As limits on venue capacities slowly begin to ease and fans are welcomed back, the ability to configure entry areas to minimize personal interactions, support social distancing, and provide a safe, secure, and hygienic experience for guests and staff will be imperative.
Alvarado Opens a World of Possibilities for Venues
As limits on venue capacities slowly begin to ease and fans are welcomed back, the ability to configure entry areas to minimize personal interactions, support social distancing, and provide a safe, secure, and hygienic experience for guests and staff will be imperative.
For years, Alvarado’s solutions have provided a frictionless entry experience for fans worldwide. It’s this industry expertise that has allowed venues to seamlessly meet these “new normal” objectives.
“Prior to the pandemic, we saw explosive growth of our self-service ticket validation solutions due to the speed and security benefits”, said Alvarado’s Vice President of Sales, Brian McNeill. “Considering the added sanitary benefits, coupled with increased adoption of contactless and other more advanced digital tickets, we truly believe our solutions help ease newly implemented health and safety procedures as venues reopen”.
Return of the Turnstile
As many venues began to socially distance themselves from handheld ticket scanning devices, Alvarado turnstiles and smart technology played an integral part in transforming guest entry in the last year. “Turnstiles do a lot for fans and staff” said Beth Paul, General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Area during a recent State of the Industry Event. “Technology wise, all are impressed. Throughput times have gone up and wait times reduced”, Paul said. “Our staff’s morale has increased, and they take care of fans with a more personal approach now.”
Opening for small community events in May 2020, Beth leveraged a variety of opportunities in a safe way. “We were researching Alvarado and visited State Farm Arena. We ended up transitioning to the same Alvarado solution that they use, just in time for our hockey season.”
Flexible Scanning Options
From digital / printed barcodes, to NFC / RFID, Alvarado solutions provide superior validation of all types of credentials. Guests can smoothly and quickly self-scan their preferred media type for touch-free entry.
“Tap & Go” Digital Wallet Integration
Alvarado’s intelligent admission devices now feature the ultimate “tap-and-go” support for Apple VAS, Google Smart Tap and MIFARE smart tickets. Using highly secure NFC digital credentials, fans no longer have to fumble around trying to find the correct ticket on their phone. Instead, guests simply present their phone or smart watch to an Alvarado device to display the correct ticket automatically. Once authenticated, the ticket is validated for entry.
Added Security
Helping to ensure that each guest is validated upon entry, Alvarado’s swinging barrier turnstile includes an intelligent optical detection system that recognizes and notifies of instances such as tailgating or forced entry attempts. If such an attempt occurs, an alarm and / or custom lighting effects notify an attendant.
Highly Customizable
Alvarado’s admission solutions can leverage dynamic information obtained from ticketing systems, allowing venues to drive customized audio and visual greetings, plus alternative lighting effects. Additionally, units can direct certain guests to provide additional information for entry purposes based on the ticket they present. Many available aesthetic options allow Alvarado turnstiles to blend seamlessly into any environment. Custom cabinet colors, panel illumination in team or venue colors and logo etching on the moving or side panels are just a few of the customization options available.
Ticketing System Integration
Alvarado’s solutions works seamlessly with Alvarado’s widely used GateLink10 admission control software. A DirectConnect API is also available, supporting direct plug and play connections to widely used ticketing/access systems such as Ticketmaster (including Presence), Tickets.com, Paciolan, NeuLion, Accesso and many other ticketing companies in the collegiate, professional, performing arts and general admission space.
GateUtility Device Management Software
As an added benefit, all of Alvarado’s intelligent admission products come with GateUtility (GU). This browser-based application provides remote control of all Alvarado devices installed at a facility, allowing users to change screen graphics and sound files, open individual (or all) turnstile barriers to provide a clear passageway during or after event and update software and device configurations.
With over 20 years’ experience providing admission devices and access control software, Alvarado products help venues around the globe transform the access process throughout the venue.
