Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Getting Started Guide

Your roadmap from placing your order to running your SOVDA equipment

Looking for the Pearl Mini Pre-Commission Guide or the Equipment Setup Guide?
You're in the right place, both have been brought together here.

Looking for equipment dimensions, electrical specifications, or air requirements? Visit our Site Preparation Guide.

Before You Begin

Congratulations on your SOVDA order, we're looking forward to getting you up and running!

This guide is your roadmap. It shows every stage between placing your order and running your first coffee, who does what at each stage, and what needs to be in place before you move on. Detailed instructions for each stage live in their own articles, linked as you go.

Work through the stages in order. Each one ends with a short "Ready to move on" checklist. If you can tick everything off, you're ready for the next stage.

Start your site preparation straight away. Power and air usually need an electrician and other tradespeople, and these are the most common cause of delays. It is much easier to get this right now than to correct it after your equipment has arrived.

Have your invoice to hand. It shows which services are included in your order, which decides your path below.

If at any point you are unsure, contact Technical Service. We would much rather answer a question early than solve a problem later.

Your Roadmap at a Glance

Stage When Who Ready to move on when
1. Meet your Technical Service team Within 72 hours of your order being confirmed SOVDA Technical Service You know your path and who to contact
2. Prepare your site As soon as you order You, your electrician and other tradespeople Power and air are installed and your Site Preparation form is complete
3. Get ready for delivery 1 week before delivery You Lifting equipment, people and space are ready
4. Take delivery Delivery day You Crates are inspected, any damage is recorded and everything is accounted for
5. Assemble your equipment After delivery You, or your Technical Brand Ambassador if you have booked uncrate and assembly Equipment is built, positioned and connected
6. Pre-commissioning call
(Pearl Mini only)		 Once Stage 5 is complete You and your Technical Brand Ambassador Your site is confirmed ready and your visit dates are agreed
7. Commissioning and training (Pearl Mini only) Dates agreed at least 4 weeks in advance Your Technical Brand Ambassador, with your team Equipment is calibrated and your team is trained
8. Start your equipment Once your equipment is ready You, with Technical Service behind you You are roasting, sorting and packing

Which Path Are You On?

Check your invoice, then find your path below. It tells you which stages apply to you.

Path A: Pearl Mini with commissioning and training. You assemble your equipment, then your Technical Brand Ambassador visits to commission it and train your team. Follow every stage.

Path B: Pearl Mini with uncrate and assembly, plus commissioning and training. You prepare your site and take delivery, then your Technical Brand Ambassador uncrates, assembles and commissions your equipment and trains your team. Skip Stage 5.

Path C: Orders without a Pearl Mini (Precision Fill, Precision Fill Mini, SOVDA Lift or SOVDA Blend). You assemble and start your equipment yourself using the guides linked below. Skip Stages 6 and 7. 

Not sure which path you're on? Contact Technical Service and we'll confirm it for you.

Stage 1 — Meet Your Technical Service Team

When: within 72 hours of your order being confirmed

Once your order is confirmed, our Technical Service team becomes your main point of contact. We'll be in touch to introduce ourselves, confirm your path and talk through what happens next.

From this point on, send any questions about delivery, installation or setup to Technical Service. Using the shared Technical Service channel means someone can always pick up your question, even when a colleague is travelling or away.

Ready to move on when:

  • You have heard from Technical Service
  • You know which path you are on
  • You have read this guide and the Site Preparation Guide

Stage 2 — Prepare Your Site

When: as soon as you order | Who: you, your electrician and other tradespeople

For full requirements, see the Site Preparation Guide.

This is the most important stage to get started early. Share the Site Preparation Guide with your electrician and whoever is installing your air lines, as it has all the figures they will need. These are the points that most often cause rework if they are missed.

Ceiling height. Your ceiling must be at least 3300mm high wherever a SOVDA Lift or a Pearl Mini stands. This is the requirement most often missed, so check it first.

Electrical supply. All electrical work must be carried out by a qualified electrician and meet your local regulations. If your building has a 208V or 200V supply, show your electrician the note on this in the Site Preparation Guide.

Compressed air. Air lines with shutoff valves must be in place before your equipment is installed, with one shutoff valve for each machine and one for each SOVDA Lift.

Pearl Mini air supply. The Pearl Mini has its own compressed air requirements. See Pearl Mini Air Compressor Requirements.

Layout. Think about how your equipment will sit alongside your roaster and packing area. If your space has pillars, narrow sections or other obstacles, Technical Service can help you plan it.

Ready to move on when:

  • Power is installed and tested by a qualified electrician
  • Air lines and shutoff valves are installed

Stage 3 — Get Ready for Delivery

When: 1-2 weeks before delivery day | Who: you

SOVDA equipment arrives in large, heavy crates. Having the right equipment and people ready makes delivery day safe and straightforward.

⚠️ Do not lift or move SOVDA equipment by hand. Use only lifting equipment with the correct rating. Incorrect lifting can cause serious injury or death.

Lifting equipment. You will need a forklift or pallet truck rated for at least 1000kg. For the Pearl Mini, you will also need lifting straps or slings each rated for at least 1000kg. The Delivery Access section of the Site Preparation Guide lists the size and weight of every crate. For full details, see the Pearl Mini Uncrate and Assembly Guide.

People. Have at least two people available who are comfortable lifting heavy objects and working at height, or three if you will fit the Pearl Mini hopper without a forklift. This applies on Path B too, as your Technical Brand Ambassador will need a hand.

Space. Clear an area of at least 28 square metres (300 square feet) for unpacking and assembly. Keep it free of storage and closed to the public while work is under way.

Tradespeople. If any third-party tradespeople will be on site during installation, let Technical Service know in advance.

Waste. Plan how you will dispose of crate wood and packing materials after unpacking.

Ready to move on when:

  • A forklift or pallet truck rated for at least 1000kg is booked or on site, plus straps each rated for at least 1000kg for a Pearl Mini
  • At least two people are available on delivery day
  • Your unpacking and assembly area is clear

Stage 4 — Take Delivery

When: delivery day | Who: you

⚠️ Do not sign the delivery paperwork before you examine every crate. If you sign and do not write down the damage, you are responsible for it and the insurance will not pay.

Photograph and film every crate before opening it, even if everything looks fine. This gives you a record if you need to make a claim.

Check the tilt and shock indicators on every crate. These are small stickers that change colour if a crate has been tipped or dropped in transit. If any have turned red, the crate has been handled roughly.

Write any damage or red indicators on the proof of delivery, before you sign it. This is the delivery note that the driver asks you to sign. You can accept the delivery if you write down every problem first.

Tell us within 48 hours. If you find any damage or red indicators, contact Technical Service within 48 hours of delivery and include your photos and videos.

Check everything is there. Use the paper parts list inside the crate to check off every item. If anything is missing, contact Technical Service.

Site not ready yet? Keep the crates closed, indoors and off the floor, as set out under Room Conditions in the Site Preparation Guide.

Path B: your Technical Brand Ambassador will uncrate and inventory your equipment during their visit. You still need to inspect the outside of every crate and note any damage before signing.

Ready to move on when:

  • Every crate is photographed and inspected
  • Any damage or red indicators are noted on the proof of delivery and reported to Technical Service
  • Everything on the parts list is accounted for

Stage 5 — Assemble Your Equipment

When: after delivery | Who: you

Path B: your Technical Brand Ambassador will do this during their visit. Skip to Stage 6.

Follow the assembly guide for each product that you ordered. Read all of each guide before you start. Some steps depend on earlier decisions, for example how the Pearl Mini hopper aligns with the SOVDA Lift.

Ready to move on when:

  • All equipment is assembled and in its final position
  • Air, electrical and network connections are made
  • All packing materials and shipping brackets are removed

Path C: once your equipment is assembled and connected, skip to Stage 8.

Stage 6 — Pre-Commissioning Call

Pearl Mini only

When: once Stage 5 is complete (or Stage 4 on Path B) | Who: you and your Technical Brand Ambassador

Your Technical Brand Ambassador can only commission your Pearl Mini once it is assembled, with power and air connected. Before booking their visit, they will arrange a video call to check this. They will ask to see your power and air connections and, on Path A, your assembled equipment.

It's always better to find a problem on this call than on the day of the visit. Work that isn't finished when your Technical Brand Ambassador arrives can mean extra days are needed, and these are charged as set out in your scope of work:

Ready to move on when:

  • Your Technical Brand Ambassador has confirmed your site is ready
  • Your visit dates are agreed

Stage 7 — Commissioning and Training

Pearl Mini only | When: dates agreed at least 4 weeks in advance | Who: your Technical Brand Ambassador, with your team

We aim to schedule your visit as soon as possible. Dates are agreed at least 4 weeks in advance, once your Pre-Commissioning Call has verified your site.

During the visit, your Technical Brand Ambassador will:

  • Inspect your site, utilities and equipment, and carry out a safety check
  • Calibrate your Pearl Mini, and your Precision Fill if included in your order
  • Train your team to operate the equipment day to day
  • Close out by cleaning the equipment and workspace and giving a final safety overview

A commissioning and training visit is allotted 3 days. On Path B, the full uncrate, assembly and commissioning visit is allotted 6 days.

Make the most of the training. Have the people who will run the equipment day to day available for the whole visit.

Ready to move on when:

  • Your equipment is calibrated
  • Your team is trained and confident running it

Stage 8 — Start Your Equipment

When: once your equipment is ready | Who: you, with Technical Service behind you

Your user manuals cover how to start, run and look after your equipment. Keep them close to hand for the first few weeks.

Getting help. If something doesn't look or sound right, contact Technical Service. Include your machine's serial number, a short description and a photo or video if you can, as this helps us get to the answer faster.

What's Next

Once your equipment is running, the knowledge base is here whenever you need it, from routine maintenance to troubleshooting.

If you are ever unsure about anything, contact Technical Service. That's what we're here for.