Setting up a Janam Ticket Scanner (US and Canada)

Janam Ticket Scanners (also referred to as Mobile Computers/Touch Computers) are devices that enable you to scan tickets containing barcodes/QR codes.

When a ticket is scanned, the Scanning Interface indicates whether the ticket is valid or not. This ensures that each patron entering has a valid ticket and allows you to track event attendance.

In this article you will learn how to set up a Janam Ticket Scanner for use with Spektrix.

To order a Janam Scanner, read Ordering a Ticket Scanner (US and Canada). Janam Ticket Scanners are not currently used with Spektrix in the UK and Ireland.

Before you read this article make sure you’re familiar with:

• Introduction to Hardware
• Introduction to Ticket Scanners

Basic Scanner setup

The initial setup of your scanner will be completed by SSE Technologies using your Spektrix client name and Wi-Fi network information (you’ll be asked to provide this during the ordering process). 

These scanners are locked down, the only settings you'll be able to update are the Wi-Fi details. SSE Technologies will provide you with starter guides, a Wi-Fi configuration guide and a PIN for your devices. You can begin scanning as soon as you receive them.

The Scanning Interface

When using a Ticket Scanner, you’ll need the Scanning Interface - a website that you access from your scanner.

The Scanning Interface shows the following information:

• Event Instances
• Area, Row and Seat Number
• Customer Name
• Any Customer Groups the customer is in (if enabled)
• Name of the User who scanned the ticket
• Time and date of the scan
• Scanning history if the ticket has been scanned more than once

When you purchase a Janam Ticket Scanner through SSE Technologies, the Scanning Interface will be preconfigured.

Using the Scanning Interface

The Scanning Interface consists of two screens:

1. The Settings screen
2. The Scanning screen

Once you’ve logged in to the Scanning Interface with your Spektrix Username and Password, you’ll see the Settings screen.

Before you can scan tickets, you’ll need to enable one or more Instances for scanning.

You can choose which Instance(s) you want to enable for scanning. The default selection is Today, though you can click on the left and right arrows to move to a different date:

To select an Instance, tap on the check box next to the date. A tick will appear to show that the Instance has been enabled for scanning. Alternatively tap the All check box to enable all of the Instances on the date you’re looking at:

Once you’ve selected your Instance(s) tap the green tick to save your changes:

TIP: You may find more than one Instance on the same day, such as a matinee and an evening performance, or Instances in different spaces.

You may prefer to tick only one instance to avoid admitting people to the wrong space or performance time.

Customer Groups

When scanning tickets, you can display customer information in the Scanning Interface.

This may include whether they’re a Member, a VIP or have additional access needs. You can use Customer Groups to do this.

Read our Customer Groups article for more information.

Once you’ve logged into the Scanning Interface and enabled Instances for scanning, continue to the next section, How to Scan Tickets.

How To Scan Tickets

Once you’ve set up the Scanning Interface you can begin scanning tickets.

TIP: The scanner will project a dot. When pressing the scanning button you should ensure that you place this dot in the middle of the barcode/QR code.

Move the scanner towards or away from the ticket when scanning to find the optimal scanning distance.

To scan tickets, follow these steps:

1. Log into the Scanning Interface from your scanner (if you aren’t already logged in).
2. Enable Instances for scanning (shown in Using the Scanning Interface).
3. Have a printed ticket ready, making sure the barcode/QR code is legible. If you’re scanning an e-ticket, make sure the screen you’re scanning from is clean and the brightness turned up to improve visibility.
4. Point the scanner at the barcode/QR code and press the orange button on the side of the scanner.
5. If the scan is successful, the Scanning Interface will turn green. You will see Event, Customer and Seat details (if the Event has reserved seating):

   
   

Scanning Errors

The Scanning Interface will change colour depending on the result of a ticket scan:

• If a ticket has been scanned before, the scanning interface will turn orange and display a Warning notice:

  
  

• If a ticket has been returned the scanning interface will turn red. An Error will be displayed:

  
  

• If the barcode/QR code isn’t recognised, the scanning interface will turn red. An Error will be displayed:

  
  

If you see a Barcode not found error, read the next section, How To Scan Tickets Manually.

How To Scan Tickets Manually

You can print the characters from a barcode/QR code on your tickets, by including the Show Label option in your ticket design.

If a barcode is unclear, damaged or won’t scan, you can manually enter the characters from the barcode/QR code into your scanner:

1. Tap the keyboard icon at the bottom right of the Scan screen:

   
   

2. You’ll see a prompt to Type in barcode manually. Type the characters from the barcode/QR code and tap OK:
   

   

If you can’t see any barcode/QR code characters on the ticket, you can find them in Spektrix by following these steps:

1. Log into Spektrix.
2. Go to the Sales Interface and click Orders.
3. Enter the Order ID and click Search.
4. Click into the Order that appears.
5. Look for the ticket section and you’ll see the barcode/QR code characters to the right of the barcode image:

   
   

6. Enter these characters at the Type in barcode manually prompt in the Scanning Interface.
7. You can also mark a ticket as scanned, directly from the Sales Interface. Click the drop down arrow to the right of the Print button and click Mark As Scanned:

   
   

You now have the information you need to scan tickets with your Janam Ticket Scanner.