare for installation, register the gateway, and register the sensors. You can also visit the article with advanced instructions on Sensor & Gateway setup & configuration for Technical Administrators.

Warning: Read the instructions, or watch the hardware setup overview video, completely before getting started. If you don't set up the sensors properly, readings can be delayed by hours.

Get ready to install the gateway and sensors

Before you set up your Crunchtime Temp Monitoring gateway and sensors, you need to send your Customer Success Manager (CSM) the completed Ops Execution Sensor Information Collection Placements worksheet (.XLSX) with the locations, temperature range, and alert details.

If you did not get a copy of this worksheet, you can download and fill it out or contact your CSM for help.

Note: One of the main benefits of sensors is receiving the alerts. Alerts can't be set up until you return the list of placements and temperature ranges.

Unbox the gateway and sensors

After you complete the placement worksheet, unbox and assemble your temp monitoring hardware.

1. Remove all devices, antennas, and cables from the box
2. Connect antennas to the gateway
3. Attach any external probes to the sensors

After you unbox the hardware, an admin or a store manager can continue with the next steps to set up the gateway and sensors from the Ops Execution mobile app.

Set up the gateway for temperature monitoring

You need to set up the gateway before you can set up the sensors. Set up the gateway by registering it in the Ops Execution mobile app and then powering it on and connecting it to the internet.

Register the gateway in the Ops Execution app

Use the following steps to register the gateway in the Ops Execution app.

1. Open the Ops Execution mobile app and navigate to your store location
2. Swipe the top menu on the location dashboard until you see Sensors
3. Select Set Up Gateway in the Sensors tab
4. Follow the registration steps in the app

Power on the gateway and connect it to the internet

After you register the gateway in the Ops Execution mobile app, power it on and connect it to the internet. Depending on what gateway you have, it can be connected to your router or use a SIM card for a cellular connection. If you have a cellular gateway, it will immediately connect to the internet when powered on.

1. Plug the gateway into an electrical outlet
2. Connect the gateway to the internet
3. Use the included Ethernet cable to connect the gateway to your router if you use a wired internet connection

The gateway can take up to 24 hours to appear as online in the Ops Execution mobile app or on the Ops Execution website. After setting up the gateway, continue to set up and register the sensors even if the gateway does not show as online.

Register each sensor in the Ops Execution mobile app

Note: Don't remove the battery tab until the sensor is registered in the app, unless it's a MachineQ sensor. For a MachineQ sensor, remove the battery tab before you add it in the app.

After you set up the gateway, you can register each individual sensor in the Ops Execution mobile app.

1. Select Add Sensor in the Sensors tab
2. Follow the registration steps in the app
3. Remove the battery cover with a small Phillips screwdriver and pull the battery tab after you complete the registration steps
4. Place the sensor in the desired location

Gateways and sensors will appear in the Sensors tab for the location where they were registered. Sensors will show “initializing” while they complete their wake-up process which can take up to an hour.

How to fix issues during initial set up

This section has steps to help you if you have an issue during the initial set up of your gateway and sensors.

Note: If you have problems with temp monitoring after setup, visit our article with instructions on how to fix issues with Crunchtime Temp Monitoring sensors and gateways.

Gateway doesn’t appear online in the app or on the website

The gateway might not appear online right away. Sometimes additional troubleshooting is needed, but in most cases the gateway is already online on the backend and just hasn't updated in the app yet. It can take up 24 hours for it to appear online in the app.

Even if the gateway doesn’t appear online, continue with adding your sensors, or at least one sensor, so the devices can communicate. Adding a sensor often helps the gateway and sensor statuses update and appear online more quickly.

"Gateway IDs must be unique" error when you register the gateway

This error means the gateway is already added to a location in Ops Execution. It can happen when your user account isn't on the hierarchy team that can see the gateway, or when the gateway moved from another store. To find the cause and fix it, see How to fix the "Gateway IDs must be unique" error in Crunchtime Temp Monitoring.

Gateway and sensors disappear after set up

If the gateway and sensors disappear from the Ops Execution mobile app after initializing, or syncing, the location might not be assigned to the correct team. Contact the account admin to have them check the Hierarchy and Team settings for the location.