--- title: "Getting Started" canonical: "https://help.scopious.co.nz/space/KB/17006594/Getting%20Started" format: markdown --- > Macro (toc) # Before you begin You will need a [pre-approved gateway](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/21200912), a [pre-approved device](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/185368593), a credit card, and a little bit of knowledge about [LoRaWAN](https://lora-alliance.org/about-lorawan/). Note when purchasing your [gateway](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/85917701/Glossary+of+Terms#Gateway) and [device](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/85917701/Glossary+of+Terms#Device), ensure they operate on the same frequency plan and that plan is legal for the country you use it in. Scopious recommends using **AS923** when operating in New Zealand. # Steps ## [1. Create your Account](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75179545) The first step is to sign up for an account and either create an Organisation or join one. If you are creating your Organisation, this process will require a credit card. Don’t worry, you won’t be charged until you add a device to your account, and even then you won’t get charged for the first month! ## [2. Add your own Gateway](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75169790) Before any devices can connect you must first be in range of a gateway. If you are already in an area that is covered by our network, you can continue without your own gateway, or you may choose to add your own gateway anyway to guarantee coverage in the future. If you are not already in range, you must add your own gateway to provide coverage to your devices. Don’t worry, you won’t be charged for adding gateways to our network! ## [3. Add your first Device](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75165460) Now the exciting part, adding your first device! There are multiple ways to add a device, and we even support the ability to bulk add devices if you have lots of them. The easiest way to add a device is to scan the QR code of a [Scopious pre-approved device](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/185368593) purchased from [Go Wireless NZ](https://www.gowifi.co.nz/index.php?virtuemart_category_id%5B0%5D=78&Itemid=207&option=com_customfilters&view=products&lang=en&custom_f_48%5B0%5D=393335). Once your device has been added, you must turn it on so it can join the network and start sending its data. Note it may take a minute or so for the data to come through. If after a couple of minutes the device has not joined the network, refer to these [troubleshooting techniques](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/109936656) for help. All devices added to our system must be LoRaWAN compliant devices. ## [4. Build your first Dashboard](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75167113) (optional) If you added a [Scopious pre-approved device](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/185368593), a dashboard would have automatically been created for you, so just navigate to the **Dashboards** page to view your data! However, if you would like to create your own custom dashboard, navigate to the **Dashboards** page and follow the steps on how to [Create a Dashboard](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75167113). Notes: - You may need to wait a minute or so after turning the device on before the device starts sending its data. During this time, you will not be able to create the dashboard. - If you added a non-preapproved device, you will not be able to create a dashboard as the device data is not stored in our platform. ## [5. Create an Alarm](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75137688) (optional) You can create alarms to alert you when your device meets certain conditions. If you would like to create an alarm, navigate to the **Control Centre** page and follow the steps on how to [Create an Alarm](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/75137688). Notes: - You may need to wait a minute or so after turning the device on before the device starts sending its data. During this time, you will not be able to create an alarm. - If you added a non-preapproved device, you will not be able to create an alarm as the device data is not stored in our platform. ## [6. Create a Site](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/286359592) (optional) You can create a Site and mark important locations within it. For each location, you can upload images and place devices on them to precisely record where the devices are located. If you would like to create a Site, navigate to the **Sites** page and follow the steps on how to [Create a Site](https://scopious.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/286359592).