Unio Platform Documentation

1. Introduction

Overview

Unio is a powerful online platform designed to help individuals reconnect with old schoolmates and colleagues, expand their professional and social networks, and discover meaningful opportunities within their alumni communities. It provides secure and efficient tools for creating and managing alumni groups, tracking financial contributions, and fostering community-driven growth.

Target Users

• Former classmates or school alumni
• Professional colleagues and team members
• Community-based network administrators
• Association administrators

Core Benefits

• Simplifies Group Management: Easily create and manage alumni groups and their members.
• Efficient Contribution Tracking: Set up financial accounts and track member payments seamlessly.
• Real-time Visibility: Gain instant access to member and financial data through a centralized dashboard.
• Fosters Engagement: Build a strong, engaged, and supportive community through dedicated group features.

2. Getting Started

For Group Admins

1. Visit the Unio Platform at https://unio.co.ke.
2. Check if your group is already registered. If not, select "Create Group".
3. Fill out the registration form for your group and complete the subscription payment.
4. Once payment is verified, you can create your admin profile and log in to start managing your group.
5. After setting up the appropriate configurations, you can invite members to register.

For Members

1. Visit the Unio Platform.
2. Find and select your group.
3. Follow the instructions to register your profile and pay any required membership fees.
4. Once your admin has activated your account, you can log in and access all group features.

User Roles

• Group Admin: Creates and manages the alumni group, oversees all member and financial activities.
• Member: Registers under a specific group, pays their registration fees, and accesses all group features.
• Platform Admin: Oversees all groups on the platform and ensures system-wide compliance and security.

System Requirements

To ensure the best experience, please use a modern browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) on a device with a stable internet connection. The platform is optimized for both desktop and mobile use.

3. Platform Features

a. Group Registration & Subscription

Group admins can register their alumni groups and configure recurring annual or one-time subscription payments. Access to group features is restricted to members who have paid their fees, ensuring a committed and active community.

b. Member Registration & Categorization

Members can register under their respective groups and categorize themselves by year, such as "Class of 2012." This allows for easy filtering and organization of the member directory.

c. Contribution Accounts

Admins can create separate financial accounts for different purposes, such as "Welfare Fund" or "Events." This makes it easy for members to contribute to specific causes within the group and helps with financial transparency.

d. Payment-Activated Membership

Full membership access is granted only after a user's registration payment is successfully verified. The system supports real-time payment verification and notifications.

e. Member Management

The member management section allows admins to easily view, edit, and organize member data. You can segment members by year, status (active/inactive), or contribution history for streamlined communication and group oversight.

f. Payment Integration Configuration

The platform integrates with M-Pesa, Stripe, and PayPal. For M-Pesa, the Group admin must go to the "M-Pesa Configuration" section to add the necessary details and activate the Paybill for full functionality. This provides real-time payment verification and notifications to both members and admins.

g. Financial & Member Reporting

Admins have access to a dashboard with detailed reports on:

• Total collections for each fund
• Active and inactive member counts
• Pending payments

You can also export these reports to Excel for further analysis or record-keeping.

h. Expense Tracker

The built-in expense tracker allows admins to log all group expenses. This feature generates balance reports and financial summaries, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of group funds.

i. Secure Authentication & Authorization

Aluminux prioritizes security with role-based access controls, ensuring that users can only access information and features relevant to their roles. The platform also offers two-factor authentication (via SMS or Email) and uses data encryption to protect all information in transit and at rest.

4. User Interface Guide

• Dashboard: Provides a quick summary of your group, including key membership statistics and financial snapshots.
• Finance Tab: Manage contributions, expenses, and access financial reports.
• Members Tab: View the member directory, use filters to find specific members, and see year-based groupings.
• Settings: Configure payment options, update your group's Paybill number, and manage notification settings.
• Reports Tab: Download detailed financial and membership summaries in Excel format.

5. Technical Specifications

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Alpine.js
• Backend: Laravel
• Database: MySQL
• Payment Integration: M-Pesa, Stripe, PayPal
• Hosting: DigitalOcean
• Security: SSL, OAuth 2.0

APIs & Integrations

• M-Pesa, Stripe, PayPal APIs
• SMS gateway for OTP and notifications
• Email service (e.g., SendGrid)

Data Management

• The platform performs daily backups to protect against data loss.
• All user data is encrypted for maximum security.
• The platform follows data protection practices compliant with international standards like GDPR.

6. FAQs & Troubleshooting