A device card linked to a folder defines the data fields and their order for the devices, or Spots, in that folder. The same device card can be used in several folders. Field values, such as a device's serial number, are entered separately for each Spot.

These instructions explain how to manage device card links in the browser. In the Android and iOS apps, View Device Card opens the fields for an individual Spot.

Before making changes

You need permission to edit the folder's settings and permission to view the device card you want to select. Managing links on the device card's own form requires permission to edit the device card. View permission alone is not enough to save changes. If the card you need does not appear in the selection list, ask your administrator to check your permissions.

Check the device card's fields and the existing data in the folder before linking or changing the card. Even linking a device card for the first time can remove fields and values from Spots if those fields are not included in the selected card. Keep a copy of any data you need that will be removed before saving. If a suitable card does not yet exist, see the instructions for creating a device card.

Select a device card for the folder

  1. In the browser menu, open Assets and content → Folder tree and click the name of the folder you want.
  2. Open the Settings tab on the folder form.
  3. In the Device card selector, select the card whose fields you want to use for the folder's Spots. You can search for a card by name.
  4. Check the Device card fields list below the selection. It shows the field structure and field types; it is not where you enter values for individual devices.
  5. If the application asks you to confirm the change, check its effects before confirming.
  6. Select Save at the bottom of the form.

The selection applies to Spots directly within this folder, including inactive Spots. It does not set device cards for subfolders. Set the required card for each subfolder separately.

Once the link is in place, the device card controls the Spot's field structure when new Spots are created and existing Spots are saved. Changing an individual Spot's values does not change the structure of the shared device card.

What happens to the data when you link or change a card?

When you link a device card or replace it with another, the fields are adjusted to match the selected card:

  • Fields that use the same attribute retain their values. Fields match when they use the same attribute, so a similar field name alone is not enough.
  • New fields in the card are added as empty fields.
  • Fields that are not included in the card are removed along with their stored values.
  • The field order is adjusted to match the device card.

For example, the old card contains the attributes Sarjanumero and Teho. The new card contains the same Sarjanumero attribute and a new Asennuspäivä attribute. The Spot's serial number is retained, the installation date is added as an empty field, and the power field and its value are removed.

Updates to existing Spots are processed in the background, so all changes may not be visible immediately after saving. If you change the selection again before processing is complete, the update uses the device card link saved at the time of processing.

Adding, removing or reordering fields in a shared device card that is in use also affects the folders and Spots using it. Check all links to the card before changing its structure.

Spot fields or the folder's own fields?

The folder's Settings tab has two separate device card selectors:

  • Device card defines the data fields for the Spots in the folder.
  • Device card for the extra information fields defines the folder's own fields. This selection does not define the fields for its Spots.

If you want to use a card for the folder's own information, select it in the Device card for the extra information fields selector. Enter the folder's values in the fields shown below it and select Save. These fields store information shared by the folder, rather than values for each individual device.

Linking or changing the card for the folder's own fields follows the same rule for matching attributes: shared values are retained, new fields are added as empty fields, fields not included in the new card are removed along with their values, and the order is adjusted to match the card. Check the fields and values remaining on the form before saving.

Clear the device card selection

If you want the device card to stop controlling the Spots' field structure, select the empty option in the Device card selection list and save. The current Spot fields and their values are retained. Later changes to the card's structure will no longer control this folder's Spots through that link.

To unlink the folder's own extra information fields from a device card, similarly clear the Device card for the extra information fields selection. The current fields and their values remain on the form as individual fields. Check them and select Save. Clearing the selection alone does not remove fields or their values.

To remove an individual extra information field from a folder, first unlink it from its device card if necessary. Then remove the field using the trash button on its row and save. Removing a field also removes its stored value.

Clearing a selection, changing a card and removing a field are different actions. Do not remove a device card link as a way to clear device data. Clearing the selection also does not restore fields or values removed by an earlier card change.

Manage links on the device card form

You can also manage multiple folder links for the same card on the card's own form. In the browser menu, open Assets and content → Folder tree → Device cards and click the device card's name.

On the form's Device card tab, below the Device card fields section, you will find the selectors Folders where this card acts as Spot device card and Folders where this card defines the folder extra information fields. Select folders according to how you want to use the card. Adding a folder applies this card to the corresponding selection and may replace the card previously used there. Removing a folder from the selection removes the corresponding link and retains the current fields and their values.

Check the folders added and removed in both selectors. Select Save at the bottom of the form and review any confirmation prompt before confirming. The rules described above for retaining and removing fields also apply to links created this way.

Check the result

Wait for background processing and reopen the folder. On the Settings tab, check that the correct device card is selected or that the selection is intentionally empty. If you changed the card for the folder's own extra information fields, also check the folder's fields and values.

Then open a sample Spot from the folder tree by clicking its name. Check that values for shared attributes were retained, new fields are empty, removed fields are no longer present, and the field order matches the card. If you cleared the link, instead check that the previous fields and values are still present.

You can also check an individual Spot's fields in the Android or iOS app by selecting View Device Card in the Spot's details. For instructions on finding a Spot, see How do I find a Spot's details in the mobile app? If the data does not update after waiting and reopening, ask your administrator to investigate before making further structural changes.