Tag Archives: Check In
Creative way to get touch screens without buying touch screens
Posted on31. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
So I’m excited about this little piece of technology. We currently use Fellowship One for check-in, but we’re only using it as assisted check-in. I want to move toward self check-in stations, but I only have one touch screen. I know that you don’t have to use touch screens, but let’s face it, it’s a better experience. I know that there may be others in a similar situation. You have a lot of monitors already, but you want to move to touch screens. Touch screens cost $500 each (let me know if you know of a better deal) and that’s cost prohibitive for most ministry budgets.
Then I came across Magic Touch, a little device that turns any monitor into a touch screen. It plugs into USB and then calibrates with your screen. I haven’t tested this yet, but I’ve got one on order. In a few weeks I’ll post a review and let you know how it works.
You can get more information on this device here. I actually bought it from here. Check out the video below for and idea of what it looks like. However… although this piece of equipment is pretty innovative and new… the video looks like it was made in the 80’s.
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Using the iPad for check-in
Posted on23. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
I’ll be the first to admit. Using the iPad for check-in was beyond cool. It’s funny how many of you commented and messaged me for more information about using the iPad for check in. A few weeks ago when I first wrote about the idea of using the iPad for check-in, that post got more hits than anything I’ve written in a long time. I think I know what it is. You really want and iPad, don’t you?
Ha! Well, here is what I posted a few weeks ago along with links and video. This is where it all started. 
I wasn’t overly creative. I simply copied what they did. I downloaded WinAdmin on my iPad. From there, I ran into problems. When it comes to tech, gadgets and applications, I’m pretty knowledgeable. However, when it comes to networking and connectivity, I’m not your man. I was having network issues, so I had our IT guy get me hooked up. Because our wireless in our Kids lobby is a different network than the actual check-in machines, he had to set up the iPad for VPN. It gave him some trouble at first, but within a few minutes, that was working. He put all the server information in WinAdmin and within minutes, it was working perfectly. I really like the VPN feature which gives me a lot more options.
So this Sunday, we were looking for new 1st graders. We were doing something special for their promotion, so I was checking in families that had a first grader. We had a huge crowd on Sunday and having me on the iPad seemed to help with flow (even though one machine was down becasue that’s the computer I was logged into with the iPad). I was pretty busy, but it was fun and personal. I felt like I had a better connection with both the kids and the parents… I totally liked it. Initially I couldn’t tell overall if it was helpful or not, but the volunteers at check-in said that it helped them tremendously. Big win!
So, my thoughts…
This isn’t an iPad app. It’s more of a hack. You’re using an app to remote desktop into a windows machine and essentially using that machine to check-in kids. As soon as they check-in, the parents can pick up their tags from a volunteer standing by that printer. The downsides are that you have to have a computer that you’re essentially taking control of for check-in. Also, it’s slightly sluggish. Not enough for me to not use it, but not as fast if I was standing at that computer. You see, we’re still using assisted check-in with Fellowship One. Because of our set-up, this was a really nice touch. If we were fully integrated with self check-in, I’m not sure we’d need or want to do the iPad check in. However, it’s certainly worth playing with. I highly recommend you get your hands on an iPad and experiment. Then you’ll know if it’s worth getting one for your ministry.
Although we used this for F1, I don’t see why you can’t use it for other systems as well. Remember, the iPad doesn’t really print, so you’ll essentially have to use a remote desktop app like WinAdmin to take over a computer with a printer. Definitely worth checking out though.
What I’m hoping for? That someone would develop and iPad app that integrates with F1 check-in where this is a feature and not a hack… but for now, this will work.
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Installing a Zebra Printer for Fellowship One
Posted on04. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
Since Easter, I’ve had three check in computers die on me. Since then, we’ve had to reinstall printers on the new computers. When it comes to check-in, I know more than anyone else at our church, so it’s usually much faster for me to make sure the printer works for check-in. If you use Fellowship One and have worked with Zebra, printers, you will know that installing a Zebra Printer to work with F1 is about as easy as meeting the president. Let’s just say it’s not the most intuitive process. Since I’ve had to do this three times in the last few months, I finally made notes. This blog post is a result of these notes. Hopefully this post helps someone else in Zebra printer hell, but this blog post is a reference for me for when I have to install another printer on a new computer.
I have a feeling that someone is going to read this post and say, “Hey, you’re totally going about this the wrong way.” Please, if you know of an easier way, leave a comment with your instructions.
First of all, figure out what Zebra printer you have. We have a mixture of LP 2844’s and LP 2844-Z’s. I think that at one point, I might have even had a few TLP-2844’s that I got off Ebay for a good price. First of all, you’ve got to download your drivers. You can get them all from the Zebra website drivers page. On the left-hand side, just select the model of the printer you have and it will take you to a page where you can download the appropriate drivers. I’ve just been downloading the recommended driver for my model which is usually some from of the “Zebra Designer Driver.” Download the driver and install it.
Once I’ve installed the driver, my computer usually recognizes the printer at this point, connecting the driver to the new printer. I usually go to “printers” under the start menu and install a new printer. Because I’ve installed the drivers and the Zebra is connected to the computer, it adds the Zebra as the new printer. Now the goal is to get the printer to print a test page.
From the printer control panel, I right click on the Zebra printer and click on properties. On the general tab, I might go ahead and click, “print test page” to see if it’s working. Usually I’ve got to make sure some other things are right before it will work. On the sharing tab, I usually select “share this printer.” I think I remember some documentation telling me that I’m supposed to share, but I can’t remember. Honestly, I think some of my machines have sharing turned on and others have it turned off. On the ports tab, I make sure the computer is talking to the port the printer is plugged into. That would be USB virtual printer port for a USB connected Zebra or the LTP port if it’s connected by the old printer port. Last of all, I’d check the advanced tab just to make sure the right driver is connected, although I don’t think I’ve ever had to make any adjustments on this page. After checking all these things, I go back to the general tab to print a test page. Remember, if you can’t print a test page from here, you won’t be able to do it from F1 check-in. If you get stuck, get any computer geek to get it working. It may take them a bit, but they’ll figure it out. Honestly, this part has been the most frustrating in the past.
Now that the printer is working, do the rest of the setup in F1. Log in to check-in and type in an active activity code. Go to the menu and click the button, “Print Test Tag.” If it prints here, you’re in business. If nothing happens, you need to set up the default printer. Click on the button, “Set default printer.” From here, just select the Zebra you have installed. I find that is shows all the printers you have access to, including old installations you might not use anymore. When you clean these out of your printer control panel, they should go away from the list in F1. Once you select the zebra as your default, try to print another test page. If it prints, you’re in business. Be sure to test it though with a few families just to make sure everything is working.
If it’s still not working, have someone better at this stuff than you work on it. Don’t call or email me becasue all I’ll do it tell you to do what I just wrote. I really love Fellowship One for check-in and the Zebra printers are the most durable thermal printers I’ve ever used, but setting them up has been a beast. I hope this helps. If you have any suggestions, comment below!
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Immediate and constant evaluation
Posted on04. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
My boss just came back from eight weeks of sabbatical. Something I get to look forward to in a little less than 5 more years. Sigh…
So, he’s been visiting other churches in Austin during these eight weeks. On one of these visits, he got an email just a few days after the visit thanking him for coming and asking him to fill out the following survey.
This is a simple google docs form. All the responses fill a spreadsheet with timestamps so you are likely to know what weekend a person is referring to in their review.
I honestly believe that most of us spend more time assuming how people feel about our ministry and more time moving on what we think is really going on. Honest and accurate evaluation is a lost art and a much-needed habit. We’re planning to implement a very similar evaluation in a few weeks or so.
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Secrets for successful check-in
Posted on03. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
Two weeks ago, Fellowship Technologies held a webinar about check-in. It was for any church using any check-in system; however, it was very heavy on the Fellowship One. If you’re curious about Fellowship One and think your church might look into it as a check-in solution, you need to watch this video. However, there were several nuggets that I took away that had nothing to do with F1 specifically. So, even if you don’t use Fellowship One, it might be worth your time to watch this webinar.
It is an hour in length and I don’t expect everyone to watch it, so in the next day or so, I’ll also post some of the things I really got out of it. I’m really excited about some of the things I learned.
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Why Fellowship One rules
Posted on03. Aug, 2010 by Kenny.
If you read this blog regularly, you’ll know that we use Fellowship One at Gateway Church here in Austin. You’ll also know that I’m a big fan. This week I have a handful of posts about F1, specifically about check-in. However, I thought I’d begin this little series of posts explaining why I’m such a big fan.
- Fellowship One was not the first church management system I’ve used, but it was the first check-in system I’ve used. The church I was at decided to switch to another system, which we used for 18 months before switching to another system. Two years later they switched yet again. I’ll just say that the two years after leaving F1 were not very fun when it came to check-in. Not only have I used other systems, but I’ve researched, tested and explored countless other systems. No other system matches F1. No one. You may find another system that does fast check-in, but it may not tie into event registration or other family involvement as seamlessly. This is why I’m a fan.
- Flexibility. F1 is the most flexible check-in systems available. If I want all kids to be pre-assigned to classes before they arrive on Sunday, I can do that. If I don’t want kids to ever be assigned to any classrooms and allow them to check in to any classroom, I can do that. Even kids with assignments can switch to a different classroom without requiring an act of Congress. It’s all automated and 95% of the time, check-in attendants can just follow what F1 is directing them to do, and they’ll be right. The system is flexible enough that we can even come up with out of the box ideas of how to assign kids to special events, classes or groups and it just works. Nothing is as fast and flexible. This is why I’m a fan.
- Control. With F1, I have control. It sounds bad when I say that, but really, it’s a good thing. At Gateway we experience near-capacity attendance in the Fall and Winter months. Literally, 80% of my Early Childhood rooms will reach maximum capacity. Non-intuitive check-in systems cause you to sometimes have 4 kids in one classroom with 25 in the one next door. With F1, I can load balance rooms so that they fill up evenly. I can close rooms when they get too full allowing kids to overflow into other rooms with more space. Through assignments, I can make sure certain kids always check into the same classroom. Last of all, I can shut down ministry areas to protect ratios or prevent over-crowding (unsafe ministry environments).
There are lots of other cool things about F1 and check-in, but you’ll just have to find out what those are for yourself.
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Using an iPad for check-in
Posted on21. Jul, 2010 by Kenny.
I have to admit, this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen relating to check-in. This has me interested enough that I’m about to run out and get an iPad to try this out for myself. I’ve actually already asked to borrow someone’s iPad so I can play with it. Check it out.
Now this is Fellowship One check-in, but because they’re using remote desktop to accomplish this, they could really use this with almost any check-in system. You can read all about how they did this on the Fellowship One developer’s blog.
In some ways, I see this being a really cool way to offer an assisted check-in that is cool and personable. We currently don’t do any self check-in, but this would allow us to still do assisted check-in without it feeling like the volunteer is on the other side of the counter. I’d be curious if anyone else has seen or tried something like this.
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Secrets of successful check-in
Posted on20. Jul, 2010 by Kenny.
Does that entice you to read below? I’m really late in getting this post out, but Fellowship One is hosting a free webinar (only one hour long) about having a successful check-in process. Anyone is invited to attend the webinar, even if you don’t use Fellowship One. I really don’t know if it’s going to be a big pitch for Fellowship One, but even if you don’t use F1, I’d plan to participate. I’m sure you’ll learn some good stuff.
Here’s what I do know. Fellowship One REALLY knows check-in. Trust me, I’ve seen and used many of the other leading check-in solutions and I’ve not experienced any that come very close to Fellowship One. Seriously, I love Fellowship One. Even if you’re not using F1 and it’s unlikely that you will switch, I’m sure there’s something you can learn from the guys who do it best.
So, here are the details:
Free webinar on the Secrets of Check-in For Children, Events and Rapid Follow-Up.
Fellowship Technologies will host its next webinar on July 21, 2010 at 1:00 PM (CDT) about the Secrets of Successful Check-In. This helpful and informative online session will reveal how to use Check-In for children’s ministry, activities and events with rapid follow-up!
The webinar is free, but registration is required. To register visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/675236104. This hour-long webinar includes insight from the staff of Fellowship Technologies on helping your church take check-in to a whole new level! One registered webinar attendee will win a FREE Godex DT-4 label printer, courtesy of POS Computer Corporation.
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What do you call your check-in area?
Posted on13. Jan, 2010 by Kenny.
I’ve been working more on our policy manual and I’m editing our section for check-in volunteers. Actually around Gateway, we don’t call them check-in volunteers, they’re called boat volunteers. Why, because the check-in area is dominated by a giant boat.
First of all, I really hate calling them boat volunteers. That at all doesn’t describe what they do. However, it does make it easy to know wehre they serve. Second of all, we don’t have a boat at our South Campus. So, I need to rename this area totally. Other options could be check-in (blah) or hospitality (boring). I’m also trying to avoid confusion with the adult welcome/hospitality team that uses terms like frontline, connection, connexus and guest services.
So I’m looking for something that is unique for Gateway (no confusion), descriptive (if possible I don’t want people guessing what it is) but fun and energetic. this is the first stop for families on Sunday and I want to start a great first impression (and I don’t want to call it “first impressions”).
Got any ideas? What do you call your area?
Oh, just so you know. This is where kids get their name tags, visitors get registered and guided to their age-specific environments and information about our ministry is distributed. It’s a high-energy and busy place on the weekend.
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I <3 Austin
Posted on12. Jul, 2009 by Kenny.
Why do I love this place so much?
Good food? Yes
Good music? Yes
Beautiful surroundings? Yes
There are a lot of things I love about this town, but today I say so for one reason.
1 out of every 3 people is a computer genius. Okay, maybe that’s a little extreme but just about everyone I meet is in the technology industry.
This morning one of our check-in computers was down. When logging into Fellowship One, it was trying to look for updates but never launched check in. Not a huge deal, but it was one of the frontward facing computers that gets a lot of traffic. A husband of one of our volunteers saw that the computer was down so he asked if he could take a look at it. In about 5 minutes he figured out exactly what was happening, something that Fellowship One would have to fix to create a work around. I asked him, “do you want to talk to tech support?”
“Sure!”
Five minutes later the two of them figured out the problem and fixed it. The computer was ready for our 11:00 service. If he hadn’t stepped in, we would have been down a computer all day.
I love me some computer nerds!
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