> 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/onboard-a-device.md). # Onboard a Device Use this page to choose the right onboarding path for your device estate. Onboarding creates or prepares the device record before normal device management begins. Registration happens when the device first contacts the server. Use onboarding when the device record must be created, imported, or prepared before the device is fully managed. ### When to use this page Use this page when you need to decide how a device should enter Device Management. Choose a path based on: * how many devices you need to onboard * whether the device record must exist before first contact * whether the device should register itself automatically * whether shipment or custody data drives the onboarding flow ### Before you start Confirm that you know: * whether your role allows device creation or import * whether you are onboarding one device or many * whether the device can contact the Device Management server * whether the device should auto-register on first contact * which tenant, hierarchy, or group should own the device Prepare these inputs when available: * serial number or device ID * model * target placement or deployment context * source file or integration source for bulk onboarding * target hierarchy and reference set when you plan to add devices manually {% hint style="info" %} Use manual add or bulk import when the device record must exist before first contact. Use auto-registration when the device should create its record during first contact. {% endhint %} ### Choose the right method quickly Use: * [Add a single device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/add-devices/add-a-single-device.md) when you need to create one device record and already know its placement * [Bulk import devices](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/add-devices/bulk-import-devices.md) when you need to create many records from a prepared file * [Registering the device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device.md) when the device should create its own record on first contact * [Asset tracking](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/asset-tracking.md) when onboarding starts from shipment, custody, or location workflows ### Decide in this order Use these questions in order: 1. Do you need to onboard one device or many? 2. Must the record exist before first contact? 3. Will the device data come from manual entry, an import file, or an asset workflow? This order helps you avoid choosing a flow too early. ### Signals that change the decision Use these rules when more than one path seems possible: * if the record must already exist, do not use auto-registration * if shipment, custody, or receiving data starts the workflow, use asset tracking first * if one urgent device needs setup before a bulk file is ready, use manual add for that device * if many devices share the same prepared source data, use bulk import ### Choose your onboarding path Use this flow to select the right method. {% stepper %} {% step %} ### 1. Are you onboarding one device or many? * Use [Add a single device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/add-devices/add-a-single-device.md) when you need to create one device record manually. * Use [Bulk import devices](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/add-devices/bulk-import-devices.md) when you need to create many records from a prepared file. * If the device should not be pre-created, go to the next step. {% endstep %} {% step %} ### 2. Should the device create its record on first contact? * Use [Registering the device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device.md) when the device should auto-register after it connects to the server. * If onboarding starts from shipment, custody, or location work, go to the next step. {% endstep %} {% step %} ### 3. Does onboarding start from an asset workflow? * Use [Asset tracking](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/asset-tracking.md) when onboarding starts from shipment, custody, or location workflows. * Use [Devices](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices.md) when you need the broader device workflow after onboarding is complete. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ### What each path requires #### Manual add Use manual add when you need full control over one device record before first contact. Prepare: * **Serial Number** * **Device ID** * **Model** * target **Hierarchy** * target **Reference set** Choose this path when placement and identifiers are already known. #### Bulk import Use bulk import when you already have many device records prepared. Prepare: * a supported **CSV** or **XML** file * the required device details for the import flow * time to review the import result after submission Choose this path when the file is ready and the same import flow applies to many devices. #### Auto-registration Use auto-registration when the device should create its own record during first contact. Confirm that: * no device record already exists * the device can contact the Device Management server * the correct hierarchy IP address range is configured * you know which root hierarchy should receive the device Choose this path when the device should appear only after it connects. #### Asset workflow Use asset workflows when onboarding starts outside the main add flow. This path fits cases where shipment, custody, or location activity drives device intake before deployment. Confirm that you have the shipment, receiving, location, or custody values needed by that workflow. {% hint style="warning" %} Do not pre-board a device when you expect it to auto-register on first contact. Auto-registration requires the record to be absent before registration starts. {% endhint %} ### Validate the decision before you start Use these checks to confirm you picked the right flow: * choose **manual add** when one device needs a controlled setup * choose **bulk import** when many devices share the same import process * choose **auto-registration** when no pre-created record should exist * choose **asset tracking** when custody or location activity drives intake first ### Verify the chosen path before you commit Run these checks before you start the actual onboarding task: * **Manual add** — confirm the hierarchy, reference set, and identifiers are final * **Bulk import** — confirm the file format, required columns, and target ownership values * **Auto-registration** — confirm there is no existing record and the device can reach the server * **Asset workflow** — confirm the custody or location event should happen before normal registration ### How to verify the right outcome After you choose a method, confirm the expected result: * **Manual add** — the device record appears in the device list and is ready for registration * **Bulk import** — the import completes and the expected device records appear in the device list * **Auto-registration** — the device record is created after first contact and the status becomes **Active** or **Pending Hierarchy Assignment** * **Asset workflow** — the device enters the expected custody or location workflow before operational registration ### Common decision scenarios Use these examples to confirm the path: * **One known device arrives early** — use manual add if you already know its placement and identifiers * **A staging team sends a prepared file** — use bulk import if the file is ready for upload * **Field devices will register themselves** — use auto-registration if no record should exist before first contact ### Common problems to avoid Check these before you proceed: * use manual add or bulk import only when the device record must exist before first contact * use auto-registration only when the device is not already onboarded * use bulk import only when the file is ready in **CSV** or **XML** format * confirm the tenant, hierarchy, or group context before you create records #### Common outcomes Use these checks to narrow the issue: * **You are unsure which path to use** — decide first whether the record must exist before first contact * **A device is onboarded twice** — review whether it was pre-created and later allowed to auto-register * **Many devices need setup but the file is not ready** — finish the import file first or switch to manual add for urgent single devices * **The onboarding result looks correct but the device is not active yet** — continue to [Registering the device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device.md) and [Device heartbeats](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device/device-heartbeats.md) ### Result After onboarding, one of these outcomes applies: * a device record is created manually * multiple device records are imported * a device registers on first contact and becomes managed * a device enters the asset tracking workflow with the required custody context ### Next steps * [Add devices](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/add-devices.md) — choose the pre-creation flow for one or many devices * [Registering the device](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device.md) — review first-contact behavior * [Device heartbeats](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device/device-heartbeats.md) — confirm the device continues to check in * [Device life cycle](/verifone-central-device-management/verifone-central/devices/registering-the-device/device-life-cycle.md) — understand later device states --- # 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/onboard-a-device.md?ask=&goal= ``` `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.