Check-In lets your ministry track attendance across groups, classes, and events. Use this guide to choose the right setup method and get Check-In running from start to finish.
Note: This video may include some outdated images.
1: Create and Set Up Groups
Before people can check in, create groups for the classes, events, and gatherings they will attend. Then enable Check-In on each group.
- Create groups to represent your classes, events, and gatherings. Use descriptive names to make groups easy to identify. For naming best practices, see Group Best Practices.
- For each group, open the group's Edit screen.
- Select Track Individual Attendance.
- Select Use for Check-In.
If you plan to print name tags, configure the label format and quantity before going live.
Additional Resources:
2: Create Check-In Stations
Configure Stations
Create and configure your Check-In stations in Settings Check-In. Stations cannot be deleted; they can only be deactivated.
- Go to Settings > Check-In, then create or edit a station.
- Configure the following settings:
- Decide whether to enable Allow Self Check-In.
- Decide whether to Enable New People to be Created from Check-In.
- Decide whether to enable Only Allow People To Be Checked Into Groups They Are A Member Of.
- Optionally, add a background image to the station.
- Before going live, test each station. Under Group Selection Options, use the testing options to set the date and time for your group's check-in.
For more info, see Check-In Station Settings.
3: Choose a Physical Station
Check-In supports several device types. Review the options below and choose the setup that fits your ministry.
Available station types:
- Any computer can use the Desktop Check-In App or Browser-Based Check-In.
- An iPad can use the iOS Check-In app.
- Mobile self-check-in requires the integrated Mobile App.
Things to consider:
- What hardware do you already have? If you need additional equipment such as printers, barcode scanners, or extra devices, factor those costs into your budget.
- What experience do you want for your members? Kiosk mode on iPads or laptops provides a more immersive check-in experience but requires more setup than self-check-in.
- Are your members comfortable with self-check-in or tablet-based kiosks?
- Will staff oversee Check-In, or will it be fully self-service?
Additional Resources:
4: Set Up Printers
If you plan to print name tags or labels, select and set up a compatible printer before going live. Brother printers are recommended.
Note: If you use iPads as your stations, you must use a wireless Brother printer.
For supported printer models, drivers, and label options, see Supported Printers, Drivers, and Labels.
5: Configure Advanced Check-In Options
Check-In includes additional features you can configure to improve the experience for your ministry:
- Smart Check-In: Automatically suggests a group for people who regularly check in to the same groups, based on the day, time, membership, and attendance frequency.
- Barcode Scanning: Allows staff to scan a barcode to pull up a person's record instead of searching by name or phone number.
- Check-Out: Records when a person checked out and who performed the check-out. Particularly useful for children's ministry.
- Status Report: Displays who has checked in, which groups they checked into, the time, and their label code. You can also send a text message to parents from this view.
Additional Resources:
6: Check-In Launch Checklist
Before going live, confirm that you have completed each of the following:
- Are your groups set up?
- Are your stations configured?
- Do you have your Check-In username, password, and domain?
- Have you decided what physical stations to use and installed any necessary software?
- If printing labels, have you purchased printers and installed the necessary drivers?
- Have you configured all Check-In options?
- Have you completed a Check-In test run?
When you can answer "Yes" to all of the above, you are ready to run Check-In.
7: Train Your Team
Once Check-In is set up, train the people who will use it. This may include walking staff through the Check-In workflow, scheduling a meeting to answer questions, or preparing members to use self-check-in through the mobile app.
If you have questions or run into issues, contact Support.
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