Definitions

Overview

The Definitions module in vuSmartMaps is a centralized configuration section that allows administrators and platform users to manage:

• System access credentials.
• Email-based notification groups.
• Mobile (SMS) notification groups.

Similar centralized management is commonly seen in smartphones, where users manage Wi-Fi passwords, app permissions, notification settings, and contact groups from a single location. In the same way, the Definitions module helps users centrally manage credentials and communication groups required across the vuSmartMaps platform. This module acts as a foundation layer for authentication, communication, and access control across the platform. A large part of vuSmartMaps functionality depends on:

• Securely connecting to external systems (servers, databases, network devices, cloud platforms).
• Sending alerts, notifications, and reports to the right users.

The Definitions module ensures both of these are handled in a centralized, secure, and reusable manner.

Using this module, users can:

• Configure credentials required for data collection and integrations.
• Organize users into Email and Mobile groups.
• Reuse these configurations across alerts, reports, and monitoring workflows.

Why This Feature Is Useful

In a banking or payment environment, multiple systems need to be monitored continuously, such as:

• Core banking systems
• UPI switches
• Payment gateways
• Network devices

To monitor these systems effectively:

• The platform must securely access them → Credentials.
• Alerts must reach the correct teams quickly → Email & Mobile Groups.

The Definitions module solves both problems by:

• Centralizing credential management.
• Simplifying notification management.
• Reducing manual effort and configuration errors.

Example Scenario

A bank wants to monitor its UPI payment system.

• The platform needs SNMP credentials to collect health metrics from network devices.
• It needs SSH credentials to access servers for diagnostics.
• Alerts must be sent to:
  • NOC team (via email)
  • On-call engineer (via SMS) Instead of configuring these repeatedly in multiple places:
• Credentials are created once in Definitions.
• Email and Mobile Groups are defined once.
• These are reused across alerts and monitoring configurations.

This ensures faster setup and easier maintenance.

When to Use This Feature

You should use the Definitions module in the following situations:

• When setting up new monitoring integrations (O11ySources).
• When configuring access to servers, devices, or cloud platforms.
• When creating email recipient groups for alerts and reports.
• When creating SMS notification groups for critical alerts.
• When updating team members in notification lists.
• When managing credentials securely in a centralized location.
• When troubleshooting connection or authentication issues.

Did you know? Centralizing Email and Mobile groups means one less place to update when team members change. Now that’s what we call streamlined!

Comprehensive Understanding

The Definitions page can be accessed from the platform left navigation menu by navigating to Platform Settings > Definitions.

On clicking the Definitions, you will be redirected to the following landing page.

Once you have entered into Definitions, the main screen will look like this and it contains 3 main sections:

• Credentials
• Email Groups
• Mobile Groups

Credentials

Credentials in vuSmartMaps are used to securely connect to different systems, devices, applications, and cloud platforms for data collection and monitoring. Instead of entering login details repeatedly, credentials are stored once and reused across the platform. This ensures secure access and simplifies integration with external systems.

Credentials here aren’t just text fields—they’re securely stored keys to your cloud and platform integrations!

Email Groups

Email Groups offer a streamlined way to manage recipient lists for notifications and reports within vuSmartMaps. Instead of manually entering individual email addresses, users can add recipients to these groups, simplifying the process. This feature also centralizes recipient list management and updates in one location. The Email Groups page provides the following benefits:

• Users can easily add, edit, delete, and export Email Groups, providing flexibility and control over recipient lists.
• Creating Email Groups ensures that relevant members receive timely notifications for high-priority alerts.
• The feature allows for easy updates to recipient lists, the addition of new groups, and the modification of existing groups.
• Centralized management of Email Groups improves efficiency and reduces the risk of oversight.
• Streamline the notification process by associating appropriate Email Groups with corresponding alerts.

In vuSmartMaps, Email Groups are particularly useful when you need to send emails to multiple recipients for various scenarios like alert notifications or scheduled reports. Instead of managing individual email addresses at multiple locations, Email Groups allow you to consolidate and manage recipient lists in one place.

For example, if multiple alert rules require notifications to be sent to the support team, configuring each rule with the full list of email addresses can become cumbersome. Additionally, when team members change, updating multiple alert rules can be time-consuming. By using Email Groups, you configure the rules to use these groups as recipient lists. When changes occur, simply update the Email Group with the new email addresses, making life easier for IT ops personnel.

Mobile Groups

Mobile Groups offer centralized management and updates of recipient lists, simplifying the process of sending alerts and reports via SMS. This feature enhances operational efficiency by providing a straightforward way to communicate through SMS. The Mobile Groups feature provides the following advantages:

• Easily add, edit, delete, and export Mobile Groups for flexibility and control.
• Streamline the process of sending targeted alert messages by categorizing mobile numbers into different groups.
• Configure Mobile Groups for on-call personnel, designated responders, or specific departments.
• Effortlessly adjust Mobile Groups as organizational needs change.
• Export Mobile Groups for seamless integration with external systems and sharing recipient information.
• Simplify the management of recipient lists for alert notifications, optimizing incident response and operational efficiency.