Webcams

Overview: What are we talking about?

Gingr allows integration with integrated webcam providers to allow your customers to watch their pets with any computer or smartphone from afar through Gingr.

This article includes:

• Registering with iDogCam or abcKam
• Configuring Gingr
• Configuring Public Cameras
• Configure Lodging-Specific Cameras

Helpful Hints: Before you begin.

• Gingr offers a direct webcam integration with iDogCam and abcKam.
  
  
• Any installation will be instructed by iDogCam or abcKam. They both have great customer support teams to help you through their set up process.
  
  
• Pet parents can only view lodging cameras if they’re logged in, have a reservation checked in, and the reservation is associated with lodging that has a camera for today. 

How to: How to install iDogCam or abcKam.

Step 1: Register with the Webcam Provider

If this is something you're interested in, and you don't already have an account, you will need to follow these steps to register for an account with iDogCam or abcKam

1. First, you will need to contact either webcam provider to set up your account with them:
   
   iDogCam can be contacted at:
   Email: info@idogcam.com
   Phone: 1-424-229-2146

   
   abcKam can be contacted at:
   Email: info@abckam.com
   Phone: 888-714-1090
   
   

2. Once you have completed set up with the webcam provider you will want to then follow the below instructions on how to set this up in Gingr. 

Step 2: Configure Gingr

At this point, you should have either an iDogCam or abcKam Kennel ID given to you by the webcam provider. You will navigate to Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Webcams to input your iDogCam Kennel ID in the iDogCam kennel id field, or your AbcKam Kennel ID in the abcKam Kennel ID field.

Step 3: Configure Public Cameras

To add public cameras, navigate to Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Webcams. Depending on which webcam provider you are setting up, click the button for Choose Webcams under iDogCam Public Cameras or abcKam Public Cameras and pick cameras to display publicly to all logged-in customers.
 

By default public cameras will be available to all pet parents when logged into the customer portal. They will not have to have a checked-in reservation. If you would prefer to restrict access on public cameras only to owners with checked-in pets, you can turn on the setting in Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Webcams called Public cameras only checked in. If enabled, this will only display your public cameras to pet parents with a checked-in pet.

Effective 5/6/2021, you have the ability to decide whether public webcams will be accessible by customers at no cost or will require a charge to view. By default there is no charge associated with public cameras. If you would like to charge for access to public cameras during a reservation stay, you can do so by enabling the Require Webcam Service for Public Cameras setting under Admin » Webcams. When enabled, the system will check if the pet parent has a webcam service on their reservation when displaying the webcams to them.

Step 4: Configure Lodging-Specific Cameras

Next, we will configure cameras associated with specific lodgings at your facility. You can choose to either allow them to view their lodgings webcam as a complementary part of a reservation, or charge for viewing of these cameras as an upgrade to a reservation via a service.

You will navigate to Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Manage Areas/Lodgings. Edit each lodging to enter the Camera ID in that field. 

If you want to charge for webcams as an additional service on your reservations: 

Navigate to Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Reservation Types and Services Configuration » Select a Reservation Type and create or edit an existing service.
 

To allow customers to view webcams if they have paid for the service: 

Enable to Is Webcam Service setting on that additional service. You will set the price for this service in Left-hand Navigation: Admin » Location Default Rates.

If enabled, the pet parent must have this service on their reservation scheduled for the day they want to view the camera associated with the lodging that their animal is in. 

This is optional. If you want pet parents to view lodging cams for free, don’t set up the service for that reservation type.