Billfold POS Unveils Access Control, Signals the Future of Personalization at Events

Billfold POS is launching its new Access Control feature. Expanding its RFID-based POS, the event management system will now allow event organizers to set up access gates and VIP areas, instantly accessible with a tap of a wristband. 

This is more than a fancy, wristband-enabled lock, however. Billfold Access Control’s screens turn what was once a meaningless moment into a new platform for engaging event patrons. When not showing an event-goer her access status, these screens do double duty as advertising and event information spaces, sharing messages from sponsors, special offers, or updates to the festival schedule. Access Control will soon offer a feature for patrons to upgrade their ticket to VIP on the display screens at the point of entry, charging the card linked to the customer’s RFID wristband.   

“Most access control solutions currently on the market don’t have displays or instant upgrades,” explains Billfold co-founder Stas Chijik. “They are simple green light/red light setups. We’ve added a display that opens up a new realm of possibilities for event organizers and operators and that lets patrons get VIP experiences with a tap of their wristband.”
 
Billfold Access will also provide a rich trove of data regarding movement through the event, starting with exit and entry information and eventually ending with long-range tracking of event patrons as they enjoy a venue or festival. Venue and festival owners will be able to gain deeper insight into where people go when, a helpful basis for future security, programming, and amenities planning. It is important for any event organizer or sponsor to have a full understanding of the customer journey which Billfold makes possible.  

This data will also power new approaches to signage and advertising at events, personalization akin to what consumers already expect online. “It’s not a big leap to imagine out-of-home ads at events becoming far more dynamic and personal,” Stas says. “If a customer is approaching a digital billboard, for example, the screen would only offer ads relevant to that attendee, based on previous purchases. Stage signage could respond to who’s actually in the crowd and shift to display more relevant information, letting sponsors reach the right audience. Our system can take online marketing into the real world and apply the same customization you find online in an offline setting.”

In addition to these leading-edge capabilities, Access Control’s design is informed by the highly practical perspectives of seasoned food and beverage operators. Billfold will reduce bottlenecks at VIP gates in the same way it cuts lines at the bar, by dramatically increasing efficiency. Designed to be shock and water-proof, Billfold’s access point screens and scanners can be set up in a matter of hours and are built with festival conditions in mind. 

About Billfold

For many years, Billfold has helped clients better use their resources and improve revenue performance. How? By streamlining event operations and changing guests’ spending behaviors. 

Billfold is a wireless point-of-sale system that delivers RFID technology to on-premise payments at large-scale events and venues, and helps boost customer spending by up to 67%. Patrons use Billfold’s self-serve kiosks to activate RFID wristbands onsite and create a secure connection to their credit cards in less than 30 seconds. Alternatively, if the wristbands are mailed out prior to the event, guests can activate them on their computer or phone directly through the event website. Once the wristband has been activated, patrons don’t need to return to the kiosks to add more credit. Instead, they enjoy easy and secure transactions in fast-moving lines to purchase beverages, food, merch, and instant ticket upgrades. Event operators receive real-time sales data sorted by individual staff, bar or vendor, helping them respond better to the needs and preferences of their customers. In addition to the extensive reporting features, event organizers can use Customer Journey Reports to engage with attendees based on their purchase history.

Billfold POS is a collaborative project built by event operators Stas Chijik and Benjamin Roshia, and a highly qualified development and design team under Albert Akbashev’s direction. Chijik and Roshia have years of experience in large-scale event operations and live music productions in addition to their owner-operator history with The Brooklyn Mirage/Avant Gardner. Akbashev has over 16 years of experience in the IT industry, and is the founder and CEO of digital agency Oblako. Oblako has earned the trust of many large international brands such as Kia, AVON, Misfit, Papa Johns, MTS, Kontinental Hockey League, VK, Sibur, Yamal SPG, Gazprom as well as smaller companies and IT startups. 

In addition to The Brooklyn Mirage/Avant Gardner, some of Billfold's notable clients include Anheuser-Busch, Made Event, MoMA PS1, iHeart Radio, Adidas, Knockdown Center, Get Lost, Crosstown Rebels, Summit, Art With Me: GNP, Cityfox, Elements Festival, and Matte Projects.

With its executive team headquartered in Brooklyn, Billfold provides full deployment support and consumer insights so that their partners can focus on producing great events and experiences for their guests.