TicketRodeo offers different solutions to accurately and professionally validate the e-tickets and admit patrons to the event. The best solution for your event depends on the size of the event, number of gates, availability of the internet at the gate and your budget.

Printing Admission List 

• Size of the event: 1 to 150 attendees through the gate
• Estimated cost: No cost
• Maximum number of gates: 1
• Internet Connection at the gate: not required

This is the most basic method that works for small events. You can use the “Delivery Reports” section of ticketrodeo to print the “Admission List” and take it to the venue. The gate keeper has to verify each e-ticket against the list and mark each admitted ticket to catch the duplicates.  The sale should end sometime before you print the admission list.

Use a Smartphone, Tablet 

• Maximum size of the event: 150 to 1,500 attendees through the gate
• Estimated cost: Costs of owning a smart device with a camera
• Maximum number of gates: Unlimited
• Internet connection at the gate: Preferred – If not available, offline validation should be used

In this method you can use a smartphone or tablet (we will call it the "device" going forward) and an optional Bluetooth scanner connected to the device.  You will use either the device camera or an external barcode scanner to read the barcode or the QR code. Then the numeric code is transferred to the device for validation.  

Use a Smartphone, Tablet and Computer with Barcode Scanner 

• Maximum size of the event: 1,500 or more attendees through the gate
• Estimated cost: Costs of owning a smart device with a camera and computer with external barcode.  Cost associated with internet service.
• Maximum number of gates: Unlimited
• Internet connection at the gate: Preferred – If not available, offline validation should be used

In this method you can use a laptop with a barcode scanner along with several smartphones and tablets.  Just like in the medium size events, the numeric code is transferred to the device for validation.  The device communicates with TicketRodeo's server through internet to validate the ticket against a central list and shows the validation result on the screen. This method ensures that all gate control devices validate against a single, central list and they are always in sync. Moreover, they have access to the most recent information which means you can keep selling tickets, adding new tickets, making returns even after you open the gates and the devices accommodate for all the updates.

The device you use to scann the ticket will communicate with TicketRodeo's server through internet to validate the ticket against a central list.  It will show the validation result on the screen. This method ensures that all gate control devices validate against a single, central list and they are always in sync. Moreover, they have access to the most recent information which means you can keep selling tickets, adding new tickets, making returns even after you open the gates and the devices accommodate for all the updates.

If you do not have access to internet at the gate, you can still use the gate control system with some limitation. After you select the event:

• Select "Offline" as the validation method.
• Select the "Number of gates". All devices should have the same value.
• Select the gate number that each device scans. For example, if you have 3 gates, one device should be assigned to gate #1, one device to gate #2 and one to gate #3. Label each device with the gate number. If you have more than 1 gate, since the devices cannot communicate through the network and so there is no central list to be used, each gate should only admit a subset (a range) of tickets so that duplicates can be identified. To achieve that, each subset of patrons MUST enter from a specific gate. On the e-tickets and beneath the barcode there is a value starting with "G". This value ranges from "G1" to "G10". As you select the gate number, the system will tell you which G values are being admitted by this gate/device. You should make signs that explain which gate each person should use to enter based on the "G" value on their ticket. So gate 1 may only admit G1,G2, and G3 and other gates admit the rest.
• Click on "Download data" button to download the list of valid barcodes to your device.

Notes:

• Make sure to download/refresh data after all modification (add, update, delete) to the tickets are done. If you happen to need to add/delete tickets after you downloaded, you need to come back to this page and refresh the data. Selling tickets is OK and you can continue the sale after you download the date.
• If you are using offline method, do not reload data after you start scanning tickets. The entries information will be overwritten and so the duplicate tickets may not be caught.
• If you are using offline method, Returns and Refunds should be disabled after you download the data.

For Medium and Large events, where you expect a lot of audience to show up at the same time, speed is very important. One person with bad or forgotten tickets or the tickets that do not scan or validate, may hold the line for several minutes. It is nice if you can have somebody with a bigger tablet or laptop who can handle the special cases. If the gate controller cannot scan the tickets, they can simply move the person to that special line and keep the line going.

Scanning with one hand using a Bluetooth Device: 

The recommended Bluetooth scanners are designed in a way to easily get attached to the phone. You can use a double tape such as Scotch® Reusable Tapes to attach them to the back of your phone.

For other scanners, you can hold the scanner in one hand and keep the smartphone on a shelf, in your pocket or hanged on your chest. You will hear the audible beep and if you hear an invalid beep, you will need to take a look at the screen.  In this scenario, we recommend using a headphone in case the environment is too noisy.

If you need consultation on the brand or devices or want to purchase or rent your devices from us, please check out the ticketrodeo store.