This article describes the Permit Search tool, a central hub for finding, managing, and reporting on all parking permits. Its primary purpose is to provide administrators with detailed search capabilities and a suite of actions for managing permit visibility, user assignments, and communications. This guide is intended for OPSCOM administrators.
### Using this Feature This tool is a standard administrative feature and does not require any specific configuration. It utilizes the existing permit and user data within the system. The Permit Search page allows you to find specific groups of permits and then perform a variety of bulk and individual management actions. ##### Performing a Permit Search 1. Go to **Permit Management** and click **Permit Search**. 2. Enter your desired criteria in the search fields. 3. Optionally, enable the **Archived Permit Data** or **Include Only Active Permits** checkboxes to refine your search. 4. Click the **Toggle More Options** button to reveal additional search filters that can be pinned to your default view. 5. Click the **Retrieve** button to generate the results. ##### Understanding the Permit Counts Legend At the top of the search results, a legend provides a quick overview of the permits found: - **Total**: Total number of permits found by your search criteria. - **Requested**: A user is associated with the permit, but no payment has been initiated. - **Rented/Reserved**: A payment is associated with the permit, but it may not be fully processed yet. - **Visible To User**: The permit is available for purchase and has no user associated with it. - **Visible to Admins**: The permit is hidden from users and has no user associated with it. - **Unavailable**: The permit's state is not set to Good, Valid, or Usable. ##### Performing Bulk Actions and Reports - From the drop-down menu at the top of the results, select a report or action to apply to all permits in the list. - Click the **Perform Selected Action** button to proceed. - Available actions include: **Generate Mailing List**, **Generate User Usage Report**, **Send Email to Permit Users**, **Generate Status Report**, and **Generate Permits for Printing**. ##### Managing Individual Permits in the Results List - **Permit Number**: Click the link in this column to open the **Parking Permit Information** screen, where you can manage the **Permit State** and view associated user and payment details. - **Clock Icon (History)**: Click this icon to view the permit's complete transaction and user rental history. - **Reserved/Rented**: Click the user's name in this column to view their details, with links to their profile or to send an email. - **Toggle Availability**: Use the checkbox in this column to control if a permit is visible to users for purchase. Use the **Mark all Available** or **Mark all Not Available** buttons for bulk changes, then click **Update Records** to save. - **Release**: Click this link to disassociate the permit from its current user, making it available for resale. - **Switch**: Click this link to change the permit number associated with the current user. --- ### Best Practices & ConsiderationsThis article describes the administrative tool for performing permit switches and moves. This feature provides two distinct functions: swapping permit assignments between two permits, and moving a permit from one user to another. This tool is essential for managing changes in user parking assignments or handling permit transfers. This guide is intended for OPSCOM administrators.
### Using this Feature The tool offers two primary functions which are detailed below. This feature is a standard administrative tool and does not require any specific configuration to use. Its functionality relies on existing user and permit data. ##### Swapping Permits This process is used to exchange permit assignments. This can be between two users, or for moving one user to a different, vacant permit. - Select the lot and permit number for the first permit in the **Current Permit** fields. - Select the lot and permit number for the second permit in the **New Permit Lot** fields. Permits already assigned to other users will be highlighted and display the owner's name. - Click the **Switch two permits** button. - On the confirmation screen, review the price difference and select either the **Full Price** or **Prorated Price** radio button. - Enter a mandatory **Reason for Action**. - Click the **Switch User Permit** button to finalize the swap. ##### Moving a Permit from One User to Another This process transfers ownership of a specific permit from one user to another. - In the first user search field, find and **Select** the user who currently holds the permit. A list of their assigned permits will be displayed. - Select the permit you wish to move. A second user search field will appear. - In the second search field, find the user who will be receiving the permit. - Click the **Move Permit** button. - Click **Ok** in the confirmation dialog to finalize the transfer. ### Best Practices & ConsiderationsThis article describes the Permits Awaiting Payment report, a tool used to manage and communicate with users who have pending permit payments. Its primary purpose is to provide administrators with a centralized view of unpaid permit reservations and offer tools for sending payment reminders and processing payments. This guide is intended for OPSCOM administrators.
### Using this Feature The report allows administrators to filter for users with outstanding permit payments and provides several tools for communication and management. This report is a standard feature of the permit management module and does not require any specific configuration. It automatically displays data based on user permit reservations and their payment status. ##### Generating the Report 1. Hover over **Permit Management** and click **Awaiting Payment**. 2. The **Permits Awaiting Payment** screen will load, displaying all users with pending payments. 3. Optionally, select a specific lot from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to filter the list. ##### Available Actions and Buttons - **Email Listed**: Click this button to send a single, bulk email to all users displayed in the list. A pop-up will allow you to compose a message and add attachments. - **Export and Print**: Use the **Excel**, **CSV**, **PDF**, **Copy**, and **Print** buttons to export or print the current report data. - **Envelope Icon**: Click this icon in a user's row to send an email to that individual user. - **Profile Icon**: Click this icon to navigate directly to the user's profile page. - **Permit Number**: Click the link in this column to view or edit the permit's details and process any associated payments. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Use the Email Listed button to send bulk payment reminders** to all users on the report. This is an efficient way to prompt users to complete their purchases. - This report specifically targets users who have a 'promise to pay' on file (such as a pending cheque or payroll deduction) but whose payment has not yet been processed. It is a key tool for managing non-credit card transactions. - You are encouraged to run this report **weekly** and send an **email reminder** for users to remit payment. # Using the Basic Waitlist ReportThe **Basic Waitlist Report** provides OPSCOM administrators with a centralized view of all users currently on waitlists, organized by parking lot. This report is a crucial tool for managing demand, enabling easy access to user profiles, facilitating communication, and streamlining the process of offering permits to waitlisted individuals.
### Setup & Configuration Before users can join a waitlist or their data appears in this report, waitlist functionality must be properly configured within your OPSCOM system. ##### Admin Side - **Enabling Waitlists for Lots**: Instructions for enabling waitlists for specific lots can be found on the [**Pricing & Lot Admin**](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/pricing-and-lot-admin) page, under the **Standard Permits** section. Waitlists can be set up for individual lots or configured as grouped waitlists that cover multiple locations. - **"Only Allow Waitlist after lot is Full" Setting**: This setting determines whether users will see the option to join a waitlist even before all permits for a designated lot are sold out, or only once the lot reaches full capacity. ##### User Portal You can configure the option to allow users to see their rank on the waitlist or not. To do this, follow the steps below: 1. Hover over **System Configuration** and click **System Settings**. 2. On the **Permits** tab, find and enable the **Show Waitlist Rank** checkbox. 3. Refer to [this page to see the User Experience](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/viewing-your-waitlist-position). ### Using the Basic Waitlist Report 1. Hover over **Permits,** then **Waitlists,** and click **Waitlist Report**. 2. On the **Waitlist Report** screen, Administrators can view/edit details about a user waiting to purchase a permit in a specific lot. 3. This screen allows the admin to quickly see: - The user's Rank on the waitlist - The date they were added to the waitlist - The user's name - Their user type - Their city - Phone Number - Comments - The lot they are waiting for a permit inIf the record is highlighted in **blue**, the user does not currently have a permit assigned to them. If the record is highlighted in **yellow**, the user does currently have a permit assigned but has not yet purchased it.
### Available Actions & Buttons - The **User Profile icon** allows administrators to view and edit the user's profile. This is also the primary link administrators would use if they wanted to **sell a permit** to the user who is on the waitlist (click the **User Profile** icon and then the **Parking Tab** within their profile). - The **Add button** allows administrators to add comments specific to the waitlist record. If a comment already exists, an **edit link** will appear, allowing administrators to update the comments on file. - The **Toggle Selections** button allows administrators to select all records displayed in the report simultaneously. You can also make individual record selections by enabling the checkbox to the left of each record. - The **Export to Excel** button exports the entire table as an Excel spreadsheet for further analysis or record-keeping. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Develop Business Rules**: Organizations should establish clear business rules for when to remove a user from the waitlist, such as after a user has been emailed an offer, or after a permit has been successfully purchased and processed. - **Proactive Management**: Regularly review the Waitlist Report to identify users who are next in line and to manage available permits efficiently. - **Communication**: Use the report to facilitate communication with waitlisted users, either individually or in bulk (using the export function for email lists, for example). - **User Experience**: If `Show Waitlist Rank` is enabled, ensure users understand what their rank means and how it might change. # Managed WaitlistThe OPSCOM Managed Waitlist system automates the process of assigning available permits to waitlisted users. When a permit becomes available, the system reserves it, notifies designated administrators, and allows them to assign it to a user, who then has a specific timeframe to complete the purchase before the permit is released back to the waitlist.
### Setup & Configuration 1. Hover over **System Configuration** and click **System Settings**. 2. Click the **Permits** tab. 3. Find and enable the **Enable Managed Waitlist** checkbox. 4. Enter admin emails into the **Waitlist Email Managers** field. Multiple email addresses can be separated by commas. These email addresses will be notified when a permit becomes available for waitlisted users. 5. Enter the amount of time that is being given to users to purchase permits in the **Waitlist Reservation Duration** box. This value is measured in days.Enabling the Managed Waitlist setting makes the core waitlist system active, but you must still enable waitlists on individual lots for them to be used.
##### Enabling Waitlists on Individual Lots - **Enabling Waitlists for Lots**: Instructions for enabling waitlists for specific lots can be found on the [**Pricing & Lot Admin**](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/pricing-and-lot-admin) page, under the **Standard Permits** section. Waitlists can be set up for individual lots or configured as grouped waitlists that cover multiple locations. - **"Only Allow Waitlist after lot is Full" Setting**: This setting determines whether users will see the option to join a waitlist even before all permits for a designated lot are sold out, or only once the lot reaches full capacity. ##### User Side Setup and Experience You can configure the option to allow users to see their rank on the waitlist or not. To do this, follow the steps below: 1. Hover over **System Configuration** and click **System Settings**. 2. On the **Permits** tab, find and enable the **Show Waitlist Rank** checkbox. 3. Refer to [this page to see the User Experience](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/viewing-your-waitlist-position). The Managed Waitlist emails sent to users now include both the purchase deadline **date and time** to prevent users from losing their spot. ##### Waitlist Email Templates There is a standard email template you can configure for communicating with your users. To learn more about working with email templates, [refer to this wiki article](https://opscom.wiki/books/setup-configuration-for-admins/page/email-templates). ### Working with the Managed Waitlist ##### Assigning a User a Permit from the Waitlist When a permit becomes available in a lot with a waitlist the admin will be notified via the email address that was setup for **Waitlist Email Managers**. The permit will be reserved for assignment to users on the waitlist. To assign the permit to a specific person on the waitlist, follow the instructions below. 1. Go to **Parking Management,** then **Waitlists,** and click **Waitlist**. 2. On the **Waitlist** screen, select **Assign** to associate the selected user to the permit you wish them to have. ##### Releasing or Extending an Assigned Permit If the amount of time you set in the **Waitlist Reservation Duration** passes and the user hasn't purchased a permit, the admin will be sent an email. The admin has the option to **Release** the permit, so that it can be assigned again or to **Extend** the users time to pay for the permit. To do this: 1. Return to the **Waitlist** page, and select the Permit icon beside the username. 2. From the **Parking Permit Information** page, select **Release Permit** or click **Extend** to add 10 more days. ### Additional Waitlist Management Actions - The **Remove Selected From Waitlist** button allows administrators to remove individual or multiple records from the waitlist. - The **Email All Listed Users** button allows administrators to send a single email message to all users currently displayed in the table. - The **Email Selected Users** button allows administrators to send an email only to those users they have individually selected. - The **Export to Excel** button exports the entire waitlist table as an Excel spreadsheet for further analysis or external use. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Clear Communication**: Customize the **Waitlist Selected** email template to clearly inform users about the permit offer, the purchase deadline, and next steps. - **Defined Process**: Establish internal procedures for managing permit offers, extensions, and removals from the waitlist to ensure consistency and fairness. - **Monitor Email Managers**: Ensure the email addresses in **Waitlist Email Managers** are actively monitored by the appropriate staff to facilitate prompt assignment and follow-up. - **Waitlist Reservation Duration**: Set a realistic and fair reservation duration, balancing user convenience with the need to quickly reassign permits if offers are not taken up. - **Leverage Reporting**: Use the **Waitlist Report** and export features to analyze demand, identify trends, and refine your permit allocation strategies. # Setting Permit State for a Lost or Stolen PermitThis article describes the process for managing a lost or stolen permit. This involves switching the user to a new permit and then setting the state of the original permit to **Lost** or **Stolen** to remove it from circulation.
### Understanding the Lost or Stolen State Setting a permit's state to **Lost** or **Stolen** will immediately remove it from active circulation. The permit will no longer be available for: - Purchase or assignment from the Admin Portal - Purchase from the User Portal - Selection within the Permit Switching tool ### Using this Feature You **must** switch the user to a new permit *before* setting the old permit's state to **Lost** or **Stolen**. Failing to do so will make the old permit unavailable for the switch process. No specific system configuration is required for this process. It utilizes the standard **Quick Search** and permit management tools. This process is divided into **two distinct parts**: first switching the user to a new permit, and then deactivating the old one.This article describes the process for editing the cost of an unpaid standard permit for a specific user. This feature allows administrators with the proper permissions to make one-time price adjustments for a single transaction without affecting the permit's default price for other users.
### Setup & Configuration For an administrator to use this feature, their user role must have the **Edit Unpaid Permit Cost** permission enabled. - Go to **System Configuration**, then **Admin Management**, and click **Manage Roles**. - Select the administrator role you wish to modify. - Go to the permissions list for that role. - Locate and enable the **Edit Unpaid Permit Cost** checkbox. - Save the changes to the role. ### Using this Feature Once the permission is enabled, the price of an unpaid permit can be changed from two different locations in the Admin Portal. ##### Editing During Permit Reservation - While booking a permit for a user, click the **edit cost** button that appears next to the permit price. - In the fields that appear, enter the new price and a comment explaining the reason for the change. - Proceed with booking the permit as normal. The adjusted price will be reflected in the user's cart. ##### Editing from the Permit Information Page - For a permit that is already in a user's cart but remains unpaid, navigate to the cart and click the permit name link to open the **Permit Info Page**. - Click the **edit cost** button. - Enter the new price and a comment. - Click the **Update Permit** button to save the change. **Viewing Price Change History** All changes made to a permit's price are logged for auditing purposes. You can view these changes in the user's profile under the **Recent History** and **Standard Permit History** sections. Any comments entered during the price change will also be visible in the notes on the **Permit Info Page**. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **This feature only affects unpaid permits.** Once a payment has been processed, the price cannot be changed using this tool. Any adjustments for paid permits must be handled through a separate *financial adjustment*. - **Always enter a clear and specific comment** when changing a permit price. This provides an essential audit trail for other administrators and for resolving any future billing questions. # Selling Permits Using Tablet Kiosks with OPSCOMThis article provides instructions on how to configure a tablet to act as a dedicated self-service kiosk for selling temporary guest permits. By locking the tablet to a specific guest permit booking page, organizations can offer a streamlined way for visitors to purchase parking without staff assistance or the need for a personal user account.
### Setup and Configuration Setting up a kiosk involves three main parts: obtaining the unique booking link for the desired parking lot, enabling Kiosk Compatible Mode within OPSCOM, and configuring the physical tablet device to lock it to the booking page. #### Part One - Obtain the Guest Permit Link Each lot configured for temporary permits has a unique URL for guest bookings. You will need this link to set up the kiosk. - Go to **Parking Management**, then **Lot Administration**, and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. - Click the name of the lot you want to feature on the kiosk. - Select the **Temporary Permits** tab. - Locate the QR code section. The guest permit booking link is displayed directly below the code. - Copy this URL to use in the tablet configuration step. ##### **The lot must be properly configured to sell temporary permits. Detailed instructions can be found on the [*Pricing & Lot Admin* page](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/pricing-and-lot-admin). You must set prices in the temporary permit section of the lot editor. If left blank, they will be disabled, and users will not be able to pick it as an option.** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/image.png) In the above ***example***, permits will be available for ***free*** for 2 hours**, ***$5*** for **3 hours**, ***$8*** for **12 hours**, and ***$10*** for **24 hours/1 day**. #### Part Two - Enable Kiosk Compatible Mode in OPSCOM This system-wide setting optimizes the guest permit workflow for a kiosk environment. - Go to **System Configuration**, and click **System Settings**. - Select the **General System Settings** tab. - Enable the **Enable Kiosk Compatible Mode** toggle. - Click **Save Settings**. Enabling this mode makes the following changes **only to guest booking pages**: - After a successful transaction, the user is returned to the initial booking page instead of a receipt page, making it ready for the next user. - The main navigation menu, header, and footer are hidden to prevent users from navigating away or attempting to log in on a public device.**Warning:** Enabling Kiosk Compatible Mode affects **all** guest permit transactions, not just those from a kiosk. Users purchasing a guest permit via a QR code on their personal device will also be redirected to the start page after payment. We recommend enabling this setting only if you intend to use physical kiosks.
#### Part Three - Configure the Tablet Device (Android) To function as a kiosk, the tablet must be locked to the guest permit URL using third-party apps and built-in operating system features. The following steps provide one example of how to achieve this on an Android device. ##### Step A: Install and Configure a Kiosk Browser App 1. On your Android tablet, open the **Google Play Store** and install a kiosk browser application (e.g., **Fully Kiosk Browser & Lockdown**). 2. Open the app to configure its initial settings. 3. Paste the guest permit link from Part One into the **Start URL** field. 4. Enable **Fullscreen Mode**. 5. Disable **Show Action Bar** and **Show Address Bar**.Explore the app's advanced settings, such as **Web Auto Reload** -> **Auto Reload on Idle**. Setting this to 30 or 60 seconds will automatically reset the page for the next user after a period of inactivity.
##### Step B: Pin the Kiosk App Pinning the app prevents users from closing it and accessing other tablet functions. You can do this in device settings, a separate app. 1. Ensure the tablet has a security PIN or password enabled. This can be set in the device's **Settings** app, typically under **Lock screen**. 2. Navigate to **Settings** -> **Security and privacy** -> **More security settings**. 3. Enable the **Pin app** option. 4. Open the kiosk browser app you just configured. 5. Tap the **recent apps** button (on most devices, this is an icon with three vertical bars at the bottom of the screen). 6. Tap the icon appearing above the kiosk app's window and select **Pin this app**. The device is now locked into the kiosk browser, and the device's PIN will be required to exit the app. ### Using this Feature Once fully configured, the tablet functions as a locked-down, single-purpose device. ##### End-User Workflow - A user approaches the tablet, which already displays the permit booking page for the designated lot. - The user cannot navigate to other apps, web pages, or system settings. - After entering their plate information and completing payment, a confirmation message appears. - The page then automatically resets to the start of the booking process for the next user. --- ### Best Practices and Considerations - **Physically secure the device.** Use a commercial-grade tablet enclosure or stand to protect the device from theft and damage in a public environment. - **The tablet setup process may vary.** The specific menu names and steps for configuring a tablet can differ based on the device manufacturer, OS version, or the specific kiosk app used. The instructions provided should be treated as a general guide. - **Test the entire user flow.** Before deploying the kiosk publicly, perform several test transactions to ensure the process is smooth, payment is successful, and the page resets correctly for the next user. # QR Code User ExperienceThe **QR Code User Experience** allows parkers to quickly purchase a permit for a specific lot by scanning a physical QR code. This feature provides a streamlined checkout process for **OPS-COM administrators** to offer both guest parkers and registered users, facilitating rapid payments via mobile devices.
--- ### Using this Feature The workflow varies slightly depending on whether the parker is a guest or a logged-in user. #### Guest Checkout - Tap the QR code link or scan the physical code using a mobile device camera. - Tap the **Accept** button when prompted by the **Guest Disclaimer**. - Enter the vehicle information in the **Vehicle Plate** field. - Tap the **Duration** drop-down menu and select the length of stay. - Tap the **Payment Method** drop-down menu and choose the supported provider. - Tap **Make Payment** after entering credit card details on the secure payment page. #### Registered User Checkout (Accelerated) - Tap the QR code link or scan the code while logged into the **User Portal**. (could be in a closed tab, as long as your session is still active.) - Review the pre-populated vehicle and payment information retrieved from your stored account details. - Tap the **Duration** drop-down menu to choose your stay length. - Tap the **Make Payment** button to complete the transaction instantly using stored tokens from the payment processor.Logged-in users experience a significantly faster checkout as the system automatically pulls stored **Vehicle Plates** and **Payment Profiles**, removing the need for manual data entry.
#### Key Information Displayed - **Lot Selection**: Since the QR code is lot-specific, the lot is pre-selected and displayed at the top of the page. - **Transaction Record**: An on-screen confirmation appears immediately following a successful payment. - **User Receipt**: A receipt is automatically generated and sent to the user's registered email address (or the one they are required to enter on checkout, as a guest user. --- ### Best Practices and Considerations - **Encourage user registration** to allow parkers to take advantage of the accelerated checkout, which reduces friction and improves compliance. - **Verify physical signage** regularly to ensure QR codes are legible and linked to the correct, active lot in the system. - **Business Rules**: Organizations should establish a policy for managing guest refunds, as these transactions are not tied to a permanent user profile in the same way as registered accounts. # Real-Time Parking MapThis article describes the setup and use of the Real-Time Parking Map. This feature provides a publicly accessible, interactive map displaying real-time lot availability, allowing users to find parking and purchase temporary permits directly.
### Setup & Configuration Setting up the map requires creating a public-facing page and then configuring each lot that you want to display on that map. First, to have this enabled, you will need to contact an OPSCOM support staff member, and have them enable it on your production system. ##### Step 1: Adding the Map to any page in OPSCOM A Map page is now provided by default, at this link: `[CLIENT NAME].ops-com.com/u/#/realtimemodal` **If you would like to display the map on any other system messaging pages, such as the user login screen, or anywhere else, follow the instructions below;** - Navigate to **System Configuration,** then **Content & Designs** and click **Pages and Content Blocks.** - Create a new page **(or edit an existing one)** that will host the map. - In the content area of this page, add the following two shortcodes, each on its own line: - `[real-time-map]` - `[real-time-legend]` ##### Step 2: Configure Individual Lots For each lot you want to display on the map, you must configure the following settings. First, go to [Pricing and Lot Admin](https://tomahawku.test-admin.ops-com.com/admin/config/permits/lot/14/edit). - **In the Zones and Location tab:** - Select the lot and set a map marker. - Enter a public-facing description in the **Location** field. - **Now that you have set a map marker and location;** - Go to the **Temporary Parking** tab. - Set the **Maximum number of Temp Permits**, a 30-day usage setting, and the **Daily Cost** and **Hourly costs**. - Enable the **Allow this lot to appear on the Real-Time Parking Map** checkbox. ##### Step 3: Optional - Configure Special Spots 1. Go to **Lot Administration** and select **Manage Special Space Types**. 2. Click **Add New** to create informational categories such as 'Electric Vehicle Charging' or 'Handicapped Accessible'. 3. Navigate back to **Lot Administration** and select the lot you wish to update. 4. Go to the **General** tab and enter the number of spaces available for each **Special Space Type**. ### Using this Feature Once configured, the map is accessible to both the public for finding and purchasing parking, and to administrators for viewing lot statistics. ##### Public User View - The map is accessible to the public at the URL: `https://yourdomain.parkadmin.com/real-time` - Users can hover over a map marker to see the lot name and description. - Clicking a marker displays detailed availability, information about special spots, and a **Book Now** button. Clicking this button directs them to the temporary permit purchase screen. ##### Administrator View - Administrators can view the map internally by hovering over **Parking Management** and clicking **Real-Time Map**. - The admin view is similar to the public map, but clicking on the map markers will display more detailed lot statistics. - The Admin view has been updated to show **Pay by Plate machine capacity** in each lot if applicable, all **other spaces availability**, including special spaces such as **handicap** and **pregnancy** spaces. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **The Real-Time Map is designed for temporary parking.** A lot will not appear on the map unless all the required fields on the **Temporary Parking** tab in **Lot Administration** are correctly filled out and the feature is enabled with the checkbox. - **Write clear and helpful descriptions** in the **Location** field under **Zones and Locations**. This text is visible to the public when they hover over a map marker and can be used to provide useful information, like 'Visitor Parking - North Campus'. # QR Code Guest Temporary PermittingThis article describes how to configure and use the QR code feature to allow guests to self-register for temporary parking permits. This functionality streamlines the guest parking process for both free and paid scenarios, enabling visitors to quickly obtain a valid permit by scanning a code with their mobile device.
### Setup & Configuration Proper setup is required at both the system and lot level to enable QR code permitting.QR codes also work for users who are logged into an account already. They must have an active session on the same browser in order to use their stored account information to checkout. (They must also be the correct user type for that lot)
For instance, if you are logged in as user1, and scan the QR code, you will be taken to your account to checkout in that specific lot. If you do not have an active session, you will be checking out as a guest user. ##### System-Wide Configuration These initial steps enable the QR code functionality for your entire OPSCOM system. - Go to **System Configuration** > **Users** > **Types**. - Confirm that a user type named **Guest User** exists. If it does not, you must add it. - Navigate to **System Settings** > **Temp Permits**. - Enable the **Enable QR Codes** checkbox.**WARNING:** The **Guest User** type is essential for this feature to function. Without it, you will not be able to assign QR code capabilities to your lots.
- Users who wish to pay for a temporary permit with saved cards must first log in to their account, and go to permits, then click on **Parking map** in order to use the same quick checkout process. ##### Lot-Specific Configuration Follow these steps for each individual lot where you want to offer guest temporary permitting via QR code. 1. Go to **Parking Management** > **Lot Administration** > **Pricing and Lot Admin**. 2. Select the desired lot to configure. 3. On the **General** tab, select **Guest User** as the **User Type** for the lot. Removing this user type will disable the QR code feature for this specific lot. 4. Click the **Temporary Parking** tab. 5. In the pricing section, set the hourly and/or daily costs. - For **free parking**, enter `$0.00` for the applicable timeframes. - For **paid parking**, enter the correct amounts for the durations you wish to offer. 6. Click the **Update Lot** button to save all changes. **Optional:** If you wish to use the lot for QR code functionality alone excluding standard and temp permitting through the user portal, you can set the **Visibility to User** as **Hidden but Accessible** in the General tab. If you wish to use this lot for Temp permits exclusively, enable the **This lot is for temporary parking only** checkbox.**Note:** **Daily Cost** permits expire at midnight on the day of purchase. To offer a true 24-hour permit, use the **Hourly Cost** setting and define a **24-hour** duration instead.
### Using this FeatureYou can brand the QR code with your organization's logo. First, upload the logo to the media bin. Then, in the **QR code configuration** section on the **Temporary Parking** tab, select your uploaded image from the **Logo** field.
Once configured, the QR code can be deployed for public use. The necessary tools are available within the lot's administration page. ##### Accessing & Deploying the QR Code - Go to **Parking Management** > **Lot Administration** > **Pricing and Lot Admin**. - Select the configured lot and go to the **Temporary Parking** tab. - The QR code and its associated links will be displayed in the **QR code configuration** section. ### Available Actions - **Print QR Code:** Click this button to generate a printable page containing the QR code. This is ideal for quick deployment on physical signage. - **Download QR Code:** Click this button to download the QR code as an SVG file. This high-quality vector format is best for incorporating into professionally designed signs or digital materials. - **Direct Link:** Click this icon to copy the unique URL for the guest permit page. This link can be emailed, posted on a website, or sent via text message to provide direct access without scanning a code. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Always test the QR code** with a mobile device after configuration to ensure it directs users to the correct permitting page. - For optimal visibility, **place QR code signage at lot entrances** and other strategic locations where drivers will easily see it upon arrival. - If you are offering paid temporary permits, **ensure a payment processor is correctly configured** and linked within your OPSCOM system. - The end-user experience is a simple, mobile-friendly process where the guest scans the code, selects a parking duration from the options you configured, enters their license plate number, and completes the payment if required. # Parking Logix - Parking Sensor Integration ## Enable Parking Logix Integration Before you can use the Parking Logix integration on your system you will need to navigate to your **Third Party** settings under **System Settings**. From there you should see the option to enable **Parking Logix Integration**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/3x1image.png) ## Adding the Lot Group Next, add a new lot group to your system making sure you include the API code. It is possible but unlikely that there will be multiple API keys if lot access is split over several keys. Create a specific group for each lot you will be collecting data from. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/5JZimage.png) Once the Lot Group has been configured you would need to assign it to the lot on the **LPR Settings Tab** of the Lot Administration tool. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/3Jzimage.png) ## Enable the System Task A system task must be enabled for the Parking Logix sensors to communicate with our system. This must be enabled by OPSCOM integration staff and you can contact us through support to set this up. Please emailThis article describes the Pay Station Status lookup tool, used for searching and verifying temporary permits issued by pay stations. Its primary purpose is to allow administrators and enforcement personnel to look up a vehicle's pay station status based on various criteria, such as plate number and time. This guide is intended for OPSCOM administrators and enforcement staff.
### Using this Feature This page allows administrators to filter for pay station transactions and view vehicle details. This tool is a standard administrative feature and does not require any specific configuration. It relies on a successful integration with your organization's pay station hardware to populate its data. ##### Performing a Status Lookup 1. Go to **Parking Management**, then hover over **Temporary Permits**, and click **Pay Station Status**. 2. Enter your criteria into one or more of the following search filters: - **Plate**: Search for a specific license plate. - **Valid Date/Time**: Find permits that were valid on or after the selected date and time. - **Zones**: Filter the results for specific pay station zones. - **Validity Filter**: Use the drop-down menu to show only **Valid**, **Non-Valid**, or **All** records. 3. Select an option from the **Sort Order** drop-down menu to organize the results by a specific column. 4. Click the **Search** button. ##### Available Actions - The **Plate** number in each row of the results list is a clickable link. Click on the plate number to view or edit that vehicle's details. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Use the Plate and Valid Date/Time filters together for quick enforcement checks.** This allows you to instantly verify if a specific vehicle had a valid pay station permit at the time of an infraction. - The data on this page is pulled directly from your integrated pay station system. **Any discrepancies in the data should first be investigated at the pay station terminal or its management software.** # Zebra Sticker PrintersThis article provides a comprehensive guide for configuring Zebra sticker printers for use with the OPSCOM Admin Portal. This process involves setting up a custom layout and system message in OPSCOM, as well as configuring local printer and browser settings, to enable the printing of physical permit stickers.
### Setup & Configuration This is a one-time, multi-phase setup process. It is recommended to complete all phases in the specified order before attempting to print. ##### **Phase 1:** Create the OPSCOM Layout Template 1. Hover over **System Config** and click **Templates & Design**. 2. On the **Layouts List** page, click the **Create Layout** button. 3. Enter a descriptive **Name** for the layout (e.g., "Zebra Printing") and click **Save Changes**. 4. On the next screen, click **Toggle Templates** and create a **Styles** section and a **Scripts** section. 5. Copy the provided styling and script code into the corresponding sections for each language you wish to support. ##### **Phase 2:** Create the System Message 1. Navigate to **Manage System Messaging** and click the **Create Page/Message** button. 2. Fill in the required fields, ensuring you select the new layout you created in Phase 1 from the **Layout** drop-down menu. 3. In the content editor box, hover over **Tools** and click **Source Code**. 4. Paste the required shortcode HTML into the source code view and click **Save**. ##### **Phase 3:** Configure Windows Printer Drivers 1. Open **Windows Settings** and navigate to **Devices**, then **Printers & Scanners**. 2. Select your Zebra printer and click the **Manage** button. 3. Click **Printer Properties** and go to the **Stocks** tab. 4. Click the **New...** button to define a new stock that matches your sticker label dimensions. 5. After creating the stock, navigate to **Printing Preferences** and select the new stock as the default. ##### **Phase 4:** Configure Browser Print Settings Before proceeding, you must temporarily disable the auto-print script. Navigate back to your layout template in OPSCOM (**System Config** -> **Templates & Design**) and comment out the code in the **Scripts** section. This will prevent the sticker from automatically printing and allow you to adjust the browser settings. - **For Chrome**: Adjust the print settings to match the required configuration, paying close attention to margins and ensuring headers and footers are disabled. - **For Firefox**: Open the print menu and adjust the page properties to match the required configuration, focusing on orientation, scale, and margins. ### Using this Feature Once all configuration steps are complete, administrators can print permit stickers from the Admin Portal. - Go to **Parking Permit Information** page for the desired permit. - Click the green print button located next to the **Update Permit** button. - The browser's print dialog will appear, allowing you to print the sticker. - After confirming the print settings are correct, you can uncomment the code in the **Scripts** section of your layout template to re-enable automatic printing. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations ##This article provides OPSCOM administrators with the necessary instructions to configure the Permit Printing from Home feature. This functionality allows end-users to print a physical copy of their parking permit directly from the user portal. The setup involves creating a printable permit template using system messaging and then enabling a system-wide setting.
### Setup & Configuration Configuring this feature is a two-part process. First, the feature must be enabled in the system settings. Second, the templates for ***permitPdf*** and ***permitTempPdf*** must be customized, if desired. - Go the **System Configuration** and click **System Settings**. - Select the **Permits** tab. - Click the **Enable User Permit Printing** checkbox. - Click **Save Settings**. ##### Locate the Permit Print Template The printable permits are generated from a system message. - Go to **System Configuration**, then **Content and Design**, and click **Pages and Content Blocks**. - Select the **Messages** tab. - Edit the messages where the **System Location** column is labled ***permitPdf***, and ***permitTempPdf*** These two pages above, ***permitPdf*** and ***permitTempPdf*** are used to customize the content of either a regular printed permit, or a temporary printed permit, respectively. ### Define the Template Content Use the content editor to design the layout of your printable permit. You can use a combination of text, images (like your organization's logo), and specific shortcodes to dynamically pull in permit and user information. ##### Available Shortcodes The following shortcodes can be used within the message body to display dynamic permit information: - `[permitpdf user=fullname]` - Displays the full name of the user. - `[permitpdf vehicle=all]` - Displays a comma-separated list of up to three associated vehicles. - `[permitpdf vehicle=1]` - Displays the first vehicle on the permit. You can also use `vehicle=2` or `vehicle=3`. - `[permitpdf permit=expiry]` - Displays the permit's expiry date. - `[permitpdf permit=permitno]` - Displays the unique permit number. - `[permitpdf permit=lotshortname]` - Displays the short name of the associated lot. - `[permitpdf permit=lotname]` - Displays the full name of the associated lot. - `[permitpdf permit=location]` - Displays the location associated with the permit. ##### Default Template Content Below is a sample of what should be the default message content;[](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-08/gwrimage.png) To use our recommended template, you can leave the content as the default text, but be sure to change any logos or company names to your own. --- ### User Portal Guide Once enabled, users will see an option to print their permit from the user portal. For a detailed guide on the user-facing process, please refer to the *[Printing Your Parking Permits Made Easy!](https://opscom.wiki/books/OPSCOM-user-portal/page/printing-your-parking-permits-made-easy)* article. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Always test your template before deploying.** After creating your message, print it out to ensure the layout, shortcodes, and any images appear correctly on a physical page. - **Include clear instructions for the user.** It is recommended to add text to the template that instructs the user on how to display the permit (e.g., "Please display this permit face-up on the driver's side of your dashboard"). # Validator Admin Groups User Level Capabilities within the Validator Tool Here is a description of what each user level can do with the **Validator Tool**. 1. The **Super Admin** can set up new **Groups** with a **Group Name**, as well as assign **Managers** and **Group Members**. Only the Super Admin can add Managers and Admins. 1. Definition: The Super Admin will also be any Primary Admin with permissions in OPSCOM to manage the Validator; they can create groups and have the ability to add users to the group. The permissions that the Super Admin assigns to the individual group members will determine their access level on the system. All permissions must be added or removed by the Super Admin and cannot be done by any other user. 2. The Super Admin will be able to see all current, pending, past and archived (deleted) validations. These are the permissions required to use the **Super User Manager** role. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/ogCimage.png) 3. Group Managers and Admins will be able to see all of their Groups, current/pending validations and delete future/current validations up to the 15-minute mark of the Start Date. Group Managers can only manage one group at a time. 1. Please note that deletions would only be available from the Manage Validations page. These are the permissions required to be the **Validator Admin** role: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/9bTimage.png) 4. The Super User will be able to delete any future, current, and past validations. 1. Please note that archived is considered deleted. Archived information is not purged from the system. This is due to the need to keep system data integrity. These are the permissions required to be the **Validator Entry** role: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/lTLimage.png) ## User Level Display within the Validator Tool Here is the description of what each user level can see in the Validator Report and Manage Validations tools. 1. The **Super Admin** will be able to see all **Validator Groups** via the drop-down menu of **All/Individual** **Validators** within each group. The Super Admin should be able to delete any entry at any time, pre or post validation. 2. Group Managers will only be able to see their own Validator Groups within a drop-down of **All/Individual Validators** within their group. They will also be able to delete any entry pre-validation. 3. **Admins** will only be able to see and delete their own entries pre-validation or within a 15-minute leeway (as described below). 4. Please set-up a 15-minute grace period on deletions. This will allow a current validation to be deleted up to 15-minutes past the start date, in the case of an input error. (Setting) 5. **Users** will be able to search for a partial or full plate, by entering the time period. No admin name or lot should be required. If the entry was made within the appropriate time period, it should show accordingly. If an Admin name is required then an **All** Admins option, and individual admins within their group are required. ### Creating a Validator Group 1. Navigate to **System Configuration**, then **Admin Management**, and click on **Manage Groups**. 2. This brings you to the **Manage Administrator Groups** page. 3. To create a Validator group click on the **Parking Validator** module and then click **Add New** in the top right corner under. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/rMmimage.png) The **Adding New Group** window will appear with the following options:| **Options** | Info |
|---|---|
| **1. Group Name** | The Group Name is how you set the name of a group. |
| **2. Module** | The Module is where you can set the purpose of the group. |
| **3. Validator Comment** | The Validator Comment is a spot where you can add any comments that you need to. |
| **4. Admin Members** | The Admin is the area in which you can add admin members to the group |
| **5. Default Validation Hours** | The Default Validation Hours is where you can set a default permit duration. |
**Note:** There is currently no way to enforce a strict limit or prevent admins from overriding the default duration. The value serves only as an automatically populated preset and can be manually adjusted.
4. When you are finished click the **Save Group** button. You will see your group added to the bottom of the Administrator Groups. ##### Adding Members to a Group 1. Navigate to **System Configuration**, then **Admin Management**, and click on **Manage Groups**. 2. Click the Edit button next to the Administrator Group you wish to edit. 3. Click on the **Admin Members** bar to add more members to the group. 4. When finished, click the **Save Group** button found at the bottom of the Editing Group. ## Zones and How They are Assigned 1. Navigate to **System Configuration**, then **Admin Management**, and click on **Edit Admin Users**. 2. Select an **Admin User** which you want to edit and apply the **Parking Validation Lot Zones** they will manage. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/fMDimage.png) 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the **Parking Validation Lot Zones** window. Select the **Zone(s)** in which this admin will be managing validations. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/haeimage.png) 4. Click any **Zones** that apply to this Admin and click **Update User** at the bottom of the page to finish. # Public-Facing Lot Pages # Overview Within the system, there is the option to create a custom lots page, which will display a list of lots that users can book from. The page consists of two subpages: - Lots List - Contains the list of lots on the system for the user to choose from - Lot Detail - Contains detailed information pertaining to the lot selected by the user Setting up these pages requires the use of shortcodes within the system. ## **Page Setup** The custom pages can be setup from the **Pages and Content Blocks** page. It can be found under **System Configuration → Content & Designs → Pages and Content Blocks** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-05/mbSimage.png) ## Pages and Content Blocks The pages and content blocks section, or system messaging, allows the setup of custom user pages. ## Shortcodes A shortcode is a bit of text that has been coded to return a specific value when placed within the body of the page layout. The value it returns can be anything from single variable, to a module laid out within a template, like a table or a form. A shortcode looks like this: **\[lots\_list\]** In this case, the shortcode returns a list of the lots in the system. By placing the shortcode in the body of the message, it will show up on the corresponding page in that location. Shortcodes will be used to create the layout of the lot subpages. # Lot List Page The first subpage that must be created is the page where the list of lots will appear. It does not need to have a dedicated page, and the lot list can be placed on any custom page that is wanted. In this example, the lots list will be placed on a custom page. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-05/uZGimage.png) The path that is chosen here is what the path will be in the url. This would make the lots\_list module show up when the address has /lots at the end of the base URL. The lots list is a module, meaning its appearance is fixed and cannot be modified further. Only its location on the site can be customized. ### Lot List Shortcode The shortcodes must be typed exactly as they appear, or they will not work. There is only one short code relevant to the lot lists page:| **Shortcode** | **Description** | **Additional Options** |
|---|
| **Shortcode** | **Description** | **Additional Options** |
|---|---|---|
| \[lots\_list\] | Displays a list of the currently available lots. Can be placed on any page. | \[lots\_list include\_hidden=1\] - By default, lots set as not visible will not appear in the list. This option will include those lots in the list. \[lots\_list only\_text2parkme=1\] - This will restrict the list to only show lots that have Text2ParkMe enabled. |
| **Shortcode** | **Description** |
|---|
| **Shortcode** | **Description** |
|---|---|
| \[values show=lotname\] | Displays the name of the lot. |
| \[values show=lottype\] | Displays the initial of the lot's type. |
| \[values show=lotnameid\] | Displays the lot's id. |
| \[values show=defaultcost format=currency\] | Displays how much renting a permit for the lot costs. |
| \[values show=location\] | Displays the location set for the lot. It is an address or a short description. |
| \[values show=textcode\] | The Text2ParkMe code for the lot. |
| \[values show=ratePer10Min format=currency\] | The Text2ParkMe rate for the lot. |
| \[lot show=buy\_now\] | Displays a button that will take the user to the page to purchase a permit for the lot. Will take the user to the login screen if they are not logged in or do not have an account. |
| \[lot show=map\] | Displays a small map with the lot's location according to the latitude and longitude values that are stored for it. |
| \[lot show=photo\] | Displays the photo that has been selected for the lot. A photo can be assigned from the Lot Administration page /admin/config/permits/lot/{id}/edit. |
**Note:** These zones have to be set in the lots you wish to validate. In Lot Administration go to the Zone & Location tab to select the zone associated with the lot.
[](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/pH0image.png) ## Accessing the Validator Tool Log in as this user. Only one menu item entitled '**Create Validations**' will be available.**Note:** The following screen represents the view of the validation tool that would be used by admins who have restricted access to the OPSCOM system and would have access to the Validation Tool Only.
[](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Ynnimage.png) The Validate Parking screen will appear. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/iLiimage.png) Click '**Create Validations**'. From this page you can: 1. Enter plate number(s) 2. Enter a comment 3. Select the lot zone in which you want to validate the vehicle 4. Select the date range you wish the validation to be in effect. 5. Set the Valid Time Frame (These blocks represent a full hour. In our example below we are setting the Valid times between 7am and 7pm). 6. Select the Valid Days you wish to have the validation in effect. 7. Click Validate to apply the validation.In this example we are validating the plate ABC123 on March 21st, between 7am and 7pm, if the day happens to fall on a weekday. If the Valid Between Dates was set from March 21st, to March 26th, it would be valid from Monday to Friday, during that week, 7am to 7pm.
[](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/LrBimage.png) The list of validated vehicles appears below the submit form. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/u82image.png) #### Advanced Features With full access to the tool within OPSCOM there are several additional features to take into account. Not only do you have the validator tool, you also have the ability to run reports and Manage validations. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/dMeimage.png) # How Do Temporary Validated Parkers Appear on the Handheld Devices Parkers who are validated through this tool will appear as a "**Temp Parker**" on the Android version of **OPS-COM.** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/V0Kimage.png) By tapping on the plate number you will get an expanded view with further detailed information. In our example, we see the parker has a **Validator** created permission to park in the **Day Care Lot Zone**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/cbIimage.png) To see even finer detail on this permission, tap the green rectangle labelled **Validator - Day Care**. A pop up will appear showing a **reference number** and the **Expiry date** of the permission. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/3Uiimage.png) A closer look: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/405image.png) # Apply Temp Permit to User Vehicles 1. To begin, you must set the ability to apply the permit to multiple vehicles in **Lot Administration** under the **Temporary Parking** Tab. You must enable the following items: **- Allow temp permits to be used over 30 days.** **- Allow All Vehicles on profile to receive permit.** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/qiXimage.png) 2. Once this is set, you are ready to issue a temporary permit to multiple vehicles. To begin, go to the user's profile and click on the **Parking Tab**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/D3Dimage.png) 3. Select **Temporary Parking Permit**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/QyQimage.png) 4. The **Temporary Parking Permit Registration** window opens. In our example, we will select the **Green Staff Lot East** where we had configured the ability to apply the permit to all vehicles (Step 1 above) Set the **start date** and **end date**. The date range must be for a period longer than 30 days in order to activate the **Apply to all Vehicles** button. Click the button to apply the permit to all vehicles. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/bT2image.png) 5. Click **Confirm This Permit** to proceed to the Confirmation window. You can verify the information before proceeding to purchase the permit. *Note: the two vehicles are listed in the Vehicle list.* Click **Purchase this Permit** to continue. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/22uimage.png) 6. The payment screen displays. Start the purchase process. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Dvoimage.png) 7. Select your method of payment and click the **Submit Payment Information** button. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/bT4image.png) 8. Select **Confirm Payment Information** to proceed. Click **Process Manually** to complete the purchase. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/MlTimage.png) 9. You will be taken to the **Transaction Details** screen, where you can see a final record of your purchase. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/NrRimage.png) # LPR Audit Log ## Viewing the LPR Audit Log To access the LPR Audit Log, go to the **Violations** menu and hover over **LPR and Chalking**. Select **View Audit Log** from the resulting drop down menu. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/HN6image.png) The initial screen will display with the option to **Toggle More Options** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/VzPimage.png) ## Filtering Results Search results can be filtered to display specific information. The two filter fields are Camera selection and Event type when clicking **Toggle More Options**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/011image.png) Event type refers to one of five selections: Any Event Entry Events Exit Events Patrol Events (These are LPR chalking records from a Patrol Officer's hand held unit. Tracking (These could be cameras that track movement such as moving from one floor of a multilevel garage to another floor. # Viewing and Editing LPR Events 1. Go to **Violations**, then **LPR and Chalking**, and click **View Events**. - A list of Events will appear. The following information is displayed: - Plate Image - Plate Number - Province - Score (relates to how accurate the system analyzes the capture to be) - Km/h (Speed, as well as direction - approaching or going away from the camera) - Recorded (Date and Time of capture) - Events (How many times this plate has been captured) - Status (Valid or Invalid) - Lot Group - Violations 2. If the admin wants to refine their search more, they can enter the date and time range that is being reported on, by entering values in the recorded on and Up to and including field. 3. To search for partial plates, turn on the Perform fuzzy search option then enter the partial plate into the license plate text box. 4. The admin has the ability to correct plate reads that are wrong or partial. To correct the plate number, click on the **pencil icon** to edit the entry. 5. Enter the Correct Plate Number. 6. Select the appropriate province. 7. Click the **Blue Icon** to save the changes. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/uiKimage.png) ### **Other Information that can be viewed from this interface.** --- 1. Hover over the **thumbnail in the record** and the full image capture can be displayed. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/kHCimage.png) # Improve LPR Read Rates ## What is the optical range for the reader? The sweet spot for plate reads is 1.5 to 2.5 meters between camera and plate. Also check to make sure the lens is clean. Another issue may be camera angle. The optimum angle for the camera is straight on (parallel) to the plate [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/VJUimage.png) ## Fuzzy Searching The PL8-RDR system supports fuzzy searching based on user supplied values. In the case of the LPR system "seeing" **ABC123**, it will also validate against **A8C123** and **ABC128** or **A8C12B**. ## Manual Corrections You can improve plate reads by making corrections and verifying correct plates on the system. OPSCOM has an algorithm that includes the human updates as part of the read score. Therefore, if a plate is misread and corrected, it is very probable that the system will return the (human) updated version. Further, the system does fuzzy searching... this means it will look for a plate in the system that matches a pattern. For example, a plate of ABC123 may be read as A8C128. With fuzzy searching and based on time of day etc. the system will return ABC123 if that plate has a permit (but will also note that it was a "fuzzy" read of the plate). If you see a score of 100% in the LPR report that means that the system determined a human updated version was the best match since a score of 100% is theoretically impossible with LPR cameras. As an Example here's a tweak you can do for Ontario users once the camera is setup... Go into the Web Interface Page Plate Reader Camera OCR and set the following Characters dimensions: CHAR SIZE Min W: 10 Max W: 50 Min H:30 Max H: 100 [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/AsGimage.png) ## Improving Exposure For dark plate reads: Set Max Shutter to 500 Set Max Gain to 256 (If images are too dark this setting can be increased. However it is not recommended to go over 1000.) Set Iris Level to 15 [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/4Pdimage.png) Adjusting the Bounding Box The LPR camera has the ability to customize the area that is being analyzed during the plate read. This article explains how to adjust the read area (Bounding Box). The bounding box refers to the area that can be adjusted to narrow the view or area that is analyzed by the LPR camera. The settings involved are located in the Plate Reader Settings. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/9ISimage.png) The default settings for full frame are as follows. Measurements for height are always considered the distance from the top of the screen. Measurements for width are based on distance from the left of the screen Win MinX Pixel - 0 *(From the left)* Win MinY Pixel - 0 *(from the top)* Win MaxX Pixel - 1279 *(From the left)* Win MaxY Pixel - 1023 *(from the top)* [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/zALimage.png) To view the location of the bounding box go into the Camera OCR tab. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/bk0image.png) Here is the full frame view of the bounding box. See the red outlined box in the image below. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/8j0image.png) ## Adjusting Height To adjust the box edit the number in the settings. In this case we will narrow the bounding box in height to restrict the read area. Here are the settings: Win MinX Pixel - 0 *(from the left)* Win MinY Pixel - **100** *(from the top)* Win MaxX Pixel - 1279 *(from the left)* Win MaxY Pixel - **700** *(from the top)* [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Of4image.png) IMPORTANT Once the settings are changed and you click on Apply, the camera will reboot. This process will take a couple of minutes to complete before you can navigate away from the page. The resulting Bounding Box will look like this: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/ul6image.png) Let's now say we want to lower the box in the view. I would have to increase the values in both Y axis settings. Here are the settings Win MinX Pixel - 0 *(from the left)* Win MinY Pixel - **200** *(From the top)* Win MaxX Pixel - 1279 *(from the left)* Win MaxY Pixel - **800** *(From the top)* [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/rqeimage.png) Here is the resulting bounding box: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/LYjimage.png) ## Adjusting Width Additionally you can narrow the width of the bounding box if need be. In this case we will narrow the bounding box by 100 pixels on both sides. Here are the settings Win MinX Pixel - **100** *(from the left)* Win MinY Pixel - 200 *(From the top)* Win MaxX Pixel - **1179** *(from the left)* Win MaxY Pixel - 800 *(From the top)* [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/7cgimage.png) Here is the resulting bounding box. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/fcqimage.png) By selective use of these settings you can customize the area that is processed by the LPR read. As a result LPR reads could be faster and more accurate since the camera is reading a smaller more focused area and ignores anything outside of the bounding box. On the Handheld For NOREADs you can check the setting in **System Settings** to see if that can be reduced. It may mean more noise, but it may also help with determining what is going on (ie. reading but not seeing it as a **READ** result) To adjust this setting go into system settings and tap on Include NOREAD (ie. vanity) Results [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/OTsimage.png) Set the percentage to 50% to start. We can tweak it once we see how the system reacts. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/kX0image.png) # Text2ParkMe - Active Permits 1\. In **Parking Management**, hover over the **Permit Management** icon and select **Text2ParkMe - Active Permits.** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/vsqimage.png) 2\. This will take you to the **Text2ParkMe - Active Permits** page that automatically displays all Text2ParkMe permits that are currently active and not yet expired. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/BYCimage.png) 3\. You can filter this listing by entering the data that you want to filter by in the search criteria above. This report can be filtered by ***User, Plate, or Lot Name***. Select the **Filter Report** button to bring up the new report using the filters entered. - The **Username link** will take you to the user's profile. # Text2ParkMe - Usage In **Parking Management**, hover over **Permit Management, Temporary Permits,** and click '**Text2ParkMe**' then '**Current Usage'**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/zF0image.png) This will take you to the **Text2ParkMe - Usage** page where you can enter information to get the usage report that you want to view. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/5oPimage.png) Enter in the information that you want to search - ***User, Plate, Lot, and/or start/end date***. Select the **Search** button to create the report. The report will appear below where the search criteria were entered. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/WO6image.png) The **Username link** will take you to the user's profile. # Refundable Parking Deposits ## Setup Deposit Options Setup and manage your Deposit options. ## Apply Deposit Types Now that your deposit types are in place, they can be applied to specific lots. To do so, go to the **Parking Management Menu** and hover over **Lot Administration**, then click on **Pricing and Lot Admin**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/Au3image.png) Once in **Pricing and Administration**, select the lot you wish to apply the deposit to by clicking on the lot name. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/image.png) Once in **Lot Administration**, select the **Standard Permits** tab to view the available deposit types. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/Iq9image.png) From the list of **Deposits**, click the deposit you wish to apply. You can select more than one deposit type by holding the **Ctrl** or **Shift** key and selecting the deposits you wish to apply. Once the deposit type is associated to a lot, it will then be included in the purchase of a permit in that lot for admins only. Let's have a look at a permit purchase with deposits in place. Go to a user's profile and select the **Parking** tab. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/C2Nimage.png) Click on **Standard Parking Permit** to begin the permit purchasing process. Select the lot you wish to register the client to. In this case we select the **Green Staff Lot East**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/ZWRimage.png) Once the lot is selected, click on **Register Permit**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Jf3image.png) The **Confirm Parking Permit Registration** window will appear. Note the two deposits are included and listed in the **Total Owing** costs. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/RQrimage.png) Click on **Purchase this Permit** to begin the payment process. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/xdBimage.png) ## Editing Assignable Text In this step, the admin can record the access card and hang tag numbers. To do so, click on the **Deposit Item** name. In this case click on **Access Card Deposit: Enter access card number here**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/w6iimage.png) In the **Deposit Information** pop-up window, enter the access card number in the **Assigned Text** field and click **Update Deposit**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/2j4image.png) Once entered, the number will now appear on the **Payments** screen under **Deposits**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/PPuimage.png) You may now proceed with the purchase in the usual manner. # Access Cards - Search 1\. In **Parking Management,** hover over the **'Permit Management**' icon and click **'Access Cards**' then '**Search**'. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/EZYimage.png) 2\. The '**Access Card Search**' screen is displayed. Select the **Lot name** that you want to search. Note, only lots that have access cards associated with it will be listed in the Lot Name drop-down menu. Enter the **Access Card Range** and click the '**Retrieve'** button. Any access cards that match your search will appear below the search criteria. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/nU0image.png) # Hang Tag Printing In **Parking Management**, hover over the **Permit Management** icon, and click **Hang Tag Printing.** The **Vehicle Hang Tag Printing** screen will display. - Select the **Semester** from the drop-down menu. - Select the files that you want to retrieve for printing. - Enable the checkbox *if you only to print tags for which the payment has been fully processed*. - Select the **Permit Lot Name** from the drop-down menu or enable the checkbox to disregard the lot type. - Select the distribution method and the permitted range. - Click the **Retrieve** button to submit the search criteria. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/xg6image.png) The results will display below the search criteria. Note, permits paid by Payroll Deduction will be highlighted. - Click the **Username** link to see an overview of the user. You can select the User Profile icon to open the user profile. - Click the **Permit Number** link to see parking permit information. Enable the Email checkbox(es) to chose users to send the hang tag by email to. Click the **Email Selected** button, then fill in the details of your email. To **print hang tags**, enable the **P****rint checkbox(es)**. If you wish to print hang tags for all users, click the **Select All** button. Click the **Deselect All** button to clear all selections. If you do not want to include an expiry date on the permits being printed, ensure that the 'Do not print date' checkbox is enabled. Otherwise, select the expiry date to be printed on the hangtag and click the **Print Selected Hang Tags** button. This will open up a new window displaying the username and address (positioned to fit in a windowed envelope) in the top left, the lot long name and permit number in the top right as well as the actual permit at the bottom. Note, some organizations use perforated paper to make it easier to remove the permits to be laminated. The empty space on both sides of the paper can be pre-printed to provide parking information, rules and regulations to your users. Some organizations will also purchase holograms to go on the permit as well. ## Expected Results Important In order for the correct address to display on the hangtag, you will need to have the **Mail Permit to** selected on the user's profile, and the appropriate address filled out. For example, if you select **Local Mailing Address** and the user only has their **Personal Mailing Address** completed, the user's address will not be printed to the hangtag. (See **Edit User Profile - Profile Tab**) After printing the hangtag and placing it in its cover, the completed print job could look something like this: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/eakimage.png) [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/GnWimage.png) Select the print option from your browser (Ctrl+P is the print shortcut). A sample printed parking permit front and back would look similar to this: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/bGlimage.png) [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/vVIimage.png) ## Printer Settings Below are sample margin settings.| Margins | Inches | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Left | 0.88 | 22.35 |
| Right | 0.254 | 6.45 |
| Top | 0.96 | 24.38 |
| Bottom | 0.169 | 4.29 |
If enabled, there is a System task that will clear all permits that are sitting in user's carts without any payments or promises to pay on them. Permits that have been **rolled over (renewed)** or permits assigned through **managed waitlist** are **excluded** from this process. Additionally, **Zero dollar** items will not be able to be cleared this way. Instead, use the **Mark Items as Paid** functionality to clear these payments.
Viewing Permits without Payments 1. Click **Parking Management**, hover over **Reports,** and click **Midnight List**. 2. On the report you can see all users with permits in their cart that do not have a payment associated. You can do the following from this report: - - See items to be cleared - Email the affected users - Clear their flag to take them off the list and update the list [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/SSuimage.png) ### Viewing Lockers without Payments 1. Click **Locker Management**, and click **Midnight List**. 2. On the report you can see all users with permits in their cart that do not have a payment associated. You can do the following from this report: - - See items to be cleared - Email the affected users - Clear their flag to take them off the list and update the list ### Setting Up to Automatically Clear Permits without PaymentsIf you do not see the settings mentioned below, please contact
If you do not see the settings mentioned below, please contact
**Welcome to the OPSCOM Waitlist Feature!** This feature allows administrators to manage users waiting to purchase a permit in a specific lot or in a lot category. If enabled, this feature can save your team significant administrative time and ensure a fair allocation process.
#### How Does the OPSCOM Waitlist Work? There are two different ways you can leverage the Waitlist. You can use the waitlist report or you can enable the Managed Waitlist functionality. ##### [Basic Waitlist Report](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/using-the-basic-waitlist-report) When a user joins a waitlist, Admins can access a report to see the waitlists by lot, link to the user's profile or email users individually or in bulk. ##### [Managed Waitlist Functionality](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/managed-wait-list) If Managed Waitlist is enabled, the Admin will be notified when a permit becomes available to be assigned to users on a waitlist. It will automatically be reserved to be assigned to the users on the waitlist. The admin will be able to choose who to assign this permit to add it to the user's cart. The Admin will email the user and give them a specific amount of time to pay for the permit before it expires and can be given to someone else. Go to the linked pages to explore how to setup and work with either the Basic or Managed Waitlist functionality. # Rollover: Auto Selection and Automatically Processing Payments ## Using Credit Cards on File to Purchase Recurring Permits There are two prerequisites to this function working correctly for credit card purchases on rollover. The user **must have a valid credit card registered in the system,** and the card must be **designated as the Prime Credit Card**.If you are accepting Credit cards that you wish to charge on rollover, you must have a Gateway that allows you to charge client cards directly. This cannot work for a system that is set for Hosted Payments only.
### Performing Permit Rollovers Hover over **Permits**, then select **Process Payments for Rollovers**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/jAmimage.png) The **Rollover Payment Processing** page will be displayed as seen in the image below. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/mBUimage.png) To select which payments will be done click the check box with the payment type. If the invoice or permit says "None Set" then the user must process the payment to get the permit in the next sales window. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/6Foimage.png) Select the '**Process Payments for Rollovers**' button [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/ZTcimage.png) ##### Visual Cues & Status Indicators - **Lock Pad Icon**: Displayed on the right side of the **Process Payments for Rollover** screen. This indicates that a previous payment attempt was initiated but did not reach a finalized "Paid" or "Cancelled" state, often due to a **Declined - Retry later** response from the processor. ### Resolving a Locked Permit If a permit is locked and cannot be processed through the standard rollover screen, follow these steps to clear the lock and complete the transaction: 1. Navigate to the **User Profile** of the individual associated with the locked permit. 2. Access the user's **Cart** or **Pending Items**. 3. Select the permit item that is currently locked in the rollover report. 4. Proceed to **Checkout** and manually process the payment using the user's preferred method (e.g., Credit Card, Cash, or Account Credit). 5. Verify the transaction is successful. Once the item is marked as paid in the user's account, it will automatically be removed from the locked status in the **Process Payments for Rollover** screen. --- ### Best Practices & ConsiderationsA locked permit indicates an incomplete transaction. Do not attempt to re-process the payment through the rollover screen until the lock has been cleared via the user's account, as this may result in errors.
- **Monitor rollover reports monthly** to identify any lock pad icons, ensuring that all recurring permit payments have been successfully captured. - **Investigate "Declined" messages** immediately by contacting the user to verify their credit card information or suggesting they contact their bank. - **Redirect payment to the User Profile** when a lock occurs; manual intervention through the user's cart is the primary method for clearing a processing lock. - **Allow for processing time** if a generic error occurs, as some records may take a short period to clear the payment gateway's communication buffer before they can be re-attempted. - **Confirm successful payment** in the user's transaction history before attempting any further administrative actions on the permit to ensure data integrity. # Preventing Permit Rollover after Cancellation Purchase a permit as an Administrator for any user. Locate the permit on the **Profile** page and click the permit button to reveal the **Parking Permit Information** window. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/1OPimage.png) Change the **Rollover State** to **Prevent Rollover**. Enter a comment to explain why you are changing the state. This is mandatory. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/ZWcimage.png) Click Update Permit. A message will display to let you know you have changed the flag. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/5tMimage.png) You should also add notes to indicate why the flag was changed. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/KBsimage.png) The process is almost the same for the user portal. An end user can set their permit to not renewing. Simply find the permit on the User Dashboard and click on the permit button. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/5suimage.png) Select **Not Renewing** from the dropdown list in Permit Information. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Cucimage.png) When you process the rollovers, this permit will not show up in the list. Instead, it will show up in a separate list called **"Permits that will not be rolled over."** [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/0EDimage.png) # Enabling Permit Rollovers without Previous Payment 1. Hover over the **System Config** menu and click **System Settings**. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/aGsimage.png) 2. The '**Manage System Settings**' window is displayed. Click **Permits** and disable the checkbox next to '**Require Payment for Rollovers**'. This setting will be on by default. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/Jftimage.png) 3. Click the **'Save Settings**' button. 4. Proceed with Rollovers to the next allocation period. # Feature Overview - Rollover/Renew Permits**Permit rollovers**, also referred to as **renewals**, describe the process of transitioning an existing permit from its current, expiring validity period to a subsequent, new sales window. This procedure effectively establishes a new duration for which the permit remains valid and involves the requisite charge for this extended period. This is crucial for maintaining continuous parking access for patrons, especially those on payroll deduction or with credit cards on file that can be automatically charged. It's designed to manage active permits from a current sales window into a future sales window, establishing a new duration for which the permit remains valid and involving the requisite charge for this extended period. For instance, consider a monthly permit holder. Their permit is initially configured within a January sales window, granting validity from January 1st to January 31st, at a cost of $100 for the month. In late January, this permit can be rolled over into a February sales window. This action sets the permit's new valid period from February 1st to February 28th, with an additional charge of $100 applied to the permit holder for the month of February.
The rollover process in OPSCOM involves several key steps and configurations: - **Sales Window Setup**: Before any rollover can be performed, ensure your new sales window has a start date equal to or greater than the end date of the previous sales window. - **Permit Renewal Initiation**: Administrators use the Permit Renewals utility to select which sales windows and user types will be included in the rollover. - **Permit Selection & Exclusions**: Administrators can review and select specific lots and even individual permits to include or exclude from the rollover process. - **Payment Processing**: For users with payment subscriptions (payroll deduction, EFT, credit card) set up, payments can be processed automatically as part of the rollover. - **User Notifications (Implicit)**: While not explicitly detailed as a setup, users with payment subscriptions can have their payments processed automatically, implying a streamlined experience. Users who need to make manual payments will be required to do so to secure their permit. - **Prevention**: Both administrators and users have options to prevent specific permits from rolling over. To ensure a smooth permit rollover, you'll need: - A new sales window set up correctly. [Refer to the Sales Window wiki article](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/permit-sales-window-management) to learn more. - Permits marked as renewable in the previous sales window. Before attempting rollovers, please follow the steps in these wiki articles to ensure you have activated the correct Sales Window and that you have your information correctly set up for automatic payments. For parkers with subscriptions, automatic payments can be processed as part of the rollover. This applies to patrons who pay by payroll deduction or credit card. **For Credit Card Payments:** For automatic credit card processing on rollover, the user must have a valid credit card registered in the system, and it must be set as their **Prime Credit Card**. Note that your payment gateway must allow direct charging of client cards; this won't work with hosted payments only. Automatic Permit Payments on Rollover/Renewal Parkers with subscriptions setup in their account Patrons who pay by payroll deduction or through credit card purchases can also have their payments processed automatically as part of the rollover process. ### Performing Permit Rollovers To begin a rollover: 1. Hover over **Permits** (Clock icon) and click **Sales Window**. 2. Click the **Rollover** button to open the **Permit Renewal** page**.**Before a rollover can be performed you must make sure that the new sales window you are rolling into has a start date that is equal to or greater than the end date of your previous sales window.
##### Select Rollover Options 1. From the permit Renewal window select the current sales window you are rolling over **from** (From Sales Window) on the left side of the form. 2. Then select the Sales Window you wish to roll the permits into. In our example we are rolling permits from the October Sales Window to the November Sales Window. 3. Select what user types we wish to roll over, or simply leave it as the default of **All User Types.** 4. Click on **Show Lots** to list all lots that can be rolled over in the selected Sales Window. The list of lots will appear below the search form. ##### Managing Individual Permits for Rollover You can choose to include or exclude specific permits from the rollover. 1. To see the list of permits you can toggle for renewability, click either the **Holders** or **Renewing** button. 2. A list of permits in that lot will appear, allowing you to toggle whether they should be renewable or not. For example, if permits STAFF1000 and STAFF1001 are not renewing, they shouldn't roll over. 3. Click **Update Permits** to save your changes. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/PLRimage.png) [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/tk9image.png) 6\. Click **Update Permits** to save your changes. Here's the logic for permit rollover states:| State | Current Permit Renewing (prevent rollover = 0) | User exists in target Sale Window | Permit exists in target Sale Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewing | True | False | False | Neither the user, nor the permit exists, but the current permit is set to be renewed. |
| Blocked | True | False | True | The permit exists in the target sale window, but the user doesn't. This means anywhere for any permit in the lot. If the user has multiple permits and some of them renewed, then they technically are not blocked. If the user has been given a different permit, they also are not blocked. |
| Renewed | True | True | N/A | The user is considered renewed when they exist in the target sale window. Just like the note for blocked, it's not intended to be good for users with multiple permits. |
| Not Renewing | False | False | N/A | The user was not found in the target sale window and their permit is also not renewing. This is the expected scenario. |
| Not Renewing, but Exists | False | True | N/A | The user WAS found and their permit is not renewing. This could use some investigation to make sure that the user is supposed to have that permit or not. |
This allows you to add individual permits to lots instead of adding an entire range as in the previous section.
##### **Quick Steps:** 1. Hover over **Parking Management** then **Lot Administration** and Select **Allocate**. 2. Find the lot to add the permit to. 3. Click **Add Permits To Lot**. 4. Enter the permit number. 5. Click **Add Permits**. ##### **Step-by-Step Instructions:** 1. **Navigate to Permit Number Allocation page**: Hover over the **Parking Management** icon in the system and then hover over **Lot Administration**, then click on **Allocate**. 2. **Locate the Desired Lot**: On the **Permit Number** **Allocation** page, find the lot you want to add a permit to. 3. **Add Permit to Lot**: Click the **Add Permits To Lot** button. 4. **Enter Permit Information**: In the **Add Permits** screen, type in the permit number. For example, you could add permit **0023** to the **123 Main Street Lot**. 5. **Confirm Addition**: A pop-up message will confirm that your changes were successfully made. 6. **Check the Permit List**: Once the permits are added, your lot will display them in the **Permit Search** utility. # Setting Up A Lot To Be Visible and Available To The End UserThis article outlines the six critical factors that determine a lot's visibility and availability to end-users when they are purchasing permits in OPSCOM. Understanding and configuring these settings correctly is essential for OPSCOM administrators to ensure that parking lots are accessible to the intended user groups.
### Setup & Configuration ##### System-Wide Visibility Setting 1. 1. Hover over **System Configuration** and click **System Settings**. 2. Click on the **Permits** tab. 3. Locate the **Show Only Visible lots** setting. - **Enable** this checkbox to only view lots marked as "Visible" across the system. - **Disable** this checkbox to view both visible and non-visible lots in administrative views. ##### Lot Visibility and User Type Settings 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, **Lot Administration** and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. Click **Add New Lot** (or click an existing **Lot Name** to edit). 3. On the **General** tab: - Enable the **Visible** radio button in the **Visibility to User** setting. - In the **Lot Access** section, select the appropriate **User Types** that are allowed to see and purchase permits for this lot. Hold the **Ctrl** key to select multiple user types. - Click **Update Lot**. 4. On the **Temporary Permits** tab: - Disable the T**his lot is for temporary parking only** checkbox. ##### Allocate Permits to the Lot 1. Follow the steps [in this wiki article](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/adding-permits-to-a-lot) to add and verify your permits. ##### Set Up a Permit Sales Window 1. Follow the steps [in this wiki article](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/permit-sales-window-management) to setup your Sales Window. 2. ##### Test with a User 1. Hover over **User Management** and click on **User Registration** (to create a new test user) or **User Search** (to find an existing one). 2. Ensure that the test user's **User Type** (e.g., Full Time Staff) matches one of the user types you allowed to access the lot you setup. 3. Click **Login as User** for your test user. 4. On the User-Side Dashboard, navigate to **Permits**. 5. Check if the lot you created is available to be reserved. If the user type you are testing does not match the lot's allowed user types, the lot will not be visible on the user side. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Test Thoroughly**: Always perform a **Login as User** test with various user types after configuring a new lot or modifying its settings. This ensures that visibility and availability match your intentions. - **User Type Alignment**: The most common reason a lot isn't visible is a mismatch between the lot's **User Types** setting and the logged-in user's actual user type. Double-check this setting carefully. - **Sales Window Dates**: Ensure your permit sales windows are always current. An expired sales window will make the lot unavailable, even if all other settings are correct. - **Permit Allocation**: A lot without allocated permits, even if visible, will not allow users to purchase permits, as there's nothing to sell. Always allocate permits after lot creation. - **Clear Naming Conventions**: Use descriptive **Lot Names** and **Lot Short Names** that clearly indicate the lot's purpose or location to users. # Permit Sales Window Management**Permit Sales Windows** in OPSCOM define the specific timeframes during which parking permits can be purchased and when they are valid. This article guides OPSCOM administrators through the process of creating and activating new permit sales windows, ensuring that permits are available for sale and valid for use according to your organization's academic terms or operational periods.
The **Manage Permit Sales Window** page allows you to create, configure, and activate sales windows. ### Creating a New Sales Window 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, and click **Sales Windows**. 2. Click the **+Add Sale Window** button. - Enter a Name for your sales window. - Choose your allocation type: Will it be Monthly, Yearly, Semester or Other? - Enter your Sale Start Date, Permit Start Date and End Date (see the **Defining your Key Dates** section below). - Choose a color for your sales window. 3. Click **Save Changes** to save your information. The newly created sales window will now appear in the list on the **Manage Permit Sales Window** page. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/DGAimage.png) ##### Defining your Key Dates When creating a new sales window, you will need to define the following key dates: - **Sale Start Date**: - **Purpose**: This is the first day that permits associated with this sales window will be available for purchase by users. - **Example**: December 29, 2025. - **Permit Start Date**: - **Purpose**: This is the first day the purchased permit becomes officially valid and usable (e.g., scannable, recognized by LPR). This allows for pre-selling permits before their validity period begins. - **Example**: January 1, 2026. - **End Date**: - **Purpose**: This is the official last day permits can be sold within this sales window, and also the date on which the permits become invalid. - **Example**: December 31, 2026.**Example Scenario**: If a sales window is configured with a **Sale Start Date** of December 29, 2025, a **Permit Start Date** of January 1, 2026, and an **End Date** of December 31, 2026: • Permits can be purchased anytime between December 29, 2025, and December 31, 2026. • These permits would be *valid* from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.
--- ### Activating the Sales Window Once a sales window has been configured, it needs to be made **Active** for permits to be sold. 1. Locate the sales window you wish to activate on the **Manage Permit Sales Window** screen. 2. In the **Active** column, click the dropdown menu for that sales window. 3. Choose **Active**.**Note:** If you activate a yearly sales window, other existing yearly sales windows will automatically switch to **Inactive** to prevent conflicts.
--- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Overlap Prevention**: Carefully manage sales window dates to avoid unintended overlaps that could confuse users or create accounting issues. - **Future Planning**: Create sales windows well in advance of the sale start date to allow ample time for configuration, testing, and marketing of permits. - **Expiration Management**: Regularly review the **End Date** of your sales windows. Past sales windows will be located under **Past Permit Sales Window** and cannot be reactivated; a new sales window must be created if similar dates are needed. - **Clarity in Naming**: Use clear and descriptive names for your sales windows (e.g., "Fall 2025-2026 Annual Permit Sales," "Spring Semester 2026"). # Adding Permits to a Lot (Allocation)This article outlines the process for OPSCOM administrators to add permits to specific parking lots. Permits can be added individually, as a sequential range, or with custom prefixes/postfixes, enabling efficient management of your permit inventory and ensuring lots have available permits for sale.
### Using this Feature 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, **Lot Administration** and click **Allocate**. 2. The **Permit Number Allocation** page lists all configured parking lots. 3. Locate the specific lot to which you want to add permits and click the **Add Permits to Lot b**utton. 4. Within the next window, you have several options for entering permit numbers: - **Individual Permit Numbers**: Enter specific, non-sequential permit numbers, separated by commas (e.g., **Staff01, Staff02, Visitor123**). - **Range of Permit Numbers**: Enter a numerical range using "to" (e.g., **1 to 20** or **50 to 200**). The system will generate all numbers within that range. - **Prefix or Postfix (Optional)**: - **Prefix**: Enter text in the **Prefix** field (e.g., "Staff"). This text will be added *before* each generated permit number (e.g., Staff01, Staff02). - **Postfix**: Enter text in the **Postfix** field. This text will be added *after* each generated permit number (e.g., 01-East, 02-East). ##### Add Permits 1. Enter the desired permit numbers, ranges, or prefixes/postfixes into the provided fields within the **Add Permits to Lot** utility. 2. Click the **Add Permits** button. 3. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click **Add Permits** again to confirm and finalize the process. 4. A success message will confirm that your changes were successfully made. ##### Viewing Added Permits After permits are added, you can verify their details by navigating to the **Permit Search** utility. 1. Hover over **Permits,** and click **Permit Search**. 2. Filter by the relevant lot to view the newly added permits. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Planning Permit Ranges**: Before adding large batches of permits, plan your numbering scheme to ensure consistency and avoid conflicts. - **Unique Identifiers**: While OPSCOM handles uniqueness, consider using prefixes or postfixes for different types of permits or lots for easier identification. - **Verify Allocation**: Always perform a quick check in the **Permit Search** utility after adding permits to confirm they have been correctly allocated to the desired lot. - **Bulk vs. Individual**: For small, specific additions, individual entry is efficient. For larger inventories, using ranges and prefixes/postfixes will save significant time. # Setup Lots to Use Text2ParkMe**Text2ParkMe (T2P)** allows users to pay for temporary parking via SMS (text) messaging. Text2ParkMe will also send out reminders when their parking time is about to expire and allow users the option to extend their parking time. Text messaging fees **do** apply based on individual phone plans.
If you have purchased Text2ParkMe, you must have a gateway provider setup to accept T2P payments. You must work with our project manager to ensure this gateway is configured and tested to work with your system.
You will also require a T2P phone number that your users will text to obtain temporary parking. The **OperationsCommander** Support team will ensure this number is setup and tested for you.
##### **Quick Steps:** 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, then **Lot Administration** and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. Click a **Lot Name** to open its settings. 3. Select the **Temporary Permits** tab. 4. Fill out all fields in the red box (especially the **Text Code**). 5. Click **Update this Lot** to save. ##### **Step-by-Step Instructions:** 1. **Navigate to the Lot Administration page:** Hover over **Parking Management** in the main menu. Click **Lot Administration** and then select **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. **Locate your lots settings:** In the window, **click on a Lot Name** to open the specific lot's settings. 3. **Click on Temporary Permits:** Select the **Temporary Permits** tab. You will see several fields. Be sure to fill out **all the items in the red box**, as these are required. The **Text Code** is the display name that users will see when choosing this lot to park in. 4. **Save Changes:** Once all required fields are filled out, click the **Update Lot** button to save your changes. # Permit Allocations [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-06/bVKimage.png) - [Adding Permits to a Lot](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/adding-permits-to-a-lot-allocation) - [Single Allocate](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/single-allocate) - [Archiving and Restoring Permits](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/archiving-and-restoring-permits) # Planning Lot Groups and Lot Zones**Lot Groups** allows you to group similar lots together to be seen as a single entity in OPSCOM. A lot may only belong to **one** group. A lot group **is not required**, it exists to allow similar lots.
**A Lot Zone** is a grouping mechanism **allowing validation parameters** to be applied to a lot.
##### **Quick Steps:** 1. Hover over the **Parking Management,** then **Lot Administration,** and select **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. Click on the **Lot Name**. In the **Edit Lot** page click on the **General tab.** 3. In the **General tab** select the lot group you wish to apply to your lot. 4. Hover over **System Configuration,** then **Parking,** and click **Mange Lot Zones.** 5. Click on **Add Lot Zone** and enter a long and short name. 6. Return to the **Edit Lot** page and click on **Zone & Location.** 7. Choose a **Zone** to add to the lot. 8. Set the valid days/times for the zone under **Days or Range with Sales Window** and **Start Time and End Time**. 9. The lot is now linked to the zone. 10. You can assign the same zone to multiple lots (e.g., “RED Zone” to both the **Red Lot** and **Green Lot**). 11. Patrols can select either a **Lot Group** or **Lot Zone** during enforcement.Zones allow enforcement based on time/dates, and Groups allow enforcement across multiple lots.
##### **Step-by-Step Instructions:** 1. **Locate Pricing & Lot Admin:** Hover over the **Parking Management,** then **Lot Administration,** and select **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. **Locate the General Tab:** Click on the **Lot Name**. In the **Edit Lot** page, click on the **General tab.** 3. **Adding a Lot Group:** In the **General tab** select the lot group you wish to apply to your lot. 4. **How to Create a Zone:** Hover over **System Configuration**, then **Parking**, and click **Manage Lot Zones.** 1. **Create Zone:** Click on add **Lot Zone** and enter a long and short name. 2. **Return to the Edit Lot page:** Return to the **Edit Lot** page by going to **Pricing & Lot Admin**, then click on the **Lot Name.** 3. **Navigate to the Zone & Location tab:** Click on **Zone & Location.** 4. **Select a zone:** Use the dropdown on the left to select the zone you wish to apply to the lot. 5. **Select Days or Range within Sales Window:** Specify when the zone is valid using **Days or Range within Sales Window** and the **Start Time and End Time**. 6. **Confirm:** Ensure any permits tied to the lot reflect the same zone settings. # Setting Up for Event ParkingOperationsCommander has a feature that will allow you to setup for Event Parking in a unique way. Using Lot Visibility and Passwords, an event lot can only be booked by users who have been given the direct link to the lot. A direct link may be provided by email or from scanning the lot QR code.
To setup your Lot Visibility settings [refer to this page](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/lot-visibility-options). To setup your Lot Passwords, [refer to this page](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/lot-passwords). # Pricing and Lot AdminThe **Pricing and Lot Admin** page is a central management tool for OPSCOM administrators to create new parking lots, define their characteristics, and configure pricing and permit settings. This page allows for comprehensive control over lot visibility, access, permit types (standard, temporary, flex), and advanced features like waitlists and LPR settings, helping administrators efficiently manage their parking inventory.
### Pricing & Lot Admin Main Page To access the **Pricing & Lot Admin** page: 1. Hover over **Parking Management,** then Lot Administration,** and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. The **Permit Pricing & Lot Administration** screen opens so you can manage all lot details.**Tip:** Before setting up new lots, consider your organization's permit types, pricing structures, and any specific access restrictions (e.g., faculty-only lots, temporary parking areas).
##### Key Information Displayed - **Lot Name**: The full name of the lot and its associated permit sales window (e.g., Monthly, Semester, Yearly, Other). - **User Types**: The specific user types permitted to book permits for the lot. - **Visibility**: Indicates the lot's visibility to users (e.g., **Not visible**, **Visible**, **Not visible but available**). - **Price**: The standard base price for permits in the lot. - **Permit types**: Icons representing the types of permits enabled for the lot (e.g., standard, temporary, flex). - **Visible to User**: The number of permits in the lot currently available for user purchase. - **Usage**: The number of permits currently booked or in use within the lot. ##### Available Actions & Buttons - **Show Archived**: Click this button to view or edit lots that have been archived. - **Add Lot**: Click this button to create a new parking lot configuration. - **Lot Name (link)**: Click on the **Lot Name** of any listed lot to open its detailed edit page, where you can modify various settings across different tabs. - **Export**: Click the **Export** button at the far right of each lot line to export the lot's information to an Excel file. - **Search**: Click the **Search** button on each lot line to navigate to the permit search page and view all permits associated with that specific lot. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/image.png) ### Lot Edit Page Tabs When you click on a **Lot Name**, the **Lot Edit Page** opens, divided into several tabs for detailed configuration: ##### General Tab - **Archive the Lot**: Enable the **This lot is archived** checkbox to archive the lot, making it unavailable for new sales but retaining historical data. - [**Visibility to Users**](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/lot-visibility-options): Select one of the following options: **Visible**, **Not Visible**, or **Hidden but Accessible**. - **Lot Name**: Enter the full, descriptive name for the lot. - **Lot Short Name**: Enter an abbreviated name for the lot. - [**Lot Group**](https://opscom.wiki/books/setup-configuration-for-admins/page/lot-groups-management): Allows you to group similar lots together to be seen as a single entity in OPSCOM. - **Lot Access**: Choose between: - [**Common Lot**](https://opscom.wiki/books/setup-configuration-for-admins/page/common-lots): Any user type can park here. - [**User Type Lot**](https://opscom.wiki/books/setup-configuration-for-admins/page/user-types): Restrict access by specific user types. Hold **Ctrl** to select multiple user types from the dropdown. - **[Lot Password](https://opscom.wiki/books/the-opscom-admin-portal/page/lot-passwords)**: Setting a password on a lot prevents users from booking a permit in that lot unless they enter the password. This is useful for event parking. - **Special Parking Spaces:** Fill this out if your lot has special spaces like EV charging or ADA spaces. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. ##### Zone & Location Tab - **Location Description**: Enter a description of the lot's physical location, which will appear on the user interface. - **Image**: Upload an image that will be displayed next to the lot name; users can click it to enlarge. - **Zone**: Configure a zone for this lot by selecting a zone and specifying days or a range within the sales window, along with a start and end time. - **Map Detail**: Move or **Create a Map Marker** to pinpoint the lot's location on a map. Once the marker is set, the GPS coordinates will automatically populate. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. ##### Standard Permits Section - **Default Cost**: Enter the base cost for standard permits in this lot. - **Prorated Sales**: Choose **Enabled**, **Use Default Setting**, or **Disabled** as required for prorated permit sales. - **Multiple Permits**: Enable the **This lot can be used for a second permit** checkbox to allow users to purchase multiple permits for this lot. - **WaitList Options**: - Enable the **Allow the use of Waitlist with this lot** checkbox if you want the waitlist to be available to be joined. - Enable the **Only Allow Waitlist after lot is full** checkbox if you want a waitlist to become active when permits for this lot are sold out. - **Waitlist Lot Category**: Group multiple lots together onto the same waitlist by selecting a category. This is a text field only, so use care when creating this. - If a user joins a waitlist that is part of a **Lot Category**, they will be automatically added to **ALL** individual lot waitlists that are associated with that specific group. - Crucially, they will be assigned the **same ranking** across all these grouped waitlists. This ensures that if a permit becomes available in *any* one of the lots within that category, the user is eligible to purchase that permit. - **Lot Sales Window**: Choose the sales window type for term permits that will be sold here (e.g., Yearly, Monthly). - **Hang Tag Settings**: Enable settings for printing physical hang tags if required for this lot. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. ##### Temporary Parking Tab - **Temporary Parking Only**: Enable the **This lot is for temporary parking only** checkbox if the lot is exclusively for temporary parking. - **Max Permits per Day**: Set the maximum number of temporary parking permits available per day for this lot. - **Permit Duration**: - Enable **Allow temp permits up to 30 days** to limit temporary permits to 30 days. - Enable **Allow temp permits to be used over 30 days** to permit temporary parking for periods exceeding 30 days. - **Permit Application to All Vehicles**: Enable **Allow all vehicles on profile to receive the permit** to automatically apply the temporary permit to all vehicles on a user’s profile. - **Daily Cost**: Enter the maximum fee for parking beyond 6 hours (if applicable). ***Note:*** *If you do not wish to have a daily fee, disable any Permit Duration settings. You can still configure hourly cost as described below.* - **Hourly Costs**: Enter the hourly fee for parking. If the lot has a flat rate, leave these fields blank. - **Over 30 Days Monthly Cost**: Enter the monthly cost for parking permits that extend beyond 30 days. - **Real-Time Map**: Enable **Allow this lot to appear on the Real-Time Parking Map** to display this lot on the *Real-Time Parking Map* feature. - **QR Code**: - View the **QR Code** for this lot. - Access the **Link** to the QR Code. - **Download or Print** the QR Code directly from this page. - Add a **Logo Image** to be displayed in the center of the QR Code. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. Here is an ***example*** of how you may want to configure your temporary pricing: [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/image.png) In the above ***example***, permits will be available for ***free*** for 2 hours**, ***$5*** for **3 hours**, ***$8*** for **12 hours**, and ***$10*** for **24 hours/1 day**. ##### Flex Permits Tab This tab allows for flexible pricing based on specific times and days. - **Using Flex Permits**: Click the checkbox to **Enable Flex Permits**. - **Add New**: Click **Add New** to create a new **Time Slot** with a specified **Price** and a choice for **Colour** coding. Click **Save Changes** when complete. - **View & Edit**: You can **Edit** existing **Time Slots**, **Pricing**, or **Colours** individually by clicking the appropriate **Edit** button. Alternatively, use the **Time Slot Chart** and the **Select** button to click and drag time slot information to apply to multiple times and dates simultaneously. - **Clear**: Click the **Clear** button to remove all pricing configurations from the chart. - **Fill**: Click the **Fill** button to populate the chart with all the same pricing. - **Reload**: Click **Reload** to revert the information to your previously saved settings. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. ##### Lot LPR Settings Tab - **Free Parking Time**: Set a grace period during which patrons can register their license plate with a pay-by-plate meter without incurring a charge. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. ##### Additional Settings Tab - **Banner Detail Code**: This field is for use strictly with the **Banner** system for specific integrations. Click **Update Lot** after making changes in this tab. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Consistent Naming**: Establish a consistent naming convention for your lots (e.g., "Lot A - Faculty," "Visitor Parking Garage") to improve clarity for both administrators and users. - **Visibility Control**: Carefully consider the **Visibility to Users** setting for each lot. A lot marked **Not visible but available** is useful for administrative purposes or specific user groups, while still being accessible if the direct link is provided. - **Waitlist Management**: If using waitlists, organizations should develop a clear business rule for when to remove a user from the waitlist, such as after a permit has been offered or after a user has been emailed. - **QR Code Usage**: If utilizing QR codes for temporary parking, ensure they are prominently displayed and easily scannable at the lot location. - **Regular Review**: Periodically review lot configurations, especially pricing and sales windows, to ensure they remain current and aligned with organizational policies. # Lot Visibility OptionsOPSCOM provides enhanced control over parking lot visibility and accessibility, allowing administrators to define how and when users can view and book permits for specific lots. This article explains the three lot visibility options and their implications for both administrators and end-users, ensuring that lots can be precisely tailored for various scenarios, including event parking and restricted access.
### Setup & Configuration Lot visibility is configured within the **Lot Edit Page** or the **View All Lots Page** by selecting one of three distinct options. ##### Configuring Visibility on the Pricing & Lot Admin Page 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, **Lot Administration** and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. Click on the **Lot Name** you wish to configure. 3. On the **General** tab, under **Visibility to Users**, you will find three radio buttons. Select the desired option (details below). 4. Click **Update Lot** to save your changes. ##### Configuring Visibility on the View All Lots Page (Bulk Action) 1. Hover over **Parking Management**, **Lot Administration** and click **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. On this page, locate the **Visibility** column for each lot. 3. Click the current visibility icon next to the desired lot(s) to change the status using the radio buttons that appear. 4. This allows you to change the visibility status of multiple lots at once.[](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-10/NMoimage.png) #### Legend -  - lot is not visible. -  - lot is visible. -  - lot is hidden but accessible. --- ### Using this Feature The three lot visibility options provide granular control over user access: - **Not Visible**: - The lot is **not visible** to end-users on the permit booking page or the real-time map. - Users **cannot book permits** from this lot, even with a direct link. This option is typically used for lots under construction, maintenance, or no longer in use. - **Visible**: - The lot is **visible** to end-users on the permit booking page and may appear on the real-time map (if configured). - Users **can book permits** from this lot, provided they meet any other access criteria (e.g., user type, sales window). This is the standard setting for publicly available lots. - **Hidden But Accessible**: - The lot is **not visible** to end-users on the general permits page or the real-time map. - Users **can book permits** from this lot *if* they access it through a direct link. This link can be provided via email, a webpage, or by scanning the lot's QR code. --- ### Best Practices & Considerations - **Event Parking**: The **Hidden But Accessible** option is ideal for event parking. You can provide a direct link to event attendees, allowing them to book permits without the lot being generally visible to all users. - **Combined with Passwords**: For enhanced security, combine **Hidden But Accessible** with lot passwords. This ensures that only users with both the direct link and the correct password can book permits for the lot. - **User Communication**: If using **Hidden But Accessible** lots, clearly communicate how users can access the lot (e.g., "Scan this QR code," "Click the link in your email"). - **Audit Regularly**: Periodically review the visibility settings of your lots to ensure they align with current operational needs and access policies. # Using Permit Proration**Proration** is a permission that can be given to an admin user. It allows them to sell a permit to a user that is valid for a shorter portion of the active sales window and have the system adjust the cost of the permit accordingly. A good example is a student parker starting to park a vehicle halfway through a year or semester.
##### **Quick Steps:** 1. Hover over the **Parking Management** then **Lot Administration** and select **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 2. Click on the **Lot Name**. 3. In the **Edit Lot** page click on **Standard Permits** and enable **Proration** for the desired lot. Click **Update Lot** to save. 4. Hover over **User Management** and click **User Search.** find the user’s profile and click on their **username** then click on the **Parking** tab. 5. Select the **Standard Parking Permit** for the desired lot. 6. Choose the **permit number** and **start date**. 7. The cost will be prorated and display as **prorated**. 8. Click **Purchase this Permit** to finalize the purchase. 9. The adjusted cost will appear in both the Admin and User's portals. ##### **Step-by-Step Instructions:** 1. **Locate Pricing & Lot Admin page:** Hover over the **Parking Management** then **Lot Administration** and select **Pricing & Lot Admin**. 1. **Configuration/Setup:** In **Lot Admin & Pricing**, select the lot you want to set up for proration. 2. On the **Standard Permit** tab, check Proration **Enabled**. The lot is now set for proration. 2. Hover over **User Management** and click **User Search.** 1. **Using Proration for Permits:** Search for the user and open their profile by clicking on their **username**. 2. **Locate the Parking Tab:** Click on the **Parking** tab to begin purchasing a permit. The **Parking Permit Registration** screen will appear. 3. **Selecting Standard Parking:** Select the **Standard Parking Permit** for the lot where the user will park. The full price of the permit will be displayed. 4. **Configuring the** **Confirm Parking Permit Registration** **page:** Choose the **permit number** for the user and select the **start date** for the permit. 5. **Confirm the Prorated Cost:** After selecting the permit number and start date, the cost will be prorated, and the **prorated** label will appear. Confirm that the cost has been prorated. 6. Click **Purchase this Permit** to complete the process. The adjusted permit cost will now show in both the Admin Portal and the User's Portal. # Archiving and Restoring PermitsLot Allocation allows you to remove and restore permits in any given lot. Permits are removed through archiving. Archived permits are not permanently deleted and can be restored from their archived state**.**
##### **Quick Steps:** 1. Hover over **Parking Management** then **Lot Administration** and click **Allocate**. 2. Locate the lot you wish to archive/restore permits for. 3. Click **Archive Permits** and Choose either **Selected Permits** to archive a portion of the permits or **All Permits** to archive them all. 4. Select the permits you wish to archive. 5. Click **Remove** and confirm with **Remove** again. 6. To restore permits click **Add Permits To Lot**. 7. Choose individual permits or a range (TL2-01 to TL2-05). 8. Click **Add Permits** then confirm by clicking **Add Permits** again. 9. Wait for the completion popup. ##### **Step-by-Step Instructions:** 1. **Navigate to the Lot Administration**: Hover over **Parking Management** in the menu then **Lot Administration** and then click **Allocate**. 2. **Select the Lot**: Locate the lot you wish to remove/restore permits for. 3. **Choose Permits to Archive**: Click on the **Archive Permits** dropdown menu. Select **Selected Permits** to archive only specific permits or click **All Permits** to remove them all. 4. **Select Permits to Archive**: Choose the permits you want to archive. Click **Remove** to start the archiving process. 5. **Confirm the Archive**: A confirmation screen will appear. Click **Remove** again to complete the process. 6. **Completion Message**: A popup message will confirm that the archiving process is complete. 7. **Check the Lot**: Refresh the list of permits. You’ll see that TL2-01 through TL2-05 have been removed from the lot. 8. **Add Permits Back to the Lot**: To restore permits, click on **Add Permits To Lot**. 9. **Choose a Method to Add Permits**: You can add permits back either individually or as a range: To individually add permits type the permit number in the **Permits** text box. To add by range add the **prefix** and **postfix** (if any) then add the starting and ending numbers for example 01-10 would add permits 1 to 10. 10. **Start the Process**: Click **Add Permits** to begin the restoration process. 11. **Confirmation Message**: A confirmation popup will appear. Note that the message will indicate the permits are "restored," not "created," as they were previously archived. 12. **Completion Message**: A popup message will confirm that the restoration process is complete. 13. **Check the Lot**: Refresh the list of permits. You’ll see that TL2-01 through TL2-05 have been restored. # Flex PermitsThis feature is currently under development and has not yet been released. The wiki article serves as a placeholder outlining the intended future functionality.
## Introduction Flex permits allow clients to specify variable prices for a lot, with the possibility of a different price for every hour. This allows more options for the customization of permit prices, useful for situations like making permits more expensive during peak hours. Flex permits are counted as type of temp permit, as an addition to the existing daily and hourly permits. They function most similarly to hourly permits and their uses have some overlap. It is intended for a site to choose between hourly permits and flex permits and not use both, although clients are not restricted from using both at the same time if they choose to. ## Flex Permits Tab Flex permits and related sections can be accessed on the lot edit page, from the new flex permits tab. [](https://opscom.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-07/untitled.png) The page consists of three sections: - An options section - A time slot section, used for defining prices - An hourly grid, used to assign prices to hours in the week ### Options