How-To Use the WashLynx App
To start using the WashLynx, you first need to download WashLynx on a compatible device, create a WashLynx App account and register it to a location by tapping your device to a VAC kiosk, or Card Reader in the location.
Once the new account is registered, it needs to be enabled/configured by someone who has Admin access to the Laundro Portal for the specific store location the App account was registered to.
To enable/configure a newly created WashLynx App account, follow the instructions in our Configuring WashLynx Account Permissions article
Once a newly registered WashLynx account has been enabled, the homescreen of the WashLynx App will display the options available to that specific account, based on the permission/restriction settings that were selected:
Start Machine
The Start Machine button is used if you need to trigger payment on any card reader in the location.
Note: this menu is NOT used for starting machines against a specific Wash Dry Fold order that appears in the WashLynx App
For these types of machines starts, review the Wash Dry Fold section of this article
Triggering Washers, Dryers, Vending Machine and POS readers
Depending on the permission/restriction enabled for the specific WashLynx account, you may not be seeing all 3 available "Select Reason" options.
When triggering payment on any readers (except for Door Access readers), you first need to select "For Service" or "For Customer Support" as the reason for the machine start.
The reason that is selected will appear in the Card Tracker's transaction record for this machine start:
After selecting a reason, you'll see an additional drop down menu titled Select Purpose.
This drop down menu has various different purposes to choose from, but this section is completely optional, and can be left at the default "Other" purpose when starting a machine:
Any purpose selected from this drop down menu will also appear on the Card Tracker's transaction record for this machine start:
Next the user will see the "Provide Details" text box where additional information can be added to explain the specific machine start.
Providing details is not required by default, however if the WashLynx account is restricted to require explaination notes for all starts, then something MUST be entered in this text feild in order for the account to be able to start the machine:
Any reason that is entered in the Provide Details text field will appear in the Card Tracker's transaction record for this machine start:
Once a reason and purpose are selected, and details are provided (if required), clicking the Start Machine button will prompt the user to tap their device to the Card Reader to trigger payment:
Triggering Door Access Readers
To trigger a Door Access Reader to open, you will select the Unlock Door option and then click the Start Machine button and the App will prompt to tap the device to the Door Access Reader to trigger "payment":
Card Operations
This menu is used to do operations at the VAC kiosk involving Dispensing, Adding, or Changing the balance of customer laundry cards; as well as creating new System Cards for the store.
The WashLynx account has to have been granted these permissions in order to see these options. If none of these options were granted, the entire Card Operations button will be hidden.
Dispensing User Cards
In this menu, you'll be able to select an amount of cards to dispense, as well as the value that will be preloaded onto those cards.
Once you configure the settings for the desired amount to be pre-loaded (these amounts CAN be $0), clicking the "Initiate Dispense Cards" button will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC kiosk, which will then dispense the requested amount of cards, with the desired pre-loaded amounts:
Add Value
This menu is used if you need to add value to a customer's existing Laundry Card.
When configuring the amount of value you want to add (either to the regular balance, or free dry balance) ensure you're selecting the check-box for that specific setting.
Once the App is configured, clicking the "Initiate Add Balance Process" button will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC kiosk to start the add value process:
Once initiated, follow the onscreen prompts on the VAC to complete the add value process (VAC will prompt for the customer card to be placed in the card holder to add this requested value).
Change Balance
This menu allows you to remove value from an existing customer's Laundry Card.
When configuring the amount of value you want to remove (either to the regular balance, or free dry balance) you will NOT be entering the amount of value to remove; instead you are entering what balance the Laundry Card should be after value has been removed.
(example, if a card has $15, and you need to remove $5; you configure the New Balance setting to be $10).
Ensure you've selected the check-box for the specific balance you are altering.
Once the App is configured, clicking the "Initiate Change Balance Process" button will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC kiosk to start the change balance process:
Once initiated, follow the onscreen prompts on the VAC to complete the change balance operation (VAC will prompt for the customer card to be placed in the card holder to change it's balance).
Create Sytem Card
This menu is used to create new system cards, similar to what you would do using the LaundroPortal.
You will first select the system Card Type you'd like to create, and for the Creation method option, you'll select if you'd like the VAC to dispense a new card to convert, or if you have an existing laundry card you'd like to convert.
Once the App is configured, clicking the "Initiate System Card Creation" button will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC kiosk to start the System Card Creation process:
Once initiated, follow the onscreen prompts on the VAC to complete this operation (depending on the creation method, you'll have different prompts).
Reader Service
This menu is used for settings changes, and troubleshooting options for Card Readers installed on machines.
The WashLynx account has to have been granted these permissions in order to see these options. If none of these permissions were granted, the entire Reader Service button will be hidden.
Get Basic Info
This option is used to poll a card reader to find out basic information about it (Support/Customer ID, Location ID, the reader # (washer/dryer #), and reader Firmware version). This information can be useful for troubleshooting.
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the reader, and the basic info will be displayed on the App itself.
Wireless Signal
This options is used to poll a card reader for it's wireless comunication status. This information can be useful for troubleshooting specific card reader communication issues.
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the reader, and the wireless signal info will be displayed on the App itself.
Place out of order
This option allows you to place a card reader to out of order mode, which can be useful when you have an issue with the machine itself and do not want customers to accidentally attempt to start the machine using their Laundry Card/LaundryCat App.
You can select any of the preset reasons (the reason selected will be noted on the LaundroPortal - in the individual reader's settings page), the notes section is optional.
Clicking the Place out of order button will then prompt the user to tap their device to the card reader to set it out of service:
To place a reader back into service, simply use the Place back in order button, and tap the device to the reader once prompted.
Reboot Reader
This options is used to trigger a card reader to reboot itself. This can be useful for troubleshooting, or for resetting a reader's internal cycle timer (on pulse communication readers).
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the reader, and this will trigger the card reader to reboot.
Service Mode
This option is used to trigger a machine to enter it's service mode. This option only works with select machines that use Serial communication card readers (as opposed to Pulse communication card readers).
If the machine supports this feature, selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the reader, and this will trigger the machine to enter it's service mode.
Kill Cycle
This option is used to trigger a machine to kill a currently running cycle. This option only works with select machines that use Serial communication card readers (as opposed to Pulse communication card readers).
If the machine supports this feature, selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the reader, and this will trigger the machine to kill the cycle that's currently active.
Settings
This option is used to adjust the individual reader's settings. You will see the exact same reader settings as what you can adjust from the Card Reader's individual settings menu via the LaundroPortal (wrench icon):
To use WashLynx to adjust a card reader setting, you'll first select the Get Settings option,
this will prompt the user to tap the device to the card reader to retrieve it's current reader settings:
Once retrieved, you'll be able to scroll down to view all the settings the card reader is currently using.
Depending on the type and model of machine the card reader is connected to, you will see different settings options.
To adjust any of the available settings, ensure you click the check-box for the specific setting(s) you want to update:
Once all new settings have been configured on the App, clicking the Update Selected Settings button will prompt the user to tap their device to the card reader, and this action will push the updated settings (only settings with the check-box selected) to the card reader:
VAC Service
This menu is used for settings changes, and troubleshooting options for VAC Kiosks.
The WashLynx account has to have been granted these permissions in order to see these options. If none of these permissions were granted, the entire Reader Service button will be hidden.
Get Basic Info
This option is used to poll a VAC kiosk to find out basic information about it (Support/Customer ID, Location ID, VAC ID, and Firmware version of the NFC card reader 1 board). This information can be useful for troubleshooting.
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder, to display it's basic info.
Show Status
This option allows the account holder to trigger the System Status screen to show up on the VAC's touch screen which can be useful for troubleshooting. (this is the same screen that you can access with a Property Management Card).
Dispense Card
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to dispense a laundry card with $0 preloaded onto it.
Print Receipt
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to print a test receipt. Useful for testing a printer after installing new printer paper.
Internet Connectivity
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to display the test internet screen. Useful for troubleshooting VAC Offline issues.
The specifics of this internet test are discussed in detail in our VAC Offline and Internet Issues article.
Auxiliary Port Connectivity
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to display the AUX Port test screen. Useful for troubleshooting PINpad terminal connectivity issues.
The specifics of this internet test are discussed in detail in our Conducting an AUX Port test article.
Bill Acceptor
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC's Bill Acceptor to enable itself.
Payment Terminal
This menu has options for various PINpad terminal commands that can be triggered via the WashLynx App.
Refresh VAC
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to refresh it's status that's indicated on the LaundroPortal. VAC's check in with the LaundroPortal every 10 minutes to refresh it's status, but this option can be used to trigger a refresh immediately; useful for troubleshooting or for clearing error messages that have been corrected but still show up in the LaundroPortal's VAC status.
Reset Bill Acceptor
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to trigger the bill acceptor to reset. Can be useful when troubleshooting bill acceptor related issues.
Reboot VAC
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to reboot it's software. This is the same type of command that can be trigger via the LaundroPortal's VAC Commands menu:
This can be useful when troubleshooting VAC related issues.
Access VAC Management Menu
Selecting this option will prompt the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder and this will trigger the VAC kiosk to enter the Management Login menu, using the specific access level the WashLynx account has been granted.
If the WashLynx account's Menu Acess permission is set to None, this button will be hidden.
Cash Operations
This menu is used for operations involving an attached bill acceptor.
The WashLynx account has to have been granted these permissions in order to see these options. If none of these permissions were granted, the entire Card Operations button will be hidden.
Cash Collections
This option allows for the same functionality as a Collection Card.
Selecting this option prompts the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder in order to register a Cash Collection.
POS Cash Deposit
This options allows a WashLynx account to be able to store cash inside the VAC, by inserting the cash into the bill acceptor to be stored in it's cashbox.
Selecting this option prompts the user to tap their device to the VAC's card holder which will trigger the bill acceptor to go into acceptance mode where loose cash can then be inserted. Cash inserted using this method is recorded by the VAC as a POS Cash Deposit.
Fake Bill Check
For VAC's equipped with a touch screen, this option allows a WashLynx account to trigger the fake bill check mode of the bill acceptor. This allows for cash to be inserted into the bill acceptor, it will be validated (result displayed on the VAC screen) and returned out of the front of the bill acceptor (regardless of the result of the validation test).
Time Tracking
This section is used by WashLynx accounts that have the ability to clock-in/out.
If the account was not granted this permission, the Time Tracking button will be hidden.
For accounts that have the "Require account to be Clocked-In" restriction enabled, they MUST also be granted the ability to clock-in/out, as they will need to be clocked-in for the WashLynx App's function to work.
Selecting the Clock-In button will promp the user to tap their device to a VAC in order to clock themselves in.
Once an account is clocked-in the other Time Tracking buttons will become available, and are used in the same manor.
All Clock-in/out events are recorded by the system, and can be viewed via the Card Tracker to the specific WashLynx App account.
Activate/Deactivate
This section is used to Activate/Deactivate Card Reader/VAC Control boards to a specific store location.
If the specific account was not granted these permissions, this section will be hidden
This functionality works the exact same way as the physical Activation/Deactivation Cards.
Selecting either option will prompt the user to tap their device to the Card Reader (or VAC Card Holder), for the Card Reader/VAC they're attempting to Activate/Deactivate.
Announcement
This section is where WashLynx Account holders will see any announcements sent to them via the Card Tracker's Messaging tab:
Availability
This section is used to view the status/availability of the card readers installed on machines:
You can use the Machine Type filter to adjust the type of machine's you're looking at, or set the filter to "Yours" to view all the machines you've triggered to start using your WashLynx account.
Wash Dry Fold
The Wash Dry Fold section of WashLynx is where you'll go to see all WDF orders, as well as trigger machine starts against a specific WDF order.
The Wash Dry Fold orders that will populate in the App will be the exact same Wash Dry Fold orders that show up under the Wash Dry Fold section of the LaundroPortal:
WashLynx WDF Order Filters
You can use the Job State and Sort filters in order to help filter for a specific WDF order you're looking for:
Any order that shows up under the LaundroPortal's Wash Dry Fold section, will also be displayed on the WashLynx App, unless a specific order has been assigned to a specific WashLynx account; in which case, only that particular WashLynx account will be able to view that order:
If you're having trouble finding an order, it's recommended to search for it on the LaundroPortal's Wash Dry Fold section first to ensure it's not assigned to a specific employees WashLynx account.
Starting Machines Against a Specific WDF Order
To trigger a machine start, against a specific WDF Order, you'll first need to click into the order itself:
Within the order, you'll see the details of the order, as well as a Start Maching for this order button.
Clicking this button with prompt the user to tap their device to the specific machine they're starting for this order:
When machines are started via this method, the LaundroPoral's Wash Dry Fold section will record the specific machine start, within the order itself:
As well as list the order information in the Card Tracker's reader transaction record:
When looking at an order that has already had a machine started against it, this information will also be display on the WashLynx App as well: