08 Account & Business

Billing · Profile · Pro shop setup

8.1 — Account Management

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.1 Updating your pro shop name and display information

Updating your pro shop name and display information

8.1.1   account

 

Your pro shop's name and display information in Spectre Cloud appear throughout the app — on spec sheets, printed documents, the top-right profile menu, and anywhere your shop is identified to bowlers and staff. Keeping this information current and accurate ensures that every document your shop produces presents your business correctly. This page covers where shop display information is stored, what can be updated, and how to make changes.

🏢 What Display Information Spectre Cloud Stores

The shop profile in Spectre Cloud holds the identifying and contact details associated with your account. These details appear on printed spec sheets and other documents generated by the app, and some are used in account management and billing communications.

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the full list of display information fields available in the shop profile — specifically whether Website and Logo are supported in the current version, and whether any additional fields (social media, trading hours, etc.) are available that should be documented here.

🖥️ Accessing Shop Display Information on Desktop

  1. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner of any Spectre Cloud screen to open the profile menu.
  2. Select Account or Business Settings from the dropdown — the exact label depends on your account configuration.
  3. The shop profile section opens, displaying your current display information.
  4. Click Edit to make changes to any field.
  5. Update the relevant fields.
  6. Click Save to apply the changes. Updates take effect immediately across all devices logged into the account.

📱 Accessing Shop Display Information on Mobile

  1. Tap your pro shop name or the profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Account or Business Settings from the menu.
  3. Tap Edit to modify any display information field.
  4. Enter the updated details and tap Save.

✏️ Updating Individual Fields

Pro shop name

The shop name is the most visible piece of display information in the app. It appears in the top-right profile menu on every screen and on every printed spec sheet and document produced by the account. Update it when:

📌 Note: Changing the shop name updates it on all documents generated after the change. Spec sheets and documents already printed or exported before the name change retain the old name — they are historical records and are not retroactively updated.

Address

Keep the address current if your shop relocates. The address on printed spec sheets is a professional detail that bowlers may use to contact or visit your shop — an outdated address on a document handed to a bowler creates confusion.

Phone number and email

These fields appear on printed documents and are used by Spectre Cloud for account correspondence. If your shop's contact details change — a new phone number, a new business email after a platform migration — update these fields promptly. Billing notifications and account communications from Spectre Cloud go to the registered email address.

📌 Note: If you need to update the email address used for billing specifically, confirm with the Spectre support team whether this is handled through the shop profile or through a separate billing management section — these may be different fields depending on how your account was set up.

If your shop has a logo, uploading it to the shop profile adds a professional identity layer to every printed spec sheet and document. When uploading a logo:

🌍 Language and Regional Settings

Spectre Cloud supports English, French, and Spanish. The display language for the app interface is set at the account or user level — it is separate from the shop display information fields, which are always stored and displayed in whatever language they were entered in.

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the exact location of the language selector in the current UI — whether it sits within the shop profile, within a separate Settings section, or at the user level rather than the account level.

🏢 Multi-Location Shops

For shops operating across multiple locations under the same Spectre Cloud account, the shop display information applies account-wide — a single shop name and contact set covers all locations. If each location needs to present its own name, address, and contact details on printed documents, contact the Spectre support team to discuss account configuration options appropriate for multi-location operations.

☁️ When Changes Take Effect

Display information changes saved to the shop profile take effect immediately:

✨ Tip: Check your shop display information at the start of each new year — or any time your shop undergoes a change in name, location, or contact details. A five-minute review of the profile fields ensures that every spec sheet and document your shop produces in the coming year goes out with accurate information on it.

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.2 Changing your email address

Changing your email address

8.1.2   account

 

Your email address in Spectre Cloud serves two distinct functions: it is the login credential used to sign into your account, and it is the contact address that receives billing notifications, account alerts, and correspondence from the Spectre team. Changing it requires care — an error during the update process can lock you out of your account or cause important communications to go to an address you no longer monitor. This page walks through how to change your email address safely and what to expect at each step.

📌 Before You Change Your Email Address

A few checks before starting will prevent the most common problems that arise during an email address change:

🖥️ Changing Your Email Address on Desktop

  1. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner to open the profile menu.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings from the dropdown.
  3. Locate the Email Address field in the account information section.
  4. Click Edit or click directly into the email field to make it editable.
  5. Clear the current address and enter the new email address.
  6. Re-enter the new address in the confirmation field to guard against typos.
  7. Enter your current account password to authorise the change — Spectre Cloud requires password confirmation before updating login credentials.
  8. Click Save or Update Email.
  9. Check the new email address for a verification message from Spectre Cloud and follow the link or instructions within it to confirm the change.

📱 Changing Your Email Address on Mobile

  1. Tap your pro shop name or profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings.
  3. Tap the Email Address field.
  4. Clear the current address and enter the new one.
  5. Enter the new address again in the confirmation field.
  6. Enter your current account password to authorise the change.
  7. Tap Save or Update Email.
  8. Check the new email address for the verification message and complete the confirmation step.

📌 Note: Until the verification message is confirmed, your account continues to use the old email address for login and correspondence. The change is not active until the verification step is completed — do not close or abandon the verification email.

📧 The Verification Step

After submitting the new email address, Spectre Cloud sends a verification message to the new address. This step confirms that the address is valid, deliverable, and accessible to the account owner before making it the active login credential.

  1. Open your new email inbox and look for a message from Spectre Cloud or BowlDevs. Check the spam or junk folder if it does not appear within a few minutes.
  2. Open the message and click the verification link, or copy and paste it into your browser if clicking does not work.
  3. The link confirms the change and activates the new email address on your account.
  4. From this point, use the new email address to log in to Spectre Cloud.

⚠️ Note: Verification links typically expire after a set period — if you do not complete the verification within the allowed window, the change request expires and you will need to initiate the email address update again from the beginning. Check your inbox promptly after submitting the change.

⚠️ If Something Goes Wrong

Verification email not received

Locked out after an incomplete change

🔐 Email Address and Account Security

Your email address is a security credential as well as a contact address. The email-and-password combination is what stands between your shop's bowler records, spec sheet history, and billing information and unauthorised access.

🏢 Email Address for Multi-Staff Shops

In shops where multiple staff members use Spectre Cloud, the account email address belongs to the account owner — typically the shop owner or manager — rather than to individual staff members. Staff members log in with their own user credentials, not the account owner's email address.

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm whether Spectre Cloud sends a confirmation to the old email address as well as a verification to the new one during an email change — some platforms require both steps as a security measure. If so, add a step to the desktop and mobile instructions above noting that both inboxes need to be checked.

✨ Tip: When you change your email address, update it in any other place where the old address was used in relation to Spectre Cloud — your password manager, any saved login in your browser, and any email filters or rules set up to organise Spectre Cloud communications. A five-minute update across all those places prevents a confusing situation the next time a billing notification or account alert is sent to the old address.

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.3 Changing your password

Changing your password

8.1.3   account

 

Your Spectre Cloud password is the primary security credential protecting your shop's bowler records, spec sheet history, and billing information. Changing it regularly — and immediately whenever a security concern arises — is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your account secure. This page covers how to change your password from within the app, how to reset it if you have been locked out, and the practices that keep your account credentials strong over time.

📌 Before You Change Your Password

🖥️ Changing Your Password on Desktop

  1. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner to open the profile menu.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings from the dropdown.
  3. Locate the Password section in the account information area.
  4. Click Change Password or Edit next to the password field.
  5. Enter your current password in the field provided.
  6. Enter your new password in the next field.
  7. Re-enter the new password in the confirmation field to guard against typos.
  8. Click Save or Update Password.
  9. A confirmation message appears when the change is successful. If the confirmation does not appear, check for an error message indicating which field needs correction.

📱 Changing Your Password on Mobile

  1. Tap your pro shop name or profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings.
  3. Tap Change Password.
  4. Enter your current password, then your new password, then the confirmation.
  5. Tap Save or Update Password.

📱 Tip: On mobile, use the password reveal toggle (the eye icon in the password field, if available) to confirm what you have typed before submitting — mistyped passwords on a touchscreen keyboard are a common cause of confirmation mismatches.

🔐 What Makes a Strong Password

A strong Spectre Cloud password protects not just your login, but your entire shop's client database, billing information, and drilling history. The following criteria produce a password that is both strong and usable:

🔄 Resetting a Forgotten Password

If you cannot log in because you have forgotten your password, use the forgotten password flow to regain access. This process does not require knowledge of the current password — it sends a reset link to the registered account email address instead.

  1. Navigate to cloud.spectrebowling.com and click Forgot Password or Reset Password on the login screen.
  2. Enter the email address registered to your account and submit.
  3. Check that email inbox for a password reset message from Spectre Cloud or BowlDevs. Check spam and junk folders if it does not appear within a few minutes.
  4. Click the reset link in the message. The link opens a page where you can set a new password.
  5. Enter your new password and the confirmation, then submit.
  6. Log in with the new password immediately to confirm it was accepted.

📌 Note: Password reset links expire after a set period. Complete the reset in the same session — do not leave the reset email unattended and expect the link to remain valid indefinitely. If the link has expired, return to the login screen and initiate a new reset request.

⚠️ When to Change Your Password Immediately

Routine password changes are good practice, but certain situations make an immediate change necessary rather than optional:

🏢 Password Management in Multi-Staff Shops

In a shop where multiple people access Spectre Cloud, password hygiene requires a little more structure. The account owner's password — which controls billing and account-level settings — should be held by the account owner alone. Staff members should have their own user accounts with separate credentials rather than sharing the account owner's login.

📌 Note: If you are taking over a Spectre Cloud account from a previous owner and do not have the current password, use the forgotten password reset flow with the account's registered email address — provided you have access to that inbox. If neither the password nor the email inbox is accessible, contact Spectre Cloud support directly for account recovery assistance.

☁️ After Changing Your Password

Once the password change is confirmed, a small set of follow-up actions keeps everything consistent:

  1. Update your password manager with the new credential immediately — do not rely on memory or a note.
  2. Update any saved browser passwords for Spectre Cloud — most browsers prompt you to do this automatically, but confirm the saved credential reflects the new password rather than the old one.
  3. Log in on all other devices where Spectre Cloud is used — tablet at the drill press, phone for mobile use — and re-authenticate with the new password. Sessions on those devices may remain active for a period after the change, but will eventually require re-login.
  4. Notify any staff members who use shared credentials that the password has changed — though the preferred approach is to move to individual user accounts rather than shared credentials going forward.

✨ Tip: The single most effective security habit for a Spectre Cloud account is using a password manager to generate and store a long, random, unique password. The password itself becomes something you never need to remember or type — the manager handles it — which means there is no practical cost to making it as long and complex as the system allows. Set it once, store it, and the security problem largely takes care of itself.

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.4 Managing notification preferences

Managing notification preferences

8.1.4   account

 

Spectre Cloud sends notifications to keep you informed about account activity, billing events, and — depending on your plan and plugins — workflow updates related to your shop's day-to-day operations. The Notification Preferences section of your account settings lets you control which notifications you receive, how they are delivered, and at what frequency. This page covers what notifications are available, how to configure them, and the considerations that apply in multi-staff shops.

🔔 Types of Notifications in Spectre Cloud

Notifications in Spectre Cloud fall into three broad categories. Each category can typically be configured independently — enabling the ones you need and silencing the ones you do not.

Account and billing notifications

These are administrative notifications related to your subscription and account status. They are tied to the account owner's registered email address and cannot be fully disabled — some are sent regardless of notification preferences as they relate to billing and service continuity.

📌 Note: Billing and security notifications are sent to the account owner's registered email address and cannot be disabled. They are service communications, not marketing — opting out of marketing emails does not affect delivery of billing or security alerts.

Workflow notifications

These notifications relate to activity within the app — spec sheet events, bowler record updates, and similar in-app activity. Availability varies by plan and plugin.

Product and update notifications

Communications from the Spectre team about new features, plugin releases, and platform updates. These are optional and can be disabled entirely if you prefer not to receive them.

📬 Notification Delivery Methods

Spectre Cloud delivers notifications through two channels. Each can be configured independently for different notification types:

Delivery method Description Best for
Email Sent to the registered account email address or individual staff user email Billing events, security alerts, summaries — anything that benefits from a permanent record in the inbox
In-app notifications Displayed within the Spectre Cloud interface — typically a badge or notification panel accessible from the top navigation Workflow updates, activity alerts — anything relevant to the current session rather than requiring attention outside the app

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm whether push notifications to mobile devices (iOS and Android) are supported in addition to email and in-app notifications — if so, add a third row to the table and document how to enable them.

🖥️ Accessing Notification Preferences on Desktop

  1. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner to open the profile menu.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings from the dropdown.
  3. Navigate to the Notifications or Notification Preferences section.
  4. Review the list of available notification types — each is shown with its current enabled or disabled state.
  5. Toggle individual notifications on or off using the controls provided.
  6. For notifications that offer a delivery method choice, select Email, In-app, or Both as appropriate.
  7. Click Save to apply your preferences.

📱 Accessing Notification Preferences on Mobile

  1. Tap your pro shop name or profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings.
  3. Tap Notifications or Notification Preferences.
  4. Toggle notifications on or off as needed.
  5. Tap Save to apply changes.

The right notification configuration depends on how your shop operates. The following starting points cover the most common shop profiles:

Solo operator — single device

Multi-staff shop

Multi-location shop

🔌 Job Board Plugin — Notification Configuration

If your shop uses the Job Board plugin ($15 USD/month), additional notification options become available for tracking ball service workflow status. These notifications are designed to keep both staff and bowlers informed as a ball moves through the workshop queue.

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm whether outbound bowler-facing notifications (email or SMS to the bowler when their ball is ready) are a feature of the Job Board plugin, and if so, what contact information is used and whether the bowler needs to have consented to receive them.

🏢 Notification Preferences in Multi-Staff Accounts

In accounts with multiple staff user accounts, notification preferences operate at two levels — the account level and the individual user level. Understanding which level controls which notifications prevents situations where important alerts are going to the wrong person or not going to anyone at all.

🔄 When to Review Your Notification Preferences

Notification preferences are not a set-and-forget configuration. Review them when:

✨ Tip: If you are unsure which notifications to enable when setting up a new account, start with everything on and spend the first two weeks noting which notifications you act on and which you ignore. Disable the ones you consistently ignore — a notification that never prompts action is just noise, and noise trains you to stop reading notifications altogether, including the ones that matter.

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.5 Sharing your referral code with other pro shops

Sharing your referral code with other pro shops

8.1.5   account

 

Spectre Cloud's referral programme rewards existing subscribers for introducing other pro shops to the platform. When a new shop signs up using your referral code, both your shop and the new subscriber receive a benefit — typically a billing credit applied to a future invoice. This page covers where to find your referral code, how to share it effectively, and what to expect when a referral converts.

🎳 How the Referral Programme Works

Every active Spectre Cloud account has a unique referral code. When a new shop enters that code during sign-up, the referral is recorded against your account. Once the new shop completes sign-up and their first billing cycle, the referral benefit is applied — to their account, to yours, or to both, depending on the current programme terms.

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the current referral benefit amount and structure — specifically whether the credit applies to the referrer, the new subscriber, or both, and what the qualifying conditions are (e.g., first billing cycle completed, subscription active for 30 days). Update this page with the verified terms before publishing.

🔍 Finding Your Referral Code

🖥️ On Desktop

  1. Click your pro shop name in the top-right corner to open the profile menu.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings from the dropdown.
  3. Navigate to the Referral or Referral Programme section.
  4. Your unique referral code is displayed here, along with a copy button and a pre-formatted share link.
  5. Click Copy Code or Copy Link to copy it to your clipboard, ready to paste into a message or email.

📱 On Mobile or Tablet

  1. Tap your pro shop name or profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Account or Account Settings.
  3. Scroll to the Referral section.
  4. Tap Copy Code or Copy Link to copy your referral code or share link.

📌 Note: The referral section may also show a summary of your referral history — how many shops have signed up using your code and what credits have been applied to your account as a result. Check this section periodically to confirm referrals have been recorded correctly.

📤 Sharing Your Referral Code

Your referral code is most effective when shared with context — a brief explanation of what Spectre Cloud does and why the receiving shop might benefit from it, not just a bare code. The following approaches work well in practice:

Direct message or email to a specific shop

The most effective referral is a personal one — reaching out directly to a shop owner or manager you know, explaining what Spectre Cloud has done for your operation, and including the code as an invitation rather than a promotional blast.

Industry events and pro shop gatherings

IBPSIA events, regional bowling association meetings, and pro shop operator meetups are natural settings for sharing Spectre Cloud with peers. Having the referral code ready to share — written on a card, in a note on your phone, or as a saved message draft — means you can respond immediately when the conversation naturally reaches the topic of shop management software.

Social media and online pro shop communities

If your shop has a social media presence or you participate in online pro shop operator communities, sharing your referral code in those channels reaches a wider audience than direct outreach alone.

📊 Tracking Your Referrals

The Referral section of your Account Settings shows a record of referrals associated with your code. Use this to confirm that referred shops have been recorded correctly and that credits have been applied as expected.

Status Meaning
Pending A shop has signed up using your code but has not yet completed the qualifying conditions for the credit to be applied
Qualified The qualifying conditions have been met — the credit has been or will be applied to your account on the next billing cycle
Credited The referral credit has been applied to your account and is visible on your billing history
Expired A sign-up was started using your code but was not completed within the required window — the referral does not qualify for a credit

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the referral status labels match the current Spectre Cloud UI exactly — and add or remove statuses from the table if the app uses a different set. Also confirm the qualifying window for a pending referral to convert before it expires.

✨ Making the Most of the Referral Programme

🔄 Referral Credits and Billing

Referral credits are applied to your Spectre Cloud account and deducted from a future invoice automatically. They do not require any action on your part once the qualifying conditions are met.

✨ Tip: The pro shop industry is a small, well-connected community — word of mouth from a trusted peer carries more weight than any advertisement. A genuine recommendation from one shop owner to another, backed by a referral code and a real account of what the software does for your operation, is the most effective way to grow a programme that benefits everyone who participates in it. Share the code when it comes up naturally, be honest about what the software does and does not do, and let the product make the case.

8.1 — Account Management

8.1.6 Data privacy and your bowler records

Data privacy and your bowler records

8.1.6   account

 

Spectre Cloud stores detailed personal and fitting information about your bowlers — names, contact details, hand measurements, and drilling histories. As the operator of a pro shop account, you are responsible for how that data is collected, used, and protected. This page explains what data Spectre Cloud holds, how it is protected at the platform level, and what responsibilities sit with you as the shop operator when it comes to the bowlers whose records you manage.

📋 What Personal Data Spectre Cloud Stores

Spectre Cloud holds two categories of bowler data on your behalf: identifying information and fitting data. The distinction matters because the two categories carry different sensitivity levels and may be subject to different privacy obligations depending on your region.

Identifying information

Fitting data

📌 Note: Fitting data is less likely to be considered sensitive personal data under most privacy frameworks, but it is still personal data — it relates to a specific identifiable individual and should be treated with the same care as contact information.

☁️ How Spectre Cloud Protects Your Data

Spectre Cloud is a cloud-based platform operated by BowlDevs. Data protection at the platform level includes:

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the specific data protection measures in place at the infrastructure level — encryption standards, cloud hosting provider, data residency, and backup policy — so this section can be updated with accurate technical details rather than general statements.

🏢 Your Responsibilities as the Shop Operator

Spectre Cloud provides the platform and its security. What happens with bowler data at the shop level — how it is collected, whether bowlers are informed, and how long it is retained — is the responsibility of the shop operator. Privacy laws vary significantly by country and region, but the following principles apply broadly and represent good practice regardless of jurisdiction.

Inform bowlers that their data is being recorded

Most privacy frameworks require that individuals know when their personal data is being collected and stored. In a pro shop context, this typically means telling a new bowler that their measurements and contact details will be saved in your shop's system. A brief verbal disclosure at the start of a fitting — "we keep your measurements on file so we can reference them for future visits" — satisfies this in most casual contexts. For shops that want a more formal record, the Bowler Plus plugin's consent signature feature provides a structured way to capture and store acknowledgement.

Only collect data you actually need

The data minimisation principle — collecting only what is necessary for the purpose — is a cornerstone of most privacy frameworks and good practice regardless of legal requirement. In Spectre Cloud, this means:

Respond to bowler requests about their data

In many jurisdictions, individuals have the right to request access to their personal data, ask for corrections, or request deletion. If a bowler makes such a request:

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm whether deleting a bowler profile also permanently deletes all associated spec sheets and Arsenal entries, or whether any records are retained at the platform level after a profile deletion. This is important for accurately advising bowlers on what a deletion request entails.

Protect access to the account

The most direct threat to bowler data privacy is unauthorised access to your Spectre Cloud account. Shop-level access control is the operator's responsibility:

🌍 Regional Privacy Considerations

Privacy obligations vary by country and region. The following frameworks are relevant for the majority of Spectre Cloud's user base — but local legal requirements should always take precedence over general guidance, and shops with significant data holdings or uncertainty about their obligations should seek local legal advice.

Region Relevant framework Key consideration for pro shops
European Union and EEA GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) Explicit lawful basis required for storing personal data; right to erasure applies; data processor agreements may be needed with Spectre Cloud as a platform provider
United Kingdom UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 Substantially similar to EU GDPR; ICO registration may be required depending on shop size and data volume
Canada PIPEDA (or provincial equivalents) Consent required for collection and use of personal information; individuals have right of access and correction
United States Varies by state — CCPA in California; other states have emerging frameworks No federal standard; California shops serving California residents should be aware of CCPA obligations; broader US shops should monitor state-level developments
Australia Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles Obligations apply to businesses with turnover above AUD $3M; smaller businesses may be exempt but good practice still applies

📌 Note: This table is a general orientation, not legal advice. Privacy law changes frequently and the applicability of specific frameworks to a given shop depends on factors including business size, the nationality of bowlers whose data is stored, and how data is used. If you are uncertain about your obligations, consult a local legal adviser rather than relying on this page alone.

🔄 Data Retention — How Long to Keep Bowler Records

Spectre Cloud does not impose an automatic data retention limit — bowler records are kept indefinitely unless you delete them. How long to keep records is a business decision, balanced against privacy considerations:

✨ Tip: The simplest privacy posture for a pro shop is also the most practical one — collect what you need to serve the bowler well, tell them you are doing it, keep it secure, and delete it when it is no longer useful. A shop that operates on those four principles will satisfy the spirit of most privacy frameworks and build the kind of trust with bowlers that keeps them coming back.

8.2 — Hardware Setup

8.2 — Hardware Setup

8.2.1 Recommended monitor setup for the pro shop counter

Recommended monitor setup for the pro shop counter

8.2.1   hardware

 

Spectre Cloud runs entirely in a web browser — there is no software to install and no specific hardware requirement beyond a supported device and an internet connection. That said, the physical setup of the screen or screens at your pro shop counter has a meaningful impact on how efficiently you can use the app day to day. This page covers the monitor configurations that work best for pro shop environments, from a single screen at the counter to a dedicated drill press display, and the practical considerations that go into each.

🖥️ Minimum Screen Requirements

Spectre Cloud is designed for a minimum screen size of 8 inches. Below this size, the spec sheet layout and measurement fields become too compressed to use comfortably in a fitting workflow. Within that constraint, the app adapts responsively to the screen available — but the larger the working area, the less scrolling and navigation is required to access all the fields on a spec sheet in a single view.

🏢 Single-Screen Counter Setup

For most solo operators and small shops, a single screen at the counter is the standard configuration. The key decisions are screen size, orientation, and positioning relative to the bowler and the fitting work area.

Screen size and type

Positioning relative to the bowler

🛠️ Two-Screen Counter Setup

Shops with a dedicated counter area that separates the fitting conversation from the drill press benefit from a two-screen setup — one screen facing the operator at the counter, and a second at the drill press. This is the configuration most commonly used by medium and larger shops.

Counter screen

Used for bowler intake, spec sheet creation, fitting data entry, and the 3D Layout view. Positioned to be readable by both the operator and the bowler.

Drill press screen

Used to display the completed spec sheet at the press. This screen is a reference display — the driller reads from it rather than entering data. The primary requirements are readability from a short distance and resistance to the workshop environment.

📱 Tablet-Only Setup

For solo operators, mobile shops, or shops where a full desktop setup is not practical, a single tablet handles the entire Spectre Cloud workflow. This configuration is fully supported and widely used.

🌐 Connectivity Considerations

Spectre Cloud requires an active internet connection for full functionality. Monitor setup decisions should account for where and how the device connects:

💡 Lighting and Glare

Workshop lighting — typically bright overhead fluorescent or LED strips — creates screen glare that makes displays difficult to read during a fitting. A few practical adjustments resolve most glare problems:

📊 Summary — Recommended Setups by Shop Type

Shop type Recommended setup Key consideration
Solo operator, compact space 10–12" tablet on a stand at the counter, carried to the press Quality case with built-in stand; screen protector; Bluetooth keyboard optional
Solo operator, dedicated counter 24" desktop monitor or laptop at the counter; tablet at the press Wired connection at counter preferred; tablet on adjustable arm at press
Multi-staff shop Desktop monitor at counter; tablet or secondary monitor at press; each staff member logs in with their own credentials Individual user accounts for each staff member; ensure Wi-Fi covers the full workshop area
Multi-location shop Per-location counter and press setup as above; all locations access the same Spectre Cloud account Consistent device standards across locations; consider centralised device management if locations are managed by the same owner
Mobile or event pro shop Single tablet; mobile data connection as primary or backup internet Fully charged battery or portable power bank; screen protector essential in event environments

✨ Tip: If you are setting up Spectre Cloud on a new device for the first time, spend ten minutes configuring the browser before a fitting session — log in, confirm the layout displays correctly, check that the 3D Layout view renders if you use Arsenal Plus, and run through a test spec sheet from start to finish. Discovering a display or connectivity issue during a live fitting is avoidable with a short pre-use check.

8.2 — Hardware Setup

8.2.2 Monitor arm installation overview (link to Monitor Mount shelf)

Monitor arm installation overview (link to Monitor Mount shelf)

8.2.2   hardware

 

A monitor arm or mounting shelf moves your Spectre Cloud display off the counter surface and into a position that works for both the fitter and the bowler — at the right height, at the right angle, and out of the way when not needed. Because monitor arm installation depends entirely on the specific product purchased and the surface it mounts to, Spectre Cloud's wiki does not duplicate the installation instructions here. Instead, this page points you to the right resource and covers the considerations specific to a pro shop counter environment.

🛠️ Where to Find Installation Instructions

Monitor arm and mounting shelf installation instructions are provided by the manufacturer of the specific product you have purchased. Refer to the documentation included with your arm or shelf, or visit the manufacturer's support page for the model you are installing.

If your shop purchased a monitor arm or mounting shelf through the Spectre Cloud recommended hardware programme or a partner retailer, installation guidance specific to that product is available at:

👉 wiki.spectrebowling.com/hardware

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm the correct URL for the hardware reference page, or replace the link above with the actual destination — whether that is a dedicated hardware shelf on the Spectre wiki, a partner retailer's product page, or a downloadable PDF guide. If no such page exists yet, this section should be updated to direct users to the Spectre support team instead.

📌 Pro Shop Counter — Mounting Considerations

Standard monitor arm installation instructions assume a home office or desk environment. A pro shop counter has a few specific characteristics worth accounting for before you drill or clamp anything:

🎳 Drill Press Screen Mounting

Mounting a tablet or small screen at the drill press for spec sheet reference requires a different approach from the counter — the mount needs to withstand vibration from press operation and position the screen clearly within the driller's sightline without obstructing movement around the press.

🔄 After Installation

Once the arm is installed and the screen is mounted, a few minutes of configuration in Spectre Cloud completes the setup:

  1. Log into Spectre Cloud on the newly mounted device and confirm the display renders correctly at the screen's native resolution.
  2. Open a spec sheet and scroll through it to confirm all fields are accessible without awkward repositioning of the arm.
  3. If using the device at the drill press, open a printed or on-screen spec sheet and confirm it is readable from normal operating distance without needing to approach the screen.
  4. Adjust the arm angle and height until the display is comfortable for extended use — a position that seems acceptable during a quick test may become uncomfortable across a full day of fittings.

✨ Tip: Before committing to a permanent mount, position the screen temporarily using a stack of books or a camera tripod to find the height and angle that works for your specific counter layout and working posture. Spending five minutes at the temporary position during a fitting confirms the position is practical before any holes are drilled or clamps are tightened.

8.2 — Hardware Setup

8.2.3 Using Spectre Cloud on a tablet at the drill press

Using Spectre Cloud on a tablet at the drill press

8.2.3   hardware

 

A tablet at the drill press is one of the most practical ways to use Spectre Cloud in a pro shop workflow — the spec sheet is visible exactly where the drilling happens, measurements can be checked without walking back to the counter, and any last-minute adjustments are a tap away rather than a trip across the shop. This page covers how to set up and use Spectre Cloud effectively on a tablet at the drill press, including the practical habits that make the workflow smooth and the pitfalls that catch operators out.

📱 Why a Tablet at the Press Makes Sense

The traditional alternative to a tablet at the press is a printed spec sheet — functional, but static. A printed sheet cannot be updated if a last-minute adjustment is needed, cannot display the 3D Layout view for a final visual check, and does not record any changes made at the press back into the bowler's history. A tablet running Spectre Cloud gives you all of that while keeping the drilling record live and editable up to the moment the first hole is cut.

Any tablet that meets Spectre Cloud's minimum requirements (8" screen, supported browser, internet connection) works at the press. The following specifications make the experience noticeably more practical in a workshop environment:

Specification Recommended Why it matters at the press
Screen size 10"–12" in landscape orientation Large enough to display the full spec sheet without excessive scrolling; small enough to mount without obstructing the work area
Screen type Matte finish or anti-glare Workshop lighting creates significant glare on glossy screens; matte finish maintains readability without brightness adjustments
Case Rugged or workshop-rated case Drill dust, coverstock particles, and occasional knocks are unavoidable in a working press environment
Screen protector Matte tempered glass Protects against abrasion from fine particles; matte finish reduces glare simultaneously
Battery Full charge at start of day; charging cable nearby A tablet that dies mid-drilling session forces a return to paper; keep a charger within reach of the mount
Connectivity Wi-Fi with strong signal at press location Spectre Cloud requires an active connection; confirm signal strength at the press before relying on it

🛠️ Setting Up the Tablet at the Press

  1. Mount the tablet using an adjustable arm or bench clamp — see section 8.2.2 for mounting guidance specific to the press environment.
  2. Position the screen at shoulder height or slightly below, angled toward your eye level at normal operating posture. The screen should be readable without moving toward it or tilting your head significantly.
  3. Confirm Wi-Fi connectivity at the mount position before relying on it in a live session. If the signal is weak at the press, consider a Wi-Fi extender or a wired ethernet adapter for the tablet if the device supports it.
  4. Log into Spectre Cloud on the tablet and keep the session active — most browsers will maintain the session across a working day without requiring re-login, but confirm this on your specific device and browser combination.
  5. Set the browser to full screen (F11 on most desktop browsers; the full-screen option in the browser menu on tablets) to maximise the working area on the spec sheet display.
  6. Confirm brightness is set for the workshop light level — higher than you would use at home, typically 70–100% in a well-lit workshop.

🎳 Drill Press Workflow With a Tablet

With the tablet mounted and Spectre Cloud open, the drilling workflow using a live spec sheet runs as follows:

  1. At the counter, complete the spec sheet fully and run the Oval Calculator. Confirm all values before moving to the press.
  2. At the press, open the bowler's spec sheet on the tablet — it syncs automatically from the counter session. Confirm the displayed values match what was finalised at the counter.
  3. Read the full spec sheet from top to bottom before picking up a drill bit — the same pre-drill review discipline applies regardless of whether you are working from a printed sheet or a live display.
  4. Work through the holes in your preferred order, checking each measurement field on the tablet before setting the corresponding value on the press.
  5. If a last-minute adjustment is needed — a pitch value, a hole size, an oval cut — update it on the tablet first, save the spec sheet, then proceed. Do not make undocumented adjustments at the press.
  6. After drilling, add any relevant notes to the spec sheet or Arsenal entry directly on the tablet while the details are fresh.

📌 Note: If you make changes to the spec sheet at the press, those changes sync back to the counter and any other logged-in devices immediately. A colleague at the counter will see the updated spec sheet in real time — useful in multi-staff shops where the counter and press are operated by different people.

✨ Keeping the Tablet Clean and Functional at the Press

A tablet at the drill press accumulates workshop debris faster than any other device in the shop. A few practical habits keep it functional and legible across a full working day:

⚠️ When Connectivity Drops at the Press

If the tablet loses its internet connection mid-session, Spectre Cloud's behaviour depends on what you are doing at the moment the connection drops:

⚠️ Verify with Spectre team: Confirm whether Spectre Cloud has any offline caching behaviour that allows recently viewed spec sheets to remain accessible without an active connection, and update the connectivity drop guidance above if so.

🏢 Multi-Staff Shops — Counter and Press on Separate Devices

In shops where one staff member handles the fitting at the counter and another does the drilling at the press, a tablet at the press running on a separate login allows both to work simultaneously from the same live spec sheet:

✨ Tip: The first time you use a tablet at the press in a live session, run through a complete drilling using a practice ball rather than a customer's equipment. The workflow of checking the tablet, setting the press, checking again, and drilling becomes second nature quickly — but the first session always surfaces a positioning or brightness adjustment that is much less stressful to discover on a scrap ball than on a customer's new equipment.