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Beacons

How to Access: Advanced Options > Settings > Beacons

Purpose: One of the sign-in options within AccuCampus is the use of Beacons. Beacons allow students to sign-in via the mobile app and can be used for centers, classrooms, or events. Beacons are especially ideal for situations where there isn’t the ability to set up a traditional sign-in station, such as multi-entry locations, a small or usually-congested area or similar.

Beacon Profiles Page Options

The first step in using beacons is to set up a Beacon Profile. The Beacon Profile sets some basic information about the use of the device and defines the broadcast settings .

  • Create Beacon Profile - Click this button to create a Beacon Profile, it tells you what the beacon will do, and defines the broadcast settings for the beacon.
  • Manage Beacon Region - Click this button to manage Beacon Regions.
  • Enable/Disable Beacon Support - Use this option to enable/disable Beacon Support.

Beacon Profile List Options

Notice that on the right-hand side of each row(restriction) there is a button:

  • Delete - Please click this button to erase this current Beacon Profile.
After clicking DELETE a new screen confirming such action will appear, if you are sure you want to delete click OK, otherwise click cancel to go back.

Create new Beacon Profile

This is the new/edit Beacon Profile screen, please check thoroughly all options and click SAVE. The first step in utilizing beacons is to set up a Beacon Profile. The Beacon Profile tells you what the beacon will do, and defines the broadcast settings for the beacon.

  • Name - Enter a name for the beacon. We recommend using a unique and specific name so that other users will understand what the beacon is for.
  • Description - Enter a description for the beacon. We recommend using a detailed description of what the beacon will be used for, the location, and similar.
  • Usage - Choose the Usage of the beacon. There are two options: Sign-In Stations: used for signing in or out of courses, centers, or events. All beacon profiles for sign-in stations will share the same region. OR Silent Tracking: used to track traffic in an area. No specific details are captured. Every beacon profile for silent tracking must define its own region.

  • Active - The beacon profile must be active in order for the profile to be assigned to a sign-in station.
  • Region ID - If using the beacon as a sign-in station, do not edit. If using the beacon for silent tracking, either enter a unique identifier or leave this blank for one to be automatically generated.
  • Major # - Choose a number between 0 and 65535. This number cannot match another beacon’s profile.
  • Minor # - Choose a number between 0 and 65535. This number cannot match another beacon’s profile.
  • Password - if desired, enter a password for this beacon profile. In order to associate this password and profile with the beacon, you will first need to enter the default password (minew123). The beacon’s password will then change to the password set here.
  • Transmission power - Choose the transmission range for the beacon. This determines how close a user needs to be to the beacon to connect to it. Larger transmission powers will affect battery life.
  • Broadcasting interval - The default value is 900 milliseconds. Changing this can affect battery life.
  • SAVE BUTTON - Click this option to save the configuration.
  • CANCEL BUTTON - Click this option to cancel and rollback without saving.
Check all information before saving.



Manage Beacons Region

From the main Beacons page in Advanced Options, you can set the beacon range for all beacons used for sign-in stations by clicking on “Manage Beacons Region”.



Disable Beacon Support

From the main Beacons page in Advanced Options, you can disable beacon support completely. This means that beacons will not be able to be used on your AccuCampus account.


Assigning the beacon to a Sign-in Station

Once the Beacon Profile is set up, you will need to assign it to an already created sign-in station.

From the Main Sidebar, hover over Center Visits and click on Sign-in Stations:

Click the Sign-in Station that you want to assign the beacon to edit it.

In the Sign-in Station data go to the Beacon Integration section and enable it, now select the beacon profile from the list and save all changes.



Assigning the beacon profile to the beacon using the AccuCampus App


The last step in setting up beacons is to assign the beacon profile to the beacon using the mobile app.

First, open the AccuCampus app from your smartphone device and log in as an administrator. (Note: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone.) From the app home screen, tap on the tri-bar to expand the side menu.

Scroll down to sign-station. Choose “Beacons Setup.

Once Beacon setup has been accessed a list of nearby beacons will appear. Note: If no beacons appear, open the back of the beacon and make sure it is turned on – the blue light should be sustained and not blinking when you press the button.

Tap on the gear icon on the upper right side.

Tap Assign Beacon Profile.

Select the beacon or beacons you wish to use and tap Done.

Select the beacon profile you wish to assign

Enter the beacon password and tap continue. A message will appear at the top confirming that the beacon was properly set. If this is a brand new beacon, the password will be minew123. If the beacon has been used for another sign-in station, and that sign-in station beacon profile had a password, you will need to enter that password instead. Once a password is assigned to a beacon via a beacon profile that becomes the new password for the beacon going forward.

Try it several times to see/make sure it works properly.

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