# Setting up your Account # Registering as a User

The User Registration Process outlines how new parkers create an account to access the user portal, purchase permits, and manage their vehicles. Its primary purpose is to capture essential user data while offering organizations flexible onboarding through either immediate access or email validation workflows. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators to help them understand and support the end-user registration experience.

## Setup and Configuration Administrators can dictate how users access the system upon initial sign-up by configuring one of two primary registration workflows: - **Auto Login:** Users are automatically logged in immediately after signing up, without requiring them to verify their account or email address first. - **Email Verification Required:** Users are barred from logging in until they have successfully received an email, clicked the validation link, and created their password. **Admin Side:** Ensure your portal settings are configured to your organization's preferred registration method (Auto Login vs. Email Verification). **User Side:** Users will initiate the setup process directly from the main portal login page. ## Using this Feature Administrators can use the following workflow to guide new users through the portal registration process or troubleshoot onboarding issues. ### Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Choose the preferred language and click **Continue**. 2. Click the **Create Account** button located on the login page. 3. Complete the initial profile registration questions. 4. Click the **Create Account** button to submit the details. 5. Review the on-screen prompt, which varies based on the system configuration: - If Auto Login is enabled, the user is automatically logged in, directed to their user profile page, and shown a green message prompting them to check their email for an activation link. - If Email Verification is required, the user is not logged in and is shown a message indicating that an email has been sent for validation. 6. Check the associated email inbox and locate the activation email from OPS-COM. 7. Click the **Create Password** link within the email. 8. Enter a new password into the provided fields and click **Confirm** to save the credentials to the system. 9. Log in to the account using the newly created password (if redirected to the login page). 10. Fill out any missing or mandatory details on the user profile page. 11. Click the **Save Changes** button to lock in the profile information and gain full access to the portal.

If Auto Login is enabled, clicking the **Create Password** link in the email simply allows the user to establish a permanent password for future sessions, as they are already temporarily logged in. If Email Verification is required, clicking this link is a mandatory step to gain any access to the system.

--- ## Best Practices and Considerations - **Mandate profile completion:** **Users must finish completing their profile before they can explore other features of the portal.** Administrators should communicate this requirement clearly, as users cannot purchase permits or appeal violations until their mandatory profile fields are saved. - **Determine the best workflow for your operations:** **Organizations should establish a clear business rule regarding portal security.** Use Auto Login to reduce onboarding friction for new users, or use Email Verification Required to prevent spam accounts and ensure all registered email addresses are accurate and deliverable. - **Provide support contacts:** Ensure your parking office contact information is easily accessible on the portal login page in case users fail to receive their activation emails or encounter errors during the password creation step. # Multi-Factor Authentication - User Portal

The User Portal Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) feature adds an essential layer of security to user accounts by requiring a One-Time Password (OTP) during the login process. Its primary purpose is to protect sensitive user data and ensure that only authorized individuals can access the parking portal. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators to help them understand the user MFA workflow and support their clients.

## Setup and Configuration This feature requires the organization to have MFA support enabled on their system. Once available, the configuration is primarily handled on the User Side, where individual users opt-in and manage their own security settings. **Admin Side:** Ensure that your system's email templates are properly configured, as the OTP emails will utilize the standard system email formatting designated for your account. ## Using this Feature Administrators can use the following instructions to guide users through enabling MFA on their accounts and logging in with One-Time Passwords. ### Enabling Multi Factor Authentication 1. Log in to the User Portal and click your name in the top corner of the screen. 2. Click **Security** from the drop-down menu. 3. Scroll to the Multi-Factor Authentication section and click the **Change Multifactor Authentication Settings** button. 4. Choose **Enable One-Time Passwords** from the available settings. 5. Click the **Send One-Time Password To Email** button. 6. Navigate to your registered email inbox and copy the generated OTP. 7. Return to the portal and enter the OTP alongside your current account password in the provided fields. 8. Click the **Submit** button to confirm your changes and activate MFA.

One-Time Passwords are only valid for 15 minutes. If the user's password expires before they enter it, they must generate a new one. Generating a new OTP automatically invalidates any previously unused passwords.

### Logging In with MFA Enabled Once MFA is successfully enabled, the standard login workflow will change to include the OTP validation step. 1. Enter your username and password on the main portal login page. 2. Check your registered email address for the automatically generated OTP. 3. Enter the OTP into the prompt on the screen. 4. Click the **Submit** button to complete the login process and access the site.

When MFA is active, the system restricts access to the portal. Users will be forcibly redirected to the OTP entry screen if they attempt to navigate to any other internal pages (such as their profile or vehicle management) before submitting a valid One-Time Password.

### Understanding OTP Session Settings When guiding users through their MFA settings, administrators should be aware of how the system handles active OTP sessions: - **Session Storage:** Once a user enters an OTP, the validation is stored in their browser's local session data. If they clear their browser's local storage or cache, they will be forced to enter a new OTP upon their next login. - **Different Devices:** OTP session data does not persist across different browsers or hardware. If a user logs in from a new computer, a secondary mobile device, or a different web browser, they will be prompted to enter a new OTP. --- ## Best Practices and Considerations - **Educate users on OTP expiration:** **Always remind users that One-Time Passwords strictly expire after 15 minutes.** If a user complains about invalid codes, ensure they are not attempting to use an expired OTP or one that was invalidated when they clicked the send button multiple times. - **Assist with device switching:** **Inform users that they will need access to their email whenever they switch devices.** Because OTPs are tied to local session storage, attempting to log in on a new phone or public computer will always trigger a new OTP request.
# Manage your Account

The User Profile Management feature allows end-users to update their personal details, addresses, and account passwords directly from the user portal. Its primary purpose is to empower users to maintain accurate account information autonomously, reducing the administrative burden on parking staff. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators to help them understand the user experience and assist with profile troubleshooting.

## Setup and Configuration This feature is a core component of the user portal and requires no specialized setup to enable. **Admin Side:** Administrators determine which profile fields are mandatory for users to complete before they can successfully save their profile and access other portal features. **User Side:** Users access these management features directly from their portal dashboard upon logging in. ## Using this Feature Administrators can use the following instructions to guide users through updating their profile details, address, or password. ### Editing Profile Details 1. Log in to the User Portal and click the user's name in the top left corner of the page. 2. Click **Your Profile** from the drop-down menu. 3. Modify any editable fields on the **Profile Page**. Fields that are greyed out cannot be changed by the user. 4. Click the **Save Changes** button to apply the updates.

Users must complete all required fields determined by your organization before the system will allow them to save their changes and navigate to other areas of the portal.

### Updating the Address 1. Click **Address** located below the main profile information. 2. Click **Edit** to open the address input fields. 3. Enter the updated address information into the necessary fields. 4. Click the **Save Changes** button to save the new address. ### Changing the Password 1. Click **Security** located below the address section. 2. Click **Change Password** to begin. 3. Enter the current password in the **Current Password** field. 4. Enter a new password and re-enter it in the **Confirm Password** field. 5. Click the **Change Password** button to save the new security credentials. ### Additional Profile Actions Users may also have access to the following features from their profile menu, depending on your organization's configuration: - **Payment Methods:** Allows users to store credit cards for seamless future purchases. Detailed instructions can be found on the *[Manage your Payment Methods & Subscriptions](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/manage-your-payment-methods-subscriptions "Manage your Payment Methods & Subscriptions")* page. - **User History:** Click **History** to view past transactions, citations, and permit records. Detailed instructions can be found on the *[Viewing your History](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/viewing-your-history "Viewing your History")* page. - **Forms and Documents:** Access custom forms and file uploads, if supported by the parking provider. Detailed instructions can be found on the *[Using Forms on the User Portal](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/using-forms-on-the-user-portal "Using Forms on the User Portal")* and *[Uploading Files](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/uploading-files "Uploading Files")* pages. --- ## Best Practices and Considerations - **Communicate mandatory fields:** **Organizations should ensure that all mandatory fields are clearly communicated to users.** Users cannot save their profile or proceed to purchase permits if required fields are left blank, which can cause confusion during peak registration periods. - **Lock specific data fields:** **If your organization requires strict control over certain user data (such as student ID numbers or primary email addresses), ensure these fields are configured as read-only.** This ensures they appear greyed out on the user side, preventing unauthorized modifications that could disrupt integrations with single sign-on (SSO) or external student information systems. # Recovering a Password

The Password Recovery Process allows end-users to securely reset their account access credentials if they have forgotten their password. Its primary purpose is to enable self-service password management, reducing administrative support requests and ensuring users can quickly regain access to the portal. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators to help them understand and support the recovery workflow.

## Setup and Configuration This feature is a standard component of the user portal and requires no specialized administrative setup to function for local accounts.

If a user's login source is configured using Single Sign-On (SSO), they cannot use the standard OPS-COM password recovery tool. They must reset their password directly through your organization's designated SSO provider. Only users with a local system login can utilize this password recovery option.

## Using this Feature Administrators can use the following instructions to guide users through the standard password recovery workflow. ### Requesting a Reset Link 1. Navigate to the **Login Page** of the user portal. 2. Click the **Forgot Password** link to open the recovery dialog box. 3. Enter the email address associated with the account into the provided field. 4. Click the **Send Reminder** button to trigger the automated system email. ### Resetting the Password 1. Locate and open the recovery email sent by the system. 2. Click the secure link within the email body to navigate to the **Update Password** screen. 3. Enter a new password into the provided fields. 4. Click the **Reset Password** button to save the new security credentials. 5. Click the confirmation link provided on the screen to return to the **Login Page**. 6. Log in to the portal using the newly created password. --- ## Best Practices and Considerations - **Check spam and junk folders:** **Always advise users to check their spam or junk email folders if they report not receiving the password reset email.** Institutional or personal spam filters will occasionally miscategorize system-generated recovery emails. - **Verify the registered email address:** **If a user attempts a password reset but the email never arrives, verify that they are entering the exact email address associated with their active user profile.** The system will not send a reset link to an unregistered or mistyped email address.