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.