Faster Login for Shared POS Registers
Like many computer repair shops, we have multiple technicians who check-in computers and take payments on shared computers. While every technician has their own PC that they use for repairs/email/RS, our 4 technicians share 2 additional computers at the front of the store that are used solely for intakes and payments (touch screen, credit card swipers, etc.)
It's extremely difficult to use (or audit) shared computers using the current interface. We tried having separate Windows user accounts, but tech's forget to logout. Then we tried Chrome profiles, but tech's forget to switch to their session. Then we tried setting auto-logout for RS accounts, but that would log them out of non-shared computers too. Everything about the concept seems very lacking compared to other industries that use shared computers for check-in/payment (like a pizza shop or retail store).
RS really needs some type of option or alternative portal URL that can be used for shared computers. Here are some ideas of what those shared machines using that URL would do:
Instead of the normal login screen where you enter a username and password, you could instead just login with a 4-digit code with a big keypad like normal touchscreens use.
After each transaction or operation (creating a ticket, taking payment, scheduling an appointment, etc) RS would ask if you'd like to perform another transaction - kind of like an ATM.
Magic (of some form)
Timeout/logout settings would be customizable for that sub-URL verses the entire RS application, so that timeouts wouldn't effect non-shared computers
The quick login (PIN login) feature is live!
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Donnie Archer commented
I wrote a script for the chrome extension "Tamper Monkey". It locks the screen to the pin windows after 2 minutes of in activity.
// ==UserScript==
// @name KeepAlive and Lock
// @namespace http://tampermonkey.net/
// @version 0.1
// @description try to take over the world!
// @author You
// @match https://palafoxcomputers.repairshopr.com/*
// @grant none
// ==/UserScript==(function() {
'use strict';
var hasMoved = false,
isLocked = false,
$comBo = $("#comment_body"),
$comBoVal;
$comBo.keydown(function(){
if($comBo.val().length >= 1){}
});
var moved = false
window.onmousemove = function(e){
if(!hasMoved){
hasMoved = true;
}
}
function checkActive(){
console.log("Checking Movement");
console.log("hasMoved"+hasMoved);
if(!hasMoved && !isLocked){
lockScreenAndPinSwitch();
clearInterval(cheAct);
}else{
hasMoved = false;
}
}
function keepAlive(){
console.log("Keep Alive");
$.ajax({url:"https://palafoxcomputers.repairshopr.com/"});
}
setInterval(function(){keepAlive();},120000);
var cheAct = setInterval(function(){checkActive();},120000);
})(); -
Mike J commented
I agree with Neil Potter, I think it would be GREAT if you could set a cookie just on certain machines (i.e. your POS / customer service machines) where it would time out *only* on those computers and bring up the "Switch User" interface after a *customizeable* amount of idle time so employees would be reminded to switch logins when walking up to the computer.
Yes, you can do this with different user accounts on windows and timed logouts. Yes, I could (and may) take the time to figure out how to do this with a scheduled service in Windows. But it would be so much better if it was integrated into the website.
Thank you guys.
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Neil Potter commented
Just a further comment/thought. Maybe the easy way to deal with this is to automatically get the system to take the interface back to the "select user" window which will save a lot of clicks and won't require so much recoding
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Ryan (CTO, Pinellas Computers) commented
EXACTLY!
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Neil Potter commented
With POS system, it is necessary to be able to switch quickly between Users. This means we can track who is making the sale. Sales are processed through shared computers at the counter, so the quick switch is essential. Bear in mind you have a customer standing in front of you while you do this, so it needs to be quick and efficient