Configuration and Best Practices Index

Overview & “Start Here”

Documentation Home (Setup, System, Diagnostics) - BluINFO Link Top‑level entry point for configuring BluSKY environments: companies, systems, facilities, diagnostics, and reports. Use this to orient new admins and to jump to module‑specific guides.

Using BluINFO - BluINFO Link Explains how knowledge is organized (categories → guides → articles) and where to find “how‑to” and best‑practices content for each area. Helpful for onboarding teams to the knowledge base itself.

Environment Hardening & Security

BluBØX Information Security - BluINFO Link Formal overview of BluSKY’s security architecture (Azure hosting, network segmentation, firewalls/IPS, TLS, authentication) and operational controls. Use when documenting corporate IT due diligence and hardening standards.

Internet Security Basics (Admin Auth, TLS, 2FA) - BluINFO Link Practical primer on secure admin login, verifying the real BluSKY site via certificates, and optional two‑factor authentication. Good background for policy writers and admins. (BluINFO)

PACS A&E Spec - Security Hardening Procedures - BluINFO Link Specification language that enforces post‑install hardening (e.g., delete defaults, change installer passwords). Reference this in SOWs and commissioning packages.

Access Control Hardware A&E Spec - Security Hardening - BluINFO Link Companion hardware spec reinforcing installer/factory account removal and other lock‑down steps at turn‑over.

Video Management System A&E Spec - System Hardening - BluINFO Link Requires a hardening guide that maps controls to best practices, plus encryption guidance for stored video. Useful for IT security reviews and procurement.

BluSKY Login Process - 2FA, SSO & Account Hygiene - BluINFO Link End‑user facing best practices for strong passwords, enabling two‑factor authentication, and using Single Sign‑On where available. Handy for policy handouts.

SSO Integration (SAML) - Requirements & Setup - BluINFO Link Field‑ready checklist of SAML endpoints, signing/encryption options, and certificates exchanged between BluSKY and your IdP. Include this in IT integration plans.

BluSKY SSO Compatibility List - BluINFO Link Examples of IdPs successfully integrated with BluSKY (e.g., Azure AD, Okta, Ping, OneLogin). Use to set expectations with enterprise IT teams.

Backups, High Availability & Disaster Recovery

IT Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Plan - BluINFO Link Company DR/BC policy with procedures, contact trees, backup strategy, and test templates. Includes guidance for failover between regional data centers and restoration from backups.

BluSKY Tenant Advantage (Cloud Backups & Auto‑Updates) - BluINFO Link Summarizes built‑in disaster recovery, secure cloud backups, and automated update model-ideal for communicating IT benefits to tenants.

Corporate/Enterprise Solution Highlights (HA/DR) - BluINFO Link Calls out redundant Azure hosting, hot redundancy across data centers, and automatic data backups-useful for RFP responses.

Training: Why Cloud (Auto Backups & DR Path) - BluINFO Link Training narrative that explains Azure‑hosted architecture, automatic database backups, and the default disaster‑recovery posture of BluSKY.

Best‑Practice Reminder During VMS Moves - Milestone NVR Migration - BluINFO Link Migration checklist emphasizing integrity checks, off‑peak scheduling, and ensuring backups before any transfer. Use as a pattern for other tooling moves.

Value Prop (Ops Continuity: Automatic Backups & Upgrades) - BluINFO Link Executive‑level bullets to include in business cases: automatic backups, business continuity and disaster‑recovery protection, and one version of software for all.

Blog: The Challenge of Disparate Systems (Failover Built‑In) - BluINFO Link Describes district‑wide architectures where BluSKY’s distributed design provides cross‑region failover, continuous updates, and built‑in DR. Useful for multi‑site programs.

Module Configuration Checklists (Ready‑to‑Use)

Otis DDE Configuration / Testing Checklist - BluINFO Link Stepwise checklist from server role and software to BluSKY verification (banks/cars/keypads), bench testing, and DDE routing. Use for Otis Compass/Compass 360 projects.

TKE DDE Configuration / Testing Checklist - BluINFO Link Covers server apps, BluSKY objects (banks, cars, keypads), SQL/LocalSYNC checks, and commissioning tests specific to TK Elevator AGILE deployments.

Schindler DDE Configuration / Testing Checklist - BluINFO Link Verification steps for PORT/myPORT integrations including Facility setup, diagnostics, bench testing, and routing.

KONE DDE Configuration / Testing Checklist - BluINFO Link Ensures cars/floors/landing numbers align to KONE documentation; includes keypad/IP mapping and commissioning checks.

MCE (Nidec) DDE Configuration / Testing Checklist - BluINFO Link Server verification, BluSKY configuration, bench testing, commissioning, and routing for modernization‑focused MCE DBD systems.

ASSA ABLOY DSR / Wireless Locks - Configuration & Testing - BluINFO Link End‑to‑end checklist spanning BluSKY objects, DSR/LCT tooling, and server components-use with PoE/Wi‑Fi lock deployments.

BluBØX & BluSKY API - Integration Testing & Certification - BluINFO Link A formal checklist/template to validate functionality, performance, and security for API‑based integrations prior to production.

Platform Configuration & Device Setup (Best Practices)

Connect a Controller to BluSKY (TLS, Host, Whitelist) - BluINFO Link Shows network parameters, TLS requirements, and host settings to bring Mercury controllers online with BluSKY (including port guidance and DNS allow‑listing).

Creating a Controller in BluSKY - BluINFO Link Step‑by‑step UI walkthrough for defining controller properties, MAC/TLS settings, and advanced options.

OSDP Reader - Wiring & Configuration - BluINFO Link Explains cabling, address/baud choices, and BluSKY parameters; includes naming conventions that make service and debugging easier.

Hanwha Vision / Wisenet - “Gold Standard” Camera Settings - BluINFO Link Manufacturer‑specific baseline settings for consistent image quality and NVR behavior; links to other camera makes as they’re added.

Milestone Video - Configuration Best Practices - BluINFO Link Practical guidance for two‑stream configuration, keyframe settings, motion detection, and “record 24/7” rule creation to balance live and recorded quality.

Wire Lengths & Gauges - Best Practices - BluINFO Link Reference table for 12VDC and 24VAC runs to reduce voltage drop and intermittent device issues during commissioning.

BluSKY Connect (Mercury Reset & Bulk Erase) - BluINFO Link Field procedure to return controllers to factory defaults and re‑image during conversions-useful for repeatable lab and retrofit workflows.

Operational Best Practices & Governance

Best Practices for Removing People - BluINFO Link Guidance on credential reuse, removal methods, and patterns to avoid so you maintain reporting integrity while deactivating access.

Deletion Considerations (Decommissioning a System) - BluINFO Link Explains BluSKY’s “no cascading delete” model and the recommended process to fully clean out a retiring system.

Credential User Flags - What Each One Means (with Best Practices) - BluINFO Link Defines flags (e.g., “Active”) and recommends using start/end dates or profile end dates to disable cards instead of deleting flags.

Security Maturity Checklist - BluINFO Link A quick framework to assess your current posture across policy, technology, and operations-and to prioritize hardening steps.

Appearance Recognition - Compliance Guide (Retention & Consent) - BluINFO Link Actionable recommendations for signage, opt‑in flows, and retention/deletion schedules aligned with stricter state rules-useful for facility SOPs.

Biometric Data Safeguard Policy & Consent - BluINFO Link Formal policy covering collection, storage, retention, and destruction of biometric data in BluSKY; include this in compliance packets.

Blogs & Thought Leadership (Configuration / Hardening / DR Focus)

5 Steps to Standardize Security Across Your District - BluINFO Link A practical roadmap for unifying policy, configuration, and platforms across multiple sites-useful as a governance checklist for large programs.

Addressing Your Concerns About BluSKY - BluINFO Link Plain‑English answers to common IT questions, including disaster‑recovery posture and data protection.

Ranked List of BluSKY Features for CRE (v4) - BluINFO Link Highlights HA/DR/BC benefits of BluSKY’s Azure‑hosted architecture; useful in executive briefings and RFP cover letters.

The Hidden Costs of Security Downtime in Multifamily - BluINFO Link Discusses offline modes, edge resilience, and backup considerations; good context for DR design reviews.

Training & Support

Technical Training - Module 102 (BluSKY Configuration) - BluINFO Link Curriculum for system setup (controllers, SIO, schedules, access levels, people) and related modules-ideal for onboarding integrators.

Support (Help Center & Article Requests) - BluINFO Link Central access to BluCARE resources-use to open issues, request missing documentation, and locate quick answers.