Helios and Drivers License Reader

[summrtan]

I was told that Stuart maybe the best source of info on this subject but I don't have his email address so I figured this way it will get forwarded to who knows. I believe that in very early versions of helios it was possible to scan a drivers license magnetic strip (California) and have all info show up in the appropriate fields in client profile, is this still possible or if not is it in the works? I currently have the magtek reader installed for my credit cards, can this be used or is their an additional piece of equipment that would be needed? This would be an extremely helpful tool not only in busy season but would also help eliminate some of the problems with new clients that are under 18.

The above was my email to helios, below is their response. From what I understand most of the other tanning software offer this so I'm wondering why helios can not? Maybe if enough Helios users request it we can make it happen?

I don't think that it's possible to use the magtek to swipe a drivers license and have the data captured in the appropriate fields. Because there are so many different license formats we haven't pursued this option. I will double check with development because we did receive questions on this in Nashville.

I'll let you know what the outcome.

helios
tech support: 317-554-9911
fax: 317-554-8997

[Andy]

When they get to getting you the info

I did not work with the magtek ... that is for sure ... tried it ... NO

But they say it will with the right Keyboard with a mag stripe reader, and there is some programming that needs to be done on the keyboard ... they say it works but could never show me ... I agree with those from the show me state ... SHOW ME

I understood Helios was programmed to fill the appropriate fields for 4 states ... California is one of them

If Tony's email was tony@gohelios.com ... stuart is .....

Lee ... go for it man ... I tried during my short time there, it was one issue after another - I must confess, I gave up and should not have. One of my very first Helios client in Cdn really wanted it ... I gave Helios my expired DL 3 times ... nooda.

[summrtan]

The thing that confuses me Andy is that when I bought my 1st salon in 2001 they were using Helios (version 9.4 I beleive but I could be wrong and it was an earlier version) and it would work with a cheap little mag reader that they had sitting by the keyboard. I do not understand why they would have something that was very helpful and take it away from future versions.

[Andy]

It is not that they took it away ... it most likely is still where, if you can get some to configure it for you

BUT ... if you use the Magtek card reader - I believe that may cause a conflict

if not ... then with the right hardware and configure I believe they (=Stuart) could get it working for you.

[MissPrissRA]

I know TanTrack allows us to use the credit card/ DL swiper.

[bahamatan]

Originally Posted by MissPrissRA

I know TanTrack allows us to use the credit card/ DL swiper.

So does Suntouch...... BUT!!!! You have to buy it from them.......FOR $600.00.

What a bunch of b*%#*****.

[summrtan]

After several emails to Helios support I finally received this response. If anyone using helios thinks this would be a helpful feature to have please request it. Maybe if they get bugged enough with it they will add it back.

Older versions of Helios software (v7 or v8) had the ability to scan the drivers licenses from the four states listed in the drop down menu. As we moved forward with new versions, we did not update the drivers license feature because license formats can change over time. Unfortunately, we did not remove these options from the drop down menu.

While we have no plans to add back this feature, I will add it to our enhancement request list.

[rgm824]

^yeah they will add it but up our monthly fees to 79+ a month to support it - :(

[Andy]

interesting Lee ....

Tony berated me for not seeing it work over the last many years. His statement, of course it works ... asking me why I was saying, that dispite his statement, I had NEVER seen it work.

Now the truth finally is stated .... what a pile of CRAP his statements were.

[dcjjp2]

Does anyone with suntouch use this feature, I don't mind spending some $$$ if it actually works. I run only one computer that does it all, massage appts, new clients, check ins, etc.... This would be a huge help.