Rules in iMonnit Software represent an escalation based on configured Conditions which result in a Task being executed (such as a notification or alert via email, text, or voice call). A Rule has two primary components: The Condition and the Task.
The Condition initiates the escalation, and the Task is the action executed by iMonnit due to the Condition being met. Generally, the Condition is based on a sensor reading, and the Task is a notification sent to a user.
This article will guide you in creating a new Rule to perform a function based on a Condition. Note: Rules were called Actions in previous versions of iMonnit (and were called Notifications in the Classic View). The terms Rules, Actions, and Notifications are often used interchangeably.
Summary of Steps
- Log into your iMonnit account.
- Select the Rules tab in the left-hand sidebar.
- Select the + Create New Rule button toward the top left of the page.
- Choose the Rule Type: (Sensor Reading is the most common type of Rule Type).
- Pick a Device: Select the sensor you wish to set a Condition.
- Select the Condition parameters then select Save.
- Select the Task (for alerts select Send Email, Text, etc.).
- Select the + icon to add a User in the To: field.
- Select the desired recipient User in the list.
- Set the delay.
- Select Save.
- Enter the Subject and message in the Message field.
- If so desired, add additional tasks; otherwise select, I’m done adding tasks.
- Enter a Name for your Rule.
- Select Save.
- If you wish to add additional devices to trigger the Condition or add other kinds of Tasks, do so; otherwise, select I’m done adding Rules.
Details of Creating a Rule
There are six steps using the Create a Rule wizard:
- Create a Rule
- Pick a Device
- Choose a Condition
- Set Up Tasks
- Name the Rule
- Rule Complete
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1. Choose the Rule Type
There are various types of Rules you may consider creating. The following Rule Types can be selected:
- Sensor Reading
- Device Battery Level
- Device Inactivity Status
- Scheduled Time
- Advanced Rule
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The Most common Rule Types are Sensor Reading, Device Inactivity Status, and Advanced Rules. There are important considerations with these Rules, and you should review the following articles to understand more.
- Differences in Sensor Reading Rules and Advanced Rules
- Setting Inactivity Alert Times
- Understanding “Before and After” in a Rule or Sensor Schedule
2. Pick a Device
This is the step to select a device to assign the Rule and its subsequent Task. Review the list of compatible devices. Select a device to advance to the next step.
Note: A single device is selected. However, there is an option to select additional devices later in this wizard.
3. Choose a Condition
The Condition is the event that will prompt the Task to be executed. In this example of a Sensor Reading Rule, a Humidity Sensor is selected. Humidity Sensors report several types of values (Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, etc.). Since there are multiple datums to select, you would select the desired datum. In this case, Humidity).
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After selecting the datum, you will be prompted to enter the Condition threshold. In this example, the desired Humidity percentage threshold and Notify when reading is: Condition would be selected. (You may also consider selecting a preset in the Or choose existing rule. pane.)
4. Set Up Tasks
The Task is the action that will be executed when the Condition is met. Be sure to have any associated User’s Notification Details configured. The available Tasks are:
- Send E-Mail
- Send Text (External Delivery is no charge, Direct SMS is a paid feature)
- Send Voice Call (Paid feature)
- Command Local Alert (visible if a Local Alert was added to the account)
- Command Control Unit (visible if a Control Unit was added to the account)
- Control Thermostat (visible if a Thermostat was added to the account)
- Create System Action
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For this example, an email recipient was selected:
- Select Send E-Mail.
- Select the To: field.
View Full Size - Select the desired recipient.
- Select the Delay time.
View Full Size - Add any additional recipients.
- Select Save.
- Enter the desired text in the Subject field and message area of the Send E-mail pane.
- Select Save.
- Add any additional desired Tasks, and select I’m done adding tasks.
5. Name the Rule
- Enter a Name for the Rule.
- Select Save.
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6. Rule Complete
Once reaching this step, the Rule is mostly complete. Though there are additional configurations you can change as listed below. For example, if you need to add more devices to trigger this Rule, this is where to do it.
- Add Additional Devices to Rule
- Add A Schedule To Rule
- Edit Advanced Settings
- Create a New Rule
If you don’t have more configurations to adjust, you can select** I Am Done Adding Rules **to complete the process. Once complete, you may consider testing the rule.
Scheduling a Rule
Once the steps above have been completed, you can go into the Rule and apply a schedule if so desired.
Note: It is important to understand that when a Rule has a schedule, the Rule can only be triggered during the Scheduled active time. However, if a Rule is triggered during the active schedule and has a Snooze time set (which default is 60 minutes), the notification will continue to send until the Rule is Disarmed or the triggering condition returns to normal. This can sometimes result in a notification recipient continuing to receive a notification (from the Snooze) outside of the scheduled time. For more information, see the following article: Understanding “Before and After” in Rule and Sensor Schedules.
After selecting the Rule:
- Select the Schedule tab (Calendar icon toward the top right of the page).
- A Month & Day Schedule pane will appear; to schedule the Rule for certain times on days of the week on a repeating weekly schedule, toggle the Rule Schedule Time switch.
- A list of days of the week will appear; click the drop down menu for each day to set the daily schedule. The options include All Day, Off, Between, Before and After, Before, and After.
!!Important!! _Please understand the different options in the Notification Time options. Each day is considered a 24-hour period from 12:00:00 AM to 11:59:59 PM. Therefore there are unique considerations when applying a schedule.
- If you wish to schedule the Rule to be active during certain days of each month and repeat on a yearly basis, toggle the Schedule Notification Months and Days switch.
A calendar will appear; select each calendar day (which highlights the day of the month) you wish to deactivate _(Highlighted = Rule Will Not Trigger)_.
- Select the Save button.
A message indicating, Success! will appear at the bottom of the Month & Day Schedule pane. The Rule will now operate with the configured schedule.
Conclusion
Creating Rules is one of the more common interactions users will have in iMonnit. This article should guide you through creating a basic Sensor Reading Rule successfully. If you have related inquiries, contact Monnit Support.