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Variable Inspector

Learn how to use the Variable Inspector in Perspio Workflows to preview and copy asset variables. Insert asset details, configuration and telemetry into Email/SMS actions, and source Contact Email or Phone from the asset master so alerts identify the right asset without hardcoding recipients.

Overview

The Variable Inspector is a helper panel available during Workflow configuration that lets you preview and copy available variables (placeholders) for a selected asset. You can then paste those variables into Workflow Conditions and Actions so notifications (Email/SMS) include meaningful asset context when the workflow fires.

It is especially useful to:

  • Insert asset identifiers (e.g., Asset Name, Perspio ID, Customer Asset ID) into Email/SMS content so recipients can immediately identify the affected asset.

  • Use asset master data (including registered Contact Email and Contact Phone, where configured) to avoid hardcoding recipients—Perspio can pull the current values stored against the asset.

  • Include configuration and telemetry values in the notification body to provide operational context.

When configuring notification delivery (Send Email / Send SMS recipients, subject/body, etc.), follow the configuration guidance in the Workflows Module – Actions article, and use the Variable Inspector to populate dynamic values.

Where you can access the Variable Inspector

You will typically see Variable Inspector as a button during workflow setup, most commonly in:

  • Condition step (to understand what data is available for evaluation)

  • Actions step (to insert asset details/config/telemetry into SMS/Email content)

What the Variable Inspector solves

1) Standardised, consistent alerts

Instead of manually typing asset details into every action message, you can insert variables such as:

  • Asset identifiers (name, internal ID)

  • Customer asset references

  • Key dates (e.g., rego expiry, manufactured date)

  • Relevant telemetry (temperature, location, status, etc.—availability depends on the asset/device)

2) Dynamic recipient routing (no hardcoding)

If your asset master contains contact fields, you can reference those values so:

  • The workflow sends alerts to the right contact per asset

  • Updates to asset contacts are automatically respected (no need to edit the workflow each time)

Screen layout and controls

The Variable Inspector opens in a modal (overlay) window.

Header controls

  • Title: Variable Inspector

  • Close (X) (top-right): closes the modal without applying changes.

  • Close button (bottom-right): closes the modal.

Asset selector (top dropdown)

  • Dropdown shows the selected asset whose variables you are previewing.

  • Use it to switch context and verify what values will be available at runtime for a representative asset.

Variable category panels (expand/collapse)

Variables are grouped into expandable sections:

  • Asset Details – master data and identifiers from the asset record.

  • Asset Telemetry – live/last-known telemetry values and device-fed signals (availability depends on integrations/devices).

  • Asset Configuration – configuration fields associated with the asset/device setup.

  • Asset Reminders – reminder/servicing-related fields (where enabled/configured).

Each section has a chevron to expand/collapse.

 

How to use the Variable Inspector

Step 1 – Open the Variable Inspector

  1. While creating or editing a workflow, navigate to the step where Variable Inspector is available (commonly Condition or Actions).

  2. Select Variable Inspector to open the modal.

What to check immediately:

  • Confirm the asset selector at the top is set to a relevant asset (one that reflects the data you expect to use).

Step 2 – Expand the category you need

  1. Expand a category (e.g., Asset Details) using the chevron.

  2. Review available fields and confirm values are populated.

In the expanded view, each row typically includes:

  • Field name (left)

  • Copy icon (beside the field name)

  • Current value (centre column)

  • Last updated / timestamp (right column, where available)

  • Some fields may display NA when not populated/available.

Step 3 – Copy a variable and paste it into your workflow

  1. Hover over the copy icon next to the field you want.

    • A tooltip appears (e.g., Copy to clipboard).

  2. Click the copy icon to copy the variable placeholder.

  3. Paste it into the relevant location:

    • Actions → SMS Message

    • Actions → Email Subject / Body

    • (Or other supported text fields in workflow configuration)

Best practice for notifications:

  • Include at minimum Asset Name plus a stable identifier like Perspio ID or Customer Asset ID in every alert message.

  • The variable will look like: or

Using asset contacts in Actions (Email and SMS)

If contact details are stored against the asset (Asset Master / Asset Details), you can reference them so the workflow automatically routes alerts without typing addresses or phone numbers manually.

Typical outcomes:

  • Send Email recipient can be sourced from the asset’s registered Contact Email.

  • Send SMS recipient can be sourced from the asset’s registered Contact Phone.

Important notes:

  • The variable availability depends on what your tenant has configured and what fields are populated on each asset.

  • For the exact configuration pattern inside Send Email / Send SMS actions (recipient sourcing, templates, formatting), follow Workflows Module – Actions.

Practical examples (recommended patterns)

Example 1 – “Identify the asset instantly”

In your Email/SMS body, include:

  • Asset Name -

  • Perspio ID -

  • Customer Asset ID (if used by the customer) -

Example 2 – “Add operational context”

Add key configuration/telemetry variables such as:

  • Device status or last update time -

  • Relevant sensor reading (e.g., temperature) -

  • Any field directly related to the condition that triggered the workflow

(Exact fields vary by asset type and integrations.)

Example of E-mail or SMS Text

Hello,

We'd like to inform that the asset  have a temperature breach.

Temperature:

Last Communicated Time:

The variables inserted will be filled with actual data when the e-mail or SMS is sent.

Troubleshooting and tips

  • Values show “NA”: the field is not populated for that asset or not available in the current data stream. Test using another asset that you know has the relevant data.

  • Telemetry fields missing: confirm the asset has a device assigned and that telemetry is flowing into Perspio.

  • Notifications lack context: ensure you copied and inserted variables into the Action content fields (subject/body/message), not only configured recipients.

  • Inconsistent recipient routing: confirm contact fields are consistently maintained on the asset master records.