NSCAN Contactless Entry Update from the Tessitura Product Team

Hi Everyone, 

As many of you are discussing what reopening will look like, I want to give you an update on our progress with contactless entry using NSCAN

Timeline:

A few weeks back I posted on the forums that we were looking to have a beta version of contactless scanning using our NSCAN product and existing devices owned by our members ready to test in early July. We have moved that timeline forward and now expect to have something that we can test with members in June. I'll detail more in this post about what we're thinking for th user interface, compatible devices, and what the pedestals look like. 

Objective:

Our objective is to provide a fast, low cost, easily implemented solution for contactless scanning.

Device Compatibility:

Any Zebra TC Device with Datawedge 7.5.56 or higher supports Presentation Mode, the scanner operating mode required for contactless scanning. 

User Interface on the Scanning Device

We are updating the NSCAN device software display so that it is more suitable for scanning using Presentation Mode. This includes doing things like:

• Updating the Success and Failure indicators so that they are much larger and easily read by patrons, rather than ushers or scanning staff. This is probably along the lines of a large green success indicator and success sound, and a large red failure indicator and accompanying sound, with a message that indicates the member needs to speak to an attendant or proceed to the ticket counter. 
• Removing additional information from the interface that is foreign to the patron. We want to keep the interface simple and easily understood.
• Removing messaging from the interface. Again, we want to keep this very easy to understand. Pass/Fail + see an attendant. 
• Rotating the interface 180 degrees, so that it is readable by the patron, since the scanner is held upside-down by the pedestals. 

Pedestals: 

To make contactless scanning workable, you will need to have something on which to mount your scanning device. A specific pedestal is not required for contactless scanning to operate. We are currently looking at two pedestal providers that came at the recommendation of Zebra, the company that provides the majority of scanning devices used by Network members.

At this time, we plan to source these for members that wish to purchase them so that you only need to work with the network, rather than multiple suppliers.

The two pedestals we're considering are:

• Portsmith Scandock: https://portsmith.com/product/scandock-zebra-tc-series/
  • Compatible with TC20, TC25, TC51, TC52, TC56, TC57, TC70, TC75
• ProClip Universal: https://www.proclipusa.com/product/otterbox-universe-table-stand
  • Compatible with all TC devices (purchase of the appropriate device clip to accompany the pedestal is required)

These pedestals will sit on a countertop, and are not floor-standing. 

Remember that you will need to run power to the locations where you place the devices and pedestals. 

You may also choose to build or source your own pedestals. Duct taping your device to the back of a chair would work, if the aesthetic was in line with what your organization could manage. We're putting forward the pedestals here as a guideline for durable, recommended options if you need them.

Conclusion:

We will be doing a small, short beta with a few members in June who can give us feedback on the early interface using Presentation Mode. Once we've gotten feedback and incorporated that we hope to have something that is generally releasable shortly thereafter. We'll keep the community informed as the timeline develops. 

Thank you all for your continued input and suggestions, we look forward to delivering this and other improvements that accommodate a holistic contactless experience for your staff and patrons. We'll be posting more information soon. 

Chris Szalaj

Product Owner, Business Facing Products

Tessitura Network