The netPark Validation Scanner is a customer facing scanning application that allows customers to self-validate their parking via an Android scanner terminal. The customers can scan their tickets directly, as well as email and/or text themselves validations if configured to allow it.
Installing the Validation Scanner App
Currently, the Validation Scanner App is designed to be side-loaded onto the Android scanner but will be available within the Google Play Store soon. Using the link below, download the Validation Scanner APK file.
netPark Validation Scanner App Download Link: Download Here
When downloading the APK, the app responsible for opening and running that APK installer is the web browser (e.g. Google Chrome). Therefore, the browser must be granted permission to act as an installer.
The user can configure this using either a proactive method or a reactive method on the Android tablet.
Method 1: The Reactive Way (Easiest for Users)
The most intuitive way is to let Android prompt the user naturally during the download process:
- Open the web browser (e.g., Chrome) on the tablet and tap the link above to download the APK.
- A prompt will appear stating: “File might be harmful. Do you want to download it anyway?”; Tap Download anyway.
- Once the download completes, tap Open on the pop-up notification at the top of the screen.
- Android will block the install and display a system dialog: “For your security, your tablet is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source.”
- Tap the Settings button directly on that pop-up window.
- This takes the user straight to the correct toggle. Toggle Allow into the On position.
- Tap the back button or back gesture. The installer will reappear, and the user can tap Install to finish.
Method 2: The Proactive Way (Pre-configuring Settings)
If you want your users to configure their tablet before they click your link, guide them through the system settings menu. Because tablet manufacturers layout settings differently, using the search bar is the most reliable method.
- Open the Settings app on the tablet.
- Tap the Search bar at the top of the settings menu.
- Type “Install unknown apps” (or “External sources” on some devices) into the search box and tap the corresponding search result.
- Manual path if they prefer to click through: Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps.
- The user will see a list of all apps on their device capable of installing files.
- Scroll down to locate the web browser being used (e.g., Google Chrome).
- Tap the browser name and toggle the switch for Allow from this source to Enabled.
Once this toggle is flipped, any future APK link clicked inside that specific browser will seamlessly trigger the standard installation box without getting blocked.
Configuring the Validation Scanner App
Once the Validation Scanner App is installed, you’ll need to configure the app. This can be done manually by entering the information manually into the configuration fields but it’s generally easier to utilize our QR Code Configuration Tool to generate a simple PDF document with all of the proper configurations.
Configuring the Scanner Hardware
Upon loading the app for the first time, you will be presented with a scanning screen and you will see a “Your Parking Co” logo on the screen; Tap that logo 10 times and you will be taken to the Settings screen.
The first thing that needs to be done is setting the configuration for the Scanner itself. You can check if your scanner is configured properly by clicking on Scanner within the options list; You will see the scanner listed at the top of the page. If the scanner doesn’t appear, you need to scan the Scanner Configuration Barcode to associate the scanner with the device.
If you have been provided a Setup QRCode PDF, the Scanner Configuration Barcode is directly at the top of the document. Simply hold the barcode under the scanner and it will scan to put the scanner into it’s proper configuration. You can also access the barcode directly within the app under Scanner > Show Pairing Barcode and it’s also been embedded into this page for easy access.
Once scanned, you should see the hardware appear at the top of the Scanner page.
Manually Configuring the Validation Scanner App
Upon loading the app for the first time, you will be presented with a scanning screen and you will see a “Your Parking Co” logo on the screen; Tap that logo 10 times and you will be taken to the Settings screen.
You will be presented with a few options:
- Scan Setup QRCode – This is where you will configure your settings for the Validation Scanner app
- Scanner – This screen will allow you to debug and configure the Zebra scanner for the device.
- Set Settings Lock PIN – This is a dedicated panel to set the Settings Lock PIN for accessing this page
- Restart – This will force restart the Validation Scanner App
- Theme Settings – By default, the app will adjust it’s theming based on the System theme but you can force Light Mode or Dark Mode here if you prefer.
To manually configure the app, you’ll want to click into “Scan Setup QRCode” and then fill out the following information:
- Server API Key: This will be provided by netPark during your On-Boarding process
- Note: This API key will be the same across all Companies
- Company Pin: This can be found under Accounts > Groups & Companies > Select the Company being linked to this device and you’ll see a 12-Digit Alphanumeric “Pin” shown directly under the Company name in the top left corner
- Background Color (hex RRGGBB): Use the built in color-picker to select a background color or paste a 6-Digit Hex Code for the color of the background you would like
- Logo image URL: You can paste the URL of the image you want to display in place of the “Your Parking Co”; It is recommended that this logo be horizontal in layout for the best look.
- Settings Lock PIN: Enter a PIN here to make sure that the next time to enter into the Settings screen, it will require the PIN to login.
- Allows Scanning Tickets Only: Enabling this checkbox will put the device into Scan-Only mode, meaning customers will ONLY be able to scan their ticket to validate and cannot email and/or text themselves validations from this terminal.
- Show Available Count on Validation Buttons: When enabled, this will show the total number of validations remaining with that specific Validation group
- Beeper Enabled: This enables the built in “beep” that occurs when a scan is successful; Unchecking this option will silence the beep entirely
- Beeper Volume: If clients find the beep to loud and/or too quiet, you can adjust the volume here between Low, Medium and High
Configuring Using the QR Code Configuration Tool
Our simple QR Code Configuration Tool allows you to quickly setup all of the proper variables for the Validation Scanner App and generate a simple PDF document that configures the built-in Zebra Barcode Scanner, as well as set’s all of the apps configurations.
Link to the QR Code Configuration Tool: QR Code Configuration Link
- Server
- Server API Key: This will be provided by netPark during your On-Boarding process
- Note: This API key will be the same across all Companies
- Company Pin: This can be found under Accounts > Groups & Companies > Select the Company being linked to this device and you’ll see a 12-Digit Alphanumeric “Pin” shown directly under the Company name in the top left corner
- Settings Lock PIN: Enter a PIN here to make sure that the next time to enter into the Settings screen, it will require the PIN to login.
- Appearance
- Background Color (hex RRGGBB): Use the built in color-picker to select a background color or paste a 6-Digit Hex Code for the color of the background you would like
- Logo image URL: You can paste the URL of the image you want to display in place of the “Your Parking Co”; It is recommended that this logo be horizontal in layout for the best look.
- Modes
- Scan-Only Mode: Enabling this checkbox will put the device into Scan-Only mode, meaning customers will ONLY be able to scan their ticket to validate and cannot email and/or text themselves validations from this terminal.
- Scanner Beeper
- Beeper Enabled: This enables the built in “beep” that occurs when a scan is successful; Unchecking this option will silence the beep entirely
- Beeper Volume: If clients find the beep to loud and/or too quiet, you can adjust the volume here between Low, Medium and High
How to Setup App Pinning in Android
App Pinning is an Android feature that allows you to “lock” a device to a specific app, preventing anyone from leaving that app. When dealing with a public facing device like a validation scanner, this is an important step to make sure the device is secure and individuals cannot get out of the Validation Scanning App.
Enabling the App Pinning Setting
- On your device, go into Settings
- Tap Security or Security & location > Advanced > App Pinning.
- Turn on App pinning.
- You’ll also want to check the Ask for unlock pattern/pin/password before unpinning toggle if it isn’t enabled by default
When app pinning is enabled, you need to enter your devices PIN, pattern, or password before you can unpin the app.
Pinning an App
After App Pinning has been enabled under Settings:
- Open the app you want to pin.
- Swipe up to the middle of your screen and hold.
- 3-button navigation: Tap the “Overview” icon
- At the top of the image, tap the app’s icon and a dropdown will appear.
- Tap the “Pin” icon within the dropdown.
Unpinning an App
Should you need to get out of the pinned app for any reason, you can reverse the pinned app using the directions below.
- Based on the navigation settings on your device, choose one of the following:
- Gesture navigation: Swipe up and hold.
- 2-button navigation: Touch and hold Back and Home.
- 3-button navigation: Touch and hold Back and Overview.
- If you’re asked for your PIN, pattern, or password, enter it now to complete the unpinning process.