An offline-capable cashless system keeps processing transactions even when the mobile cell above the site is full. On large sites that is not the exception but the normal state of affairs as soon as lots of guests upload videos at the same time. A POS system that needs an online check at that moment stops working.
Does cashless work without the internet?
Yes, if the credit is stored on the chip and not only in a database. With tickee, the amount is stored on the NFC chip of the wristband or card. The terminal reads the chip, deducts the amount and writes the new balance back. The device does not need an outside connection for this. A transaction takes under two seconds, with or without a network.
Every transaction is also logged on the terminal. As soon as the device has reception again, it uploads the logs and everything synchronises automatically. The order does not matter for the settlement, because every transaction carries its own timestamp and device ID. This applies to each terminal individually; a dead spot at one stand does not affect the others. So sales never come to a standstill, even if the network stays down for hours. Only two things wait for the connection during that time.
What does not work offline?
- Online top-ups. When a guest tops up on their phone by card or PayPal, the payment has to be authorised. Without a network, the guest only sees the credit once the connection is back.
- Live figures in the dashboard. Revenue only comes in once the terminals transmit again. Sales carry on; the reporting lags behind for that moment.
Two things that have proven themselves on site
Put top-up stations where there is a network. Top-up points belong in the spot with the best connection, not in the furthest corner behind the stage.
Synchronise terminals before the gates open. A few minutes of lead time per device are enough to make sure prices, products and staff logins are up to date.
After the event
The settlement is built from the logs of all devices. You see per stand, per shift and per product what was sold, and which remaining credit was left on the wristbands. Cash losses at the bar disappear, because there is no more cash at the bar.
If you want to know what this looks like on your site: we will go through network coverage, top-up points and locations together in 30 minutes.