DW Connect - Portal

User Guide

Table of Contents

Audience and Scope

The DW Connect Portal is used to manage sub-Channel Partners, Organizations, and available Subscription Services. The DW Connect Portal does not provide access to any Site devices, video data, or VMS settings.

Key Concepts

The DW Spectrum Enterprise Edition introduces a new hierarchical structure that enables optimized configuration controls and new accounting models that increase operating margins and reduce management overhead.

Channel Partners

The primary Channel Partner resides at the top of a reseller hierarchy. Additional sub-Channel Partners and Organizations are created to resell or consume Subscription Services. The sub-Channel Partner concept can expand over multiple levels, with each sub-Channel Partner being responsible to their own primary partner for all costs incurred by their downstream Organizations and sites.

Organizations

Organizations are created by Sub/Channel Partners using the DW Connect Portal. An Organization can contain an unlimited number of sites.

While Sub/Channel Partners set the price for all Subscription Services available to an Organization - it is the Organization Administrator who uses the Cloud Portal, not the DW Connect Portal, to configure the Organization, manage Organization-level users, and Channel Partner access to the Organization.

See the Organization Administrator User Guide for additional information about managing an Organization.

Sites and Systems

A Site is one or more servers treated as a VMS installation. The term Site replaces the term System that has historically been used to reference a collection of servers.

Subscription Services

Subscription Services are billed as a recurring monthly charge while Subscription Keys offer a prepaid number of service channels to be active over a fixed period of time within an Organization.

Terms and Acronyms

Hierarchical Billing Model for Services

Digital Watchdog is the root VMS vendor enabling Channel Partners who can choose to offer Sub-Channel Partners and Organizations various services. Channel Partners are financially responsible for all Subscription Services consumed by their Sub-Channel Partners and Organizations.

Team Member Roles

Currently one functional role (Administrator) and two non-functional placeholder roles are selectable.

NOTE: The roles of Manager or Accountant do not grant access and may have unpredictable result.

Operational Status

The Operational Status is applied to all Sub/Channel Partners and Organizations reporting to the entity and serves as a method to toggle user access and prevent additional charges by halting Subscription Services.

All Services allocated to a Sub/Channel Partner and their Organizations will be revoked if the providing Sub/Channel Partner changes the Operational Status of an entity to Shutdown.

User Interface

The DW Connect interface contains dynamic elements that display information based on the role and permissions of the currently signed-in user with respect to the active Channel Partner.

DW Connect uses the following elements to present information and provide navigation:

1. A persistent header that includes a search function and user profile controls.
2. The left panel menu is used to select between partners, Organizations, usage statements, and keys (if applicable).
3. A central panel displays selected information and enables interaction with the selected content.
4. Pop-over dialogs are presented to collect or confirm specific information.
5. A full screen overlay slides over the display to provide focus to a subset of the primary display.
6. Action buttons in the corners can dismiss a panel, save & continue, or cancel pending changes.

This guide shows navigation menus, controls, and dialog boxes that may not be available to all team members while using the DW Connect Portal.

Header Menu

Along the top of the DW Connect interface are the following controls, listed from left to right:

• • A product logo that returns users to the landing page for the active Channel Partner.
  • A search function to route to Channel Partners, Organizations, and usage statements.
  • A user profile dialog that opens to display these additional controls.
    • Switch between available Channel Partners.
    • View your name, email, and role within the active Channel Partner.
    • Access support and service links.
    • Open the DW Connect settings panel, including viewing and managing language
    • Review the Terms & Conditions and the Privacy Policy.
    • Logout

Channel Partner Tab

Select the Channel Partners tab in the left panel to display all Sub/Channel Partners that report to the active Channel Partner and their status. Click on the name of a Sub/Channel Partner to display a summary page containing usage trends, services available, recent service changes, and contact information.

Use the Create Channel Partner button to open the New Channel Partner dialog.

Organizations Tab

Select the Organizations tab on the left panel to display all Organizations that report to the active Channel Partner, and their status. Click on the name of an Organization to display a summary page containing usage trends, services available, recent service changes, and contact information.

Use the Create Organization button to open the New Organization dialog.

Usage Statement Tab

Select a named entity type to explore and expand the usage statement in detail. Detailed usage statements can be downloaded in either .CSV or .XLSX format by clicking the download icon for an entity and selecting the desired format. Use the Show Custom ID slide-switch to toggle the optional ID display.

Subscription Keys Tab

The subscription key tab lists the generated by the Channel Partner, the service provided by the key, the last date to activate the key, key activation details, and the optional reference number at key generation.

NOTE: Only Channel Partners authorized to generate subscription keys will see the subscription key tab.

Settings Menu

Click the Settings icon and label at the bottom of the left panel or from within the user profile popup.

See these related topics for additional information about available settings.

Channel Partner Profile

• Company Information – displays the recorded company name, address, and website information.
• Contact Information – provides email addresses for key contacts.
• Services – provides a summary of available services. See Manage Services to make changes.
• Currency – shows the currency that your Channel Partner is billing you in and allows you to set a currency for your customers.
• Team Members – where you can add, edit, or remove users.
• Branding - allows you to set a color accent for the profile popup.

User Profile

• Appearance – where you can set the application’s theme (i.e. dark, light).
• Language – set the preferred language for the application interface.
• Support – displays the options to contact DW Support an generate a debug (log) file.

Login to DW Connect

Open DW Connect Portal, select your language, and sign in using your DW Cloud credentials.

New users must Sign up for an DW Cloud account, validate their email address, and have their Sub/Channel Partner administrator add the new account as a Channel Partner team member.

https://dwconnect.digital-watchdog.com

Create a DW Cloud Account

A DW Cloud account is a single-user credential that provides access to multiple cloud-connected products and services using various client devices. Accounts are free and fully activated upon email confirmation.

1. Click the Sign-Up link on the DW Connect landing page or the DW Cloud homepage.
2. Enter your email address and other required information; review the terms and privacy policy.
3. Follow the instructions found in the system-generated email to complete your account setup.

NOTE: Users added to cloud products before creating a cloud account will receive an invitational email.

Selecting a Channel Partner Account

The information in this section only applies to users who manage multiple Sub/Channel Partners

After successfully signing into DW Connect, the landing page displays all the Sub/Channel Partners available. Click on any available Sub/Channel Partner card to open the partner settings.

Changing Active Channel Partners

To switch active accounts, click on your user profile in the upper right-hand corner and select the switching arrows( ← → ) to display the Channel Partner selection dialog.

Managing Channel Partners

Creating a sub-Channel Partner enables separate Organizations, Sites (Systems), and users to be managed by a delegate team while still falling under the originating Sub/Channel Partner authority.

Creating a Channel Partner

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner to manage.
2. Select the Channel Partners tab on the left side menu.
3. Click the Create Channel Partner button and navigate through the Channel Partner creation panel using the Next and Back buttons, and not your browser's back or forward buttons.
   • Company Information (name, address, website).
   • Contact email address for the account manager, administrator, and accountant (optional).
   • Settings:
     1. Usage Based Billing (monthly subscription services) defaults to OFF allowing only prepaid Subscription Keys. Enable the switch to make both Subscription Keys and Subscription Services available. This setting is applied to all sub-entities.
     2. Custom ID is an optional, free form field that can hold CRM or account information.
4. The final screen is a summary of the new Channel Partner. Click the Create button after reviewing all elements and details as Channel Partners cannot be removed once created.

NOTE:

• The Administrator is notified via email about the new Organization they are the administrator for.
• The Account Manager is notified if the user is not part of the active Channel Partner.
• The Accountant does not receive any user-related emails

The newly created Sub/Channel Partner will be available within the DW Connect portal shortly.

Deactivating a Channel Partner:

Sub/Channel Partners cannot be removed or deleted from the DW Connect environment.

Inactive Sub/Channel Partners, or those created in error, should have changed their status to “SHUTDOWN”.

Changing the Status of a Channel Partner

Review the descriptions of the available States before taking this action. State changes apply to all Sub/Channel Partners, Organizations, and Sites within the Sub/Channel Partner undergoing the status changes.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner account to manage.
2. Use the global search function or browse the Channel Partners tab in the left-panel menu.
3. Select the Sub/Channel Partner to modify from the search results or the table displayed.
4. Click the Edit button in the upper right-hand corner to select a Status.
5. Select the intended Status and click the Next button.
6. Confirm the Status change by clicking the Edit Status confirmation button.

NOTE:

1. Status changes are nearly instantaneous and applied to all downstream entities.
2. Suspended and shut down states will block site access by cloud users.
3. Connected cloud users will be disconnected with limited notice or delay.
4. Recording will be stopped when a Sub/Channel Partner status is changed to shut down.

Managing Team Members (Channel Partner Profile)

Adding Team Members:

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select a Channel Partner account to manage.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left panel menu to open the Settings dialog.
3. Select Team Members on the left side menu of the Settings dialog.
4. Click the Add New Team Member button above the list of existing users.
5. Provide the email address of the new user and select their role.
6. Click the Save button to finish adding the user.

NOTE: Users without an existing DW Cloud account will receive an email inviting them to create an account.

Editing Team Members:

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner account to manage.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left panel menu to open the Settings dialog.
3. Select Team Members on the left side menu of the Settings dialog.
4. In the Team Members list, open the 3-dot menu to the right side of the Name field.
5. Select Edit Team Member from the 3-dot pop-up menu.
6. Make the intended changes to the Team Member account and click Save.

Deleting a Team Member:

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner account to manage.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left panel menu to open the Settings dialog.
3. Select Team Members on the left side menu of the Settings dialog.
4. In the table of Team Members, open the 3-dot menu to the right side of the Name field.
5. Click on the Delete Team Member text at the bottom of the User attributes window.
6. Click the Delete Team Member button in the confirmation dialog; this cannot be undone.

Company and Contact Information (Channel Partner Profile)

Maintain contact information, physical addresses, and website for the Sub/Channel Partner.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner to manage.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left panel menu to open the Settings dialog.
3. Select Company Information on the left-side menu to display contents and enable editing.
4. Select Contact Information on the left side-side menu to display contents and enable editing.

Branding (Channel Partner Profile)

NOTE: This feature is under development. Currently, only the Sub/Channel Partner ‘profile color’ can be set.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the account to manage.
2. Navigate to the Channel Partner to configure.
3. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left-side menu to open the Settings dialog.
4. Select Branding on the left side menu.
5. Choose the color pattern that will be applied to the Channel Partner profile placeholder.
6. The color pattern is immediately applied without the need to save or confirm changes.

Interface Appearance (User Profile)

The interface defaults to dark mode, while providing options to select light mode or system settings.

1. Log into DW Connect.
2. Find the Settings gear icon at the bottom left-side menu or within the user profile details.
3. Select Appearance on the left side menu.
4. Choose the interface theme (system, dark, light)
5. The theme is immediately applied without the need to save changes.

Interface Language (User Profile)

The interface defaults to English (US) with the option to select from a list of available languages. Changing the language setting will update menus, dialog screens, and the formatting of numbers and dates.

Language settings changes are saved to the user’s profile and applied to future logins to DW Connect.

NOTE: Not all available language translations are 100% complete. The approximate percentage of content translated is listed below the language. Additional languages will continue to be added.

1. Log into DW Connect.
2. Find the Settings gear icon at the bottom left-side menu or within the user profile details.
3. Click on Language to open the language selection dialog.
4. Click the expansion control next to the current language to open the selection menu.
5. Select the desired language to see the changes immediately applied.
6. Close the language selection dialog as language changes are automatically saved when applied.

Currency Options

There are two currency settings within the DW Connect Portal: assigned currency and your currency.

• • Assigned Currency:
    • The currency between the active account and the Channel Partner providing services.
    • Only the parent Sub/Channel Partner who is providing services can change the Assigned currency.
  • Your Currency:
    • The currency between the active Channel Partner and Sub/Channel Partners.
    • When you provide (resale) Services, you define the currency and service cost.

Changing Your Currency

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator and select the Channel Partner account to manage.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon at the bottom of the left-side menu to open the Settings dialog.
3. Select Currency on the left side menu – select the desired currency in the Your Currency list.
4. Confirm the currency change within the dialog pop-up box.
5. Review and update every service price your Channel Partner has set. Exchange rates are not applied when the currency is changed, which can create significant discrepancies.

Managing Organizations

Creating an Organization

1. Log into DW Connect as a Sub/Channel Partner Administrator.
2. Select the Organizations tab in the left side menu.
3. Click the Create Organization button. Be sure to navigate through the four creation dialog screens using the in-dialog Next and Back buttons, without using your browser’s Back button.
   1. Company Information (name, address, website).
   2. Sub/channel partner access to the organization and an optional accounting reference ID.
      1. An Organization Administrator can manage all sites and services in the organization.
      2. System Health Monitor can view site performance metrics and manage services.
      3. Subscription Service Manager is limited to subscription management within the site.
   3. Contact details for the Account Manager, Administrator, and Accountant.
   4. If the active Channel Partner has access to Subscription Services, service availability and pricing is applied to the Organization being created.
4. Click the Create button in the final Create Organization dialog screen once all elements and details of the new Organization have been properly and completely entered and reviewed.

NOTE:

• The Administrator is notified via email about the new Organization that they are overseeing.
• The Account Manager is notified if the user is not part of the active Channel Partner.
• The Accountant does not receive any user-related emails.

The newly created Organization will be available within the DW Connect portal.

Changing the Status of an Organization

Please review the descriptions of Status conditions before taking this action, as Status changes apply to all Sites, Servers, and Cloud users downstream of where a status change is made.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator.
2. Use the global search function or browse the Organization tab in the left menu panel.
3. Select the Organization to modify from the search results or the displaying list.
4. Click the Edit button in the upper right-hand corner to open a menu and then select Status.
5. Select the intended Status and click the Next button to advance the dialog.
6. Confirm the Status change by clicking the Edit Status confirmation button.

NOTE: Cloud Users cannot access an Organization that is not in an active status.

Removing an Organization

An Organization cannot be removed once it has been created. Set the operational status of inactive Organizations to “SHUTDOWN” to prevent Subscription Services from being used and/or incurring additional costs to the entity.

Managing Services

The Services available to Sub/Channel Partners and Organizations are first defined when creating Sub/Channel Partners and Organizations, with unlimited revisions permitted.

Overview of Services

• The Sub/Channel Partner sets the types of Subscription Services available to Sub/Channel Partners, and all Organizations, can vary between branches of the same Sub/Channel Partner.
• Sub/Channel Partners set the number of Subscription Services available to an Organization, and Organizations are invoiced for all available Subscription Services, including those not installed.
• Changes to Subscription Services are pro-rated (daily) when changed between billing cycles.
• All Services allocated to a Sub/Channel Partner and their Organizations will be revoked if the providing Sub/Channel Partner changes the Operational Status of an entity to “SHUTDOWN”.
• Service Subscriptions can incur a net loss when set below the reseller’s purchase price.

Service Types Available

The initial Subscription Services replicate the core features licensed by the DW Spectrum Professional Edition within an adaptive framework, designed to support a growing catalog of service types to be added over time.

Manage Services

The Manage Services panel is where additional services can be added to a Sub/Channel Partner or an Organization. There are slight differences between the dialog screens used for Sub/Channel Partners and Organizations while the overall methodology to enable and set service pricing remains consistent.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator for the Channel Partner to manage services.
2. Use the global search function or browse the Channel Partners and Organizations tabs in the left panel menu to locate the entity for which services will be managed.
3. Locate the controls to prompt the dialog for managing services.
   1. For Sub/Channel Partners, the Manage Services button is to the right of the Channel Partner name.
   2. For an Organization, click the Manage button to open a mini-menu and select Services.

Enabling and Pricing Services

A Channel Partner selects the services available to their Sub-Partners and Organizations, including the prices charged for each service. A profit is generated for the service broker when services are retailed for a higher price than they are acquired.

1. Open the service management panel for a Channel Partner or Organization.
2. Active services have their card title visually highlighted in bright green.
3. To add a service, select a service card that does not have a price and click the Input Price button.
4. To view your cost and change the price charged, click on the service title and edit the price.
5. Click the Save button to make any changes before exiting the Manage Services window.

Quantity of Services Available

One Core Service is required for each device that will record a video stream. Service costs are calculated by the number of available Service Subscriptions, including those not installed, active, or in use.

1. Log into DW Connect as an Administrator or Manager.
2. If you have access to more than one Sub/Channel Partner, you will first need to select the Channel Partner overseeing the Organization and site where the service changes are being made.
3. Open the Organization where the service changes are being made.
4. Select the site by clicking the site card or by using the Manage dropdown menu and selecting “Sites”.
5.  With the Manage Subscription dialog open for the site, adjust the quantity of each available service using the + or – buttons, or by manually entering new values.
6. The Projected Revenue and Projected Gross Profit information will automatically update after each quantity change.
7. After making all necessary service adjustments, click the Continue button.
8. A summary of changes will be displayed. Confirm the changes or go back to make additional adjustments.

NOTE: Changes to available Subscription Services are prorated within the next billing cycle.