Ever thought about organizing a large music festival, corporate conference, or charity run? They draw a large crowd, which brings along many security concerns. Some people need to be kept out, while others need to be ushered in. If you have VIP, backstage, or general admission zones the guests movement need to be controlled. Without the right solution it could be total chaos. Luckily there is a simple solution. Event wristbands. These accomplished a lot more than being a souvenir or piece of merchandise. They help to control the flow of traffic in an event. When used correctly, they add to the sophistication of your event and help it run more smoothly.
Access control has evolved significantly over the decades. Instead of paper tickets and checklists, where event staff would verify tickets and allow entry, access control methods have become more advanced. Then, plastic and fabric wristbands were introduced. These wristbands were more sophisticated than paper tickets, and would allow staff to quickly differentiate between VIPs and regular ticket holders. Access control has evolved significantly with the introduction of wristbands that contain RFID chips. These chips act as keys to access control systems. Scanners can read these wristbands quickly, and each wristband has a unique, non-falsifiable identifier. Vibbon has been producing wristbands since 2007 and has witnessed the evolution of event access control technology first hand. Vibbon's wristbands have everything today's access control methods required.
When it comes to access control, not all wristbands are the same, likely due to the kind of event you are hosting. If the event is fairly simple or small, a colored wristband will likely do the job. You can use different colored wristbands for different access levels. It is an inexpensive, simple solution. However, a colored wristband will not be appropriate for a larger event. In those cases, a Tyvek wristband may be a better solution because it is stronger and more difficult to tamper with. Tyvek wristbands work well for single-day events and often have bar codes on them. That can be scanned for access. For Festivals and conferences that last multiple days and require a lot of access control, RFID wristbands are the best option. They can be read by scanners from a short distance, so patrons just tap and go. They don't have to fumble for a ticket. The entry process is so much better with the right wristbands.
Let us examine the use of RFID Technology in access control. RFID chips use radio waves to transmit information. Each wristband has one programmed with unique ID, then linked in the computer system to ticket type and access level. General admission? VIP? Backstage? it's all in the data. There are scanners at the entry points. When people tap wristbands on the scanners, it reads the ID, and checks the database in a split second and either shows green or red. If green, they can walk in and red a staff can gently stop the person. It is fast, accurate, and helps in preventing a huge amount of ticket fraud. RFID access control helps in ticket fraud prevention. Because the system knows which ID is linked to which person, there is no way to swap wristband with a friend. That is why it is a game changer for large events.
Setting up the mapping for access zones is crucial prior to the beginning of your event. Where are the entry zones? Do you have a lounge for VIP people? Is there an area for performers? Is there a media area? All of these are individual zones where access control is needed. You choose the wristband IDs for each of the zones. You then need to configure your scanners for the different zone entrances. A person with a VIP wristband can access both the general area and the VIP lounge. Someone with a general admission band can access only the main area. A good software system greatly simplifies the layered access system for event managers. Everything remains organized and secure.
The unique details about each person are processed through a method called encoding. With RFID bands, there are different options for encoding. It involves either choosing a ticket type from your system, prior to shipment, or encoding and checking-in the participants once they arrive. For large-scale events, encoding bands before the event will generally save you more time upfront. Alternatively, you can have staff scan a band using a handheld device if it has a unique code or barcode printed on it. It is extremely important that you have a good encoding plan. Your wristband supplier will help you determine how to best integrate the encoding with your event's flow. When it comes to encoding custom solutions, Vibbon will help you navigate this the best.
Technology is only useful if your employees are trained to utilize it. Staff training is to be done before opening. Teach employees how the scanners work, and more importantly what the steps are in the case of a fail. Will they need to call a supervisor? Is there a manual override? Create a process. You should have ample scanners, enough to prevent bottlenecks. Make sure to pre-test every scanner to ensure that bands are read quickly and reliably. If scanning and entry is easy and fast, people will have a more positive view of the event.
Data is one of the greatest advantages of RFID wristbands. These wristbands allow you to track the real time number of people in various zones. You can hold people at an entrance if the VIP area is getting too crowded. You can also send staff to one of the entry gates if you notice it is moving slowly. Compared to the old way of using paper tickets to monitor crowds, access control with RFID wristbands allows you to monitor and manage the event more effectively and make real time decisions to make the experience better for people. Access control becomes more than just a way to manage capacity, it becomes a way to manage your event in real time.
Security is one of the biggest concerns when planning an event. This means understanding how robust your access control system is from being cheated. RFID wristbands are one of the most secure options. They are very difficult to replicate and each wristband contains a unique ID. If a band is lost or stolen, you are easily able to deactivate the band on your end. If someone finds a band and attempts to use it, the scanner will deny them. Tamper-evident bands are also an option and will indicate if someone has attempted to remove or readjust the band. All of these features will give you peace of mind knowing your event zones are secure and your attendees are safe.
Don't just throw the data away when the event is over. Look at the data and the insights it provides such as; how many people attended, the time of their attendance, the most visited areas, and the duration of their stay. This data is critical for planning your next event. It can help you improve the event layout, the number of staff needed, and event ticket pricing. The wristbands that managed access also provided you with loads of data and insights, which is like an additional bonus on top of a job well done.
When it comes to access control, the most important role wristbands play is making a very complicated job simple. Managing a crowd is very complex. It's everything from managing fraud and protecting people's safety, to giving you important data, to even improving customer service. Event attendees will be able to move about freely and quickly. From simple colored bands for small affairs to sophisticated RFID technology for large festivals, wristband systems are great investments. They allow you to concentrate on making the event great and the wristbands will deal with the rest.
