Configure data tags

Activate Cloud Logging and set up a data source

This article assumes you've already activated Cloud Logging (or started the 30 day free trial) and have set up a data source (including variables). View our corresponding guides if you haven't yet.

The third step in Cloud Logging is to configure data tags. Data tags describe how you wish to log your variables. You can choose to log them at a static interval (100ms – 1hour), when their value changes, or on a custom trigger. Additionally, you define how long the data should be stored (retention policy).

Add data tags

It is possible to use the same variable for different data tags. You are free to add countless data tags.

Go to the Fleet Manager which is accessible from the Apps menu in the top right corner if you are currently in a different X4 Remote app.
Open the main menu, go to devices, select the concerning device.
Click on the Data source you would like to add tags to, then click on data tags.
You can choose to:
- Manually add new data tags
- Import data tags from a file (or device)

Manually add new data tags

When you press [Add tag] you’ll see the window that is depicted below. Fill all the required fields, the table below contains explanatory text for each field. Then click on [add].

Variable	Detail
Name	Add the name of the variable
Identifier	This variable ensures that every variable in a data-source remains unique, even when you give multiple variables the same name.
Log on	static interval between 200ms and 1hour are the most common choices. If you want a different interval, this is possible by selecting the option [custom]. When its value changes. Useful for values that don’t change often. This also prevents logging the same consecutive values (i.e. true, true, true, etc.) and thus prevents clutter. When its value changes and each hour of unchanged value (supported on the x500 in firmware 3.13 and up). Useful for values that rarely change, but where you still easily want to see its recent state in a status component for example. Simply select “log on change” and the correct specification. On custom trigger (supported on the x500 in firmware 3.11 and up). You can configure your data tags to log when a custom trigger happens, which has multiple uses. Please view “Configure triggers” for more details and examples.
Formula	To have reliable and accurate data the x500 is constantly requesting the variables’ value. The edge aggregator processes this data between logging intervals. You can apply a formula to this data: mean, min, max, last. The edge aggregator is supported on the x500 in firmware 3.7 and up.
Retention policy	Enter how long you want to store your Logging Data, you can choose a retention policy between 6 months and 7 years.

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device will temporarily disconnect to reconfigure its Cloud Logging settings and will automatically reconnect. This may take a minute.

Click [Push config to device] in the top right corner.

Next step
Now that you've added the data tags and started logging your data, you can start to visualize your data in data reports (historic data) or live monitors (live data).

Import data tags from a file (or device)

You can easily and effortlessly copy variables from one device to another by exporting the concerning variables (view the “Manage data tags” part of this article) and then importing them in your new device. Alternatively, you can manually prepare your tags in the required CSV format to load them all at once into your configurator. The CSV file structure is explained in our Import data-tags article.

When you press [Import from CSV-file] in the top right side of the screen, you’ll see a browse window.

Select a CSV file to import and press [Open].
When the file has been read, press [Add] to add all variables to your data source.
You have now made the changes in X4 Remote, but these are not yet active in your device. You will need to push your changes to your device for them to take effect. Click [Push config to device] in the top right corner.

Temporary disconnect

After this next step, the config push, the device will temporarily disconnect to reconfigure its Cloud Logging settings and will automatically reconnect. This may take a minute.

Next step
Now that you've added the data tags and started logging your data, you can start to visualize your data.

Manage data tags

You can view all defined data tags in the table at the Tags page. Data tags can be selected by pressing the checkbox on the left, or you can select all by pressing the checkbox at the top. You can remove selected variables by clicking on the [remove selection] button at the top right corner of the screen.