Ticket scanning
Ticket scanning is reading the code on a ticket and getting a plain yes or no back before the next person has finished walking up.
Ticket scanning is the act of reading a ticket's code with a camera or a handheld reader and checking it against the list of valid places. The answer has three possible meanings: valid, already used, or not for this event. Anything more nuanced than that slows the entrance down.
What makes a scan fast
Speed comes from the answer, not the camera. A helper who has to read a line of text before deciding is slower than one who only has to see a colour. Good scanning apps answer with colour and sound first, and put the detail underneath for the rare case that needs it.
The second factor is how quickly the camera re-arms. If it pauses for a second after each scan, that pause is multiplied by every person in the queue. It is worth timing this yourself before you trust a scanner on a busy night.
Preparing the people, not the software
Most door problems are people problems. Decide in advance who stands where, who handles the exceptions, and who is allowed to let someone in without a ticket. Two helpers with clear roles beat four who are all improvising.
Then rehearse once. Buy a test ticket, scan it, scan it again, and see what the red screen looks like on the actual phone in the actual light. Five minutes of this removes almost every surprise, especially outdoors after dark.
Scanning with Passavo
You scan tickets at the door with the phone the helper already carries; there is no separate reader to buy or charge. The ticket scanner app is part of the plan, including the free one, so a free ticket scanner is not something you have to go looking for.
Using a phone as a scanner also means you can add a second or a third gate at short notice. Every device reports to the same overview, so a code used at one entrance only ever counts once.
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Common questions
Do we need to buy scanners?
No. The camera on an ordinary phone is enough. Some venues add a handheld reader for very high volumes, but it is an option rather than a requirement.
Can a printed ticket be scanned?
Yes. A code printed at home reads exactly the same as one on a screen, and in bright sunshine it often reads faster.