Automated Station Access and Power Control

Simulator equipment is expensive to operate. Projectors, launch monitors, PCs, screens, and impact sensors all consume power and accumulate wear hours whether anyone is using them or not. SimulatorOps bridges the gap between your booking calendar and your physical hardware, automating station activation and deactivation based on session schedules so you stop paying for idle equipment and start running a tighter operation.

How Automated Power Control Works

SimulatorOps communicates with networked power controllers and smart relay systems to manage station power at the component level. When a booking window opens, the system sends activation commands to the assigned station. The projector powers on, the launch monitor initializes, the PC boots to the correct sport environment, and the bay lighting adjusts to session mode. All of this happens automatically, triggered by the booking schedule, without a staff member flipping switches or walking to each bay.

When the session ends, the shutdown sequence reverses. The system sends a five-minute warning to the kiosk display, then gracefully powers down the launch monitor, closes the simulation software, and cuts projector power. Bay lighting returns to standby mode. If the next session on that station is more than a buffer period away, the system puts the equipment into a low-power sleep state that reduces energy consumption while keeping boot times fast for the next guest.

The power control system supports per-component granularity. You can configure which devices activate and in what order. Some venues prefer to keep the PC running continuously but power-cycle the projector and launch monitor. Others want a full shutdown between sessions. SimulatorOps lets you define startup and shutdown sequences per station, accommodating the specific hardware setup and operational preferences of each bay.

Door Locks and Physical Access

For venues with enclosed simulator bays, SimulatorOps integrates with electronic door locks to control physical access. When a guest checks in at the front desk or through the self-service kiosk, the assigned bay door unlocks. When the session ends, the door locks again. This prevents guests from wandering into occupied bays and stops unauthorized use of equipment outside of booked sessions.

The door lock system works with common commercial electronic lock hardware using standard protocols. Installation is straightforward for venues that already have electronic locks, and SimulatorOps provides hardware recommendations for venues that are upgrading from traditional locks. The lock status of every bay is visible on the admin dashboard in real time, so staff can see at a glance which bays are occupied, which are available, and which are in turnover.

Access credentials are flexible. Guests can unlock their bay using a booking confirmation code entered on a keypad, a QR code scanned from their phone, or an NFC tap from a membership card. The system logs every access event, creating an audit trail that helps resolve disputes and track usage patterns.

Session Extensions and Idle Detection

Sessions do not always end exactly on schedule. A group having a great time may want to extend, while a solo player who finishes early might leave the bay running. SimulatorOps handles both scenarios gracefully.

When a session is nearing its end, the kiosk displays an extension prompt. If the next time slot on that station is available, the guest can add time with a single tap, and the system processes the additional charge automatically. If the next slot is booked, the guest sees a message thanking them for their session and letting them know their time is up. This self-service extension flow reduces the load on front desk staff and captures revenue that would otherwise be lost when guests want more time.

Idle detection addresses the opposite scenario. If the launch monitor detects no activity for a configurable period during an active session, SimulatorOps can send an alert to the kiosk asking if the guest is still playing. If there is no response, the system can optionally begin the shutdown sequence early, freeing the station for walk-in availability. This feature is particularly valuable during off-peak hours when a forgotten session might otherwise keep a bay occupied and powered for an hour with no one using it.

The energy savings from automated power management are significant. Venues that previously left all stations running during operating hours typically see a substantial reduction in electricity costs after implementing session-based power control. The equipment also benefits from reduced wear, extending the life of projector bulbs, launch monitor sensors, and other components that degrade with continuous use.

Automated access control is not just about saving energy. It creates a premium experience for guests who appreciate walking into a bay that is already powered up and ready for their sport, without waiting for a staff member to set things up. It is convenience and efficiency working together.

What's Next

With stations powering on and off automatically, the next question is what happens during the session itself. In the following post, we explore session data capture and performance tracking, showing how SimulatorOps records every shot, throw, and kick and turns that raw data into meaningful performance insights for your guests.