# First steps with Cumulocity Source: https://cumulocity.com/docs/quick-start/first-steps/ Sector: Getting started Release: Latest The following section highlights the basic steps to take if you are new to the Cumulocity platform. If you are technically interested in our IoT platform, you might want to learn about the architecture, technical concepts and domain models behind Cumulocity described in [Technical concepts](https://cumulocity.com/docs/concepts/concepts-introduction/). ### Step 1: Logging into Cumulocity for the first time {#step-1-logging-in-for-the-first-time} To log in to the Cumulocity platform and access your tenant, use the following URL: ```http https://.cumulocity.com/ ``` This will direct you to the Login screen of your default application. On the Login screen, enter your username and password. Click **Login** to enter the Cumulocity platform. Initially, you will be taken to the [Cockpit](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/cockpit-introduction/) application, if not configured differently. For further information about the Cumulocity standard applications see [Available applications](https://cumulocity.com/docs/get-familiar-with-the-ui/available-applications/). ![Cumulocity application](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-screen-ui-elements.png) Go to [Accessing and logging into the platform](https://cumulocity.com/docs/get-familiar-with-the-ui/platform-access/) for more details on supported URLs, password reset, and more. ### Step 2: Learn about Cumulocity's basic UI functionalities and features {#step-2-basic-ui-functionalities-and-features} #### Main screen elements All Cumulocity applications share a common structure and include the following screen elements: ![Cumulocity application](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-screen-ui-elements.png) On the left you have the navigator, which shows a list of entries leading to various pages of the application. The entries are grouped into menus and menu items. In the middle you find the content of the actual page which has been selected in the navigator. On the top you find the page title at the left. At the right you find various action buttons. Click the **Search** button to enter text for a full-text search. The **Application Switcher** button allows you to quickly switch between all available applications. Clicking the **User** button User at the right opens a context menu with details on your [account settings](https://cumulocity.com/docs/quick-start/first-steps/#account-settings), as described below. See [UI functionalities and features](https://cumulocity.com/docs/get-familiar-with-the-ui/gui-features/) for more information on all Cumulocity's UI features. #### Account settings {#account-settings} The user menu provides access to the following actions or information: User account menu Click **User settings** to change account settings such as your password. Under **UI settings**, change the language of the UI. **Platform info** shows release information on the Cumulocity versions you are using. Moreover you find links to the product support and user documentation at the bottom. See [User options and settings](https://cumulocity.com/docs/get-familiar-with-the-ui/user-settings/) for detailed information. ### Step 3: Register a device To connect a device to Cumulocity, you must register it in the platform. This is done in the **Device Management application**. Under [Registering devices](https://cumulocity.com/docs/device-management-application/registering-devices/) you find a detailed description of the general registration process. > **Info:** > If you use [Data Preparation](https://cumulocity.com/docs/data-preparation/) with the MQTT Service, devices are [created automatically](https://cumulocity.com/docs/data-preparation/device-onboarding/) and do not require manual registration. Moreover, we offer two step-by-step descriptions to easily register a first device to your Cumulocity account: * Connect a smartphone to Cumulocity using the [Cumulocity Sensor App](https://cumulocity.com/docs/sensor-app/sensorapp-introduction/). The Cumulocity Sensor App is a free smartphone application available for iOS and Android smartphones. * Connect a [Raspberry Pi as demo device using thin.edge.io](https://thin-edge.github.io/thin-edge.io/start/getting-started/). The Raspberry Pi is a relatively simple and cheap yet powerful device. This makes it ideal for testing and trying out as well as some production use cases. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will register a device via the Cumulocity Sensor App. #### Connecting a smartphone with the Cumulocity Sensor App {#connecting-a-smartphone-with-the-sensor-app} The Cumulocity Sensor App is designed to collect measurements from your smartphone, nearby Bluetooth device sensors, and vehicle On-board Debug (OBD) sensors, and send them to the Cumulocity platform. The Cumulocity Sensor App can also send commands to the smartphone directly from the phone dashboard. Go to [Sensor App](https://cumulocity.com/docs/sensor-app/sensorapp-introduction/) to see which smartphone sensors and Bluetooth devices are currently supported as well as more information on [how to install the app](https://cumulocity.com/docs/sensor-app/installing-the-sensor-app/) available for iOS and Android. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store from your smartphone and search for **Cumulocity Sensor App** to install it. To connect your smartphone via QR code follow the instructions below: 1. On a desktop or laptop computer, open a web browser and log in to your Cumulocity tenant. From the Cockpit application, click **Connect Smartphone** in the Welcome widget. ![Cockpit application](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/csa/csa-connect-smartphone.png) 2. Follow the instructions in the wizard to step 3, ensuring that the app is installed on the smartphone. ![QR code](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/csa/csa-connect-smartphone-wizard-step3.png) 3. From your smartphone, launch the app and tap **Register** in the top right corner of the screen.  ![Register smartphone](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-register-smartphone.png) 4. Grant access to your camera if the app asks you for permission. 5. Scan the QR code shown on your PC's web browser. If you cannot scan the QR code, tap **Manual registration** on your smartphone and fill in the details at the right side of the wizard screen. 6. Back on your smartphone, tap **Done**. Your smartphone is automatically registered by Cumulocity and assigned to the "Phones" group. ![Register smartphone done](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-register-smartphone-done.png) 7. On the platform, click the **Open dashboard** button to view the dashboard that has been automatically created with your device. ![Register smartphone done](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-open-dashboard-done.png) You have connected your smartphone with the Cumulocity Sensor App. For details on how the app sends information to Cumulocity go to [Sending sensor data to the platform](https://cumulocity.com/docs/sensor-app/sending-sensor-data/). For information on how to view sensor data go to [Viewing sensor data](https://cumulocity.com/docs/sensor-app/viewing-sensor-data/). Next, you will learn how to customize the dashboard for your smartphone. ### Step 4: Customize a dashboard Switch to the Cockpit application via the application switcher Search at the top right. The Cockpit application in Cumulocity provides you with an unrestrained overview and the essential dashboards to monitor your IoT data according to your needs. On registering a device in the last step, a dashboard has automatically been created which can now be edited and designed individually according to your needs. You can add, remove or change widgets being displayed here allowing you to visualize data emanating from your device or devices. For details on each widget type refer to [Widgets collection](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/widgets-collection/). Follow the instructions below to customize the new dashboard of the device you registered in the previous step. 1. In the Cockpit application, select the device you created in the previous step (for example, your smartphone in the **Phones** group). Click the **SensorTag Dashboard** tab. 2. Click **Dashboard settings** in the top menu bar to open the editor. ![Customize dashboard](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-tutorial-dashboard-customize.png) 3. In the **Dashboard settings**, provide the following information: * In the **General** section, change the menu label to "Phone SensorTag Dashboard". ![Dashboard editor](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-customize-dashboard-general.png) * In the **Appearance** section, change the theme to "Dark" and set the header style to "Border". The changes will be reflected immediately after selection. ![Dashboard editor](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-customize-dashboard-appearance.png)

4. Click **Save** to confirm and apply the modifications. You have successfully customized your first dashboard. ![Dashboard editor result](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-customize-dashboard-result.png) See [Working with dashboards](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/working-with-dashboards/) for more details on how to create, share, edit, copy, and delete dashboards. Next, we will show you how to create a report to track data. ### Step 5: Create a report Reports enable you to track applications, alarms, assets, and other data in a dashboard layout. Reports are global dashboard pages, regardless of the [asset hierarchy](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/managing-assets/#asset-hierarchy). To work with reports, check if you meet the [requirements](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/working-with-reports/) first. To create a report click **Reports** in the **Navigator** on the left side and follow the steps below. #### Creating a report ![Reports](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-a-new-report.png) 1. Click the **Add report** button to open the **Add report** dialog window. 2. In the **General** section of the **Dashboard settings**, enter a name for the report in the **Menu label** field. For this tutorial name the report "Smartphone Measurements" and optionally provide a description below. You can display the report in the navigator with the option **Show in navigator** but we will leave that unchecked in this tutorial. ![Add new report](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-new-report-general.png) 3. In the **Appearance** section, change the theme to "Branded" and set the header style to "Border". The changes will be reflected immediately after selection. ![Add new report](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-new-report-appearance.png) 4. Click **Save** to create the report and add it to the report list. ![Report created](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-report-created.png) You have successfully created a report. See [Working with reports](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/working-with-reports/) for more details on how to add, edit and delete reports. Next, we will add a widget to the report. ### Step 6: Add a widget to a report Widgets can display maps, images, graphs, tables and other graphic representations of data. Widgets are useful to track information, for example on alarms, assets or applications, or provide maps, quick links and more in dashboards or reports. Go to [Widgets collection](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/widgets-collection/) to see a list of all preset widgets that Cumulocity provides. > **Info:** > You can also develop your own widgets and add them to your Cumulocity account. Refer to the [Cumulocity Tech Community](https://community.cumulocity.com/) for more information. #### To add a widget to a dashboard or a report 1. Click the **Add widget** button on the main page of the report you have created in the previous step, or click **Add widget** in the top menu bar. ![Add widget](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-widget-to-report.png) 2. In the **Add widget** dialog, select the Map widget type. 3. Next, configure the widget. In the **Asset selection** section, select the Phones group and next select the device that was registered in a previous step "Smartphone Tutorial". Give it the **Title** "Smartphone Location" and set the **Zoom level** to 8. ![Widget configuration](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-widget-to-report-config.png) 4. In the **Appearence** tab, set the **Theme** to "Light". 5. Click **Save** to add the widget to the report. ![Widget added on report](https://cumulocity.com/docs/images/users-guide/getting-started/getting-started-add-widget-to-report-done.png) You have added a map widget to your report. Similarly, you can add widgets to dashboards. For more details on adding widgets on dashboards or reports see [Using widgets in dashboards and reports](https://cumulocity.com/docs/cockpit/using-widgets/).