New in OpenChair: shared front-desk access with staff PINs | 15–31 July 2026

Your salon or barbershop team can now share the reception computer without sharing an owner’s login. This fortnight, we’ve added a dedicated shared workstation to OpenChair’s web app. Each person uses their own PIN to open the reception tools, then locks the browser when handing over or stepping away.

Set up the reception browser for your team#

An owner or manager starts in Settings > Shared workstations and selects Set up this browser. Give it a recognisable name, such as Reception, and check that each person who will use it has a Shared-device PIN.

Once setup is complete, the browser no longer relies on the owner staying signed in. It opens a limited calendar view with customer surnames shortened to an initial and contact details hidden.

Reception staff who do not take appointments can use the workstation too. They need an active team profile and their own four-digit PIN; a personal OpenChair login is not required.

Find bookings and basic client details at the desk#

To start working, choose Claim workstation, select your team profile and enter your PIN. The header shows who is using the workstation. The workstation provides Schedule, with restricted Inbox and Clients access where enabled.

From Schedule, staff can create a booking using your services and eligible team members. Clients lets them find a person by name, phone number or email, review upcoming and recent appointments, and correct basic contact details. The restricted Inbox provides access to the venue’s operational conversations.

For a beauty studio, that means someone covering reception can find a client’s next appointment and correct their phone number. Consultation answers, private treatment photos and care notes stay in the personal app for people with the appropriate access. Reports, billing and team administration also remain outside the shared workstation.

Hand over with the next person’s PIN#

Suppose the receptionist takes a break while a stylist covers the desk. The receptionist selects Lock now, and the stylist enters their own PIN before adding a client’s next cut and finish. The header identifies the person doing the work, rather than leaving the previous operator’s name attached to the session.

For a direct handover, choose Switch operator. The next person selects their profile and enters their own PIN before taking over. Locking or switching closes protected message and client views and clears message or contact drafts, so finish the task before handing over.

OpenChair also locks the workstation after 15 minutes without deliberate interaction. The calendar stays visible, but the reception tools need a fresh PIN. Use Lock now when you leave rather than waiting for the inactivity lock.

Use your own account for management work#

When you need to check reports or change settings on the same computer, choose Use personal account. OpenChair pauses the workstation and opens personal sign-in, so the task uses your own account permissions.

Choose Return to workstation when you are finished, or sign out. OpenChair ends the personal session and restores the locked reception calendar without another setup.

Book an OpenChair walkthrough for a guided look at the reception browser, staff PINs and handover controls.