> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.verifone.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.verifone.com/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups.md).

# Manage hierarchies and groups

Use **Hierarchy/Group Management** to organize devices by ownership or by working set.

### When to use this page

Use this page when you need to decide where devices belong and how teams should manage them.

Use it before you:

* place devices under a business structure
* set up node-level access
* create flexible collections for operations or reporting

### Before you start

Confirm that you know:

* whether the device set needs permanent placement or temporary grouping
* which team, tenant, or business node should own the devices
* whether you need node-level access control or only an operational collection

### Choose the right structure

Choose **Hierarchies** when devices need a fixed place in the organization tree.

Use hierarchies to:

* place devices under the right business node
* control visibility and ownership
* manage users at a node level

Choose **Groups** when devices need a flexible collection outside the tree.

Use groups to:

* collect devices across hierarchies
* prepare bulk actions
* support reporting or operational tasks

### Decide between hierarchies and groups

Choose **Hierarchies** when you need to:

* assign devices to the correct business node
* control user access by organizational level
* manage permanent placement

Choose **Groups** when you need to:

* work with a temporary or task-based device set
* collect devices for bulk actions
* organize devices without changing hierarchy placement

### Open Hierarchy/Group Management

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### 1. Open Device Management

Go to **Verifone Central** → **Device Management**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 2. Open Hierarchy/Group Management

Select **Hierarchy/Group Management**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 3. Choose the management path

Select **Hierarchies** for tree-based ownership, or **Groups** for flexible collections.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### What each path supports

Use **Hierarchies** for tasks such as:

* adding or editing hierarchy nodes
* assigning users at a hierarchy level
* placing devices under the correct root or child node

Use **Groups** for tasks such as:

* creating reusable device sets
* assigning devices to operational collections
* managing device sets for bulk workflows

### Choose the next page

Use the page that matches your next action:

* [Hierarchies](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/hierarchies.md) — open the tree and review available node actions
* [Configure hierarchies](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/configure-hierarchies.md) — move from the tree to a specific hierarchy task
* [Manage groups](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/manage-groups.md) — create, update, or remove groups

### Verify you chose the right path

Use these checks before you continue:

* choose **Hierarchies** if moving a device changes ownership or access
* choose **Groups** if the device should stay in place but needs to be collected for work
* return here if you are unsure whether the change is structural or operational

### Related pages

* [Add a child hierarchy](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/add-a-child-hierarchy.md) — add a node under an existing parent
* [Add a root hierarchy](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/add-a-root-hierarchy.md) — add a new top-level node
* [Hierarchy - user management](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups/hierarchy-user-management.md) — review or change node-level user access

### Result

You can choose the right structure before you place devices, assign access, or prepare bulk work.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.verifone.com/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/manage-hierarchies-and-groups.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.