Q: What is the Cents Pulse?
A: The Pulse is a device that mounts internally to a washer or dryer. It can be mounted in line with an existing payment device or as a standalone payment device. The Pulse, combined with the Cents business manager online dashboard, gives laundromat owners operational insights and remote machine control. It gives laundromat users the ability to interact with a machine via mobile app (the self-serve experience).
Technical answer:
Non-user-facing device mounted within the laundry machine. Communicates to the cloud via WiFi/MQTT. Controls machine via GPIO (pulse) and serial. Powered via machine power (12-24 VAC/VDC).
Q: How big is the pulse?
A: 3.6” diameter, 1.25” tall puck shaped device.
Q: Does the Pulse physically take credit cards?
A: As the Pulse is an internal hardware device, it is not built to interact physically with credit cards or Apple/Google Pay.
Q: Is the pulse waterproof and heat resistant?
A: The Pulse mounts to a flat, clean metal surface on the interior of a laundry machine adjacent to the machine’s control board. Industrial double-sided tape is used which provides a permanent mount. It will not come into contact with water from the washer or heated air from the dryer.
Q: How does the customer use the Pulse?
A: The customer will not physically interact with the Pulse device. They will use their smartphone to scan a QR code on the machine and use a web-based application to build an order and ultimately start the machine.
Q: What is the Pulse used for?
A: It is used to provide remote machine control for either an attendant or a laundromat user to pay for and start cycles. Using the Pulse, a customer can build a laundry cycle with the settings on the machine.
Q: How does the customer specify how they want their load of laundry done?
A: There is a QR code that is affixed to each machine that has a Pulse. Upon scanning with a smartphone, the customer will be taken to a Cents website where they can pay for the load and specify how they want the load of laundry to be done.
Q: How does it connect to the internet?
A: It uses your store’s wifi via a built-in wifi antenna
Q: What if my wifi is weak?
A: We will be sending you a Ubiquiti Dream Machine wifi router and Ubiquiti Access Points with the Pulses. They will broadcast a strong WiFi signal that will ensure all the Pulses have maximum up-time.
Q: How is the Pulse installed?
A: We will help you connect with your distributor to facilitate the installation. A distributor will bring the Pulses to your store and install them.
Q: How long does installation take?
A: It should take approximately 5 minutes per device
Q: What do I do if a Pulse isn’t working?
A: Submit a help request with our Support team here
Q: How are payouts handled?
A: Worldnet Payments is the integrated payments gateway we use for all payouts
Q: Are there any basic troubleshooting steps I can take if a Pulse goes down?
A: Power cycle the washer or dryer, as the Pulse draws its power from the machine. You can also restart your wifi router if it’s a connectivity issue. Most of the time these two steps will resolve the issue. See the troubleshooting article here.
Q: How will reporting on sales work?
A: You’ll be able to run a wide variety of reports on the Cents Business Manager dashboard, which can be accessed anywhere in the world from a browser.
Q: Can the Pulse control all aspects of the load being done?
A: Upon scanning the QR code located on the laundry machine, the customer will be taken to a Cents website where they can pay for the load and specify how they want the load of laundry to be done.
Q: What kinds of machines does the Pulse currently support?
A: Right now we support all Alliance machines. We are hoping to be able to integrate with Dexter, Electrolux, and Maytag soon.
Q: How do I get more Pulses?
A: Reach out to your account manager who will be happy to help!
Q: How am I billed for the Pulses?
A: Please speak with your distributor about this.
Q: Is there a warranty for the Pulses?
A: Yes