🎳 Bowling Chatter Documentation
Welcome to Bowling Chatter, the service management platform designed specifically for bowling centers. This guide will help you get the most out of the system.
🚀 Getting Started
Accessing Bowling Chatter
Bowling Chatter works on any device with a web browser. No installation required for the web version.
Your Center's URLs
Each bowling center has two dedicated web addresses:
- Front Desk:
https://bowlingchatter.com/[your-center]/index.php
- Service Bay:
https://bowlingchatter.com/[your-center]/service-bay.php
Bookmark these URLs on each device for quick daily access.
Logging In
1 Navigate to your center's Front Desk or Service Bay URL
2 Enter your center's password
3 Click Login
Your session will automatically expire after a period of inactivity for security. Simply log in again to continue.
🏢 Front Desk Dashboard
The Front Desk Dashboard is where staff create service requests when bowlers report issues or lanes need attention.
Sending a Service Request
1 Select the Lane - Click on the lane number that needs service. Lanes are displayed in a grid for easy selection.
2 Choose Issue Type - Select from common issues:
- Pin Jam - Pins stuck in the machine
- Ball Return (Back) - Ball not returning from back of lane
- Ball Return (Front) - Ball stuck at front return
- Deadwood - Pins left on lane/deck
- Sweep Issue - Sweep arm malfunction
- Lane Issue - General lane problem
- Other - Any other issue
3 Set Priority - Choose the urgency level:
- Emergency - Machine completely down, bowlers waiting
- Urgent - Needs attention soon, affecting play
- Routine - Can be addressed when convenient
4 Add Notes (Optional) - Include any helpful details like "Bowler says it happened twice" or "League on this pair"
5 Send Request - Click Send to notify the service bay
Understanding the Dashboard
| Element |
Description |
| Lane Grid |
Visual display of all lanes. Colors indicate status (active requests highlighted) |
| Active Requests |
List of pending service calls awaiting acknowledgment or completion |
| Today's Stats |
Count of total calls and completions for the current day |
| Messages |
Access two-way chat with service bay |
When a request is acknowledged by the service bay, you'll see a visual indicator so you know help is on the way.
🔧 Service Bay Dashboard
The Service Bay Dashboard displays incoming service requests with audio and visual alerts. This is typically displayed on a monitor in the mechanic's work area.
Receiving Service Calls
When a new request comes in:
- Audio Alert - A sound plays to get your attention (different tones for different priorities)
- Visual Popup - The request appears prominently on screen
- Color Coding - Emergency (red), Urgent (orange), Routine (blue)
Acknowledging a Call
1 When you see/hear a new call, review the details (lane, issue type, notes)
2 Click Acknowledge to let front desk know you're on it
3 Go fix the issue
4 Return and click Complete
5 Add completion notes if needed (e.g., "Replaced pin deck sensor" or "Cleared jam, monitoring")
Service Bay Display Features
| Feature |
Description |
| Active Calls List |
All pending requests sorted by priority and time |
| Elapsed Time |
Shows how long each call has been waiting (turns red after 5 minutes) |
| Today's Stats |
Your response metrics for the day |
| History Tab |
View completed calls from today |
| Messages Tab |
Chat with front desk |
| Todos Tab |
Shared task list |
Use the Full Screen button to maximize the display for better visibility from across the shop.
📱 Mobile Apps (iOS & Android)
The mobile apps let service technicians receive notifications and manage calls from anywhere in the building - no need to be at the service bay computer.
Installing the App
Android
2 Download and install the APK
3 Open the app and enter your server URL (e.g., https://bowlingchatter.com/your-center)
4 Enter your password and log in
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
1 Download "Bowling Chatter - Service Bay" from the App Store
2 Open the app and enter your server URL
3 Enter your password and log in
4 Allow push notifications when prompted
Mobile App Features
- Push Notifications - Instant alerts for new service calls even when the app is closed
- Active Calls - View and acknowledge pending requests
- History - See completed calls and edit completion notes
- Messages - Chat with front desk
- Todos - View and manage shared task list
Make sure notifications are enabled in your device settings to receive alerts.
💬 Two-Way Messaging
The messaging feature allows real-time communication between front desk and service bay without leaving your station.
Sending a Message
1 Click the Messages tab
2 Type your message in the text box
3 Press Enter or click Send
Use Cases
- "What lane was that ball return issue on?"
- "Lane 12 is fixed, was a stuck pin"
- "We have a league starting at 6pm on lanes 1-8"
- "Need you to come to the front when you have a minute"
- "Parts order arrived"
Messages are visible to all logged-in users at your location, making it easy to keep everyone informed.
📋 Shared Todo List
The todo list helps track ongoing tasks, maintenance items, and reminders that don't require immediate attention.
Creating a Task
1 Click the Todos tab
2 Click + Add Task
3 Enter the task description
4 Select priority (Low, Medium, High)
5 Click Add
Managing Tasks
- Complete a Task - Click the circle/checkbox next to the task
- Hide Completed - Use the eye icon to show/hide completed tasks
- Priority Colors - High (red), Medium (orange), Low (blue)
Example Tasks
- "Order replacement sensors for lane 15"
- "Check ball return belt tension on lanes 1-4"
- "Oil change due on lane machine"
- "Fix torn seat on lane 22"
📊 Service History & Reports
Complete records of all service calls are maintained for reporting and analysis.
Viewing History
1 Click the History tab
2 View today's completed calls by default
3 Click any entry to view full details
History Details Include
- Lane number
- Issue type
- Priority level
- Time created
- Time completed
- Response time (how long it took)
- Who completed it
- Original notes from front desk
- Completion notes from mechanic
Editing Completion Notes
You can update completion notes even after a call is closed:
1 Go to History tab
2 Click on the completed call
3 Edit the completion notes field
4 Click Save Notes
Exporting Data
Export your service call data for analysis or record-keeping:
- Today's Calls - Export current day
- Date Range - Select specific dates
- Format - CSV file (opens in Excel)
🎳 Frames Per Stop Tracking
Track lane performance by recording frame counts and calculating frames per stop (FPS) - a key metric for machine reliability.
What is Frames Per Stop?
Frames Per Stop measures how many frames of bowling occur between service calls. Higher FPS = better machine performance.
- Good FPS: 500+ frames per stop
- Average FPS: 300-500 frames per stop
- Needs Attention: Below 300 frames per stop
Recording Frame Counts
1 Go to the FPS or Analytics section
2 Enter the current frame count from the machine
3 The system calculates FPS automatically based on stops
Viewing FPS Reports
- View FPS by lane to identify problem machines
- Track trends over time (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Compare current period to previous period
- Exclude deadwood calls for more accurate machine FPS
⚙️ Settings & Customization
Audio Settings
- Notification Sounds - Enable/disable audio alerts
- Volume - Adjust alert volume
- Different Tones - Distinct sounds for different priorities
Display Settings
- Full Screen Mode - Maximize for service bay display
- Auto-Refresh - Screen updates automatically
- Theme - Light or dark mode (where available)
Custom Service Categories
Contact support to customize the service types available for your center.
🔧 Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Not receiving notifications
- Check that notifications are enabled in device settings
- Make sure the app has permission to send notifications
- Try logging out and back in
- Ensure you have an internet connection
Session expired / logged out
- Sessions expire after inactivity for security
- Simply log back in with your password
- Check that your subscription is active
Audio alerts not playing
- Check device volume is turned up
- Make sure browser/app has audio permissions
- Some browsers require user interaction before playing audio - click anywhere on the page
App not updating / showing old data
- Pull down to refresh (mobile apps)
- Press F5 or refresh button (web browser)
- Check internet connection
- Try logging out and back in
Can't connect to server
- Verify the server URL is correct
- Check your internet connection
- Make sure you're using HTTPS (https://)
- Contact support if issues persist
Getting Help
If you need additional assistance: