Introduction

365 Retail Markets designs and implements turnkey, unattended, and highly automated MicroMarket self-checkout solutions. At the center of the 365 MicroMarket is the 365 kiosk where consumers scan and pay for their items.

This guide will walk you through our software platforms and how to install a 365 kiosk.

Software Platforms

SmartHQ

SmartHQ is the administration website for managing your MicroMarket.

The website https://smarthq.365retailmarkets.com is split into five main categories based on function:

• Administration
• Customer Service
• Transactions
• Manage Items
• Inventory

Each section has different areas for reporting and managing each aspect of the system.

Valet

Valet is 365’s proprietary Point-of-Sale software that runs on the kiosk. It syncs with SmartHQ approximately every seven minutes.

SmartInventory

SmartInventory is a separate website that gives operators the ability to conduct physical and perpetual inventories inside their MicroMarket. The website address is http://365smartinventory.com.  SmartInventory is designed to be used with a handheld barcode scanner, but the scanner is not required.

Note: The 365 SmartInventory app is available on the iOS App Store.

My Market Account

MyMarketAccount is a website where consumers can create a new account for the kiosk, add funds to their existing account and view their purchase history. Each location that is enabled for MyMarketAccount will have its own unique Store ID that will relay information between the kiosk and the website.

The operator side of MyMarketAccount is known as the Admin Portal. This website provides communication tools to connect with your customers.

Gen3c Hardware Overview

Gen3c Kiosk Installation Guide

Overview

This guide is an on-site Setup Guide for the Gen3c, which includes a Gen3 unit with a Gen3 Add-On (commonly referred to as the XP module) to enable the optional Bill Acceptor and Thermal Printer.

Specifics

Gen3c Packaging List

• Gen3 Add-On
• Setup Instructions
• Drill Template
• Four mounting bolts with nuts and washers (1/4 x 2”)

Step #1

• Place the Drill Template (included) on the counter in the desired location and secure it with tape.
• Use the 5/16” drill bit and drill four holes in the marked lkocations.
• Use a center punch or similar to mark four screw locations for the (Do not drill this location, there are four self-drilling screws in the accessory kit).

Optional: Using a hole-saw, drill a 1¼ hole towards the back to route the kiosk power cables.

Step #2

Follow the Installation Guide supplied with the Gen3 and secure the kiosk with the four self-drilling screws.

Step #3

• Place the Gen3 Add-On on the left side of the Gen3 kiosk and leave a gap between the two modules. This will make it easy to connect the Gen3 Add-On to the Gen3 kiosk (do not bolt down the Add-On yet).
• Feed the power cable through the access hole in the counter (if applicable).
• Connect the harness from the Gen3 Add-On to the Gen3 kiosk. Connect the Serial cable first then the USB cable. Make sure the connections are secure.

Step #4

• After the two modules are connected, carefully move the Gen3 Add-On next to the Gen3 kiosk so that the metal base stands align with each other.
• Place the four ¼ inch Carriage Bolts and secure the Gen3c with the washers and nuts that were supplied with the hardware.

Gen3 External Volume Controls

External volume controls are located on the left side of the kiosk.  

Note: The printer and bill acceptance options must be selected in the on-screen kiosk menu if they have not been already activated. (For more information, refer to the “Accessing the Kiosk Administrative Settings” section on page 15.)

The Epson Printer in the Gen3c kiosk requires receipt paper size 3 1/8 x 3 ¼” 273” thermal paper, which is different from the paper used in the Zebra Printer. Replacement receipt paper can be purchased at our web store: http://micro-market-supplies.webstorepowered.com/

WARNING!

Always power off the kiosk before servicing!

Never unplug the main power if the kiosk is running!

Replacing the Receipt Paper

The Epson printer located inside the Gen3 Add-on uses thermal receipt paper, which means there is no ink to change. To replace the receipt paper in the Gen3 Add-on, follow these steps below:

1. Open the G3 Add-on by inserting the key (supplied with the hardware) into the lock mechanism on the upper right side. The key will engage the lock and expose the lever handle.
   
   
2. Turn the lever counter clockwise so it is perpendicular to its socket.
   
   
3. Gently pull the cover of the G3 Add-on towards you.
   
   
4. Press down on the grey release button to open the printer lid.
   
   
5. Set the receipt paper in the printer so the paper will feed from the top of the roll. Pull a small piece over the top of the lid and close it tightly.
   
   
6. Press the Feed button on the printer to feed a small piece of paper through the printer When the paper has been fed, tear off the excess from the printer and close the G3 Add- on.

Emptying the Cash Cassette

The cash cassette inside the bill acceptor has the capacity to hold up to 500 bills. It is important to empty the bill acceptor on a regular basis. Follow these steps to empty the cash cassette:

1. Open the G3 Add-on by inserting the key (supplied with the hardware) into the lock mechanism on the upper right side. The key will engage the lock and expose the lever handle.
   
   
2. Turn the lever counter clockwise so it is perpendicular to its socket.
   
3. Gently pull the cover of the G3 Add-on towards you.
   
   
4. While pressing the yellow button on the top front side of cash cassette, remove the cassette by sliding it towards you.
   
5. Remove bills from the cassette through the side yellow door.
   
6. Place the cassette back on the tracks and gently slide it back into position. You should hear the cassette lock into place.

Accessing Internal Components

The G3 kiosk is designed to open like a “clamshell” allowing access to internal components and hardware. To open the G3 kiosk, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Remove the two silver screws located on the backside of the kiosk near the top of the screen.
   
2. When the screws have been removed, gently pull the front of the screen forward.
   

Caution: The kiosk can become “top heavy” during service, make sure your kiosk is secured to the base and that the screen has something to rest on.

3. Support and service the kiosk.
   
4.  When the kiosk has been serviced, return the screen to the upright position, aligning the screw holes from the front of the screen with the screw holes on the backside of the kiosk. Reattach the screws that were removed in step number 1.

Shutting down the kiosk

Proper kiosk maintenance begins with properly shutting down your kiosk. One of the worst things you can do to your kiosk – is to unplug it from its power source while the PC is still powered on inside. This can cause severe damage to the internal components of the kiosk and reduce the life of the PC.

Please follow these steps when shutting down the kiosk:

1. Locate the PC power access hole on the right side of the kiosk (look for the blue light coming from the access hole).
   
   
2. Use a pen or pencil to reach inside the access hole and press down on the Power button to the PC (the Power button is located right, next to the blue light).
   
3. Continue to hold down the Power button on the PC for several seconds until the Windows Shut Down Screen is visible.
   
   
4. Verify that the blue light that was once visible from the access hole is powered off.
   
5. You may now unplug the kiosk from its main power source.

Accessing the Kiosk Administrative Settings

There is an Administrative menu located on the kiosk where you have the ability to adjust various settings in Valet and run a “Cash Out” report. To access the Administrative menu, double tap the upper left corner of the kiosk screen.

When prompted, enter your Exit Code (for more information on the Exit Code, visit Managing Kiosk Users in the SmartHQ User Guide 11-2016).

The Administrative menu has four different sub menu options:

• Kiosk – Tap ‘Kiosk’ to return to the Point of Sale Software.
• Kiosk Settings – Tap Kiosk Settings to modify local settings in Valet such as, turning off the web cam, or to disable certain payment types. You can also test the receipt printer and bill acceptor from this menu.
  (More on adjusting Valet Settings and Testing Peripherals below.)

• Inventory – Inventory was used for scanning RFID tags in our first generation software. This feature has been disabled for kiosks using barcode scanners to identify products.
• Cash-In Report – Click here to generate a “Cash-In Report” each time the cash is collected from the kiosk.

Adjusting Kiosk Settings

From the Kiosk Administrative menu, tap the Kiosk Settings button. You will be prompted to enter your kiosk pin again. In the Kiosk Settings area you can enable and disable certain features built into the Point of Sale software. A check mark next to a box indicates that the option is enabled.

• Pay With Account – Allow users to pay with their stored value account.
• Require Pin Entry – Prompt users for their kiosk pin when accessing their account or making a purchase with a Scanner ID or a Card ID.
• Receipt Print Option – Allows users to opt for a printed receipt at the end of their transaction.
• Pay With Cash – Enables the Pay with Cash option when checking out.

Note: This feature is designed to be used with our cash dispensing kiosks. If your kiosk does not have a bill and coin dispenser, DO NOT enable this option.

• Add Value Cash – Allows users to fund their pre-paid kiosk account with cash.
• Enable Email/Text Message Receipts – Allows users to receive text messages and email receipts.
• Pay With Credit – Allows users to process non-account credit transactions. (Walk-up credit card sales)
• Add Value Credit – Allows users to fund their pre-paid accounts on the kiosk with credit cards.
• Show Order Complete Dialog – Displays a “Thank You” message at the end of the transaction informing the customer their transaction has been completed.
• Live Help – This feature has been discontinued and is no longer supported.
• Enable Web Cam – Turns the on-screen camera on or off.
• Privatize Tags on Purchase – This RFID feature is no longer supported.

Testing Kiosk Hardware

From the Kiosk Settings menu, choose either the Bill Acceptor or Receipt Printer from the peripheral drop-down menu.

For the Bill Acceptor

• Tap on the Test Acceptor The Bill Acceptor should light up and allow bills to be inserted.
• Inserted bills will be logged in the Accepted Bills The Acceptor Status will show the device status and will generate error codes if something is not working properly. If you receive an error code while testing the Bill Acceptor, contact the 365 Support Department.

For the Receipt Printer

• To test the receipt printer, choose your printer model from the drop-down menu.
• Tap on the Test Receipt Printer button.
• If a receipt does not print, tap on the Get Printer Status The printer should show a status of “Waiting (Idle)”. If the printer status is “Unknown”, contact the 365 Support department.

Generating the Cash-In Report:

It is important to remember to generate a Cash-In Report every time money is collected from the kiosk. Not only does this zero out the bill count inside the bill acceptor, but the Cash-Out Report ties into financial reports in SmartHQ.

• To generate the Cash-In Report, tap on the Cash-In Report icon located in the Kiosk Administrative menu.
• When prompted, enter your Kiosk Pin number.
• A receipt will print from the kiosk that shows the User ID of the person generating the report, and a breakdown of bills being collected.

Note: If you run out of paper after you have generated the Cash-In Report, the information that is printed on the receipt is in SmartHQ under the Cash In Kiosk report. 

How to Check-Out using the Kiosk

1. Scan the barcode of an item using the barcode scanner or select an item to purchase from the on-screen menu.

2. Verify items as they appear on screen.

3. Select a payment method.
   
   
4. Select print or text receipt.

 How to Create an Account

1. Press the Manage Account button located in the lower right corner of the screen.
   
   
2. Select New Account button from the Account Access menu.
   
3. Create your account by tapping in each required field and typing in your account information.
   
4. Tap the SAVE AND CLOSE button to save the account information.