To start this post off with, I will readily admit that I am not an expert on card systems. These have become increasingly popular in the modern market, replacing the coin acceptors on machines to accept payment. Many FECs use a card system of one brand or another – EMBED, Intercard, Sacoa or Core Cashless and so on – allowing the operators to enjoy a number of advantages over coins.
Thus, I am not well-versed on the major feature differences between the existing systems. I haven’t really looked into them, as they tend to be very expensive. The last time I checked on a system, I was given a rough quote of around $10,000 for a starter package for about 20 games. Granted, this was a while back, but it still was too much for me to dump my tokens, which cost me maybe around $1500-$2000 a year.
When at IAAPA 2018, I visited the Unit-e Technologies booth, where they were presenting a new challenger to the existing systems for arcades to grab. Called RFPay, I filmed some of the system (along with their other technologies such as the Luxehedron, PC Classic and arcade lighting systems) here, with a promise to get into more detail on the site…which is what this post is about below the video:
RFPay Details
According to Eric Yockey of Unit-e Technologies, here’s some bullet points on what makes their system worth the investment.
Competitive advantages of RFPay:
- The cashier station can integrate with an existing PC and doesn’t require the operator to purchase an expensive self-service kiosk.
- No installation from the seller required (we provide a manual and video instructions)
- No training from the seller required (some systems require that the customer pay to transport and house the seller’s staff for training)
- No monthly fee required under the minimum service plan (includes 2 months of phone support during business hours)
- An online connection is not required (communicates with a local installed server only unless a cloud plan is purchased)
- Supports customer accounts (optional)
- Supports picture ID (optional; can show a picture of the customer’s face when card is scanned. This can be for redemption security or for operators who want to use the system to confirm entry into an escape room / laser tag arena / etc.)
- Supports custom background art for units with screens
- Supports adding points and/or hours (operators can convert payments into points that are spent on scans and/or hours of free play time, with free play opt-out on a per-scanner basis (you may not want free play to work on redemption machines))
- Can add modules to expand scanner functionality (for example, one board supports serial communication; can replace a casino-grade dollar bill acceptor)
- Local (and optional online) reports with all the variables competitors offer
- Modern, clean design
- Default settings works like a Dollar Bill Acceptor (DBA), but it is adaptive
The system will begin site testing in December, with a planned release for Q2/Q3 2019. What do you think about it from the information revealed so far?
I would prefer a smartphone app (using NFC to communicate with the reader) instead of another plastic card.