Ski resort introduces RFID technology

The Granite Peak Ski Resort in Wisconsin, the biggest ski resort within the Midwestern United States, will launch a high-frequency RFID system that gives entry management throughout this quarter. If all the pieces goes based on plan, on the finish of the season, the answer shall be prolonged to credit score card-linked fee methods and shall be prolonged to loyalty applications within the subsequent quarter.

Zilinsky defined that earlier than this season, the ticketing
system was based mostly on paper. “In case you have a season go, you may go on to
the elevator,” she stated, however each time the elevator is used, the elevator
operator should manually examine the go.

The resort needed to design an RFID go that might be saved on a chargeable card and add a bank card for elevator entry to the cardboard at any time. With this new system, skiers should buy tickets for a number of seasons on-line after which enter their very own info, comparable to gender, age and deal with. They’ll additionally add their very own photographs. The info is then linked to a novel ID quantity on the printed RFID card, which can be utilized as a day or quarter card, relying on the acquisition coverage.

Upon arrival, every visitor will voluntarily
signal a waiver, which is saved within the resort’s Siriusware Level of Sale (POS)
system and linked to his or her RFID-based account. In subsequent visits,
guests don’t have to signal the waiver once more. After signing the ticket window,
friends shall be requested to position the go within the pocket on the left facet of the physique
and they’ll have the ability to get on the raise. When the visitor approaches the reader,
the reader captures the distinctive ID variety of the tag. If the visitor is allowed
to enter, the revolving door routinely unlocks and shows a inexperienced mild.
The consumer can then enter the elevator.

Nonetheless, the system can do extra than simply
permit computerized entry. It may possibly additionally monitor the placement of a person at any
given time.For ski resorts, it will also be analyzed as a result of ski resorts can use
this knowledge to raised perceive skier demographics and the way typically and once they
ski. Zilisnky stated the knowledge permits the resort to focus on particular
promoting teams whereas offering the potential for effectivity.Extra
importantly, the answer helps the resort forestall fraud. Within the elevator
passage, the digital camera takes an image of the passenger’s face and compares the
photographs with the knowledge that comes with every passenger passing the elevator
door.

Keefe stated the Wisconsin set up was the primary deployment of SKIDATA within the Midwest. This expertise is principally utilized in Europe and can be utilized in North America to be able to make it simpler for skiers to ski themselves and enhance the operational effectivity of the resort.