How can I add and update hardware devices in bulk?

Updating hardware in bulk can be achieved by exporting and editing the CSV file from the Hardware section of the customer dashboard. It can be a great time saver when it comes to updating many devices in one go.

In the dashboard, navigate to Voice > Config > Hardware > My Devices.

Select the Export CSV button to export the details for all hardware currently assigned to the account.

When you open up the downloaded file you will see a range of different columns:

a. UUID - This is the device’s UUID assigned by the system. This cannot be manually created or changed (changes will result in an error), only removing and re-adding the device will change its UUID.

b. MAC Address - The MAC address of the device.

c. Nickname - The nickname assigned to the device (e.g. Reception Phone).

d. Device Manufacturer - This is automatically assigned to the device by the system when the device is added via the dashboard.

e. Device SKU - This is automatically assigned by the system when the device is added via the dashboard and is based on the model type selected.

f. Device Name - This is automatically assigned by the system when the device is added via the dashboard and is based on the model type selected.

g. Phone Book - The UUID of the Remote Phone Book that is applied to the device (if one has been applied).

h. Profile - The name of the Advanced Config File applied to the device (if one has been applied).

i. Max Accounts - The maximum amount of SIP accounts that can be assigned to the device at once (this is added by the system and is based on the model).

j. Hot Desk Device - Whether the device is set up for Hot Desking (True or False).

k. Account 1 - The User ID of the user currently assigned to the device (if a user has been assigned). You can determine User IDs from the Export Users CSV file.

l. Additional Accounts - Column L onwards are used to display the User IDs for any additional users assigned to the device.

Common Uses Of Bulk Updating:

• Applying a Phone Book to all devices

• Applying an Advanced Config file to all devices

• Setting all devices to be Hot Desking devices (or the opposite)

• Updating device nicknames

• Assigning Users to devices

Applying a Phone Book

Assign the desired Phone Book via the dashboard to only one of the devices, then export the file and copy the phone book UUID from the device it was assigned to and paste into the rest of the cells in the same column.

After this save, re-import the file and the Phone Book will be applied.

Applying an Advanced Config File

With the file already downloaded, you can type in the name of the Config File and paste into the appropriate cell of each device or assign it to one of the devices first, then export the file and copy the name from the device it was assigned to and paste into the rest of the cells in the same column.

After this save, re-import the file and the config file will be applied.

Setting up a device for Hot Desking

Export the file and under column J enter, in plain text, type the word true into the cell for one of the devices. Copy and paste this into any additional devices that need to be configured in the same way.

After this save, re-import the file and the devices will switch over to the Hot Desking tab.

Updating Device Nicknames

Export the file and under column C rename the cell for any devices you wish to change - either by manually editing or copying and pasting for another sheet/list that you have.

After this save, re-import the file and the nickname(s) will be updated.

Assigning Users to Devices

If you have added your hardware but not yet assigned any users to them then you can do this in bulk by first exporting the Hardware CSV and User Data CSV files. Open up the User Data file and copy the User ID cells for the users you wish to assign. Paste this data into column K of the Hardware file.

Save, re-import the file and this will assign each of the users to their respective device.

In order to add a new hardware device you will need to populate the following columns (at a minimum):

• Column B - MAC Address

• Column D - Manufacturer

• Column E - Device SKU

Fill in the MAC address for the device(s) you want to add. Each new device should be added on a new row.

Fill in this cell with the make of the device, e.g. Yealink or Grandstream

Populate this cell with the model type of the device, e.g. T54W for a Yealink T54W device

With these three columns filled out, once the file is re-imported the devices will be added to the account. You can then export the updated version of the Hardware file which will now have additional information filled in for the device such as its UUID.

• You can then continue to update other settings on the phone using the methods above.