Summary
FLOW includes a setting that controls whether users can sign up with an email address already linked to another account. This applies to both customers and staff members.
By default, this setting is enabled (set to 'Yes'), allowing multiple accounts to share the same email. However, it can be changed to 'No' to prevent duplicate email registrations. Changing this setting will not affect any duplicate accounts that were created before the update.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Access System Configuration
- From the home page, navigate to the System Configuration module.
- From the home page, navigate to the System Configuration module.
-
Go to Settings
- Click on Settings and select Manage Settings.
- Click on Settings and select Manage Settings.
-
Search for the Setting
- From the Category dropdown, select General Settings and click Search.
- Locate the setting "Allow users with duplicate emails" and click Edit.
- From the Category dropdown, select General Settings and click Search.
-
Update the Setting
- Select 'Yes' to allow duplicate email sign-ups.
- Select 'No' to prevent duplicate accounts from being created.
- Click Save to apply changes.
Effect of Changing This Setting
-
If set to 'Yes'
- Customers and staff members can create multiple accounts using the same email address.
-
If set to 'No'
- Users attempting to sign up with an email already in use will see the following error message:
"The email has already been taken". This include Staff Members who have both a Staff Account and a Customer Account.
- Users attempting to sign up with an email already in use will see the following error message:
Impact on Account Creation
1. When Creating Staff Member Accounts
- If an email is already in use, the system will display an error message preventing account creation.
2. When Creating Customer Accounts from the Front of House/Customers Module
- If duplicate emails are not allowed, staff will receive an error when attempting to create a customer with an existing email.
3. When a Customer Signs Up Online
- If duplicate emails are disabled, customers trying to register with an existing email will see the error message:
"The email has already been taken."
Possible solutions when the setting is enabled
Option 1: Search for an Existing Customer Profile
Before creating a new customer, check if the customer already has an account:
- Search for the customer using their email address or name.
- If the customer exists, update their existing profile instead of creating a duplicate.
Option 2: Use a Different Email Address
If the customer requires a separate account, consider using a different email address:
- Confirm with the customer whether they want to use an alternate email.
- Enter a new email address and proceed with account creation.
Preventative Tips
- Always search for an existing customer before creating a new one.
- Encourage customers to use a single email address for all bookings.
- Regularly audit customer accounts to remove duplicates if necessary.