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 set up overview video, completely before getting started. Failure to properly set up the sensors can delay readings by hours.

Get ready to install the gateway and sensors

Before you set up your Crunchtime Temp Monitoring gateway and sensors, you need 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. The alerts cannot be set up until the list of placements and temperature ranges is returned.

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

Once the above has been done, an admin or a store manager can continue with the next steps to set up the gateway and sensors from the Zenput 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 Zenput mobile app and then powering it on and connecting it to the internet.

Register the gateway in the Zenput app

Use the following steps to register the gateway in the Zenput app.

1. Open the Zenput mobile app and navigate to your store location
2. From the location dashboard, swipe the top menu until you see Sensors 
3. In the Sensors tab, select Set Up Gateway
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 Zenput 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. If using an wired internet connection, connect the gateway to your router with the included Ethernet cable

The gateway can take up to 24 hours to appear as online in the Zenput 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 Zenput mobile app

Note: Do not remove the battery tab until the sensor has been registered in the mobile app, unless it is a MachineQ sensor. For a MachineQ sensor, the battery tab must be removed before it can be added in the app.

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

1. In the Sensors tab, select Add Sensor
2. Follow the registration steps in the app
3. After completing the registration steps, remove the battery cover with a small Phillips screwdriver and pull the battery tab
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’t take up 24 hours for it to appear online in the app.

Even if the gateway doesn’t appear online, continue with adding their 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 and sensor disappear after set up

If the gateway and sensors disappear from the Zenput 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.