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How to Activate and Manage Your KDS and NCS Licenses

Updated this week

Who is this for?

StoreHub merchants who have purchased Kitchen Display System (KDS) or Number Calling System (NCS) licenses and need to activate or manage them for their stores.

Overview

This guide explains how to activate and deactivate your Kitchen Display System (KDS) and Number Calling System (NCS) licenses in your StoreHub BackOffice. Activating these licenses is the first step to using KDS and NCS to improve your store's operations.


Before You Begin

  • You must have purchased KDS or NCS licenses from StoreHub.

  • You need access to your StoreHub BackOffice.

  • Your StoreHub POS device must be connected to the internet to sync with the BackOffice.


What Are KDS and NCS?

  • Kitchen Display System (KDS)

    This system replaces paper order tickets in your kitchen. It shows orders on a screen in real-time, helping your kitchen staff manage and prepare food more efficiently.

  • Number Calling System (NCS)

    This system displays order statuses (like 'Pending' or 'Ready') on a TV screen for your customers. It helps staff and customers easily track when orders are ready for pickup.


Required Hardware

To use KDS and NCS, you will need specific hardware:

For Kitchen Display System (KDS)

  • iMin Swan 1K

    A 15.6-inch display device (2GB RAM + 16GB storage).

  • iMin Swan 1

    A 15.6-inch display device (2GB RAM + 16GB storage).

  • iMin Falcon 2

    A mountable display device.

For Number Calling System (NCS):

  • A TV with an 'HDMI port'.

  • A 'Mi TV Stick' (this converts your regular TV into an Android TV, allowing it to run the NCS app).


Step-by-Step Guide

Activate Your KDS or NCS License in BackOffice

Once you've purchased your KDS or NCS license, you need to activate it for your store.

1. In your BackOffice, go to 'Settings', then click 'Kitchen Display System'.

BackOffice menu showing 'Settings' and 'Kitchen Display System' options.

2. In the 'Kitchen Display System and Number Calling System License' section, you will see how many licenses you have purchased and how many are currently active.

BackOffice section displaying KDS and NCS license count.

Example:

  • If you’ve bought 3 licenses but only activated one for a store, it’ll show “1/3 activated”.

3. Find the store you want to activate the license for and click the toggle switch next to its name.

Toggle switch in BackOffice to activate a store's KDS/NCS license.

4. If you try to activate a license for another store but have no available licenses, you will see a message. You will need to either deactivate the license from an existing store or purchase more licenses.

BackOffice message showing insufficient licenses for activation.

Deactivate Your KDS or NCS License in BackOffice

If you need to move a license to a different store or stop using KDS/NCS for a particular store, you can deactivate it.

1. Go to 'Settings', then click 'Kitchen Display System' in your BackOffice.

BackOffice menu showing 'Settings' and 'Kitchen Display System' options.

2. Find the store whose license you want to deactivate and click the toggle switch next to its name.

Toggle switch in BackOffice to deactivate a store's KDS/NCS license.

3. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click 'Deactivate' to confirm.

The license will be immediately deactivated for that store.

Confirmation pop-up asking to confirm license deactivation.

Notes:

  • If you toggle off Kitchen Display System while Number Calling System is still enabled, you’ll see a pop-up letting you know that Number Calling System can’t function without Kitchen Display System.

  • You can toggle off the Number Calling System without deactivating the Kitchen Display System. This allows you to disable the Number Calling System independently while keeping Kitchen Display System active.


Sync Your POS After License Changes

Connect the Kitchen Display System (KDS)

1. On your main POS register, go to 'Settings' and tap 'Kitchen Display System'.

Tap on Kitchen Display System in POS Settings

2. If you see a reminder page, follow the instructions to activate your license in the BackOffice first.

Reminder page for unactivated license

3. If your license is already active, go to 'Sync' on your POS to update your data with the BackOffice.

Tapping the Sync button on the POS

4. After syncing, go back to 'Settings', then 'Kitchen Display System'. Look for your device in the list and tap 'Pair'.

Tapping Pair next to the detected KDS device

5. Once it's connected, it will move to the 'In-Use' list. This means your kitchen is ready to receive orders.

KDS successfully paired and connected

Note:

  • If you cannot find your device, tap the “Can’t Find Your Kitchen Display System Device” link on the screen. You can scan the QR code that appears to view a detailed troubleshooting guide.

Connect the Number Calling System

1. On your main POS register, go to 'Settings' and tap 'Number Calling System'.

Tap on Number Calling System in POS Settings

2. If your license is not yet assigned, you will see a reminder page. Ensure you have assigned the license to your store in the BackOffice.

Reminder page for Number Calling System license

Note:

  • The Number Calling System tab will only appear if you’ve subscribed to both Kitchen Display System and Number Calling System.

3. Go to 'Sync' on your POS to ensure all recent changes are updated.

Syncing POS to refresh license data

4. Go back to 'Settings', then 'Number Calling System', find your device, and tap 'Pair'.

Tapping Pair for the Number Calling System device

5. Your Number Calling System is now connected and will display order numbers for customers.

Number Calling System successfully connected

Note:

  • If the device does not appear, tap "Can't Find Your Number Calling System Device" to see further instructions or scan the provided QR code for help.


Troubleshooting

Issue

Solution

KDS/Number Calling tab is missing

Ensure you have purchased and activated the licenses in your BackOffice, then Sync your POS.

Device not found in the list

Make sure the KDS/Number Calling app is actually open on the other tablet and both devices are on the same Wi-Fi.

Pairing fails

Restart both the POS app and the display app, then try syncing and pairing again.


FAQs

1. Can I use the Kitchen Display System/Number Calling System without a subscription?

No, KDS and NCS are subscription-based features. You must purchase hardware and software licenses to use these systems.

2. What happens if I disable Kitchen Display System/Number Calling System for a store?

If you deactivate the license for a store, the KDS and NCS devices connected to that store's POS will stop functioning. Orders will no longer be sent to the KDS, and the NCS screen will not update.

3. I activated the license, but my POS still says "Subscription Not Activated." What should I do?

First, ensure you have synced your POS device after activating the license in BackOffice. If the issue persists, contact your StoreHub Sales or Account Manager to verify your subscription status.


Need Help?

Contact StoreHub Support via live chat in your StoreHub app or email [email protected].


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