A mobile device is used in conjunction with control electronics and associated assets and sensors to facilitate the setup or modification of programming in the electronics. The mobile device is used to initially commission sensors by collecting data from the field, such as sensor identity, asset identity and measurement points, and uploading the collected data to the electronics. The mobile devicemay also be used to select programming in the control electronics for analyzing sensor signals from a particular sensor. The mobile device is also used to collect data from the field for use in linearizing sensor signals when they are received by the control electronics and to transmit maintenance commands to the control electronics thereby causing a programming change in the control electronicsto prevent the transmission of a type of command or a type of information, such as a shutdown command or an alarm or alert.