Table of Contents
Ticket Takers
This article describes how to setup ticket control at the door with or without internet connection.
Hardware requirements
To setup the ticket control point you will need a computer, and optionally, a scanner attached. Inexpensive used scanners are relatively easy to find on eBay and other online auction sites. Be sure that the scanner you buy is compatible with your computer. If possible, the best way is to print a ticket and to try to scan it before you make the purchase.
You should also ensure that the barcode scanner understands the barcode type you use. A barcode is nothing more than a series of black and white lines read with a barcode scanner. The number represented by a barcode usually appears below the barcode. Using a scanner is the same as typing the number on the keyboard but obviously quicker and more convenient.
There are many different barcode types. By default, Fusion Ticket uses “3 of 9” encoding. Additionally, be sure that the scan area of the scanner is large enough.
Scanners tested with Fusion Ticket:
- Wasp WCS3900 CCD Barcode scanner. Tested 4/25/2009
This is an inexpensive, lightweight scanner, designed for light to medium use. This scanner has a 6' USB cord which is ideal for laptops. No software or drivers required and it scans code 39 barcodes (standard in Fusion Ticket) by default. Just plug it in, point the scanner at the Fusion Ticket barcode, and press the trigger.
The Wasp has a scan range of 1.5” (38mm), which is fine for event tickets. Buy the optional stand, configure the scanner for 'continuous', and you can scan tickets as fast as you can slide them under the light. Keep your barcodes under 3” (76mm) in width.
Advanced users can change the configuration, including barcode type, by simply scanning the proper barcodes in the manual; so, don't buy this unit used unless it comes with the manual.
I used this scanner at an outdoor festival. 400 entrants arrived with the email tickets they printed on their home printers. The wasp recognized 396 barcodes; the 4 it could not read were poor quality printing. ~Lou555
On-line ticket control
If you have internet in the venue, Setup the on-line control point that uses the web server. Otherwise, setup an off-line control point.
Access the ticket taker interface online if you have internet in the venue. The only software you need is a web browser. However, for performance reasons (slow connection) you may prefer the off-line setup described in the next part.
The person collecting the tickets directs the browser to: http://yourhost/Fusionticket/ control/control.php
Enter login and password. Choose the event.
The main screen of the ticket taker interface is a simple input field for processing a ticket. Enter the ticket number, located below the barcode, and click “Check”, or scan the barcode and then click on submit. Some scanners can be setup to send an ’Enter’ key after the barcode value, in this case there is no need for the keyboard.
If the ticket is valid you will see the ’OK’ screen with information about the ticket: category, seat, row etc. The ticket is marked as controlled. If you try to control the same ticket (same barcode) twice you will see an error.
Other errors include invalid barcode or invalid event.
Another feature of the ticket taker interface is the search screen. You can search for the patron’s information by personal information, seat number, or order number. This is useful for looking up the status of a ticket, or the purchaser, but cannot process (control) a ticket.
Off-line ticket control
If there is no internet connection at the venue, you can install Fusion Ticket on a local computer, and then import event data into it.
If the local computer is under Linux or MacOSX, the installation is the same as on the server. If Windows, it is necessary to install Apache, MySQL and PHP first and then install the Fusion Ticket Program.
Export event data
In the online server admin go to the Export/Import screen and choose Event in XML. Select the event then click on ’Export it!’. Save the XML file.
Import event data
In the local computer admin go to Export/Import and choose Event in XML. Upload the file. The event data is now in the local computer.
Direct your browser to the local ticket taker interface and use it as explained in the On-line section.
It is possible to repeat the export-import procedure many times for the same event. This can be useful if the import did not succeed for some reason, or if new orders are available after previous import.
However, do not re-import data after starting the control (ticket taking) because this will put controlled (taken) tickets back to a non-controlled state.
