If you operate a bar or nightclub in certain Australian areas, your business must employ ID scanners. You might have heard patrons express privacy concerns, questioning the id scanner facts and the necessity behind using ID scanners.
However, it turns out that ID scanning comes with an array of benefits, many of which you get to pass on to your customers. Here are the top four things you should know about ID scanners.
1. They Reduce Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
ID scanners are required in some high-risk venues: those that sell alcohol to be consumed on the premises, those that have a capacity for more than 120 patrons, and those that have the authority to remain open past midnight.
The combination of alcohol, a large crowd and late-night hours can be a recipe for volatile situations. Data collected from ID scanners is held for 30 days, so police are able to use information from the scanners to aid in suspect identification and crime reduction.
Most bars and nightclubs run ID scanners from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., so police have a large amount of data to draw from. When patrons know that police can access their data, many think twice about committing a crime. In fact, data from the Western Australian police force shows a 58 percent drop in serious incidents from one venue alone.
2. They Enable Better Venue Management
Facilitating venue management, id scanners ensure legal entry, preventing those with fake IDs. Understanding id scanners facts is crucial to avoid fines in Australia.
Additionally, ID scanners are able to identify patrons who are banned from entering a venue, and the maximum fine for trying to enter under such penalties is $5,500. Police say the scanners are definitely a success in reducing crime and in keeping banned patrons out of bars and clubs.
ID scanners for bars and nightclubs also keep lines orderly and moving quickly. For instance, Scantek units take only two seconds to scan and record a patron’s passport, driver’s license, or proof of age card.
In most cases, ID scanners process IDs faster than manual inspections, making this line-control technique more efficient than traditional methods.
3. They Can Collect Demographic Data
ID scanners collect information including a person’s name, date of birth and address. Bar and club owners can use these stats to better meet the needs of their customers and to cater promotions to appeal to certain demographics.
4. They Help Increase Your Sales
This is encouraging news for patrons who previously may have felt unsafe venturing out. It’s true that ID scanners cost money to implement, but business owners who look at them as an opportunity and an asset are in better positions to boost their sales and decrease problems.
ID scanners have changed the landscape for Australian bars and nightclubs. Entrance lines are orderly and quick-moving, as patron IDs are quickly scanned and accepted. The scanner systems flag fake IDs and people who should not be allowed entry, and patrons are less likely to commit crimes.
It’s a great time for business owners to try these systems even if they are not required to do so. For more information on ID scanners and for a free trial, contact Scantek today.
