Five Types of Ticket Scanner Systems

Choices in Ticket Scanner Systems Indoors and Out

Whether you are an outdoor theater with limited Internet or cell phone connectivity, or you're located in a state of the art facility, we have ticket scanner systems for ThunderTix customers that use one of these four types of scanners:

The Motorola LS4208 barcode scanner with USBUSB connected scanners
Connected to the USB port of an Internet connected tablet, laptop or desktop computer, a USB scanner is an excellent, rapid scanning, and inexpensive barcode scanner providing real-time access to the ThunderTix ticket database.

iPhone & iPad Mobile Scanner with ThunderTix

Your iPhone and iPad can now be a stand-alone scanner station with the new ThunderTix Scanner app. Connected to the 3G/LTE network or your local area WIFI network, the app will scan customer tickets using its built-in camera. Not as fast as the above mentioned USB station, but incredibly mobile and Free if you already have either Apple product. The barcode scanner app is also a ticket sales app with the ability to sell event tickets as well as scan barcodes.

Internet connected portable scanner
These heavy duty units often come equipped with optional pistol grips for added comfort. A little bit slower than USB scanners, their slower speed is more than made up by their mobility. These units are best used for facilities with excellent signal strength, multiple entrances, and heavy use. These scanners cost from $1500-2500 each to purchase .

Cell phone enabled scanners
Currently supported via cellular network, cell-enabled scanners provide scanning capability in areas with limited Internet connectivity but strong cell service. These scanners also offer real-time scanning to your ThunderTix ticket database for multi-entrance use. Note - ThuderTix ticket scanner systems do not include cell-phone range boosters.

Wi-fi systems
These systems consist of several components: laptop with installed scanning software, handheld scanners, and router. Outdoor facilities with limited connectivity to Internet or cellular networks and multiple gates are best served with these units. With preloaded lists of barcodes, these systems communicate with each other via the base unit to flag duplicate or invalid tickets. To provide real-time fraud scanning, online ticket sales must be closed to the public prior to the start of scanning and your facility must have access to an AC power outlet.

Ticket Scanner Systems In Action

A quick example of how scanners work at an event:

  • When the ticket is presented for admittance to the show, the bar code is scanned to check the validity of the event name, date and time.
  • If the ticket is valid, ThunderTix will return a valid response in a large green box, displaying the buyer’s name and bar code ID.
  • If the ticket is not valid, ThunderTix will return a response in a large red box, stating “Invalid”.
  • If an electronic PDF ticket has been duplicated fraudulently, the second attempt to enter the show with the same barcode ID will return a large red box with a response stating that the barcode is a “Duplicate” so that the appropriate measures can be taken by the venue agent.

More information is available on our Barcode Ticket Scanner Systems feature page.

We offer ticket scanner systems for events using commercial grade barcode ticket scanning, handheld scanner rentals and upgrade purchases, when you sign-up for the ThunderTix software that connects it all together. If you have questions, please contact us, we’d love to help you become our newest customer!

For more information on ticket scanner systems, check out our other guides.