C-Start Owner’s Manual Unitec 443-561-1200 • www.StartwithUntiec.
C-START C-START OWNER’S MANUAL This manual describes the functions of the C-Start entry system running the Sierra software platform. If further assistance is needed, please contact the distributor from which the C-Start was purchased.
C-START Document Revision History Software Version Release Date Changes Made 9/2014 Changed OS from Windows NT to Windows 7 POS Ready.
C-START [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] Document Number: CST1002 Document Title: C-Start Owner ‘sManual
C-START Table of Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 2 Log-In ......................................................................................................................... 1 3 Set-up Functions ......................................................................................................... 5 3.1 General Site Information ...................................................................
C-START 5.5 6 7 8 9 10 Accounts .................................................................................................................. 22 5.5.1 Prepaid and Subscription Accounts .................................................................. 22 5.5.2 Loyalty Accounts ............................................................................................... 23 5.5.3 Fleet Accounts................................................................................................... 23 5.
C-START 10.5 Thermal Printer .................................................................................................... 59 10.5.1 Replacing the Printer Paper ...................................................................... 60 10.5.2 Clearing a Paper Jam ................................................................................. 60 10.5.3 Manually Printing a Self Test .................................................................... 60 Table of Figures Figure 1.
C-START Figure 31. Code Listing Report Settings ................................................................................................ 40 Figure 32. Sample Code Listing Report ................................................................................................. 40 Figure 33. Sales Screen ......................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 34. Purchase Wash Package Screen ....................................
C-START 1 Introduction The C-Start is touch-screen based car wash payment system that is designed to work at any in-bay automatic or conveyor and is perfect for convenience stores (C-store) or any car wash that does not wish to accept cash as payment. This Owner’s Manual describes the programming features and provides information on daily operations and recommended maintenance. For detailed information on how to install the C-Start and for networking information, please see the CStart Installation Manual.
C-START Figure 1. Sierra Login Screen Due to PCI compliance, once you login the first time using an administrative password, you will immediately be prompted to change your password to a more secure password that is at least 7 characters long and contains both letters and numbers, as shown below. NOTE: An administrative password is a user that has either “User Management” or “Utilities” access privileges under Setup>Users.
C-START Figure 2. Password Change Screen To change the password, enter your old password, then enter your new password. Enter your new password again, then click Save. You will be required to create a new password every 3 months. Please make note of the password and keep it in a secure location. You may not use the last 5 passwords. After setting up your password, you may login to Sierra normally.
C-START Upon successful log-in, the Summary page of the management application will appear. This page displays a list of C-Start’s presence on the local network with a count of washes provided and associated revenue for the current day. Car counts and revenue results from previous days can be viewed by selecting the desired date in the calendar or by entering the start and end dates in the summary data fields. The current day data can be updated by selecting the Refresh button.
C-START 3 Set-up Functions The Set-up function are used to program the C-Start’s operational settings and for managing system users. C-Start programming should be performed during installation by your Unitec distributor, but there are some settings that an equipment owner may wish to change, periodically. This section of the manual describes the programmable features that are available.
C-START Page (described in section 3.3.7). Operating schedules can be configured to vary by day of the week. The operating schedule is disabled by default. 3.3.3 Wash Dispensing The wash dispensing page is used to assign and configure the wash packages that will be offered at the CStart. Wash packages must be set-up through the Products page (section 3.2) before they can be assigned to a C-Start device profile.
C-START 3.4 Greeting Message Delay – The delay from when a vehicle is detected (at the C-Start) until the greeting message is played. Added Services Screen Timeout – The amount of time the Added Services offer screen will be shown. If no selection is made within this time, the C-Start will assume no added services are desired and transition to the next screen.
C-START Utilities – Allows the user to access system utilities including data logging and database back-up functions. NOTE: An administrative password is a user that has either “User Management” or “Utilities” access privileges under Setup>Users. NOTE: To setup a non-administrative user to verify and sell codes or sell accounts, “Accounts and Promotions” and “Code and Account Sales” must be checked on the user account. 3.
C-START 4 Promotions The promotions feature is used to set up and manage various marketing programs. The types of programs that are available include discounts, complimentary washes, fundraisers, scheduled specials and prize promotions. Reports for tracking and managing these programs are accessed through the menu options on the left side of the promotions management pages (as shown below).
C-START 4.3 Fundraisers The fundraiser is a code-activated promotion intended to encourage supporters of an organization to use the car wash. No discount or other benefit is provided to the user at the wash but usage of the fundraiser ‘code’ is tracked and reported. The operator will typically donate a set amount to the organization for each wash purchase where the fundraiser code was entered.
C-START 4.6 Promotions Setup Figure 5. Promotions Main Screen The Promotions Setup screen displays the current promotions. They are listed by name, type of promotions, and status. Note that the promotion statuses are ‘active’, ‘inactive’, ‘expired’, and ‘exhausted’. ‘Expired’ means beyond the promotion schedule end date/time. ‘Exhausted’ only applies to promotions that have a maximum usage configured.
C-START 4.6.1 Prize Promo Setup Figure 6. Prize Discount Setup Screen 1. To setup a Prize Discount, enter the name of the prize discount. 2. Enter the Prize Rate. The prize rate is the number of wins divided by the number of attempts (in percent). 3. Select a code length form 5-8. The default is 7. 4. Enter the prize expiration date. This can be set from 0-30 days. 0 days means the prize does not expire. The default is 30. 5. If you would like to enable a Schedule, click Enabled and Edit.
C-START Figure 7. Prize Voucher Setup Screen 1. To setup a Prize Voucher, enter the name of the prize voucher. 2. Enter the Prize Rate. The prize rate is the number of wins divided by the number of attempts (in percent). 3. Select a code length form 5-8. The default is 7. 4. Enter the prize expiration date. This can be set from 0-30 days. 0 days means the prize does not expire. The default is 30. 5. If you would like to enable a Schedule, click Enabled and Edit.
C-START 4.6.2 Promotions Setup Figure 8. Edit Discount Screen 1. Enter the Name of the promotion. Select Active to enable the promotion. 2. Select the method of the promotion from the drop-down menu. For Discounts and Free Washes, the methods are: Codes, Tokens 1-4, Cards, Barcodes and VIP Coupons 1-3 and Mars Coupon. If Mars Coupon is selected, you will need to enter the 4-digit code from the coupon. For a Fundraiser, you may only choose Codes. For a Special, there is no method to choose from. 1.
C-START 4.7 6. Click Save. If you wish to change or delete a wash, click Remove from List by that wash. 7. Click Save. Promotions Reports Status Report The status report lists all promotions that have been configured and provides status information, as shown in the sample report below. The status will be active, inactive (disabled), exhausted (max uses limit reached) or expired (end date is reached).
C-START Figure 11. Sample Promotions Usage Report 5 House Accounts The accounts module is a product option that allows house accounts to be set up and managed in the Sierra server application. Four account types are available: prepaid, subscription, loyalty, and fleet accounts. Accounts can be configured for redemption by a magnetic stripe card, numeric code or RFID tag. The Accounts module also includes reports for tracking account status and usage.
C-START You may reload the account without reentering all information, and the customer may also reload his account at the entry unit. If the balance of the account is insufficient for the purchase, the customer will be asked if they’d like to recharge the account. If they choose to do so, they’ll be prompted to add payment and the account will be recharged for the amount that’s defined in the account program.
C-START Frequency Reward – select wash that will be awarded Expiration – Days in which rewards must be claimed (default will be no expiration) Accounts will be activated from the management pages by selecting the associated loyalty program and entering the customer-specific data, including: User name and contact details (address, e-mail etc.) Account Number Redemption method – Code, Card or RF Tag 5.3.
C-START Figure 12. Account Program Screen To setup a new account program, select from either Pre-paid, Subscription or Loyalty from the drop-down menu below the table and click Add New Account Program. The Edit Account screen will be displayed. To edit an existing account program, click Edit next to that program.
C-START 5.4.1 Pre-Paid Account Program Setup Figure 13. Pre-paid Account Program Edit Screen 1. Enter the name of the account program. 2. Select the type of account from the drop-down menu. A product-based account is useable for only (1) wash product (which is selected from a drop down list). Monetary accounts can be used for any wash. NOTE: Prepaid accounts can be monetary or product based; subscription accounts are product based. 3.
C-START 5.4.2 Subscription Account Program Setup Figure 14. Subscription Account Program Edit Screen 8. Enter the name of the account program. Chose whether or not to force a receipt with each transaction. 9. Select the product from the drop-down menu. 10. Enter the Issue Price (or selling price) that will be reported when a new account is issued (or sold) and then enter the Value for which the account can be redeemed. This field is not present on Subscription accounts. 11.
C-START 15. Click Save. 5.5 Accounts When the accounts option is selected, a list of current accountholders will be displayed along with search functions to find a specific account. To view details of an account, click Edit next to the account. To setup a new account, select the account type from Fleet, Pre-paid or Subscription from the drop-down menu below the table. For new Pre-paid or Subscription accounts, you may select a Program from the additional drop-down menu. 5.5.
C-START 5.5.2 Loyalty Accounts Accounts will be activated from the management pages by selecting the associated loyalty program and entering the customer-specific data, including: User name and contact details (address, e-mail etc.) Account Number Redemption method – Code, Card or RF Tag Figure 16. Loyalty Account Setup Screen 5.5.3 Fleet Accounts Fleet Accounts are set-up and managed directly through the ‘Accounts’ option (not the ‘Programs’ option). Account set-up is a 2-step process.
C-START Figure 17. Edit Fleet Account To set-up the fleet account: 16. Enter the business name for the account in the Name field. 17. Select the account type as monetary or product based. For product accounts, the associated wash product will need to be selected from the drop down list of available products. 18. Enter the value of discount that should be applied to the fleet customer’s billing statement. Discounts can be set for a dollar value or a percentage. 19.
C-START Figure 18. Edit Account User To add a new user, 5.6 24. Enter the first and last name of the account user 25. Select the redemption method (code, card, barcode or RFID Tag) 26. Enter the code, card number or RFID tag number for the user 27. Click Save. Account Reports 5.6.1 Status Report A sample status report is shown below.
C-START Figure 19. Sample House Account Status Report 5.6.2 Listing Report This report allows you to export a list of account holders in .csv format. The exported file includes the account holder name and contact information, account number, and enrollment date.
C-START 5.6.3 Loyalty Report The Loyalty Report provides a list of all members, their account numbers, uses, uses per month, and rewards information, plus any discount. Issued Account Name Account # Uses Andrews, Ed Bruschi, Ted Carlson,Jim Francis, Lois Harris, Jane Jackson, Lou Ortiz, David Smith, John Wilson, Terry 59632159 84965327 65843215 33256984 54213985 44869532 95487623 25644459 15789652 26 14 9 6 4 22 18 12 7 Claimed Expired Average Uses/Month Rewards Rewards Rewards Discount $1.
C-START Figure 21.
C-START User Name and Account Number (either card, code or RFID tag) Day the car wash was used The wash package that was purchased. Usually, a wash package is assigned to the account in setup. Price of the wash package used. The price is totaled at the bottom of the column. Amount of discount that is applied to the account (if any). The discount if totaled at the bottom of the column. Net amount due for each wash package used.
C-START 5.6.5 Sales Report Figure 22. Account Sales Report The account sales report provides a list of prepaid account sales and account reloads during a user defined date range. A sample report is shown above. Account Name and Number Program – indicates whether an account program was used for this account. Date – day account was purchased. Sales type -- indicates whether the entry is for a new account that was sold (issued) or a reload.
C-START Value – indicates the dollar amount or number of uses that were added to the account and the Price -- indicates the amount due from the account holder. Employee ID – indicates the system user who issued or reloaded the account. 5.6.6 Account Transaction Report Figure 23. Account Transaction Report The Account Transaction Report displays all transactions over a user defined date range. The report can be filtered to show transactions for all accounts, all accounts of a certain type (e.g.
C-START 6 Reports The Reports function allows you to view accounting information and product usage, filtered by ranges and dates you specify. When a report is generated, the associated data will appear on the screen with Print and Save functions. By selecting the Print button, you can print a copy of the report at your local printer. The Save function allows the report data to be saved in .CSV format so it can be viewed and/or sorted in standard 3rd party software applications (such as Microsoft Excel).
C-START Sales Summary Sales Washes Works Supreme Deluxe Express Total Added Services Tire Shine Rain-X Rain & Shine Total Qty 35 44 28 76 183 Paid 32 41 27 74 174 4 7 12 23 4 7 12 23 Automatic Totals Net Revenue Prepaid Total Avg $105.00 $270.00 $375.00 $11.72 $96.00 $290.00 $386.00 $9.41 $55.00 $150.00 $205.00 $7.59 $118.00 $319.00 $437.00 $5.91 $374.00 $1,029.00 $1,403.00 $8.06 $20.00 $21.00 $36.00 $77.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $20.00 $21.00 $36.00 $77.00 $0.44 $451.00 $1,029.00 $1,480.
C-START Accounts Reloads 5 Deluxe Card 5 Express Card Total Site Totals Tax Collected Total payments Fundraisers Due Net Revenue 8 5 13 $320.00 $150.00 $470.00 Revenue Prepaids Subscription $2,448.30 $1,029.00 0.00 38.55 $2,486.85 $1,029.00 0.00 ($7.00) $2,479.85 $1,029.00 0.00 Figure 25. Sample Site Revenue Report Sales Summary - Provides a wash count, breakdown of purchased and pre-paid transactions, and average sales value.
C-START 6.2 Sales Report The Sales report shows the products that were purchased in the reporting period. This report can be generated for a specific payment device or for all devices on site. The available report periods are current day, previous day or a user-specified date range. Sales reports can be printed or saved in .CSV format. To run a Sales report: Figure 26. Sales Report Settings Select the device from the drop down menu then select the date. Click Run Report.
C-START Figure 27. Sample Sales Report Wash Activations - Provides a count of washes dispensed, broken down by wash type, and includes washes dispensed using codes or maintenance accounts. The usage metric shows the percentage of activations for each wash type. Self-serve wash packages are displayed by purchase type - cash, credit, house account, or maintenance account. Added Services - Provides a count of added services that were purchased, broken down by service type.
C-START Prepaid Upgrades – Provides a count of and dollar amount earned for upgrades purchased with a wash package. The usage metric shows the percentage of activations for each wash type. Code Sales – Provides a count of code sales and is displayed by POS device – pump, c-store register, or remote console. The usage metric shows the percentage of activations for each wash type. Payments - Provides a list of payment methods used with the percentage of use (based on $ value). 6.
C-START Products – show transactions where a specific product (wash or added service) was purchased. Payment Type – show transactions where a specific payment type (cash, credit, house account etc.) was used. Additional filters are provided for some payment types to further refine the report to a specific account or account type. An example report is shown below. The date, time, amount, device, product and any discounts applied are listed for each purchase.
C-START Figure 29. Sample Transaction Report When the transaction report is viewed, a “details” link will be displayed for each record. By clicking on this link, the user can view and print a more detailed record of the transaction. An example of this detailed view is shown below. Figure 30.
C-START 6.4 Code Listing Report The code listing report is applicable to sites that use the optional POS interface or console for wash code sales. It can be used to check the status of a specific code by entering all or part of the code number. Figure 31. Code Listing Report Settings Enter a code and select the results per page, then click Run Report. To generate a complete list of wash codes in memory, leave the code field blank and click the Run Report button. Figure 32.
C-START 7 Sales The Sales tab displays and functions as a Point of Sale console interface. You must first set up the Sales screen in the POS Interface in order for this screen to be populated. For further instruction, please see Section 3.6. Figure 33. Sales Screen The Sales screen function keys are color-coded. Washes are blue and reports are red. Account, reloads, rewashes and the check and void code functions are teal.
C-START To purchase a wash package, select one of the washes then click Purchase. Figure 34. Purchase Wash Package Screen A code will be generated and displayed on the screen. You may then print the code from the POS printer or from the print function of your PC. Figure 35.
C-START To purchase a new account, click on the account: Figure 36. Account Purchase 1. 2. 3. 4. Select code or card. Enter the account number. Enter the account holder’s name. Click Purchase to finalize the account purchase.
C-START To reload an account, click Reload and enter the account number. Figure 37. Reload Account Screen Ensure the account holder’s information is correct, then click Reload. Figure 38.
C-START To issue a rewash code, click Rewash then select the wash to issue the code: Figure 39. Rewash Selection Screen Figure 40.
C-START To print a report, select the report type. If you would like to select a date other than the current day, select Change Dates. You may select the current day, select the previous day, or select a date range, then click Done, then Print Report. NOTE: The Report functions on the Sales page are for console users ONLY. Figure 41.
C-START 8 Maintenance Functions The Maintenance screen displays the current status of the devices located in the C-Start unit. This screen is only accessible from the C-Start, and will appear after you turn the key in the lock and login to the unit or by entering the code 4401 at the Sales screen. Figure 42. C-Start Maintenance Screen The C-Start Maintenance screen provides access to the following screens. To display these screens, press the button beside the item you wish to display.
C-START Shutdown – This key is used to shut down, restart the C-Start unit, or reload the device profile without having to open the door. (Note: The shut down function should always be performed before turning off power to the C-Start). 8.1 Shutdown The Shutdown feature allows you to shutdown or restart the C-Start. Once the C-Start software is shutdown, you may shutdown the unit at the main power switch inside the unit.
C-START 9 Utilities 9.1 General System Utilities The Utilities tab allows you to view the current server version, view the current C drive version, view any hot fixes applied, view the IP address, set the system date and time, backup and restore the databases, view the event log, and upload software updates. Figure 44.
C-START 9.1.1 Enable Support Mode Enable Support Mode is a feature that allows Unitec Customer Service to access and troubleshoot the server via remote access. If your devices are having problems, call Unitec Customer Support at 18004Unitec. Click the button to access the next screen. Figure 45. Enable Support Mode Screen The Unitec Customer Support representative will provide a 8-digit authorization code to gain access to the server. Once that is entered correctly. Click Enable.
C-START The Database Utility screen is used to backup and restore the Sierra Server databases. Database back up files can be used to restore operation of the system in the event of a catastrophic event. To minimize the potential for lost sales data, regular back-ups should be performed. The software version, date and time of previously created back-ups are displayed on the screen. 9.2.
C-START Enter the number of days. Click Delete Codes. NOTE: All codes prior to that number of days will be deleted, so make sure to create a database backup and hardcopy backups before performing this function. 9.2.3 Automatic Backups Schedule for Server To schedule Automatic backups, click on Edit Automatic Backup Settings. Figure 49. Automatic Backup Settings Screen 28. Click Enable Automatic Backups, then select the location, either the D drive or a thumbdrive, from the drop-down folder.
C-START 10 Component Operation and Maintenance This section of the manual describes the normal operating procedures and basic troubleshooting and repair techniques for each of the system components. The following procedures are designed to provide you with the hardware troubleshooting and service information you need in order to provide your customers with the highest quality service possible. When troubleshooting any issue, verify that the power supply is providing power to the affected component.
C-START Figure 50.
C-START Figure 51.
C-START 10.1.2Inside the C-Start The following figure provides a photograph showing the components located inside the C-Start. This drawing is intended to provide general component location information only. Figure 52.
C-START Figure 53.
C-START 10.1 System Cabling System cabling comes into the C-Start through the cable entrance ports located on the bottom left side of the unit as labeled in Figure 24. Wash cabling will be directly connected to the Wash IO Board at installation. The Ethernet cable, will be connected to the CPU board assembly at the Ethernet port. 10.2 Cleaning and General Maintenance The C-Start’s plastic casing may be cleaned with a 1 to 1 solution of water and Simple Green concentrate.
C-START 2. Briefly press the TEACH button. The yellow LED will flash off then on again after 2 seconds. 3. Place the flat object in front of the proximity sensor at the MINIMUM distance you wish the proximity sensor to detect approaching vehicles (at least 6”). 4. Briefly press the TEACH button. The yellow LED will flash off then flash on 5 times. 5. The settings are now saved in the proximity sensor. 10.5 Thermal Printer The C-Start is equipped with the Hecon thermal printer.
C-START 10.5.1 Replacing the Printer Paper Replace printer paper when you see a red mark running down the side of the receipt or the unit is reporting Paper low. 1. Insert the new paper roll on the paper carriage at the bottom of the printer. The paper roll should be oriented such that the end of the paper is at the top of the roll. The paper will automatically feed into the printer when the power is on. 10.5.2 Clearing a Paper Jam Follow the steps below to clear a paper jam. 1. Open the C-Start door. 2.
