SDX-Cloud: Managed Devices

Summary

This article explains how to set an SDX-PocketScan to managed mode in SDX-Cloud. A managed device enforces organization-defined settings on Sodex Mobile, giving admins central control over scanning behavior, connectivity, NTRIP, and project access.

Demo Walk through

Introduction

By default, a registered SDX-PocketScan operates in unmanaged mode: the signed-in user controls all settings locally in Sodex Mobile. When a device is set to managed, the organization can lock specific settings so they are enforced automatically whenever the assigned user connects to that SDX-PocketScan.

Managed settings override local preferences only while the assigned user is logged into Sodex Mobile and connected to the SDX-PocketScan. After disconnecting, the user's personal settings are restored. This makes managed mode ideal for enforcing field standards (pole height, NTRIP profiles, coordinate systems) without permanently changing individual user preferences.

Configuration is done through a multi-step wizard in SDX-Cloud covering: general settings, capture settings, scanning feedback, NTRIP, project settings, and coordinate system.

Prerequisites

• You are logged in as an organization admin in SDX-Cloud (see: Roles and Permissions).
• The SDX-PocketScan is already registered in the device table under Organization Devices SDX-PocketScan (see: SDX-Cloud: How to Register an SDX-PocketScan).
• A device user exists in the organization (the account that will be assigned to the managed device). (see: How to Create a Device User)
• If you plan to force a project or coordinate system, the project must already exist and the device user must have access to it (see: Set Up a Project and Device User).

Step-by-step instructions

1. Open the managed device wizard

1. In SDX-Cloud, click the Organization icon in the left sidebar.
2. Select the Devices tab at the top.
3. Click the SDX-PocketScan sub-tab.
4. Find your SDX-PocketScan in the device table.
5. Click the gear icon in the Actions column.

Expected result: The Device Configuration wizard opens.

2. Enable managed mode (Step 1 of wizard)

1. Check the Managed checkbox to enable managed mode.
2. Select the Associated User from the dropdown. This is the user that must be signed into Sodex Mobile for the managed configuration to load.
3. Click Next.

Expected result: The device is set to managed and linked to a specific user.

3. General Settings (Step 2 of wizard)

Check any setting you want the organization to control. Checked settings will be locked in Sodex Mobile and cannot be changed locally by the user.

• Manage Ignore GNSS Quality: Allows the device to start scanning even without an RTK fix. Default: off. Use with caution, as it significantly reduces positional accuracy (errors of several meters possible). Only enable for indoor use or environments without GNSS coverage.
• Manage Auto-connect RTK: Automatically connects to the RTK correction receiver when the SDX-PocketScan is paired via Bluetooth. Default: on.
• Manage Automatic Uploads: Scans are uploaded to SDX-Cloud automatically after capture completes. Default: on. When disabled, the user must manually trigger uploads from the scan list.
• Manage Upload via Wi-Fi Only: Restricts scan uploads to Wi-Fi connections only, preventing uploads over mobile data. Default: off.
• Manage Retry Failed Uploads: Automatically retries uploads that failed due to connectivity issues. Default: on.
• Manage Pole Height: Sets the antenna pole height used for positional measurements. Default: 1.8 m. Adjust to match the physical pole setup used in the field. An incorrect pole height directly affects the vertical accuracy of all captured data.

Click Next.

4. Capture Settings (Step 3 of wizard)

• Manage Measurement Unit: Forces metric or imperial units (feet / US survey feet) in the app while the device is connected. This is particularly important for US-based customers who need measurements displayed in feet or survey feet rather than metric.
• Manage Scan Visualization: Controls how the live scan preview is displayed during capture. Options: Mesh (triangulated surface model) or Point cloud (individual measured points). For details on each visualization option, see Sodex Mobile Settings. Default: Mesh.
• Manage Capture Mode: Determines the scanning method. Options: Photogrammetry (camera-based, produces higher visual detail) or LiDAR (laser-based). Default: Photogrammetry.
• Manage Language: Forces the Sodex Mobile app language while the managed device is connected. When the device disconnects, the user's personal language setting is restored.

Click Next.

5. Scanning Feedback Settings (Step 4 of wizard)

• Manage Audio Aid: Enables or disables audio cues during scanning.
• Manage Haptic Feedback: Enables or disables phone vibration during scanning events.
• Manage Feedback Events: Controls which specific scanning events trigger audio or haptic notifications (e.g. scan started, GNSS signal lost, scan stopped).

Click Next.

6. NTRIP Settings (Step 5 of wizard)

• Manage NTRIP Profile: When checked, enforces a specific NTRIP correction service on the device. The device will use the preconfigured credentials.

If enabled, enter the NTRIP connection details:

• Ntrip-Server: server address of the NTRIP caster (e.g. ntrip.provider.com)
• Ntrip-Port: connection port (commonly 2101)
• Ntrip-Mountpoint: the correction stream identifier
• Username: NTRIP account username
• Password: NTRIP account password

Click Next.

7. Project Settings (Step 6 of wizard)

• Manage Allow Project Creation: Controls whether the user can create new projects directly from Sodex Mobile. When managed and disabled, the "Create project" option is hidden in the app. Default: disabled.
• Manage Allow Project Access Management: Controls whether the user can add or remove project members from the app. When managed and disabled, project member management is hidden.
• Manage Allow Project Folder Management: Controls whether the user can create, edit, delete folders or move projects within the app.
• Manage Forced Project: Locks the device to a single, specific project. The user cannot switch projects in Sodex Mobile.

Click Next.

8. Coordinate System (Step 7 of wizard)

This setting is only relevant if project creation is allowed for the managed device. When configured, the coordinate system will be pre-selected automatically when the user creates a new project from the app, reducing the risk of an incorrect coordinate system being chosen in the field.

1. Check Manage Coordinate System.
2. Select Coordinate system selection (e.g. Sodex Preset for commonly used configurations).
3. Select Global datum (e.g. ETRS89 for European projects, WGS84 for global use).
4. Select Local datum (e.g. ETRS89).
5. Select Local coordinate system (the map projection used for local grid coordinates).
6. Select Geoid (the height reference model for converting ellipsoidal heights to orthometric/real-world heights).
7. Click Validate to verify the full transformation chain is valid.
8. Click Save.

Expected result: The managed device configuration is saved. The settings will apply the next time the assigned user connects to this SDX-PocketScan in Sodex Mobile.

How managed settings behave on the device

When the assigned user connects to a managed SDX-PocketScan in Sodex Mobile:

1. The app fetches the managed configuration from SDX-Cloud.
2. All managed (checked) settings are applied and locked in the app UI. The user sees these settings but cannot change them.
3. Unmanaged (unchecked) settings remain under the user's local control.
4. After disconnecting from the SDX-PocketScan, all personal settings are restored.

Disable managed mode

1. Open the Device Configuration wizard (gear icon in the Actions column).
2. Uncheck the Managed checkbox.
3. Click Save.

The device returns to unmanaged mode immediately. The next time the user connects in Sodex Mobile, all settings will be under their local control again.

Limits and notes

• Managed settings are applied only while the user assigned to the managed device is logged into Sodex Mobile and connected to the SDX-PocketScan. After disconnect, the user's personal settings are restored.
• If a different user than the assigned one is logged into Sodex Mobile, the app blocks the connection and prompts the user to disconnect from the SDX-PocketScan.
• Settings left unchecked in the wizard remain under the user's local control in Sodex Mobile. Changes the user makes to unmanaged settings during a managed session persist normally.
• Changes to the managed configuration in SDX-Cloud require a reconnect in Sodex Mobile to take effect.
• If the forced project becomes invalid (user loses access or project is deleted), the setting is cleared automatically by the system.
• The coordinate system setting only applies when the user is allowed to create projects from the app.
• One user can be associated with multiple managed devices. Each device can have a different managed configuration.

Related articles

• SDX-Cloud: Set Up a Project and Device User for SDX-PocketScan
• SDX-Cloud: How to Create a Device User (SDX-PocketScan)
• Sodex Mobile: SDX-PocketScan Licenses
• Sodex Mobile: Getting Started
• Roles and Permissions