Kindoo Access Control System

[ELHawkes]

Turning off Auto Sync between Kndoo and LCR
If we were to choose to have auto sync turned off for any or all callings that are currently enabled, would turning off the auto sync between Kindoo and LCR automatically delete those callings/users out of Kindoo, or would they remain in Kindoo for manual management?

This is a great question. I am guessing YES, but we are going to try this out in our stake. I'll let you know what happens.

Hi, were you successful in having Auto Sync turned off?
If you were, what did you learn that you can share with us?
Thanks

[cougs]

Excuse me if this was already posted. It seems as though most of the license assignment happens at a stake level. Is there typically also someone at the ward level authorized to add/remove users and assign temporary licenses? Can there be multiple people at the ward level that can do this? Can this be done from the Kindoo app or does it require signing on to the Kindoo website?

[swigginton]

Is there typically also someone at the ward level authorized to add/remove users and assign temporary licenses? Can there be multiple people at the ward level that can do this?

Licensing is at the stake level. In the FM groups I've worked with, we only give KIndoo manager rights to a stake person (typically the Tech Specialist). We don't give authorization to the wards, because they would have access for the entire stake, which could create issues.

Can this be done from the Kindoo app or does it require signing on to the Kindoo website?

The functionality of the app and website are pretty much the same. Kindoo managers can manage access from either.

[cougs]

Is there typically also someone at the ward level authorized to add/remove users and assign temporary licenses? Can there be multiple people at the ward level that can do this?

Licensing is at the stake level. In the FM groups I've worked with, we only give KIndoo manager rights to a stake person (typically the Tech Specialist). We don't give authorization to the wards, because they would have access for the entire stake, which could create issues.

Can this be done from the Kindoo app or does it require signing on to the Kindoo website?

The functionality of the app and website are pretty much the same. Kindoo managers can manage access from either.

Thanks for the response! So there's a single point of contact in the entire stake, overseeing all buildings, to handle temporary access requests such as for wedding setups, family parties, random one-offs, etc?

Also, a very minor point but bishops in my area have authorized limited use of the gym for non-organized, informal basketball for ward members. This is usually accomplished through the borrowing of a key fob. With Kindoo is the only way this can happen is through the Stake Kindoo manager?

[swigginton]

So there's a single point of contact in the entire stake, overseeing all buildings, to handle temporary access requests such as for wedding setups, family parties, random one-offs, etc?

In the training I've done, we recommend each stake has a primary Kindoo manager and at least one backup. Bishoprics and the stake presidency know to notify the primary manager each week as callings change. The backup manager is there if needed (primary manager is unavailable, etc.). The backup is typically the stake clerk or stake building rep (usually, whichever is more tech-savvy). It typically only takes couple of minutes to add/remove users each week, so not a big burden.
For temporary users, it's up to the stake and mostly depends on the frequency of those events. In my stake, we have 2 building schedulers who each cover meetinghouses in their part of the stake. We have given them Kindoo manager access, but they are instructed to only add temporary users. All permanent users are handled through the primary Kindoo manager. That makes it easy for the scheduler to handle the entire process for temporary use of the building. If you don't have a lot of temporary needs, the building scheduler can notify the stake Kindoo manager to add the temp user.

Also, a very minor point but bishops in my area have authorized limited use of the gym for non-organized, informal basketball for ward members. This is usually accomplished through the borrowing of a key fob. With Kindoo is the only way this can happen is through the Stake Kindoo manager?

For those, we have approached it in a couple of different ways:
It's likely someone in that group will already have Kindoo access and can be the one to unlock the building.
If that's not the case, or you want to designate a lead person for that activity, they can be added as a Kindoo user. I've seen stakes set up their lead pickelball, volleyball, basketball, Zumba, etc., person with Kindoo access. They just need to understand it will consume a stake license.
Good questions!

[PKSharp]

I went through all 28 pages of this forum thread and these are issues and considerations I haven’t seen really solved or addressed, or that should have been addressed:

No, FOBS are not perfect as other systems also are not. But they are practical and usable from a USER standpoint, and that is something the whole Kindoo process simply sweeps under the rug. Every user has to go through a setup process and go through it again, for example should the Liahona wi-fi be “forgotten” (used by many who already have a ton of wifi systems to connect to and try to keep lists down), or various some other “oops” issues. So what if an organization president loans a FOB to someone who needs to get into the chapel for some reason? And the alternative of loaning a phone is useless. Those old enough might remember the KISS principle: “Keep It Simple Stupid” and Fobs are that absolutely that compared to Kindoo.

If a nefarious person thinks there is actually something worth stealing in a building, they’ll find a way to get in without any real trouble anyway. One can wonder whether all the $$$ being spent on Kindoo is really worth it even in a worst case scenario of having to actually replace a chapel now and then.

Many people are changing to flip phones for various good reasons and they’re simply left out in the cold with this dreamy technology. And they definitely don’t want to carry around another “smart” phone just to get into a church building, whether it’s someone else’s “old” phone – which still requires a paid, active account with internet access, email installed, etc. – or not. And as someone already mentioned, it’s simple to pass that phone around just like a FOB.

And when Kindoo doesn’t work there’s this wonderful list of troubleshooting:
- Ensure you are standing 3–5 feet from the door and tap Open again.
- If the door still doesn’t respond, turn your phone’s Bluetooth off, then back on.
- Close and reopen the Kindoo app.
Oh, and you need to keep your phone charged all the time, and if it’s not that’s too bad; waste time charging it before you can go (or return) to the building to get in.

Email addresses are an absolutely screwball way to “track” or to use as authentication and are accompanied by a number of complications. This is once again another load of time and effort for USERS. Users end up getting the short end of the stick. Twice just in the middle of this week, my building’s users struggled with getting it to work even though they previously had it working. For one it took an hour to get a support person personally present and have the problem solved to gain entrance. And as already noted, if the poor user clicks on the “Leave Site” button they get to do the setup all over again.

Dependence upon a 3rd party web/electronic system opens up doors to the potential of long-term problems all by itself. Then there’s Locktronics, which apparently adds a 4th party into the mix.
- What happens if Kindoo gets hacked as a vendor operating system and gets taken down, needing major troubleshooting/restoration back to usability?
- What if something happens to Kindoo’s “cloud” operation?
- What happens if Kindoo goes out of business?

Considering the trouble caused for poor users, and as crazy as the world is getting and as fast as that is happening, are we really relying on this kind of whiz-bang technology?