Email Setup
Anava can send email notifications when detections occur. This guide covers email configuration, templates, and alert routing.
Email Capabilities
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediate Alerts | Email sent within seconds of detection |
| Digest Summaries | Hourly/daily digest of events |
| Custom Templates | Branded email content |
| Image Attachments | Include detection snapshots |
| Recipient Routing | Route by detection type/location |
Configuring Email
Step 1: Enable Email Notifications
- Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Email
- Toggle Enable Email Notifications
- Configure provider settings (below)
Email Provider Options
Option 1: Anava Managed (Recommended)
Use Anava's built-in email service:
- No SMTP configuration required
- Sender: alerts@notifications.anava.ai
- Reliable delivery with retry
Option 2: Custom SMTP
Use your own mail server:
| Setting | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP Host | Mail server address | smtp.company.com |
| Port | SMTP port | 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Username | SMTP authentication | alerts@company.com |
| Password | SMTP password | ******** |
| From Address | Sender email | anava@company.com |
| From Name | Sender display name | Anava Security |
Option 3: SendGrid
For high-volume, reliable delivery:
- Create SendGrid account
- Generate API key
- Enter API key in Anava settings
Step 2: Configure Recipients
Static Recipients
Add email addresses that receive all alerts:
- Go to Recipients tab
- Click + Add Recipient
- Enter email address
- Configure alert preferences
Dynamic Routing
Route alerts based on detection properties:
| Condition | Recipients |
|---|---|
| Group = "High Security" | security-team@company.com |
| Object = "Weapon" | security@, police-liaison@ |
| Time = After Hours | night-watch@company.com |
Step 3: Configure Alert Triggers
Choose which detections trigger emails:
By Object Type
| Object | Email? | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Always | Critical threat |
| Person (after hours) | Yes | Potential intrusion |
| Person (business hours) | Digest only | Too frequent |
| Vehicle | Digest only | Routine |
By Confidence
Set minimum confidence threshold:
- Critical alerts: 80%+ confidence
- Standard alerts: 90%+ confidence
- Digest: All detections
By Schedule
Time-based email rules:
- Immediate: Outside business hours
- Delayed/Digest: During business hours
Email Templates
Default Template
Anava includes a professional default template with:
- Detection summary
- Camera and location
- Timestamp
- Snapshot image
- Link to session
Custom Templates
Create branded templates:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Templates
- Click + Create Template
- Design using HTML/CSS
- Add dynamic variables
Available Variables
<!-- Detection Info -->
{{detection.summary}}
{{detection.timestamp}}
{{detection.confidence}}
<!-- Camera Info -->
{{camera.name}}
{{camera.group}}
{{camera.location}}
<!-- Objects -->
{{#each objects}}
{{this.name}}: {{this.confidence}}%
{{/each}}
<!-- Questions -->
{{#each questions}}
{{this.text}}: {{this.answer}}
{{/each}}
<!-- Links -->
{{session.url}}
{{image.url}}
Example Custom Template
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
.header { background: #1a1a2e; color: white; padding: 20px; }
.content { padding: 20px; }
.alert { background: #fee2e2; border-left: 4px solid #ef4444; padding: 15px; }
.image { max-width: 100%; border: 1px solid #ddd; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="header">
<h1>🚨 Security Alert - {{camera.group}}</h1>
</div>
<div class="content">
<div class="alert">
<strong>{{detection.summary}}</strong>
</div>
<p><strong>Camera:</strong> {{camera.name}}</p>
<p><strong>Time:</strong> {{detection.timestamp}}</p>
<p><strong>Confidence:</strong> {{detection.confidence}}%</p>
<h3>Detection Image</h3>
<img class="image" src="{{image.url}}" alt="Detection snapshot">
<p>
<a href="{{session.url}}">View Full Session Details →</a>
</p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
Digest Emails
Configure Digest Schedule
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Digests
- Configure schedule:
- Hourly: Every hour summary
- Daily: End-of-day summary
- Weekly: Weekly report
Digest Content
Digests include:
- Total detections by type
- Detection trend charts
- Top cameras by activity
- Notable events summary
Testing Email
Send Test Email
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Email
- Click Send Test Email
- Verify delivery to your inbox
Test with Real Detection
- Trigger a detection (walk in front of camera)
- Check email delivery
- Verify content and images
Troubleshooting
Emails Not Arriving
-
Check spam folder
- Add anava.ai to safe senders
-
Verify recipient address
- Check for typos
- Confirm inbox exists
-
Check SMTP settings (custom SMTP)
- Test connection
- Verify credentials
-
Check notification rules
- Ensure detection matches trigger criteria
- Check schedule constraints
Images Not Loading
-
Check email client
- Enable image loading
- Check blocked content
-
Image URL expired
- Links expire after 7 days
- View session directly for archived images
Delayed Emails
-
Check rate limits
- High-frequency detections may queue
-
Check SMTP server
- Verify server health
- Check queue status
Best Practices
Avoid Alert Fatigue
-
Be selective
- Only email for actionable events
- Use digests for routine monitoring
-
Route appropriately
- Security team for threats
- Operations for routine events
-
Set thresholds
- High confidence for immediate
- Include context for review
Email Security
-
Use TLS
- SMTP over TLS (port 587)
- Never plain SMTP
-
Secure credentials
- Use app passwords
- Rotate regularly
-
Monitor for abuse
- Track send volumes
- Alert on anomalies
Template Best Practices
-
Mobile-friendly
- Responsive design
- Clear, readable text
-
Quick scanning
- Summary at top
- Clear visual hierarchy
-
Actionable
- Direct links to sessions
- Clear next steps