No permanent receptionist
Give arrivals a defined way to contact the team when the front desk is unattended.
SMS/Email Doorbell
Know when someone is waiting at your entrance
Use a ScanIn QR code as an electronic doorbell that sends an arrival notification by SMS, email or both.
A doorbell without another device
Turn a QR code into a practical arrival alert
Not every workplace has a staffed reception desk. Visitors can arrive while the team is elsewhere in the building, working in a warehouse, serving customers or moving between different areas of the site.
A ScanIn Location using Arrival Alert mode gives the visitor a simple way to announce that they are waiting. They scan the QR code, complete the fields you have enabled and send an alert to the nominated email address, SMS number or both.
Let us know you have arrived
Enter your name
Tell us why you are here
Problems it helps solve
A clearer arrival process for unattended entrances
Staff working away from the entrance
Send the alert to a nominated phone or inbox instead of relying on someone hearing a bell.
Visitors unsure what to do
Replace handwritten signs and unclear instructions with a short, guided arrival form.
Interruptions to the wrong person
Route the notification to the person or team responsible for responding to arrivals.
Several entry points
Create different Locations for reception, service entrances or loading areas with their own recipients.
Doorbell hardware upkeep
A printed QR code does not require wiring, batteries or another device on the reception counter.
Advantages
Simple for visitors and flexible for your team
Email, SMS or both
Choose the notification channels that suit the people responsible for answering the entrance.
Only ask what you need
Enable a short name-only form or collect additional details such as company and reason for visiting.
No visitor app
The visitor uses their phone camera and completes the arrival form in a web browser.
Easy to relocate
Display the QR code at the most appropriate arrival point without installing a wired device.
Location-specific routing
Different entrances can notify different teams, inboxes or nominated mobile numbers.
Works with your ScanIn account
Add the doorbell workflow as another Location instead of introducing a separate notification platform.
How the electronic doorbell works
From scan to notification in three steps
01
Scan the entrance QR code
The visitor scans the displayed code using the camera on their phone.
02
Complete the arrival form
They enter the details enabled for that Location and send the arrival alert.
03
Notify the nominated recipient
ScanIn sends the electronic doorbell alert to the configured email address, SMS number or both.
Where it can help
Useful anywhere arrivals can be missed
Small offices
Alert a team member when everyone is away from the reception area or working behind closed doors.
Retail and service counters
Notify staff who are serving customers, working on the floor or completing tasks away from the entrance.
Warehouses and workshops
Reach staff in noisy or spread-out workplaces where a conventional doorbell may not be heard.
Shared buildings
Direct an arrival alert to the correct organisation or responsible contact within the property.
Service and delivery entrances
Provide clear instructions for people arriving away from the main reception point.
Temporary reception points
Create a practical alert process for events, pop-up facilities or entrances used for a limited period.
Setup
Create an SMS/Email Doorbell in four steps
- Create a new LocationAdd a ScanIn Location for the entrance or reception point.
- Set the Check-in ModeChoose Arrival Alert.
- Choose the fieldsEnable only the fields required for the notification and disable the others.
- Specify the recipientsUse Additional Notification Email, Additional Notification SMS or both to control where the electronic doorbell notification is sent.
Example configuration
LocationFront entrance doorbell
Check-in ModeArrival Alert
Enabled fieldsOnly the details you require
Email recipientAdditional Notification Email
SMS recipientAdditional Notification SMS
Important: This workflow sends an arrival notification. It does not unlock a door or replace access-control, intercom, security or emergency systems. SMS usage may depend on your ScanIn plan or message balance; see pricing and SMS options.
Common questions
SMS/Email Doorbell FAQs
How does the electronic doorbell notify someone?
The visitor scans the QR code and completes the configured arrival form. ScanIn sends the notification to the nominated additional email address, SMS number or both.
Can I collect more than the visitor's name?
Yes. Enable the fields your team needs, such as company or reason for visiting, and disable fields that are unnecessary for this workflow.
Can different entrances notify different people?
Yes. Create separate Locations and configure the additional notification recipients appropriate to each entry point.
Does the visitor need an app?
No. The form opens in their phone's web browser after they scan the QR code.
Does this unlock an electronic door?
No. It sends an arrival alert only. Your organisation should continue using its normal access-control and security arrangements.
Make sure arrivals reach the right person
Create a QR code electronic doorbell for your unattended entrance or reception area.
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