How do hardware states and lifecycle work?
Every device in Velory has a state and a lifecycle phase. The state describes what is happening with the device right now (e.g. "In Use" or "In Repair"), while the lifecycle phase groups related states into broader stages. This guide explains the full state model and how to move devices between states.
In this guide
Lifecycle phases and states
Velory organises hardware states into four lifecycle phases:
Provisioning
The device is being acquired and set up. It has not yet reached the person or location it is intended for.
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ordered | The device has been ordered but not yet received |
| Preparing | The device is being prepared (e.g. configuration, imaging) |
| Processing | The device is being processed for shipment |
| In Transit | The device is on its way to its destination |
| Delivered | The device has arrived but has not been confirmed as received |
Active
The device is in active use or undergoing an active process.
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| In Use | The device is assigned to an employee or shared space and in active use |
| Return | The device is pending return to the company |
| Release | The device is queued for release from its current assignment |
| Buyout | A buyout is in progress for this device |
Inactive
The device is not currently in use but is still in the company's inventory.
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Available for use | The device is unassigned and ready to be deployed |
| Listed for Sale | The device has been put up for sale |
| Circular Flow | The device is in a refurbishment or circulation cycle |
| In Repair | The device is under maintenance or repair |
| Lost | The device has been reported as missing |
| Stolen | The device has been reported as stolen |
Archived
The device has left the company's inventory permanently. These are terminal states — no further changes are possible.
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cancelled | The order was cancelled before the device entered service |
| Bought Out | The lease ended via buyout — the device was purchased |
| Removed | The device was scrapped or disposed of |
| Recycled | The device reached end-of-life and was recycled |
Change a device's state
There are two ways to change a device's state:
Using the state dropdown
- Open the device's detail page.
- In the Details card, open the Status dropdown.
- Select the new state.
- Click Update. Some states have requirements — for example, In Use requires the device to be assigned to an employee or space.
Using the Actions menu
The Actions menu (gear icon) on the detail page offers context-aware actions that guide you through state changes with additional information:
Standard actions (available in most states):
- Transfer — reassign the device to another employee or space
- Put Up for Sale — mark the device as listed for sale, with a sale price
- Send to Repair — move the device to repair status
- Report Lost — report the device as lost, with an optional incident date
- Report Stolen — report the device as stolen, with an optional incident date
State-specific actions:
- When a device is Delivered: a banner appears prompting you to Mark as Received — you can confirm serial number and IMEI at this point
- When a device is Lost or Stolen: only Mark as Found is available — optionally reassign to the previous employee
- When a device is In Repair: only Return from Repair is available
Each action opens a dialog where you can add a comment and optionally attach files. The comment is recorded in the device's activity log.
Automatic state changes
Some actions automatically update the device's state:
| Action | Resulting state |
|---|---|
| Assign to an employee or space | In Use |
| Assign to storage | Available for use |
| Unassign a device | Available for use |
| Report Lost via Actions menu | Lost |
| Report Stolen via Actions menu | Stolen |
| Mark as Found | Available for use (or In Use if reassigned) |
| Send to Repair | In Repair |
| Put Up for Sale | Listed for Sale |
Terminal states
Devices in Cancelled, Bought Out, Removed, or Recycled states are archived. You cannot:
- Change their state
- Assign them to anyone
- Perform actions on them
The device's detail page becomes read-only. The activity log and history remain accessible.
Good to know
Can I undo a state change?
Most state changes can be reversed by selecting a different state. The exception is terminal states (Cancelled, Bought Out, Removed, Recycled) — once a device is archived, it cannot be reactivated. All state changes are recorded in the Activity tab.
Which states prevent assignment?
Devices in Lost, Stolen, Removed, Recycled, Bought Out, and Cancelled states cannot be assigned to anyone. Change the state first (e.g. Mark as Found for a lost device).
What is the difference between State and Lifecycle?
The state is the specific status (e.g. "In Repair"), while the lifecycle is the broader phase (e.g. "Inactive"). You can filter hardware by either level in the hardware list. The lifecycle is determined automatically based on the current state — you only need to set the state.
How do I see a device's state history?
Open the device's detail page and go to the Activity tab. Every state change is logged with a timestamp, the user who made the change, and any comments.
Was this article helpful?