import Cards from '@/components/docs/Cards.astro';
import Card from '@/components/docs/Card.astro';
import Alert from '@/components/docs/Alert.astro';
import Image from '@/components/docs/Image.astro';

The IIoT Platform is operated through a web interface that runs in any modern browser. This guide walks you through the everyday tasks an operator or administrator performs: signing in, reading the dashboard, working with metering objects, reviewing telemetry, and generating reports.

## The interface at a glance

<Image
  src="/images/user-guide/dashboard-light.webp"
  srcDark="/images/user-guide/dashboard-dark.webp"
  alt="The IIoT Platform dashboard showing the top bar, left navigation, and content area"
  caption="The main workspace: top bar, left navigation, and content area"
  width={1440}
  height={382}
/>

After you sign in, the workspace is divided into three areas:

- **Top bar** — global search, the light/dark theme switch, the active time zone, and your profile menu (account settings, language, and sign-out).
- **Left navigation** — the main menu, grouped into **Management** (objects, customers, companies, equipment), **Settings** (schedules, resource parameters, reporting periods), **Other** (monitoring, reports, references), and **Administration** (users, event log).
- **Content area** — the page you are working on, such as the dashboard or a list of metering objects.

<Alert type="note">
  The set of available menu items depends on your assigned role. An administrator sees every section; other users see only the parts they are permitted to use.
</Alert>

## Start here

<Cards cols={2}>
  <Card
    icon="log-in"
    title="Signing in"
    description="Open the platform, sign in, and set your password, language, and time zone."
    href="/en/platform/v3/user-guide/signing-in"
  />
  <Card
    icon="layout-dashboard"
    title="Dashboard and navigation"
    description="Read the dashboard summary and find your way around the main menu."
    href="/en/platform/v3/user-guide/dashboard"
  />
</Cards>

Once you're oriented, **[Working with the platform](/en/platform/v3/user-guide/working-with-platform)** covers the everyday tasks: objects and their cards, customers and companies, schedules, and equipment.