PowerChurch Check In System Detailed Features

Check In Server Features (Check In for PowerChurch Plus only)

The Check In Server component runs on the server/host computer where PowerChurch Plus is installed. It acts as a web server, providing information from the PowerChurch Plus database to the Check In stations as they request it. The Check In Server installs a Windows service that runs on the server, so there is no need to "ready" anything before Check In events begin!
  • Check In Kiosks connect to the server on a specific port number. This can be customized.
  • The installer, as well as the server interface, will attempt to open this port in the Windows Firewall, if the option is enabled.
  • The server installs a Windows service that runs automatically on computer startup.
  • Low memory usage (considerably lower than most programs' auto-updaters) ensures that you will not notice it running in the background.
  • The server interface provides service start/stop controls for troubleshooting and setup purposes.

Check In Kiosk Features

The Check In Kiosk application is installed on each workstation that is to be used as a Check In station. Its interface features large fonts and buttons, being optimized for use on touch screen devices.

Navigation and appearance
  • Large fonts and buttons make the kiosks easier to use on touch screen devices.
  • Simple program navigation ensures that volunteers will be able to operate the system after only a brief walkthrough.
  • Customizable text or image banner is shown across the top of the kiosk interface.
  • Family and individual pictures are shown throughout the Kiosk application to aid in locating and verifying the identity of the person you are looking for.

Configuration options
  • Only PowerChurch Plus users that have been given Check In Admin permissions can access the setup options.
  • Optionally, record attendance status in PowerChurch Plus.
  • Define a list of activities that will be included at each kiosk.
  • Optional hardware supported: Label printers, bar code scanners, web cam, and electronic pager systems.
  • Define what hardware is connected to each kiosk. For example, if this station does not have a bar code reader, all bar code options disappear from the Kiosk application interface. If the computer does not have a web cam, you can disable that functionality. If a printer is not attached, the Kiosk will not attempt to print anything.

Modes of operation
  • "Self Serve" mode allows people to check themselves in. This mode has minimal features and is essentially used to aid in attendance data entry.
  • Optionally, when running in Self Serve mode, you can specify that the Check In Kiosk application window is always on top, that the application is not allowed to be closed, and that it can not be minimized. This enables you to "lock down" the computer to keep people from accessing other areas of the computer while the Kiosk application is running.
  • "Manned" mode offers full functionality and security features.
  • "Express Check Out" mode allows the entire check out process to be completed via bar code scanning.

Printing features
  • Print the following labels using virtually any label printer: Name badge, Bag tag, Parent, Teacher notes
  • In the absence of a label printer, a standard inkjet/laser printer can be used to print an all-in-one page that includes check in information, security information, notes, and parent label.

Security features
  • Automatically generates a security code that is printed on the parent label for each activity or event. This ensures that someone does not pick up a label from last week's event to try to use it this week.
  • Tracks who dropped the child off and allows them or other adult family members to pick the child up.
  • Allows people to check in non-family members, for example if the child came to church with an aunt or uncle this week.
  • Permanently assign non-family members, such as non-custodial parent. "Family members" in this instance refers to the family/household in Membership in the PowerChurch database.

Child Check In features
  • Option to prompt for number of bags being dropped off with the child (such as toys, books, or diapers).
  • Option to print a bar code label for each bag.
  • Option to prompt for notes from the parent dropping off the child.
  • Teacher/Nursery worker can record "incident" notes to be shown to parent during check out process.
  • Incident notes track time of incident, location, and notes.
  • Assign an electronic pager number (up to ten digits, alpha-numeric) at the time of check in or permanently assign to the family.

Admin features
  • Add people to an activity on a one-time or permanent basis.
  • Add new families and individuals, right from the Kiosk.
  • Update existing family information, right from the Kiosk.
  • Capture pictures from a web cam for new or existing families. Pictures are stored in the PowerChurch data.
  • Administrative Check Out allows you to manually check people out of the system after an event has ended.
  • Administrative Check Out prompts for notes and tracks the user who checked someone out.
  • View the list of active events/activities and counts of total attended and currently checked in.
  • View the class roster of each event/activity.
  • View the Check Out Details of someone who is no longer checked in, including who picked them up, at what time, and from what Check In station, and which user was logged in at the station.
  • Print Check In Roster report, which can be used as a fire drill report. Shows who is currently checked in to what events/activities.
  • Print the Incident report at the end of the day, to show a list of all of the day's recorded incidents.

PowerChurch Plus Check In Features

PowerChurch Plus offers the following integrated check in functionality:

  • User/Password controls. This allows you to define users that have access to the Check In Kiosks and features in PowerChurch Plus. Users can be given user or admin access.
  • Require background checks for adult members of specific activities.
  • Background check functionality is found on the Maintain Personal Profiles screen and is provided through Protect My Ministry.
  • Only users that have been given access to background checks can view or request background checks.
  • For security reasons, PowerChurch Plus does not store background check results. It launches a web browser to view the background check results on the Protect My Ministry site only after the user logs in.
  • Permanently authorized non-family members. Specify adults outside of the family/household in PowerChurch that are able to Check In/Check Out a child.
  • Permanently assign family pager number.
  • Assign bar codes in advance to each parent/adult in PowerChurch.
  • Per Event/Activity controls as to whether check in/check out functionality is available.
  • Class List shows real-time check in/attender statistics for each active event/activity.
  • Class Roster allows you to view the detailed list of those in attendance for each event/activity.
  • Generate the Check In Details report, which shows a log of all check in activity for the selected person in the Class Roster screen.
  • Administrative Check Out allows you to manually check out anyone left in an activity after it has ended.
  • The Check In Activity List report displays all events/activities that will be available for check in on a specific date. This allows you to verify that everything is set up properly before the day of the event.
  • The Check In Activity Details report shows a detailed log of all check in activity for a specific date.
  • The Check In Roster report shows the names of everyone who checked in to selected activities on a certain date. Includes the option to show only those currently checked in. This report can be used as a "fire drill" report.
  • The Check In Incident report displays a list of incidents recorded on the selected date.

Minimum System Requirements

The system requirements for each component of the Check In System are detailed below:

Check In Server
  • PowerChurch Plus Version 14
  • Windows 7 or higher, including Windows 10 and 11, 32/64bit compatible
  • 256MB of RAM (1GB+ recommended for newer Windows versions)
  • 1GHz CPU (2GHz recommended for newer Windows versions)

Check In Kiosk (Check In for PowerChurch Plus or PowerChurch Online)
  • Windows 7 or higher, including Windows 10 and 11, 32/64bit compatible
  • macOS 10.9 or higher. 32/64 bit compatible, both Intel and ARM processors
  • 256MB of RAM (1GB recommended for newer Windows versions)
  • 1GHz CPU (2GHz recommended for newer Windows versions)
  • 1024x600 display resolution

Web Check In (Check In for PowerChurch Online only)
  • Internet/data service
  • Any modern web browser

Compatible Hardware