Stadiums and music halls are reopened, and RFID and NFC integrated payment can be used

LiveNation, the promoter of the music event, will provide RFID wristbands for the audience attending the concert during the music event. With the support of Appetize's contactless payment system, music lovers can use RFID wristbands to touch payment or mobile wallets, and then use their credit or debit cards to complete related payments, thereby ensuring that the organizer can speed up the service provided by the organizer. Can reduce people's contact points in the crowd.

According to Appetize, Appetize Payments will help users use a unified payment system. Kevin Anderson, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Appetizers, explained that the solution stems from customers wanting to make payments more simplified for the sale of food and beverages in sports and music events.

Now, in addition to Appetize products other than sports and entertainment, the payment system can also be applied to places such as scenic spots, catering services, education and restaurants. The payment system consists of integrated POS equipment, self-service fixed payment terminals and related payment software. Appetize's software allows payment devices to switch between stores, revenue centers, and service models. The company's Interact software realizes self-service through self-service payment terminals and mobile networks, while Connect is a web-based management backend that provides a real-time analysis, report, and management platform that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Kevin Anderson said that Appetize Payments has been in development for about a year, mainly to provide an alternative for companies that need payment solutions. Generally speaking, venues need an ordering system, a payment solution with hardware, another system for processing payments, and sometimes a dedicated RFID or NFC function provider. Each self-service fixed payment terminal and mobile payment terminal can accept payments with the NFC system through credit card and cash, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and can also install HF RFID wristbands, so users do not need to touch You can purchase the product.


Anderson added: "Appetize Payments allows us to combine ordering software with payment software, including gateways and computing units." He explained that with the reopening of stadiums after the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the company has noticed increasing interest in the two contactless payment methods, QR codes and RFID. For example, sports teams are discussing providing wristbands for season ticket holders.

The company will acquire RFID-enabled wristbands with built-in 13.56 MHz RFID tags that comply with ISO 14443 or 15693. The unique ID number in each can be associated with the credit or debit account information of a specific wearer in the Appetize Payments system. Then, the user can pay by tapping the wristband on the terminal.

The system can also operate as a gift card, pre-storing funds in an account associated with the wristband. For the wearer and the stadium, the advantage of this system is that as the number of cards and cash exchanged decreases, the payment transaction is completed quickly, and the time required to queue is shortened. In addition, Anderson said that the RFID function can be used in the membership system, and users can earn points or get discounts based on their purchases. The QR code-based payment system supports mobile ordering. Therefore, individuals can scan the QR code to place an order and then pay with a mobile phone.

Anderson said: "In the post-new crown pneumonia era, people are seriously studying how to deal with funds." Take the company’s customer base as an example. They want a simple and convenient one-stop shop. Appetize Payments is a comprehensive solution with a 20% to 25% lower overall cost, because users no longer need to purchase separate software, gateway, and payment processor vendors.
Anderson claimed that the payment hardware and software provided by Appetize Payments have been used in two-thirds of the US stadiums and some large-scale clubs and theaters. In addition, these devices are also used in scenarios such as higher education, business catering, airports, leisure, conference centers, and home entertainment.

Some stadiums and entertainment venues are implementing "zero cash" solutions to reduce capital processing, and RFID technology just provides them with an alternative. Anderson pointed out, "In the past few years, our customers thought that RFID and NFC were cool and shiny things, but few people used it." However, this situation has changed. Anderson added: "Due to the limited contact points between people during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are encouraging people to use RFID and NFC technology because it is more hygienic and faster."

The minor league baseball team Everett AquaSox adopted this solution at Everett Memorial Stadium (also known as Funko Field), but so far there is no RFID or QR code. According to team general manager Danny Tetzlaff (Danny Tetzlaff), since the venue was allowed to reopen at full capacity, approximately 2,500 people have participated in each game. Previously, the team had 20 points of sale and used FIS's digital payment system, ELO POS equipment and a separate POS platform.
Some technologies in this solution are being phased out. Therefore, the stadium needs a new solution. The Appetize system includes a point of sale with a touch screen that will display the food purchased by the customer. Whether the individual is paying by cash, debit or credit card, or using an NFC-based Apple pay or Google pay account, the solution will process the payment. Tetzlaff said the team will continue to accept cash payments, and currently about 20% of payments are made in this way.

Baseball fans also pay through the AquaSox app. Because the app is connected to Appetize, users can stay in the stadium seat, comfortably choose food and beverages, place orders, and receive order information. Afterwards, they went to a dedicated window to pick up the food and beverages they had ordered, where they could pick up the order without having to line up. "In this regard, we have achieved great success," Tezlav said. "Although the payment system has faced some challenges as our audience number has increased, on July 4, a large number of spectators watched in the stadium. For baseball games and fireworks displays, the system did withstand a lot of tests due to the huge number of spectators."