Business & onboarding
Gate Operation Modes: Manned vs. Unattended
Member Access OS supports different operational models for facility entry, ranging from fully automated 24/7 access to staff-led, high-touch hospitality workflows. The behavior of the member portal and hardware integration is determined by the gateOperationMode setting.
1. Unattended / Automated Gates
Best for: 24/7 gyms, unmanned community centers, and facilities with low staffing.
In this mode, the system assumes that the entry points are equipped with advanced, internet-connected NFC readers (e.g., WalletMate II) capable of autonomous operation.
- Self-Service Registration: Members can register their own NFC tags directly from the member portal. They initiate a "listening window" on the dashboard, tap their tag at the reader, and the system automatically links the hardware to their account.
- Automated Unlocking: Entry is granted instantly upon a valid tap without human intervention.
- Digital First: Emphasis is on digital wallet passes and member-managed hardware.
2. Manned Gates (Staff-Led)
Best for: High-touch fitness clubs, monitored swimming pools, and facilities requiring manual verification or asset handover (e.g., physical keys/towels).
In this mode, the staff acts as the primary gateway. Automation is secondary to the staff-member interaction.
- Staff-Led Registration: Self-service NFC registration is disabled in the member portal. Members cannot link their own tags.
- Signup Alerts: When a new member joins or renews, facility managers receive an automated email alert (e.g., "Prepare Tags for [Member Name]"). This prompts the staff to have hardware ready for the member's first visit.
- Tag Procurement:
- Staff assigns tags to members via the Admin Dashboard.
- Replacement Pricing: Replacement tags can be priced (e.g., 6 credits or a monetary fee). Members can purchase these "replacement vouchers" in their portal, which then notifies staff to issue the new hardware.
- Visual Identity: To simplify support, member tags are represented by unique Identicons (colorful geometric patterns) rather than technical hardware IDs.
3. Hybrid Mode
Best for: Facilities with a manned front desk during peak hours and automated "after-hours" access.
- Allows both staff-led check-ins and member self-service.
- Self-registration remains enabled to support the unattended portion of the facility's lifecycle.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Unattended | Manned |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Reader | Advanced (WalletMate II) | Standard USB / Dashboard |
| Tag Registration | Self-Service (Member) | Staff-Assigned |
| Manager Notification | Silent (Automated) | Proactive ("Prepare Tags" alert) |
| Replacement Tags | Member-managed | Purchased/Staff-issued |
| Dashboard UI | "Tap to Register" enabled | "See Staff / Purchase Tag" |
| Tag ID Display | Raw UID or Identicon | Identicon + Abbreviated ID |
4. Typical Configuration Settings
| Setting | Manned Mode (Staff-Led) | Unattended Mode (Automated) |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement Tag Cost | 6 Credits (Typical) | 10 Credits or Card Fee |
| Signup Workflow | "Staff Alert" (Proactive) | "Self-Service" (Digital) |
| Reader Hardware | Standard USB (Desktop) | WalletMate II / ACR1252U |
| Reader Connection | Staff PC / Tablet | Edge Gateway (Raspberry Pi/DietPi) |
| Double-Tap Cooldown | 120s (Staff control) | 30s - 60s (Automated) |
| Member Verification | Visual (Dashboard Photo) | Hardware-only (NFC UID/VAS) |
Technical Implementation
The operational mode is defined in the facilities table via the gate_operation_mode column. This enum affects:
TagRegistration.tsx: Hides the self-registration button inmannedmode.FamilyManagement.tsx: Hides the manual NFC UID input inmannedmode.joinFacilityAction: Triggers thenotifyFacilityOrgManagersalert for new signups inmannedmode.purchaseTagAction: Enforces credit/payment logic for tag replacements (standard replacement is 6 credits).