Next generation tickets for SA venues

"South Africa can rightfully be considered amongst world leaders in the development and management of access control systems," says Jans Wessels, director of DexSecurity Solutions. He says spectator safety, fraud, bribery and forged tickets are stumbling blocks at mass gatherings world-wide.

"Organisers of sports meetings, music concerts and big exhibitions all over the world lose as much as 20% of gate money because of fraud and illegal tickets," Wessels says. Some of the most common fraudulent practices are used tickets being passed on through the fence to friends waiting outside, or the duplication of tickets using commonly accessible scanners and colour printers. This will no longer be possible.

The barcode contains encrypted information that is read by gate scanners. As part of each scan, the ticket is checked that it is for the correct event, correct gate and that it has not already been used or been red-listed. Within milliseconds the system will provide visual confirmation if the ticket is valid and if the ticket holder can access the venue. If linked to a turnstile-type gate, the lock mechanism will be opened to allow access.

Scanners are all linked to a central venue control server and software. The system centrally provides real-time information on all gates and stadium capacities.

Wessels says besides the loss of income for the organisers, the safety and comfort of millions of people are affected each day by poor access control. Scores of people have lost their lives in recent years as a result of problems caused by poor access control.

The Dex stadium access control technology has been implemented by Cricket South Africa at various stadiums, as well as many sports venues overseas. There are also mobile solutions for smaller gatherings on a rental basis.

During the 2003 Cricket World Cup tournament in South Africa, the successful rollout of the system prevented over 15 000 recorded fraudulent attempts to access venues.