New VRM features for Fleet Management

Victron Energy has introduced several improvements in VRM for installers and fleet managers who monitor multiple Victron systems. These improvements build on the updates released last year, including the introduction of groups and team functions.

These changes are the result of our ongoing discussions with operators, helping us identify ways to save time and provide better service to their customers.

Overview of the new additions:

• Map details: Preview multiple nearby locations, including fuel tank levels and generator runtime until the next service.
• Mini-graphs: View max load and other key metrics from the installation overview.
• Prominent warnings and alarms: Improved visibility of warnings and alarms in the installation overview.
• New access control role: "Technician" has been added for improved access management.
• Remote reset of generator service: Ability to remotely reset the generator's service interval.
• Overall speed improvements: 8x faster loading of the side navigation list, especially noticeable for 100+ locations.

1. Map details

The map function has been updated and improved to more efficiently handle large amounts of systems. You can now filter systems and see actionable information such as:

• Runtime until service: Displayed along with fuel tank levels.
• Warning and alarm information: Icons show details about warnings and alarms, as well as filter options to display locations based on status.
• Expandable location clusters: Clusters of locations at the same place can now expand to show more information.

You can access the map by clicking the globe icon in the upper right corner of the installation overview. This shows all your systems worldwide. The map also functions as a filter for the installation overview. By zooming in on a specific area, the displayed systems are updated accordingly.

The map's view coordinates and selected tags are added to the URL, making it possible to bookmark specific regions. For example, you can create a bookmark to only show systems with an active alarm in Amsterdam.

This feature is particularly useful for displaying different regions on fleet management screens in a control room or during routine inspections. We have received feedback from users requesting additional information, such as battery charge status, and we plan to continue rolling out new details.

2. Mini-graphs in the VRM installation overview

This update allows you to monitor your fleet in a quick overview without opening each installation separately. You can see the following metrics for 24 hours:

• Battery charge status
• Solar production
• Maximum load
• Grid supply
• Generator supply

This feature is particularly useful for displaying different regions on fleet management screens in a control room or during routine inspections. We have received feedback from users requesting additional information, such as battery charge status, and we plan to continue rolling out new details.

How to access the mini-graphs

The mini-graphs are hidden by default. To activate them, log in to VRM, select the settings button for the table in the installation overview, and activate detailed mode. It may take a few moments to load, depending on the number of systems in your fleet. Once they have loaded, you can start exploring the enhanced data insights.

*Note:* The feature is optimized for computer use. On mobile, you need to use landscape mode.

3. Prominent warnings and alarms

Victron Energy has improved the warning and alarm management in the installation overview. You no longer need to click on a location to identify problems – just hover over a warning to display a pop-up with details. Click on the alarm to go to the alarm log.

4. New access control role: "Technician"

The new "Technician" role provides similar control as full access users, including access to a site's diagnostic data, firmware updates, and the ability to control devices connected to the site.

The main differences between technicians and site administrators include three restrictions: Technicians cannot delete a site, replace the GX device connected to a site, or remove other users' access to the site.

The "Technician" role is perfect for sharing a site with users who can troubleshoot and perform maintenance on a system, without the risk of making administrative changes that cannot be easily undone (such as removing access for others).

The previous "non-full" role has been renamed "User". Besides the name change, the access rights for this role remain unchanged.

A user and technician with access level can also invite other users (with the same access level) to the site, but they cannot remove other users from the site.

To change a user's access to "Technician", go to the user settings for your site in VRM. You will find a dropdown menu next to each user with the options "User", "Technician", and "Admin". Click the "i" icon at the top of the user table to see a list of actions and see which user roles are allowed in VRM.

A site must always have at least one administrator and will block the last administrator from changing their role to "Technician". If there is more than one administrator, an administrator can change their own role to "Technician". This change takes effect immediately, and the administrator will then not be able to change back without the help of another administrator on the site. Therefore, it is recommended to create another test account until you feel confident with the changes.

5. Remote reset of generator service

If your installation has an autostart generator activated by the GX device, a useful feature in VenusOS is the ability to track runtime hours and count down to a service interval. This is initially set in the autostart generator control menu on the GX device itself.

When managing multiple sites, the maintenance process can be automated with a service technician in the field. In such cases, it can save time to have a central operator monitoring and resetting the service clock remotely.

Although this was previously possible, it required accessing the remote console. This improvement means that the button to reset the service interval is now located in the control center in VRM, along with the other generator settings, making it faster to access and easier to use.