RFID for Events: Top 10 Myths Busted

Events with integrated RFID solutions for Access Control, Cashless Payment, and Experiential benefit from improved operational efficiencies, increased on-site revenue and enhanced patron experience. We might be a bit biased, but we’ve seen it happen over and over. If you’re one of those organizers who is considering using RFID technology but are skeptical, you’re not alone. It’s important to evaluate all aspects of new event technology to make sure it’s the right fit for you. We get it. That’s why we put this list together to help you in your quest for RFID glory.

Myth #1: RFID is Not Secure

RFID is proven to be more secure than any other identification technology such as barcodes, magnet stripes and chip cards currently on the market. Security of an RFID platform has more to do with the entire makeup of the system including user management, data management, and server security. Intellitix’s Cashless Payment solution is the only system of its kind to have achieved the EAL3+ Common Criteria Certification, ensuring the system follows the highest security standards.

Our RFID platform eliminates ticket fraud, theft, and loss of money, making it more secure than carrying cash or credit cards around a live event site. Unlike transit cards like the Oyster Card, no cash or sensitive payment information is ever held on the actual wristband itself. If the wristband is lost or stolen, no money is at risk and the wristband can easily be deactivated and immediately replaced without losing any credit if it’s been registered.

Myth #2: RFID Relies on Wifi

Intellitix uses a server-connected system that does not operate off the public Internet. In the event that the local connection with the on-site server is down, our Access Control entry portals and Cashless POS terminals continue to operate in non-server-connected mode without a hitch, ensuring 100% uptime across the event without any entry or payment disruptions. Bar, food and retail concessions will always be able to take Cashless Payments with speed and security.

RFID wristband for an event

Myth #3: RFID Threatens Privacy

Using a mobile phone, buying anything online (including a ticket) and owning a credit card involves sharing far more data than having fun at a festival while wearing an RFID wristband. There is the concern that it is a bit ‘Big Brother’ and that wearables let people spy on you. That’s not true; data sharing is entirely optional for the end-user. No data about a patron is shared with a third party without their express permission or knowledge. Should a patron choose to share their data with a brand or sponsor, it would be entirely up to them. The heart of the festival experience remains unaffected by RFID and patrons can still use the technology without sharing their personal details.

Myth #4: RFID Tracks Your Every Move

Unlike Google, RFID wristbands do not have the capability of tracking every move. The RFID tags that Intellitix uses at live events are passive and have a short read range meaning that it only registers a location if it is being used. Unless the patron actively places their wristband close to a reader (such as a festival entrance to validate their access rights, or to take part in a sponsored brand activation like a photo booth or contest) their location is unknown.

The use of RFID wristbands is not to monitor or track individuals, it’s primarily used to manage the influx of large crowds at an event and allow cashless payments at your event. RFID can also provide insightful post-event analytics, enabling organizers to personalize the festival experience and improve offerings for future events.

Mysteryland USA Cashless
A cashless payment being made via RFID wristbands at MysteryLand USA

Myth #5: RFID is Too Complicated for my Guests

Technology has gone a long way, and using RFID and similar tech like NFC are quite common now days. Chances are, if you have an iPhone, you have used Apple Pay to buy a coffee at Starbucks. So to a majority of people, the concept of tapping is not foreign and definitely not difficult.

RFID solutions have been readily adopted by over 15 million patrons across the world’s largest festivals. Patron communication is key for a seamless deployment, which includes education on how to use the RFID wristbands, how the technology benefits them, and any event-specific policies. Patrons will have more time to spend enjoying the festivities and less time worrying about hitting the ATM or waiting in long queues.

Myth #6: RFID Makes Guests Spend More Than They Intend to

Although the speed and convenience of Cashless Payments result in a higher lift in on-site revenue compared to cash or credit cards, registered guests receive email notifications of every transaction they’ve made with their RFID wristbands. They also have the ability to view their transaction history online. This provides guests with complete transparency in their spending, allowing them to control their finances. What our Cashless Payment solution does really well is speed up bar and concession queues, giving customers what they want, when they want it. Also, any leftover funds on their account will be refunded post-event so the guest never needs to worry about that leftover cash after the event.

Myth #7: RFID Closed-Loop Cashless Systems Lack Real-Time Reporting

A closed-loop system does not mean transactions are made in a non-server-connected environment. On the contrary, a closed-loop system operates on a secure, private network ‘closed’ off from the outside world, including public Internet, with all cashless POS terminal connected and synced to the local server located on the event site. This serves to be an advantage for event organizers as it ensures cashless payments can always be processed with 100% uptime free of network interruptions while capturing all purchasing data for real-time reporting capabilities.

Myth #8: RFID Can’t Enhance my Event Experience

From the event organizer’s point of view, by leveraging the real-time data captured from RFID technology, they can improve their event on the fly or enhance future event content and site planning. For instance, data on how many patrons are entering the event from a specific access area allows organizers to immediately allocate more staff to help speed up entry during peak traffic periods. Learning which products and vendors are the top-sellers ensures festival-goers will get to enjoy more of what they like without running low on inventory.

A preview of the Intellitix analytics dashboard

Organizers, vendors, and sponsors also have the opportunity to extend fan engagement post-event with exclusive content, offers and promotions based on their interests and RFID activities. Events are only scratching the surface with what they can do with the Big Data captured through RFID technology. From the patron’s point of view, being able to transact on an event site without having to carry banknotes, credit cards, debit cards, or a smartphone, and to do this with a degree of efficiency never before achieved is one of the greatest changes made in live events. The technology platform is convenient, secure and smart. It brings the holistic event experience to a whole other level.

Myth #9: RFID is Too Expensive to Deploy

To be frank, the benefits of RFID solutions significantly outweigh the cost to implement the technology, and in many ways can help save costs for the event organizer and increase revenue opportunities.

Our closed-loop Cashless Payment system has proven to increase on-site guest spending by up to 15-30% compared to traditional methods of payment due to the speed of the transaction and advanced Top-Ups, among many other reasons. Real-time digital reporting eliminates the need to count or weigh physical tokens, while significantly reducing staffing and security costs for cash handling processes.

Experiential initiatives also boost sponsorship opportunities by delivering analytics-based insight and ROI to brand partners. In fact, our business model is a reflection of this reality: we only make money if the event organizer generates more income than they would have without the use of our solutions.

Myth #10: RFID is Just a Fad

There is no doubt that RFID is reshaping the live event landscape and the rise of Cashless Payment technology shows no signs of slowing down, as consumers all over the world have grown to trust and understand the technology. Despite development in NFC mobile payments, there are limitations to using smartphones in current-day festival environments such as lack of signal, battery drainage, lack of charging stations, lost or stolen phones, and compatibility issues with different phone platforms. In contrast, RFID technology has been used in various industries for almost 50 years and the use of RFID wristbands is accessible to all patrons.

Conclusion

The core of our philosophy is that the Intellitix platform with RFID technology should improve the experience at events for the organizer and their guests, bridging digital technology with real-life experiences. So rest assured these myths are exactly that – myths that need to be put to bed. The myriad of benefits to organizers, vendors, and consumers are simply too great to ignore. Humans are resistant to change unless they experience the benefits of what is new first hand. We hope that by debunking these myths, you hold better confidence in RFID technology. If you’d like to learn more about RFID and have any questions, feel free to contact Intellitix today.

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