Setting up your first Client

Introduction

This article provides a high-level overview of deploying Field Effect MDR for a new client. It is intended for partners who are onboarding clients using MDR services for the first time.

By following this guide, you will understand how to:

Order Services for Your Client
- Option 1: License Management Portal
- Option 2: Custom Orders
Receive the Getting Started Email
Configure the MDR Portal
- Complete the Onboarding Wizard
Deploy Endpoint Agents
- Deployment Recommendation
- Verify Success
Receive & Install the Sensor
Next Steps

For detailed step-by-step instructions for specific deployment tasks, see the Deployment Playbooks and associated Help Center articles.

Order Services for Your Client

Before deployment can begin, services must be ordered and provisioned for your client. After becoming a Field Effect partner, you'll work with:

Your Business Executive Manager
Your Partner Success Manager

These teams help support both your commercial engagement and service delivery activities throughout the lifecycle of your partnership.

There are two methods available for ordering services.

Option 1: License Management Portal

Best for: Partners operating under a volume licensing agreement. The License Management Portal (LMP) allows you to:

Create and onboard new clients
Allocate available licenses
Manage client seats
Take a self-service approach to deployments

If your organization has access to the LMP, this is typically the fastest method for provisioning a new client. Visit our Help Center chapter to learn more about the LMP.

Option 2: Custom Orders

Best for: Special licensing requirements or client agreements that cannot be fulfilled through the LMP.

Custom orders are completed with assistance from your Business Executive Manager using approved order forms. This process can also be used when administering individual client agreements.

Receive the Getting Started Email

After a client's order has been processed, designated contacts will receive a Getting Started with MDR email from Field Effect Support.

This email serves as the starting point for the deployment and includes:

A link to the client's MDR Portal
A link to deployment documentation
A deployment tracking or summary ticket
Shipping information or estimated arrival dates for sensors (if applicable)

As soon as you receive the email:

Create an account and sign into the MDR Portal.
Review deployment documentation.
Begin portal configuration.
Schedule sensor installation work if required.

Completing portal setup before sensor installation typically results in a smoother deployment experience.

Configure the MDR Portal

The MDR Portal is the primary management interface for your clients. From here, you can

View Alerts, Risks, and Observations (AROs)
Monitor security status
Configure service features
Manage integrations
Access reporting and dashboards
View deployment health and status information

For most deployments, configuring the MDR Portal should be completed before the appliance installation phase.

Visit our Help center content to learn more about configuring the MDR Portal.

Complete the Onboarding Wizard

The first time you access a newly created client environment, the MDR Portal launches the Onboarding Wizard.

The wizard guides you through the core configuration tasks required to get started and helps ensure that important deployment steps are not missed.

If you leave the wizard before completion, you can return later through the onboarding banner displayed in the MDR Portal.

Deploy Endpoint Agents

Endpoint agents provide visibility into supported devices and are a key component of MDR deployments. Download the appropriate installers for your environment and begin deployment to supported endpoints.

Field Effect supports multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and they can be installed manually or through automated installations (RMM/MDM).

Deployment Recommendation

For the fastest deployment experience:

Install endpoint agents while waiting for appliance delivery or provisioning.
Prioritize critical business devices.
Expand deployment to all supported endpoints.

Verify Success

Endpoint deployment should be considered complete when:

Agents are successfully installed on intended devices.
Devices are reporting into the MDR Portal.
Endpoint status indicators show healthy communication.
Expected endpoint coverage has been achieved.

Receive & Install the Sensor

The method for receiving a client's sensor depends on their deployment model. Field Effect supports:

Field Effect-Hosted Virtual Sensor
Physical Sensor
Self-Hosted Virtual Sensor

Field Effect Hosted Virtual Sensor

Field Effect hosts the virtual sensor on your behalf. Once provisioning is complete, it appears on the client's MDR Portal Status page. Provisioning commonly occurs within approximately 30 minutes of the initial onboarding email, although some deployments may require additional time.

This model requires no installation. Field Effect deploys and manages the appliance infrastructure.

Physical Sensor

If a physical sensor was ordered, the Getting Started email includes shipping information, and tracking information is provided through the courier.

When the sensor arrives, review the Quick Guide and Appliance Configuration Guides before scheduling on-site installation activities.

Self-Hosted Virtual Sensor

Installation is performed with assistance from Field Effect Support. Your assigned support resources will coordinate scheduling, deployment activities, and post-installation validation.

Next Steps

Congratulations! Your client is now ready to begin using Field Effect MDR. After the deployment is complete, your focus shifts from onboarding to ongoing operations, including:

For operational guidance, continue with the Partner Playbooks and MDR Help Center resources.