I’ll be the first to admit. Using the iPad for check-in was beyond cool. It’s funny how many of you commented and messaged me for more information about using the iPad for check in. A few weeks ago when I first wrote about the idea of using the iPad for check-in, that post got more hits than anything I’ve written in a long time. I think I know what it is. You really want and iPad, don’t you?
Ha! Well, here is what I posted a few weeks ago along with links and video. This is where it all started. 🙂
I wasn’t overly creative. I simply copied what they did. I downloaded WinAdmin on my iPad. From there, I ran into problems. When it comes to tech, gadgets and applications, I’m pretty knowledgeable. However, when it comes to networking and connectivity, I’m not your man. I was having network issues, so I had our IT guy get me hooked up. Because our wireless in our Kids lobby is a different network than the actual check-in machines, he had to set up the iPad for VPN. It gave him some trouble at first, but within a few minutes, that was working. He put all the server information in WinAdmin and within minutes, it was working perfectly. I really like the VPN feature which gives me a lot more options.
So this Sunday, we were looking for new 1st graders. We were doing something special for their promotion, so I was checking in families that had a first grader. We had a huge crowd on Sunday and having me on the iPad seemed to help with flow (even though one machine was down becasue that’s the computer I was logged into with the iPad). I was pretty busy, but it was fun and personal. I felt like I had a better connection with both the kids and the parents… I totally liked it. Initially I couldn’t tell overall if it was helpful or not, but the volunteers at check-in said that it helped them tremendously. Big win!
So, my thoughts…
This isn’t an iPad app. It’s more of a hack. You’re using an app to remote desktop into a windows machine and essentially using that machine to check-in kids. As soon as they check-in, the parents can pick up their tags from a volunteer standing by that printer. The downsides are that you have to have a computer that you’re essentially taking control of for check-in. Also, it’s slightly sluggish. Not enough for me to not use it, but not as fast if I was standing at that computer. You see, we’re still using assisted check-in with Fellowship One. Because of our set-up, this was a really nice touch. If we were fully integrated with self check-in, I’m not sure we’d need or want to do the iPad check in. However, it’s certainly worth playing with. I highly recommend you get your hands on an iPad and experiment. Then you’ll know if it’s worth getting one for your ministry.
Although we used this for F1, I don’t see why you can’t use it for other systems as well. Remember, the iPad doesn’t really print, so you’ll essentially have to use a remote desktop app like WinAdmin to take over a computer with a printer. Definitely worth checking out though.
What I’m hoping for? That someone would develop and iPad app that integrates with F1 check-in where this is a feature and not a hack… but for now, this will work.
I’m hoping that someone develops an app as well that does check in for churches using F1. I think I know a guy. 🙂
this is really fantastic! thanks for sharing the details on how you did it, so helpful!
it makes me think of my experience in the apple store. i love that the apple employees stand next to me and not behind a counter. makes it feel so personal.
There is someone doing this with iPads Kenny and they actually have remote printers on their belts to print tags as they walk. It’s pretty crazy!
I don’t remember if it was F1 or Arena, but basically they have to setup a hotspot and then hook the ipad and printer into it to get it to work. Pretty amazing stuff.
Matt, you think you know a guy? Tell him to get on it. 🙂
Yes, it feel very Apple-like. There’s something about not having to stand on opposite ends of the counter.
JC, I’m not going to wear a utility belt. That will take all the coolness out of this.
If your team is going to start getting up close and personal by standing right by people as they check in, you might want to keep a bowl of breath mints around…you know…just in case someone needs one. 🙂
This is an excellent article, have you considered a solution like the ipad kiosk developed by spartadata? http://www.ipadkiosk.com it would allow your app to run in kiosk mode and also secure the ipads.
Hey Kenny,
I was looking into Easy Check In – an app for checking into events on the iPad. You can also give kids/students a registered QR code after their first time and it will scan them in… Then it syncs all the check ins to database.
Have you looked into that?
I’m thinking about it for SC youth 🙂