Where more than 1 locker bank is being deployed for a customer, they can be deployed in 2 modes: Standalone or Master/Slave. Where there is only 1 locker bank it must operate in Standalone mode. The differences between these modes is shown and described below:
In Standalone Mode, each Smartalock locker bank is a completely independent system. It is initially configured via the touchscreen kiosk, and all ongoing administration is also performed via the same touchscreen kiosk. The database of users, swipe cards and their locker allocations, along with the general system settings are all stored on the controller unit generally hidden in the locker toe kick.
The system administrator can enter the kiosk “Admin” mode via a secure PIN code that is entered directly on the touch screen Kiosk.
The advantages of Standalone mode include
Simple configuration interface available directly from each locker bank
No LAN and/or Internet connection required to operate
Generally no IT involvement in system deployment
The disadvantages of Standalone mode include
Duplication of user database between different standalone locker banks
Single point of failure for the Controller
Simple configuration interface via touchscreen less efficient for performing bulk tasks
such as creating a lot of users.
Must be managed at the locker bank itself - no remote access.
System Analytics will not be easily available
Standalone mode is only preferable when there is only a single locker bank, and where such locker bank will only operate in “Adhoc” mode - meaning they give out lockers dynamically to anyone with a valid swipe card - and therefore there is minimal requirement to create, store and track system users.
In Master/Slave Mode, each Smartalock locker bank forms part of a single larger system. The locker bank has its initial door mapping (assigning a locker number to each door) via the touchscreen kiosk, but after that all system administration is performed via a web browser connection to the Master server.
The Master server is a single small appliance provided by Smartalock that is generally installed in a customers comms/computer room.