Center Administration

Center Administrator Manual

Profile:Center Administrator Manual
Role:center_admin
Version:5.0
Updated:2026-08-25
Language:English

Center Administrator Manual

1. Profile Scope

The Center Administrator configures and governs the daily operation of Aula Control or Biblio Control. This profile has access to all operational features, can create additional center administrators and managers, and personalizes the service for the organization.

The Center Administrator cannot modify licensed workstation limits, enabled core modules, technical Pusher credentials, or perform system-level backups and updates. Those responsibilities belong exclusively to SinLios.

Certain menu items may not be visible if the corresponding feature module is not enabled for your organization's plan.

2. Access & Navigation

  1. Open the panel URL provided by SinLios, ending in /login.
  2. Enter the email address and password of your staff account.
  3. The default starting screen is Activate a User when the Time Control module is active.

Panel staff accounts cannot be used to sign in to student client workstations. Students and library visitors are managed separately under Users.

Multiple consecutive failed login attempts temporarily lock access. Do not share accounts: create an individual account for each staff member.

For a fresh deployment:

  1. Personalize identity, default language, and time zone.
  2. Define authentication modes and session policies.
  3. Create classrooms, rooms, or device groups.
  4. Set up applications and desktop profiles.
  5. Create courses/groups, if applicable.
  6. Create or bulk import client users.
  7. Create manager accounts and delegate permissions.
  8. Pair Windows client computers.
  9. Perform a test activation and login session.

4. Personalization & Policies

Navigate to Configuration → Personalization. Configuration sections are saved together using the Save button at the bottom of the page.

4.1 Organization Identity

  • Product Name and Center Name appear across both the web panel and native Windows clients.
  • Default Language supports Spanish or English. Individual client sessions can switch languages via the on-screen selector.
  • Time Zone defines the official operating day for time allocations and access report timestamps.
  • Daily Minutes represents the default suggested time on the activation desk and for automatic authorizations.

Avoid modifying the time zone during active operating hours. The central server, not client computer clocks, determines what calendar date is «today».

4.2 Authentication & Time Policies

Available authentication modes:

  • Username and Password: Always requires both credentials.
  • Username/Password or Barcode: Scanning a registered barcode can substitute for the password.
  • Barcode / Code Only: Streamlined access requiring only a code scan or entry.

The client uses one form for personal and shared accounts. The server resolves the account type; users do not need to choose a separate sign-in screen.

Additional session rules:

  • Monthly Allowance: Set to 0 for unlimited. Once reached, no further time is granted until the next calendar period.
  • Access Without Prior Activation: Automatically generates the daily time allocation upon first client login. If disabled, a manager must authorize the user beforehand.
  • Session Expiry Warning: Remaining minutes threshold at which the client displays an on-screen warning.
  • Idle Timeout: Automatically logs off inactive workstations (0 disables).
  • Stale Session Threshold: Period without client heartbeats after which a disconnected session is marked closed.
  • Concurrent Sessions: Personal accounts can reject a second sign-in or close the previous session. Shared course accounts always allow several simultaneous workstations.

4.3 Terms & Rules of Use

  1. Enable the terms acceptance requirement.
  2. Specify a brief version identifier, for example 2026-01.
  3. Draft the rules text in Spanish and English using the rich text editor.
  4. Save and verify on a client computer.

Whenever rules change substantially, update the version identifier. Users will be required to accept the updated terms on their next login. Never paste external scripts; input is sanitized automatically.

4.4 Visual Appearance & Branding

Customize theme colors and upload a PNG, JPEG, or WebP logo file up to 2 MB. Verify contrast and readability across desktop and mobile screens. Uploading a new logo does not delete previously stored files.

4.5 Global Windows Client Policies

Set organization-wide defaults for:

  • Universal Protection: Restricts operating-system access and silently, reversibly replaces the shell of the dedicated standard account. It does not make the profile mandatory by itself.
  • Shell Launcher and Keyboard Filter optional advanced lockdown layers for compatible Windows editions.
  • Visible Controls: Shut Down, Sign Out of Windows, and Exit.
  • Application Termination: Automatically terminates applications launched by Aula Control upon session logoff.
  • Comprehensive Session File Cleanup: Completely wipes all user profile folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Music, 3D Objects, Favorites, Saved Games) and shared public folders (C:\Users\Public) upon session logoff.

A Windows mandatory profile (NTUSER.MAN) is an additional, optional technical preparation; SinLios should validate it while the target account is signed out and a recovery route is available. Folder cleanup is permanently destructive and must remain disabled until tested on a dedicated standard account containing no critical files. It is not equivalent to restoring all of Windows. Individual workstations can inherit or override these settings.

5. Management Team Accounts

Navigate to Configuration → Management Team.

Creating a Staff Account

  1. Click New Account.
  2. Enter a unique name and email address.
  3. Assign a password of at least 10 characters.
  4. Select Center Administrator or Manager.
  5. If creating a Manager, check only the necessary delegated permissions.
  6. Save and deliver credentials via a secure channel.

A Center Administrator receives full operational authority. A Manager can be granted specific permissions for: users/courses, desktop profiles/classrooms, workstations/remote actions, access reports/exports, and activity logs. Daily time activation does not require a separate permission.

You can create additional center administrators. Use this option for bona fide supervisors rather than as a substitute for granular manager roles.

Editing & Deactivating Accounts

  • Leaving the password field empty when editing preserves the current password.
  • Deactivating an account prevents new logins without deleting past audit history.
  • You cannot deactivate your own active session account.
  • The SinLios provider account is managed separately and does not appear in this list.

6. Courses & Groups

When the module is enabled, open Management → Courses.

  1. Click New Course.
  2. Enter a course name and unique code (alphanumeric, dots, dashes, underscores, up to 30 characters).
  3. Optionally assign a default desktop profile.
  4. Keep the course active and save.

An inactive course prevents its enrolled users from activating time or logging in. Deactivating a course does not delete enrolled users or past statistics. The course code is used during CSV bulk user imports.

A desktop profile assigned directly to a user takes precedence over a course profile. A temporary profile override set on a classroom supersedes all individual assignments while active.

7. Client Users

Navigate to Management → Users.

7.1 Personal Accounts

  1. Click New User.
  2. Select Personal.
  3. Enter name, unique username (2 to 80 characters), and a password of at least 4 characters.
  4. Add a unique barcode number if barcode scanners will be utilized.
  5. Optionally assign a course and desktop profile.
  6. Add internal notes, mark the account active, and save.

Usernames support letters, numbers, dots, underscores, @, and dashes. Usernames and barcodes share one identifier space: neither may match another account's username or barcode.

7.2 Shared Course Accounts

A shared account allows an entire class of young students to log in using common credentials.

  1. Create the course first.
  2. Select Shared.
  3. Link the required course.
  4. Define the shared username, password, or code matching the center's login mode.

Shared-account behavior:

  • All computers in the class may use the account simultaneously; the personal-account second-login policy does not apply.
  • Workstations inherit the desktop assigned to the course unless a user or classroom assignment has higher priority.
  • Only one active shared account is permitted per course.

Do not use shared accounts if individual student usage statistics must be tracked.

7.3 Direct Access Without Prior Activation

To let a whole class sign in without visiting the activation desk one by one, enable Allow access without prior activation in Configuration → Personalization or from Daily Work → Activate User. Each registered personal or shared account then receives the configured daily minutes automatically at sign-in.

7.4 Searching, Editing & Deactivating

Use search, course, account type, and status filters. When editing, leave the password field blank to keep the existing password. Deactivation preserves historical session logs while blocking new activations and logins.

7.5 Bulk CSV Import

When enabled, open Users → Import CSV.

  • Maximum file size: 2 MB.
  • Maximum: 2,000 data rows.
  • Delimiter: Comma or semicolon (auto-detected).
  • Mandatory columns: name, username, password.
  • Optional columns: barcode, course_code, account_type, active, notes.
  • account_type: personal or shared.
  • Accepted inactive values: 0, false, no.

Example:

name;username;password;barcode;course_code;account_type;active;notes
Anna Smith;anna.smith;Pass123;100001;1A;personal;1;
Class Grade 1;class1;Room1;200001;1A;shared;1;Shared class login

Import operations are fully transactional: if a single row has formatting errors or duplicate usernames/barcodes, the entire batch is rolled back. Correct the identified row and re-import.

8. Daily Time Activation Desk

The primary activation screen is streamlined for rapid, mouse-free barcode scanning.

  1. The input field receives automatic keyboard focus.
  2. Scan the student's barcode (scanners emulate keyboards and send Enter).
  3. If no barcode is present, type the username or code and press Enter.
  4. Review the on-screen confirmation before scanning the next user.

The input field resets automatically for consecutive scans.

Activation Outcomes

  • Time Granted: The user is authorized for the official calendar day. The summary card displays previous session info, last computer used, and monthly total.
  • Already Active Today: Displays existing time balance. Use Reset Time only if you intend to restart their daily allowance and terminate active sessions.
  • Not Found: If you have user management permissions, click Create & Activate to register the user immediately without leaving the desk.
  • Inactive User / Course: Check the account status and course enrollment.
  • Monthly Limit Reached: No further time can be granted under current policy.

Revoke cancels the daily authorization and terminates any active Windows session. Provide a clear reason; all revocations are recorded in the Activity Log.

9. Desktops, Applications & Classrooms

Navigate to Management → Desktops.

9.1 Applications

An application definition consists of a name, description, absolute Windows executable path, arguments, and an icon.

  1. Click New Application.
  2. Specify an absolute Windows path ending in .exe (without surrounding quotes or ..).
  3. Enter startup arguments.
  4. Assign an emoji or upload a PNG/JPEG/WebP icon up to 1 MB.
  5. Set as active and save.

To launch a web application, configure the browser as the executable and the web URL in the arguments field:

C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
--incognito https://www.example.edu

Never place a URL directly in the executable path field. Ensure the executable path exists across all target Windows PCs. Use Duplicate to quickly build variations with different parameters.

9.2 Desktop Profiles

  1. Create a profile with a name and description.
  2. Check the applications to include.
  3. Optionally set as the default profile.
  4. Keep active and save.

Deactivating an application removes it from associated desktop profiles without deleting its configuration. Duplicating a profile allows rapid tailoring for different grade levels.

9.3 Classrooms, Rooms & Groups

  1. Create the room space and a unique identifier code (up to 40 characters).
  2. Select its standard desktop profile and mark as default if applicable.
  3. Pair workstations to this classroom.

From the classroom list, administrators can Switch Desktop Now for an entire room. The server publishes the change immediately to connected clients via Pusher or on the subsequent polling cycle.

The exact desktop resolution hierarchy is: Classroom override profile, specific User profile, Course profile, and Default organization profile. Assigning a profile at the classroom level overrides all individual profiles while active. Remove the classroom override to return to normal student/course inheritance.

10. Workstations

Navigate to Management → Workstations.

The area is deliberately split into Device control for daily operations and Pairing and configuration for enrollment and technical changes.

10.1 Pairing a Workstation

  1. Select Pair and configure devices.
  2. Select an active classroom and generate a one-time pairing code.
  3. In the Windows Aula Control Client, enter the HTTPS server URL, pairing code, and computer name.
  4. Complete local configuration and confirm.

Pairing codes expire in 10 minutes. If expired, generate a new code. Total paired capacity is licensed by SinLios.

10.2 Device Inventory & Statuses

  • Online / Offline status is calculated relative to central server time.
  • The daily console shows only name, room, status, current user, and remaining time; technical details stay under Pairing and configuration.
  • Revoke: Invalidates the device token and immediately releases a license slot.
  • Reactivate: Re-authorizes the device (requires an available license slot).

10.3 Workstation Configuration Overrides

Open Pair and configure devices and expand only the record you need. Adjust computer name and room assignment or override global timeout and security policies. In any policy dropdown, Inherit uses the central organization default. Use local overrides only when justified by specific hardware requirements.

10.4 Remote Commands

Depending on enabled modules, staff can refresh desktop profiles, send instant messages, adjust remaining session time, lock screens, log off Aula Control, sign out of Windows, or trigger a complete shutdown. Select devices and choose the selection, a room, or all devices as the target. Active sessions also expose direct time adjustment and sign-out controls in each row.

Commands are enqueued centrally. A device temporarily offline will execute pending commands upon its next successful synchronization. Exercise caution when issuing bulk commands across entire classrooms.

11. Access Reports & Activity Log

Access Reports

Open Management → Reports and filter by date range, search text, or classroom. The center's time zone is applied to all timestamps.

Reports detail username, barcode, workstation, room, start time, end time, session duration, and termination reason. Export filtered data directly to:

  • UTF-8 CSV (semicolon-delimited);
  • Excel .xlsx spreadsheets.

Sessions without an end timestamp are either currently active or experienced an ungraceful disconnection. Stale sessions are automatically reconciled before generating summary reports.

Activity Log

Audits administrative staff logins and backend modifications. Use this tool to inspect administrative actions rather than measuring student PC usage.

Daily

  • Verify that classrooms are assigned the appropriate desktop profiles.
  • Review unexpected offline workstations.
  • Resolve inactive user accounts and activation requests.

Term / Semester Transitions

  • Review and update applications and desktop profiles.
  • Deactivate graduated student accounts.
  • Test bulk CSV imports with a small pilot batch before large-scale ingestion.
  • Increment the terms of use version if policies have been revised.

Periodic Maintenance

  • Audit manager staff accounts and assigned permissions.
  • Export necessary statistical summaries.
  • Notify SinLios in advance when planning workstation capacity expansion.
  • Verify Windows local administrator recovery accounts on workstations.

13. Troubleshooting & FAQ

A specific menu screen is missing

The corresponding module may not be enabled in your organization's plan. Consult SinLios if a contracted feature is missing.

A student cannot log in

Check the following in order: Active account status, active course enrollment, correct authentication mode, valid credentials/barcode, accepted terms of use, today's time activation, remaining daily balance, and monthly allowance.

A student sees an empty desktop

Ensure an active desktop profile is assigned, that it contains active applications, and that the classroom/course mapping is valid. Confirm that the Windows client has completed synchronization.

An application does not launch

Verify the .exe path on that physical PC, check argument syntax, confirm Windows user permissions, and ensure Aula Control Client is running rather than a generic web browser.

A workstation appears offline

Check network connectivity, HTTPS URL accessibility, client container execution, and heartbeat timestamps. Do not alter local Windows system clocks to fix status; the server relies on its own time.

Need to expand capacity or restore from backup

Contact SinLios through the Help screen. Center administrators cannot modify overall workstation licensing or manage server backups.

14. Support & Contact

The Help section provides official support contacts and access to online documentation:

When opening a support request, specify your center instance, affected username, classroom, computer name, approximate timestamp, and error message. Never transmit passwords or database tokens via WhatsApp.

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