July 7, 2021 8 min read

Scan and Validate Tickets without a Ticket Database

Ticket Scanning without a Database

Ideal for offline ticket validation, especially when Internet connectivity is slow or unstable. Patterns are validated instead of the full ticket ID. It works with a partial ticket database and even when no ticket database is available.

CATEGORIES

Access Control

Mobile Coupons

Mobile Ticketing

Attendance Tracking

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Pattern Validation Features

  • Instantly scan and validate barcodes against a defined pattern.
  • Scan records are uploaded to the cloud for syncing to all scanning devices.
  • Works with QR codes, barcodes, and RFID/NFC.
  • Duplicate scans are invalid.

PATTERN VALIDATION FAQ

I see your SaaS platform is a no-code/low-code platform. Do I need to be a developer to use pattern validation?

No, you don’t have to be a developer. You can simply enter prefix text and/or suffix text as the pattern. We publish a detailed article on setting up pattern validation, including examples.

Can I also use conditional validations? For example, could a ticket be valid once a day for several days?

Yes, you can add conditions for validity. There are two ways. First, you can simply reset duplicate checking based on a minutely, hourly, daily, or weekly period. Second, you can use our Custom On-Device (COV) utility for more complex needs. We publish sample scripts for you to edit, but if you need complex validation rules you may need a developer’s help.

A regular expression (“regex”) seems more powerful. What is it and how do I write one?

A “regex” is a sequence of characters that specifies a search pattern. A developer isn’t required for writing a regex and testing it. However, if a complex regex is required, you can contact our support team. Generally, we write them at no cost unless it’s necessary for one of our developers to write them.

Can COV scripts also handle regular expressions?

Yes, the COV utility is a very powerful tool. With the COV utility, you can use multiple regular expressions.

Is there any benefit to having a partial database downloaded to the device?

Yes, there is. The mobile app first checks the on-device database for the scanned value. Then, only if it’s not there will the app use pattern validation.

What about tickets sold on site?

The benefit of pattern validation for on-site ticket sales is the ticket IDs don’t need to sync immediately. In some cases, depending on the Internet connection, the time to sync on-site ticket IDs takes longer than it takes for the ticket holder to get to the gate. With pattern validation that’s not an issue.

Is pattern validation as good as actual validation against a database?

No, validating against an online or offline database is better. However, what if the event has poor Internet connectivity? Long lines will build quickly and, if connectivity is unstable, you may not be able to validate at all with an online service.

Is there a record of every scan? Valid, Invalid, and Invalid Duplicate?

Yes, you can. You can filter, view, and export all scan records as a CSV file. Scan records can also be automatically inserted into third-party databases using our integration with 3,000+ apps.

What about tickets sold on site?

The benefit of pattern validation for on-site ticket sales is the ticket IDs don’t need to sync immediately. In some cases, depending on the Internet connection, the time to sync on-site ticket IDs takes longer than it takes for the ticket holder to get to the gate. With pattern validation that’s not an issue.

Can I also do real-time validation?

Yes, that’s a commonly used option. The full ticket database can reside on our server or on third-party servers. If using our servers, no coding is needed. However, validating against databases hosted on third-party servers will require our Developer APIs.

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