Tiers: All
Smart Capture for equipment lets you add a piece of equipment to a pool by taking a photo of its label. Skimmer reads the label and fills in the Add Equipment form for you, so you only check the details and save.
Smart Capture works when you add new equipment. It doesn't change how you edit equipment that's already on file, and nothing changes in the web app.
How it works
You take a photo of the equipment's data plate (the label printed on the equipment), or pick a photo already on your phone.
Skimmer reads the label. When you have a signal, Skimmer also matches the details to its equipment catalog for more accurate results.
The Add Equipment form fills in with whatever Skimmer can read from the label.
You review every value, make any changes, and save. Nothing saves on its own.
The data plate photo stays on the equipment record, so anyone can check a value later.
Smart Capture can fill in these fields, depending on what's printed on the label:
Type, manufacturer, and model (matched to Skimmer's equipment catalog)
Serial number and MFG #
Manufacture date
Specs such as horsepower, voltage, BTU, fuel type, filter area, and rated pool size
If the label shows a voltage that isn't on the list, Smart Capture selects Other and enters the printed value.
Smart Capture doesn't read warranty details, install date, condition, or service history. Enter those by hand if you want them on the record.
Tips & tricks
Take a clear photo - The clearer the label, the more Skimmer can read. Get close, fill the frame with the data plate, and avoid glare and shadows. Labels vary, so some scans fill more fields than others.
Scan with a signal when you can - Smart Capture works offline, but a connection lets Skimmer match the label to its equipment catalog and fill more fields correctly.
Pick the type first - If you select a Type before you scan, Smart Capture keeps it and matches the manufacturer and model within that type.
Your entries are safe - A scan only fills empty fields. It never replaces a value you already typed or selected.
One label per scan - Each scan reads one data plate and creates one equipment record.
Scan again - After a scan, the Scan to add equipment button hides. To scan again, tap retry on the not-found message, or close and reopen Add Equipment. Scanning again doesn't clear what you've already entered, and the new photo replaces the old one.
Photo limit - The kept photo counts toward your company's equipment photo limit. If you've reached the limit, the scan still fills the form, but the photo isn't saved.
Customer profile permission - From a route stop or work order, any user can add equipment. From a customer's profile, adding equipment requires the Can add/edit customer in app permission.
Add equipment with Smart Capture
You can add equipment from a route stop, a work order, or a customer's profile. Use a route stop or work order when you're at the pool. Use the customer's profile when you want to add equipment to a specific body of water.
Open the Equipment card for the pool:
From a route stop or work order: Open the stop or work order and find the Equipment card.
From a customer's profile: Open the customer, tap the tab for the body of water (for example, Pool or Spa), and find the Equipment card.
On the Equipment card, tap Add. The Add Equipment screen opens on the Details tab.
Tap Scan to add equipment.
In the Add equipment image window, choose where the photo comes from:
Camera – Take a new photo of the data plate.
Photo Library – Pick one photo that's already on your phone.
Note: If camera access is turned off for Skimmer Pro, the app shows a Camera Access Needed message. Turn on camera access in your phone's settings, then try again.
If you chose Camera, line up the data plate inside the frame on the Scan Equipment screen, then tap the shutter button. If you chose Photo Library, select the photo.
Wait while Skimmer scans the photo. A message shows above the fields when the scan finishes.
Review every filled-in field. Fix any value that doesn't match the label, and fill in anything the scan missed.
Tap Save.
The new equipment now shows on the pool's Equipment card. It saves, syncs, and shows in the web app the same as equipment you enter by hand.
Review the scan results
After each scan, one of these messages shows above the fields. Each one tells you how much to trust the results.
Message | What it means | What to do |
Equipment details found, review information below | Skimmer read the label and matched it to the equipment catalog. | Check the filled-in values, then save. |
Details scanned offline may be less accurate | Your phone read the label without a connection, so the catalog check didn't run. | Check every value closely, especially type, manufacturer, and model. |
Details may be less accurate, review information below | You had a connection, but the catalog check didn't finish. | Check every value closely before you save. |
Equipment details not found, enter manually or retry | Skimmer couldn't read the label. | Tap retry to scan again, or enter the details by hand. |
While you review, keep these in mind:
Every field stays editable. Change any value the scan filled in, the same as you would if you'd typed it.
Type, manufacturer, and model come from Skimmer's catalog. If the equipment isn't in the catalog, these fields stay blank for you to select.
The photo is kept. When the scan reads the label, Skimmer adds the photo to the Photos section. Remove it before you save if you don't want it on the record.
Cancel to start over. Tap Cancel to leave without creating the equipment.
FAQ
Can I use Smart Capture to update equipment I already added?
No. Smart Capture is only on the Add Equipment screen. To change existing equipment, edit it by hand.
Can I use Smart Capture in the web app?
No. Smart Capture is in Skimmer Pro only. Equipment you add with a scan shows in the web app the same as any other equipment.
Does Smart Capture work without a signal?
Yes. Your phone still reads the label and fills what it can. With a connection, Skimmer also checks the label against its equipment catalog, so results are more accurate.
What if my equipment isn't in Skimmer's catalog?
The scan leaves type, manufacturer, and model blank. Select them yourself. The scan still fills any other details it can read, like the serial number.
Will a scan overwrite what I typed?
No. A scan only fills empty fields.
Does Smart Capture cost extra?
No. It's included on all tiers, with no add-on.