The following article contains basic and general information regarding the setup of a micro market and accompanying kiosk. Some of the information may be found broken down into separate articles in the Parlevel Knowledge Base.
Log in to the VMS portal
You will need to navigate to the Parlevel VMS on an internet browser and enter your user credentials. Both the link to the VMS and your credentials have been provided in the informational email sent after signup.
Create the Driver User
1. Log in using Manager credentials.
2. Click 
3. Click New User and fill in the fields.
4. Under Role, select Driver.
5. Click Save Changes.
Note: In this section, log in using Manager credentials to set up routes.
Adding a Truck
1. Click 
2. Click New Truck or 
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Click Save Changes.
Adding a Route
1. Click
2. Click New Routes.
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Adjust other fields and settings as necessary.
5. Click Save Changes.
Adding an Account
1. Click
2. Click New Account.
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Click Verify Address.
5. Click Save Changes.
Adding a Location
1. Click
2. Click New Location.
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Click Verify Address.
5. Click Save Changes.
1. Click
or
Click Markets > All Markets.
Create a New Micro Market
2. Click New Micro Market.
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Click Create and Continue.
- PLEASE NOTE: The Kiosk ID sticker is located on the right side of the kiosk. When entering the ID into the Kiosk ID field, please enter the prefix (example: PLK123456).
- If you are unable to enter the Kiosk ID or this is an already-created market, you will need to contact Parlevel Hero Support with the correct ID and have them enter or update it for you.
Edit an Existing Micro Market
1. Click 
2. Edit as needed.
3. Click Create and Continue.
Add Assets
1. Click 
2. Click Options on the right side of the screen, then Add Assets.
3. At minimum, enter required fields marked with a *
4. Click Create and Continue.
Activate Products
1. Click
Note: Products may not need to be activated; however, unused products may need to be deactivated. The top 500 most common products are already activated in the VMS. If all products needed are activated already, please skip to Add Products to Assets.
2. By default, only currently active products are shown. To see all products, select All from the Status dropdown menu on the right.
3. Use the filters in the column headers to search for specific products.
4. Click the Active/Inactive toggle on the far right to activate or deactivate products as needed.
If a Needed Product DOES NOT exist in the product catalog
1. Provide your Customer Success representative or a Hero Support member the following information for the product(s):
- Full Product Name*
- Size (ounces, grams)*
- UPC
- Manufacturer
- Brand
- Quantity per Case
- Picture of Product
Note: * denotes required information
Navigate to the Assets Page
1. Click Markets > All Assets.
2. Click 
or
1. Click
2. Click 
Add Products to Assets
1. Select the empty slot to add a product.
2. Use Search Products to find the product to add to the asset.
3. Select the desired product.
4. Click Save Changes.
Set Prices, Par Levels, Capacities, and Quantities
1. Click the slot image to edit it.
2. Enter or edit required data.
3. Click Force Instant Product Changes? (to apply the price instantly)
4. Click Save Changes.
Note: Use the Special Actions dropdown on the right to assign a particular attribute to a whole row or the asset.
Preparation
Gather the following information to log into the kiosk successfully:
1. VMS company subdomain: companyname.parlevelvms.com
2. VMS Manager credentials: Provided in the "Parlevel Welcome" email.
3. Device ID: The 6 digit kiosk ID number.
PLEASE NOTE: The Kiosk ID sticker is located on the right side of the kiosk. When entering the ID, please enter the prefix (example: PLK123456).
4. Gateway passcode to process cashless payments.
How do I get the gateway passcode?
A. Is your account with USAT already created?
i. IF YES, log in to your USAT account at seedlive.com/home.i
1. Login with your USAT account credentials (included in the email from USAT).
2. On the left side panel click Devices under Administration section.
3. Search K3PLK...... (enter the kiosk ID)
4. The device ID should pop up OR click on (+) next to company name.
5. Click on NO REGION.
6. Click K3PLK123456.
7. Scroll down, let page load further.
8. Click Generate Passcode.
9. Scroll up to the top of the page to see the Passcode in Green.
*NOTE* YOUR PASSCODE SHOULD ONLY BE USED ONCE. PLEASE DO NOT RE-GENERATE A PASSCODE WITHOUT CONSULTING PARLEVEL SUPPORT OR YOUR CUSTOMER SUCCESS REP.
ii. IF NO USAT account has been created, please reach out to your Parlevel representative.
Micro Market Requirements
Reliable Source of Power: We recommend you use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) intended for desktop computers. Abrupt loss of power can cause system file corruption that will prevent the kiosk from operating correctly.
Keyboard and Mouse: Many of the troubleshooting steps provided require a keyboard and a mouse.
Configuring the Network
- If you will be setting up a wireless connection on the kiosk, please see the Wireless Configuration instructions.
- If you will be setting up a wired Ethernet connection on the kiosk, please see the Wired Configuration instructions.
Login Page:
1. Enter the subdomain in Company Name.
(subdomain.parlevelvms.com)
2. Enter your User Name and Password (these are the same credentials used to log into the VMS).
3. Enter the Device ID (kiosk ID).
4. Enter the Gateway Password. This is the passcode obtained from USAT. If you do not have the passcode, this can be set up later.
5. Sign In, and test the Wallets, Driver, and Product Scan functionalities.
Setup Wallet from the Kiosk
1. Tap the Wallet button.
2. Tap Sign Up.
3. Enter the required information:
a. First Name
b. Last Name
c. User number (max 6 characters)
d. Pin
e. Email Address
4. Tap Sign Up again to complete user registration.
5. To register a user's fingerprint, follow these steps:
a. Have the user log in.
b. Tap Wallet.
c. Tap My Fingerprint.
d. Follow the prompts on screen.
Note: If the fingerprint scanner is having trouble detecting/reading the fingerprint, please have the user press their finger firmly on the scanner and keep it still in a single position. If the fingerprint reader continues to have trouble, wipe the scanner pad thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
6. Scan a product. If successful, the product will appear in the shopping cart.
Setup Wallet from the VMS
1. Click Markets >All Users.
2. Click New Micro Market User.
3. Assign the Account for the user, enter other required information, and an initial balance if applicable.
Note: Contact your Customer Success rep to arrange a bulk import of users. Please provide first and last names, emails, and initial balances needed.
Dashboard
- Register Print: Register the driver's print for faster login.
- Reset Gateway: Reset the gateway passcode, if needed.
- Hardware Test: To test the peripherals and Payment Gateway for proper functionality.
- Clear Storage: To clear the memory of the kiosk. Please do not use unless advised by a Parlevel team member.
- Restart App: To restart the kiosk application. Can be useful in troubleshooting peripherals failing the hardware test.
- Reboot: To reboot the entire kiosk. Can be useful in attempting to reconnect peripherals failing the hardware test.
- Product Management: For adding and editing Product UPCs.
-
Speed Test: For testing download/upload speeds of the connected network.
Note: It is recommended the kiosk application run on a network with at least 8mbps download speed. Any lower, and the kiosk may experience performance issues and/or be unable to process transactions.
- Diagnostic: For use with Parlevel Support's assistance.
All products present in the market's assets (which should have been previously loaded in the VMS) will be available. To add the UPCs for a product:
1. Click My Wallet > Driver Login.
2. Enter credentials.
3. Click the Product Management tab.
4. Click Add UPC for a product, and either input the UPC code manually or scan the barcode.
Note: Once finished, try scanning each product to ensure that it shows up in the shopping cart.
Best Practices
Before placing the kiosk in the field:
1. Scan all products that will be sold to ensure they are all functioning correctly.
2. Test all functions, including the bill validator, fingerprint scanner, wallet, and credit card reader.
*These are tested before shipment, but an additional quality check ensures optimal function.
Kiosk App Restart
1. Click or tap the kiosk to ensure it has focus.
2. Close the application by pressing Ctrl+Q on a connected keyboard.
3. Right-click on the desktop or press 
4. Select Kiosk.
5. Wait until all items on the hardware test page turn green, and then click Start App.
Note: Restarting the app can also be done through the Driver Portal.
Troubleshooting Network Failure
If the kiosk is reporting a network failure on the hardware test page, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Verify the status on the kiosk hardware test page. This page is shown when the kiosk is rebooted, or can be accessed at any time from the Driver Console.
a. If the kiosk is connected via wifi, ensure that the network connection has been configured using the steps in the Network configuration articles.
b. If the kiosk is connected via a ethernet, ensure the network cable is connected.
2. Click or touch the kiosk to ensure it has focus, and then close the kiosk application by pressing Ctrl+Q.
3. Right-click on the desktop and select Web Browser from the menu to launch Chrome.
4. Type https://inbound.parlevelvms.com/ into the address bar and press Enter.
5. If you see the message, "PLVMS-Inbound Online." then the network is working. Restart the kiosk application and verify the network status.
Note: If you do not see this message, the network may need additional configuration (ex. a proxy server) or the network may be blocking some outbound request. You need to contact the administrator of the network for additional assistance.
Troubleshooting the Bill Validator
If customers are reporting that their bill validator is not working, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Verify the status on the kiosk hardware test page. This page is shown when the kiosk is rebooting, or can be accessed at any time from the driver console. If the hardware test page shows a successful initialization of the validator, but the bill validator will not accept bills, see the section, Bill validator is not accepting bills, covered next.
2. Verify that bill validator has power. On startup, the validator will audibly cycle. Additionally, there is a status LED on the rear of the validator. If the validator does not make noise and the status LED is not blinking, continue with step 3. Otherwise, continue with step 6.
3. The bill validator is powered by a large black power adapter which has a removable power cord. Ensure that the power cord is plugged firmly into the power adapter, and that the power cord is plugged into the power strip inside the kiosk, and that the power strip is turned on.
4. At the end of the cord leading from the black power adapter to the bill validator, there are two MDB plugs: one plug with 5 wires, and one plug with 3 wires. Ensure that the plug with 5 wires is connected to the bill validator and that no wires are missing or broken.
5. At this point, the bill validator should be receiving power, and should audibly cycle when powering on. If it does not, the validator is likely defective and needs to be replaced.
6. Ensure that the plug with 3 wires is firmly connected to the Coinco MDB to USB adapter and that no wires are missing or broken.
7. On the end of the Coinco MDB to USB adapter opposite the white MDB plug, ensure that the USB cable is firmly and fully inserted.
8. Ensure that the other end of the USB cable leading from the Coinco MDB to USB adapter is firmly and fully inserted into the USB hub.
- If the USB hub has individual power switches, ensure that all switches are turned on and all four port lights are illuminated. If not all ports are lit up, continue with step 11.
- If the hub does not have individual switches, or all ports are illuminated, continue with step 11.
- Otherwise, continue with step 9.
9. Ensure that the wire leading from USB hub to the PC is firmly and fully inserted into a USB port on the CPU.
10. Attempt to toggle each USB port using the buttons on the USB hub. If one or more of the lights will not turn on after pressing the appropriate button, the USB hub is likely defective and must be replaced.
11. At this point, the Coinco MDB to USB adapter should be receiving power and be correctly connected to the bill validator. There is a small green LED on the adapter next to the white MDB plug. If it is not lit, the Coinco adapter is likely defective and must be replaced.
12. Restart the kiosk and verify the status of the bill validator on the hardware test page.
Bill Validator will not Accept Bills
1. Begin with section Troubleshooting the Bill Validator to ensure that the bill validator and USB to MDB adapter are connected correctly and receiving power.
2. The bill validator is not enabled by the kiosk until the user is in the checkout page. Ensure that you are on the checkout page before continuing.
3. Once on the checkout page, ensure that the bill validator's front lights are flashing. If the lights are flashing, the bill validator should accept bills that are fed into the bill slot. If it does not, the validator is likely defective and may require replacement.
4. The back of the bill validator has a status LED that uses a flashing pattern to indicate specific problems. The legend for these patterns is printed on the bill magazine. If the LED indicates a physical problem with the validator, such as a jam or full magazine, resolve this issue and continue troubleshooting from Step 1.
a. If the LED indicates that the validator is disabled, refer to the section Troubleshooting the Bill Validator.
b. Otherwise, continue with Step 5.
5. Remove the bill validator from the kiosk to verify the DIP switch settings. The DIP switches are located on the side of the validator opposite of the kiosk access door. Verify that the switches 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are ON, while switch 3 is OFF. If any switches are incorrect, reset them and continue troubleshooting from step 1.
6. If the validator continues to refuse bills, there may be a software issue. Please refer the issue to the Parlevel team.
Kiosk Boots to Black Screen with the Prompt 'initramfs'
1. If the kiosk does not boot up completely, but instead displays an “initramfs” prompt, it has most likely suffered disk corruption due to an improper shutdown or power loss. A keyboard will be required to repair the disk.
2. At the prompt, type the following command and then hit enter:
initramfs/
fsck -y /dev/sda2
3. Once the repair has finished, reboot the machine.
Scanned Product Could not be Identified
1. If the error on the right pops up when trying to scan a product, follow these steps to make sure the UPC was entered properly:
a. Tap Wallet.
b. Tap Driver Login, and enter user credentials.
c. Tap Product Management.
d. Select the product in question.
e. Verify that the UPC is entered correctly by matching it with the number on the item.