Eventbrite is a self-servicing ticketing platform that allows people to create and share their events with others, wherever they may be. On March 21, 2012, in San Francisco, the company announced the release of 'At The Door Card Reader', which allows for credit card payments to be collected securely for any kind of event, using 'At The Door' iPad application. The card reader makes it easy and fast to collect payments and print tickets, offering Eventbrite users a complete on site sales solution and convenience to the attendees of the event. This is the company's first piece of hardware and when used with the application (At The Door), offers a full box office solution.
The reader can be used to accept credit card payments to events of all sizes, merchandise, VIP packages and much more. The credit card reader can be purchased on the company's online store, (Brite Store) for free. Organizers will purchase a reader for $10 and this amount, will be automatically reimbursed in the purchaser's Eventbrite account. Prior to the launch, the card reader was tested successfully at many high profile events such as Meatopia, The Orange County BBQ Festival and the IFPDA Print Faire. This reader will be a part of the mobile box office solution for the anticipated Governors Ball Music Festival, which will be taking place on Roosevelt Island, June 23-24, in New York City.
In addition to the apps ability to accept credit card payments, Eventbrite also offers wireless printing capabilities for printing receipts and event tickets. It also makes it easier for the event organizer to keep track of important data from on-site sales. The app provides a full comprehensive picture of sales from both on-site and online at Eventbrite's website. This makes it easier to view the behaviors and preferences of the people who attend, as well as the ability to keep in touch with them. Eventbrite's CEO and Co-Founder Kevin Harts had this to say, "At The Door transforms an off-the-shelf iPad into a paradigm-shifting tool for managing sales and events. We're essentially taking the devices that are proliferating among consumers and transforming them into perfectly-tailored tools for event organizers, at no cost, and with greater impact than anything previously available" (Parry, 2012).
Other features of the app include:
- Optimized checkout flow, allowing the application to process more than 400 transactions per hour.
- The reader connects to the 30-pin adapter (instead of the headphone jack), meaning 'At The Door Card Reader' gets a good read every time, removing the need to swipe the card again and again.
- The use of wireless integration with the Star TSP143 printer for tickets and attendee's receipts.
- Cash drawer reconciliation within the application.
- Encryption on the reader, allowing for safe transactions and total protection on the iPad.
Sources:
- http://eventindustrynews.co.uk/blog/2012/03/21/eventbrite-turns-ipads-into-event-ticketing-terminals/
- http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/03/20/ticket-exchange-eventbrite-to-launch-credit-card-reader/
- http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/03/20/ticket-exchange-eventbrite-to-launch-credit-card-reader/
