This guide provides a detailed explanation of our Companion App and how it works with e-Reception Book. Learn how Companion App works and about the different features accessible through Companion App.

The Companion App effortlessly integrates with the e-Reception Book, enabling administrators and employees to conveniently check into the building using their smartphones and efficiently pre-register visitors.

Additionally, users can receive prompt push notifications on their smartphones for immediate access and updates.

Please use the table provided below to see which licences are available to use Companion by e-Reception Book:

e-Reception Book Companion app is free to download and is available on both Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store.

If you would like to download the companion app on your iPhone, please follow the steps provided below:

1. Open the "App Store".

2. Search for “Companion by e-Reception Book”.

Once searched, you should see the following below. Please click on this:
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3. You will see a box underneath “Companion by e-Reception Book” that says "Get". Click on this to download. (You will find this where it says "Open" in the example provided below).

If you would like to download the companion app on your Android phone, please follow the steps provided below:

1. Open the "Google Play Store".

2. Search for “Companion by e-Reception Book”.

Once searched, you should see the following below. Please click on this:
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3. You will see a box underneath “Companion by e-Reception Book” that says "Install". Click on this to download. (You will find this where it says "Uninstall" and "Open" in the example provided below).

Once you have downloaded the e-Reception Book Companion app, you must enter your login details to access your account. Once you have done this, you will see the following page, which is your home screen (see below):

The following table will give insight into the different features of the home page, such as what they are and how they can be used by staff members:

Companion app by e-Reception Book provides staff members with a variety of methods to check into and check out of the building.

There are 3 ways the Companion app can be used to check in, all of which are very quick and simple.

Camera Icon (Contactless)

Please follow the steps outlined below if you would like to learn how to check in and out via the camera button:

1. Click on the camera icon in the middle of the Companion app home screen.

2. Hold your camera over the contactless check-in QR code on the home page of your e-Reception Book

3. Click the green 'Check-in' button.

Please see a visual guide of this below:

Check-In Button

Please follow the steps outlined below if you would like to learn how to check in and out via the check-in button:

1. Click the green 'Check-in' button underneath the QR code.

2. Enter your current location and click 'Confirm'.

3. Click 'Check-in' again.

Please see a visual guide of this below:

QR Code

Please follow the steps outlined below if you would like to learn how to check in and out via your QR code:

1. On the e-Reception Book home screen, click 'Staff' in the top right-hand corner.

2. Hold the QR code on the home screen of the Companion app to the camera on your iPad.

3. You will successfully be checked in or checked out.

Please see a visual guide of this below:

Employees will receive notifications through both email and the Companion app when a visitor enters details for check-in and specifies the employee they are visiting.

For example, Tom West checked into Bloom House Care and specified that he was visiting Erin. Once Tom has completed checking in, Erin will receive the following notification on her Companion app.

Please see an example of the Companion app notification below:

In the Invites section of the Companion App, you can conveniently access details about your upcoming visitors, including their scheduled arrival date and time.

To manage invites effectively, such as updating, resending, deleting, or pre-filling them, simply tap on the details of the invited visitors. Utilise date filters to view invites from both past and present, and seamlessly create new invites for future visitors.

If you would like to create an invite via the Companion App, please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Click on the Companion App on your mobile device.

2. Click 'Invite' in the bottom left corner of the app.

3. Click '+ Create New' in the top right corner.

4. Enter the relevant information required for the invitation details. The invite details should look similar to the image provided below.

5. Once you have done this, click 'Send Invite'.

The Fire Escape page provides a comprehensive overview of all individuals on-site, including visitors, staff, pupils, and residents. Employ filters to pinpoint specific visitor data, and utilise the search bar to access individual visitor information.

The Fire Escape page is particularly useful for carrying out an emergency evacuation. With the Companion app, you can seamlessly alert all visitors to evacuate the building when the emergency mode is activated.

Marking visitors as safe can be done effortlessly using your mobile device, offering flexibility and convenience regardless of your location.

If you would like to activate the Evacuation Mode via your Companion App, please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Click on the Companion App on your mobile device.

2. Click 'Fire' in the bottom right corner of the Companion App.

3. On the Fire Escape page, click 'Evacuation' in the top right corner.

4. Once you have clicked this, the following pop-up will appear. Click the red 'Start Evacuation' button.

5. Finally, your Companion App will show the following banner at the top of the screen and will alert all visitors to leave the site immediately.

Please follow the steps provided below if you would like to deactivate Evacuation Mode:

All data is updated in real-time when the evacuation mode is activated, allowing you to receive instant updates on how many people are still in the building, who is safe, how many people are safe, etc.

Please see an example of this below, showing visitors being marked as safe and it instantly updating on the e-Reception Book dashboard:

If you have any immediate questions, please use our Live Chat on the bottom right-hand side of the page.