If there is something that characterizes our society, it is the culture of change and immediacy. The here and now are two terms that are very present in our day to day. It is not surprising, then, that with social transformations together with how the pandemic has changed our daily life as we knew it, new ways of relating and consuming arise.
Proof of this are the cashless methods that have burst onto the scene in recent years at major events, such as festivals, concerts and stadiums, revolutionizing the leisure sector. It is a system that makes use of NFC (Near-Field Communication) or RFID (radio frequency identification) technology through a physical medium, such as a bracelet or card, to make payments within the enclosure.
Although it is true that the best known solutions within contactless and cashless payments are those mentioned above through a card, bracelet or other wearable with NFC technology, currently the possibilities are much broader, since purchases at festivals and events can be made without giving up any form of payment through the use of an intelligent POS that we have developed at Gofun, which allows you to process all payment methods (NFC, bank cards, mobile phone and even cash itself) on the same device.
A wide range of possibilities that translates into a reduction in waiting times and an increase in consumption and enjoyment time. Because thanks to this revolutionary innovation in the sector, detailed information can be made available in real time, greater flexibility and convenience in payments and, in turn, increased safety for attendees and workers.
How does it work?
The operation of payment by NFC device at events is simple. Users just only need to put on the bracelet or have the card at hand (in which a small device is incorporated) to use both things as a payment method in the different services. The staff, through a mobile terminal or smart POS, scan it and, this way, you pay for your product or drink.
In case of using the bank card or telephone, it is a widely known process: we would simply have to bring them to the POS as we usually do in our daily lives, wait for them to confirm that the operation is correct and that would be it.
The 10 advantages of choosing cashless payments at events
Below, we list some of the advantages of betting on cashless technology with which it is very clear to us why it has become the favorite payment method in events:
1. Real time information
Opting for cashless payment allows the company to have greater control of everything that happens here and now. How much a user spends on average, which products are consumed more and which less, or at what time of the event spending increases are some of the data that can be consulted in real time. Information that helps in decision-making and that is vital for optimizing resources in the future, anticipating unforeseen events and getting to know customers better.
2. Queues and time saving
The immediacy of payment with an NFC device or through a POS that allows all kinds of payment, manages to considerably reduce the queues that form in the bars of festivals or concerts and, therefore, also the user’s waiting times. And it is due to removing the process of looking for the wallet, taking out the money, waiting for the change… The transaction lasts barely a second when it is done ‘at the stroke’ of the wrist or with a bank card, avoiding possible crowds.
3. More safety and control
The digitization of the payment provides greater security to the transaction, since the possibility of an error occurring, both in the payment and in the collection, is eliminated. Likewise, cashless payment reduces the risk of loss, robbery or theft, since this type of media has an integrated anti-theft system, with a nominal balance, which prevents another person from using the balance in the event of theft or loss.
4. Increase of the consumption
The payment system through wearables, bank card or mobile, among others, reverts to an increase in the consumption of those attending the event. In fact, in recent years bar consumption at events such as festivals or concerts has increased. And it is that this tool offers the user much more comfort when making the payment. Likewise, the user can recharge their device at authorized points or simply from their mobile.
5. User experience improvement
The reduction in waiting times at the bars and in other services that offer massive events such as concerts or festivals provides greater peace of mind to the attendee. An aspect that translates into a substantial improvement in the user experience by being able to invest their time in enjoying the experience of the event.
6. Boost your brand
The fact of having an object such as a bracelet or card to make payments becomes a branding element with which to enhance your brand. In fact, there are many festival lovers who, at the end of the event, keep the bracelet as a souvenir of that unforgettable experience. In this sense, it is a totally customizable wearable to bring it as close as possible to your brand image.
7. More functionalities and events
Cashless payment can be used in countless events, whether festivals and concerts, as well as in stadiums, fairs, markets, nightclubs or venues, among others. And it is that the amount of functionalities, uses and possibilities this technology offers makes it adaptable to all types of spaces.
8. Access control
In addition to being able to make the payment immediately and quickly, this method can be used to assign different licenses and entry passes. All this with the aim of improving access control for both attendees and staff or guests. Thus, attendees can access the different areas more efficiently and safely, such as the VIP area, the press room, the backstage…
9. Exclusive products
Cashless technology allows you to create, before attending the event, a personal account in which, in addition to being able to recharge the NFC device, the user has access to benefits, such as discounts, exclusive promotional items or vouchers, among others.
10. Offline operations
Unlike credit cards, cashless payments do not require internet connectivity to carry out the transaction, so if you bet on this technology you ensure 100% efficiency of the payment and collection service.
In this sense, it is not surprising that more and more events are betting on the cashless payment method, a technology that provides numerous benefits, both for the company and for the attendee, transforming the event experience from the beginning to the end. And all this, with a single flick of the wrist.
