Age verification at vending machines: sell efficiently and securely with KarL4 from SECO

The sale of alcohol and energy drinks from vending machines can be a lucrative business - provided the age verification works reliably. The law stipulates a secure and precise age check to ensure that such products are not sold to minors. Many vending machines still rely on optical scanners that read the age using identification documents, such as ID cards or driver's licenses. However, this method is prone to errors and often inconvenient for customers. Nobody wants to be bothered with cumbersome scans when buying a quick drink.

Age verification via the girocard offers a modern and more secure alternative. Here, the person's age is already checked during the payment process. The advantage: the purchase is faster, maintenance costs are reduced and security is increased for both customers and vending machine operators.

KarL4 from SECO offers you precisely that: the system combines simple operation, quick age verification via the girocard, and direct payment - all in one step. In this blog article, you can discover how KarL4 revolutionizes the shopping experience for your customers and makes it easier for you as an operator to sell age-restricted products.

Age verification at vending machines: protection for operators and customers

The sale of age-restricted products such as alcohol or cigarettes is strictly regulated in Germany. For vending machine operators, this means a special responsibility: they must ensure that these legal requirements are adhered to even without direct human control.

Reliable age verification plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operation.

Optical scanners or girocard? A comparison of the methods

Anyone who wants to sell age-restricted products securely via vending machines faces a choice: which method of age verification is the right one? The two most common methods are optical scanners, which check the age using an ID card, and age verification using the girocard, where the check is carried out directly during the payment process. However, the decision in favor of a verification system depends on more than just the technology. Several factors play a role in this process:

• Costs: In addition to the purchase costs for the verification system, expenses for installation, regular maintenance and any repairs must also be factored in.
• Installation: A system that can be easily integrated into existing vending machines saves time and resources. Solutions that do not require additional hardware are generally quicker and easier to install.
• Maintenance: Systems with many moving parts or additional devices are more susceptible to faults and require more frequent inspections. A low-maintenance system, on the other hand, not only reduces operating costs but also minimizes downtime.
• Data protection: Customers expect their personal data to be protected. An age verification system should therefore only process the necessary information and not store any sensitive data. Solutions that transmit age data anonymously and securely strengthen customer trust.
• User-friendliness: A fast, uncomplicated verification process ensures satisfied customers who are happy to use the machine again. Complicated or time-consuming verification procedures, on the other hand, can act as a deterrent, especially at busy locations.
• Security: The system must be tamper-proof and reliably prevent minors from accessing age-restricted products.

Optical scanners in use: tried and tested, but prone to errors

Optical document readers have been used in vending machines since the early 2000s to verify the age of customers using identification documents. The process is simple: the customer holds their ID in front of the scanner, the system reads the relevant data and authorizes the sale if the age requirements are met. In practice, however, this method has some weaknesses:

• High installation costs: Optical scanners require additional hardware installation. This not only incurs costs, but also makes integration into existing vending machines more difficult.
• Maintenance-intensive: The technology is susceptible to wear and tear. Dust, dirt or mechanical wear and tear can impair the function and make regular maintenance necessary.
• Susceptibility to fraud: Forged or damaged ID cards can deceive the system. This increases the risk that minors will obtain prohibited products despite being checked.
• Data protection concerns: Although most systems do not store data, customers often have concerns about their personal information being read out.
• Inconvenient use: The additional scanning process prolongs the purchase process. This can lead to customer frustration, especially at busy vending machines.

Age verification with the girocard: modern, fast and secure

As an alternative to conventional optical document readers, age verification using the girocard offers considerable advantages. Here, the purchaser's age is verified directly during the payment process, eliminating the need for any additional steps. The girocard's NFC chip transmits the shopper's age, which is then verified via a secure database.

Advantages of girocard age verification:

• Greater security: The comparison with secure databases makes manipulation virtually impossible. Forged ID cards are no danger here.
• Less installation work: As no additional scanner is required, installation costs are lower and integration into existing systems is easier.
• Lower maintenance requirements: Without additional devices, maintenance costs are significantly reduced. This not only saves costs, but also minimizes downtime.
• Data protection-friendly: Age verification is anonymous and protects the customer's privacy. No sensitive data is stored.
• Fast and convenient purchase process: The customer only needs to hold their girocard up to the terminal - age verification and payment are completed in a single step. This enhances the shopping experience, particularly in busy locations.

KarL4 from SECO: the smart future of age verification

With KarL4, SECO offers an innovative solution that seamlessly combines age verification and payment in a single step. The system checks the shopper's age directly during contactless payment using the girocard. The age data is verified through a secure database comparison, without storing any personal information. KarL4 therefore not only fulfills the legal requirements, but also protects the customer's privacy.

The advantages of KarL4 at a glance:

• Seamless integration: Age verification and payment occur simultaneously. This streamlines the purchase process and ensures a seamless customer experience.
• High security: Synchronization with certified databases makes manipulation virtually impossible. Operators can be sure that their vending machines operate in compliance with the law.
• Low installation and maintenance costs: As no additional document readers are required, vending machine operators save time and money on installation and maintenance.
• Customer-friendly: Easy handling via NFC technology ensures a pleasant shopping experience. All the customer has to do is hold their card up to the terminal.
• Future-proof: KarL4 can be used flexibly and can be easily adapted to new legal requirements or technical standards.

KarL4 combines efficiency, security and user-friendliness in one system. With many years of experience in developing payment solutions, SECO is the ideal partner for vending machine operators who rely on modern technologies and legally compliant solutions for secure and convenient transactions.

Contact us today and benefit from reliable age verification with KarL4!

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