Assigning Devices to Areas

This guide shows you how to assign Ally devices to areas, move devices between areas, and unassign devices from the area structure.

Understanding Device Assignment

Each device can be assigned to one area in your hierarchy. Once assigned, the device appears when you navigate to that area, making it easy to find and manage devices by location.

Assignment rules:

• Each device can only be in one area at a time
• Devices can be unassigned (not in any area)
• You can move devices between areas anytime
• Moving a device doesn't affect its settings or data
• Area assignment is separate from device tags

Assigning Devices to Areas

Method 1: Assign Individual Device

To assign a single device:

1. Go to Device Administration
2. Click on a device
3. Click the edit icon (pencil)
4. Click General tab
5. Find the Area dropdown
6. Select the area where this device belongs (e.g., "Building A → Floor 1 → Apartment 101")
7. Click Save

The device now appears in that area when you filter or navigate by area.

Method 2: Assign Multiple Devices

To assign several devices to the same area at once:

1. Go to Admin → Areas
2. Navigate to the target area
3. Click + Assign devices
4. Select devices from the "Available devices" list
5. Click the right arrow to move them to "Selected devices"
6. Click Apply

All selected devices are now assigned to that area.

Method 3: Use Device Filters

For organized bulk assignment using filters:

1. Create a device filter for devices you want to assign (e.g., filter by device tag "BuildingA_Floor1")
2. Go to Admin → Areas
3. Navigate to target area
4. Click + Assign devices
5. Apply your filter in "Available devices"
6. Select all filtered devices
7. Click Apply

Moving Devices Between Areas

To move a device from one area to another:

Move Single Device

1. Go to the device
2. Click edit icon
3. Click General tab
4. Change Area dropdown to new area
5. Click Save

The device immediately moves to the new area.

Move Multiple Devices

1. Go to Admin → Areas
2. Navigate to the area containing the devices
3. Click + Assign devices
4. Devices currently in this area show in "Selected devices"
5. Select devices you want to move
6. Click the left arrow to remove them from this area
7. Click Apply
8. Navigate to the new target area
9. Click + Assign devices
10. Select the devices from "Available devices"
11. Click the right arrow
12. Click Apply

Unassigning Devices from Areas

To remove a device from all areas (make it unassigned):

Unassign Single Device

1. Go to the device
2. Click edit icon
3. Click General tab
4. Change Area dropdown to "None"
5. Click Save

The device no longer appears in any area but remains in your device list.

Unassign Multiple Devices

1. Go to Admin → Areas
2. Navigate to the area containing devices
3. Click + Assign devices
4. Select devices in "Selected devices"
5. Click the left arrow
6. Click Apply

Viewing Devices by Area

Once devices are assigned, navigate by area:

In Device Administration

1. Go to Device Administration
2. Click Area filter or area navigation menu
3. Select an area
4. Only devices in that area display

In Areas Management

1. Go to Admin → Areas
2. Click on any area name
3. Device count shows next to area name
4. Click to view list of devices in that area

Device Assignment Strategies

Strategy 1: Assign During Initial Import

Best for new installations:

1. Create area structure first
2. Import devices from Ally Home
3. Immediately assign devices to areas using device tags as guide
4. Use bulk assignment for groups of devices

Strategy 2: Tag-Based Assignment

Best when device names or tags match area structure:

1. Ensure device tags include location info (e.g., "BuildingA_Floor1_Apt101")
2. Create device filters by tag
3. Use filtered lists for bulk area assignment
4. This allows semi-automated assignment

Strategy 3: Progressive Assignment

Best for large installations done in phases:

1. Assign one building or floor at a time
2. Verify assignments before moving to next section
3. Leave remaining devices unassigned until their area is ready
4. Gradually complete full assignment

Assignment Best Practices

Common Assignment Patterns

Pattern 1: Room-Level Assignment

Building A
└── Floor 1
    ├── Apartment 101
    │   ├── eTRV_Living Room
    │   ├── eTRV_Bedroom
    │   └── Room Sensor
    └── Apartment 102
        ├── eTRV_Living Room
        └── eTRV_Bedroom

Use when: You want precise control and tracking per room

Pattern 2: Apartment-Level Assignment

Building A
└── Floor 1
    ├── Apartment 101
    │   ├── eTRV 1
    │   ├── eTRV 2
    │   └── eTRV 3
    └── Hallway
        └── eTRV_Hallway

Use when: Room-level detail isn't needed, but apartment separation matters

Pattern 3: Zone-Based Assignment

Building A
└── Floor 1
    ├── North Zone
    │   ├── eTRV 1
    │   ├── eTRV 2
    │   └── eTRV 3
    └── South Zone
        ├── eTRV 4
        └── eTRV 5

Use when: HVAC zones or orientation matters more than room divisions

Using Areas with Bulk Operations

Area assignment makes bulk operations more powerful:

Example: Change all setpoints for Floor 2:

1. Go to Bulk Operation
2. Select setpoint to change
3. In device selection, filter by Area: "Building A → Floor 2"
4. Select all devices
5. Apply changes

Example: Apply schedule to all common areas:

1. Go to Bulk Operation
2. Select Schedule
3. Configure new schedule
4. Filter devices by Area: "Building A → Common Areas"
5. Select all and apply

Troubleshooting

Problem: Can't Find Device After Assignment

Check correct area is selected in filter. Verify device was assigned to intended area (check device details). Try removing area filter to see all devices. Search by device name instead of browsing areas.

Problem: Device Shows in Wrong Area

Edit device and check Area dropdown. Change to correct area. Save changes. Verify by navigating to correct area.

Problem: Bulk Assignment Didn't Work

Check if devices were already assigned elsewhere. Verify you clicked Apply. Refresh page and check again. Try assigning smaller batches. Check device permissions (you need edit rights).

Problem: Too Many Unassigned Devices

Create device filter for unassigned devices. Tackle one area at a time. Use device tags to identify which area they belong to. Consider if some devices should remain unassigned (test devices, spares).

Problem: Need to Reassign Many Devices After Area Restructure

Export device list with current areas (if available). Plan new assignments on spreadsheet. Use bulk operations with filters. Work systematically through one area at a time. Verify critical devices first before bulk changes.