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EntraLane Docs

How EntraLane Works

EntraLane is a real-time, browser-based virtual queue management and visitor call system built for retail stores, medical clinics, municipal offices, repair centers, and customer service hubs.

Core Principles

100% GDPR Anonymous

EntraLane collects zero personal data (PII) from your visitors: no names, no phone numbers, no email addresses, and no costly SMS gateway fees. Visitors check in anonymously without privacy friction.

Zero Hardware Lock-in

Any device with a modern web browser becomes an instant terminal: iPads, Android tablets, Windows Mini-PCs, Raspberry Pis, existing counter workstations, and standard Smart TVs.

Millisecond Real-Time Sync

Powered by persistent WebSockets (SignalR), every check-in, callout, transfer, and status change updates across all kiosks, desks, TVs, and mobile tickets instantaneously.

Hybrid Check-In (QR, Touch & Print)

Visitors choose how they wait: scan a dynamic QR code on their phone (with live countdown and haptic alerts), tap the touchscreen, or take a printed paper slip from a thermal receipt printer.

The 4 Core Building Blocks

Understanding how EntraLane structures your workspace makes setup effortless:

1. Location (Standort)

A Location represents a physical branch, clinic, or store. At the location level, you configure:

  • Name, street address, country, and Timezone (used for operating schedules and automated nightly queue resets).
  • Brand Color, custom Logo, and one of the 8 Terminal UI Design Archetypes (such as EntraLane Editorial, Swiss Modern, Scandinavian, or Japandi).

2. Waiting Area / Queue (Warteschlange)

Each Location contains one or more Waiting Areas (e.g., Main Ground Floor Lobby and 2nd Floor Technical Service). A Waiting Area governs:

  • Maximum Waiting Capacity (MaxCapacity, minimum 5 simultaneous waiting tickets).
  • Ticket Number Format (1, 2, 3 or zero-padded 001, 002, 003) and optional Max Ticket Number (circular rollover back to 1).
  • Optional Mnemonic Theme, Weekly Operating Hours, and Automated Daily Reset Time.

3. Services / Categories (Anliegen)

Services are the selectable buttons displayed on your Entrance Kiosk (e.g., Consultation, Click & Collect Pickup, Warranty & Returns). Each Service defines:

  • A Ticket Prefix (e.g., A for Advice → A-014, R for Repairs → R-015).
  • An Estimated Duration in minutes (used to calculate live wait-time forecasts).
  • An Icon, optional subtitle description, and a Highlighted badge option.

4. Terminals / Devices (Geräte)

Terminals are the physical screens paired to your Waiting Area:

  1. Entrance Kiosk (/kiosk/:slug) — Self-service check-in terminal at the entrance.
  2. Service Desk (/desk/:slug) — Staff operator interface at a counter, booth, or consultation room used to call and serve guests.
  3. TV Call Display (/display/:slug) — Large waiting room screen announcing called tickets visually and acoustically.

Cognitive Memory Anchors (Mnemonic Themes)

Visitors in busy lobbies often forget pure numbers—especially if they didn’t take a paper slip. EntraLane solves this by optionally pairing each ticket number with a memorable word from a curated theme:

  • Animals (up to 100 concurrent tickets): e.g., #24 • Silver Fox, #25 • Kingfisher
  • Movie Characters (up to 50 tickets): e.g., #12 • Indiana, #13 • Marty
  • Cosmic (up to 40 tickets): e.g., #08 • Andromeda, #09 • Supernova
  • Colors (up to 30 tickets): e.g., #04 • Emerald, #05 • Cobalt