ScanPay: Streamlining Event Payments with SumUp Devices

Introducing ScanPay: A Payment Solution for Community Events

When organizing community events like theater performances, efficient payment processing can make a huge difference in the audience experience. That’s why I am excited to introduce ScanPay (GitHub repository), my custom solution that transforms how we handle payments and donations at events like the upcoming Aladdin musical.

The Payment Challenge for Community Events

Traditional payment methods at community events come with several challenges:

• Cash handling requires change, security measures, and manual reconciliation
• Card readers typically require staff to operate them for each transaction
• Mobile payment apps need to be installed by attendees beforehand
• Volunteer-run events have limited staff to handle payment stations

ScanPay: Simplicity Through QR Codes

ScanPay addresses these challenges with a simple yet powerful approach:

1. I generate QR codes for each product (tickets, refreshments, merchandise) or donation amount
2. I print and display these QR codes at appropriate locations
3. Attendees simply scan the QR code with their smartphone camera
4. This instantly triggers a checkout on the SumUp card reader
5. The attendee completes their payment with card or contactless payment

No app installation required. No queue for a payment terminal. No training volunteers on complex systems.

Why I Built ScanPay for the Aladdin Musical and Donations

ScanPay was originally created to handle donations at community events. As we prepare for the first Aladdin performance, I wanted to extend this solution to create a seamless experience for both audience and volunteers. ScanPay allows:

• Receive donations: Easily collect contributions through displayed QR codes
• Reduce wait times: Multiple people can initiate payments simultaneously
• Simplify operations: Volunteers don’t need to handle the payment process
• Increase flexibility: Place QR codes at multiple locations (lobby, refreshment areas)
• Support multiple readers: Different payment stations for tickets, concessions, and merchandise
• Track transactions: Maintain a record of all sales with webhook integration
• Enable cancellations: Easily void transactions when necessary

How ScanPay Works Behind the Scenes

ScanPay is a lightweight web application that:

1. Generates print-friendly QR codes for each product or donation amount
2. Supports multiple SumUp card readers with custom naming
3. Automatically organizes QR codes by reader with page breaks for easy printing
4. Processes checkouts instantly when QR codes are scanned
5. Stores transaction IDs for potential cancellations
6. Can integrate with external systems via webhooks

The system is containerized with Docker, making deployment straightforward for event organizers with minimal technical knowledge.

Current Limitations and Future Development

While ScanPay offers many benefits, there are a few current limitations to be aware of:

• No VAT handling is currently implemented
• The SumUp Solo+Printer device is not supported (as per SumUp’s announcement)

I’m actively working on several enhancements:

• A solution to print SumUp receipts on a thermal printer
• Improved reporting capabilities
• Enhanced donation tracking features

Join Us for Aladdin and Experience ScanPay

I’m excited to debut ScanPay at the upcoming Aladdin musical. Not only will you enjoy a magical performance, but you’ll also experience the convenience of this innovative payment solution.

When you arrive at the theater, simply:

1. Find the QR code for the item you wish to purchase
2. Scan it with your smartphone camera
3. Complete the payment with your card or contactless payment
4. Enjoy the show!

No app downloads, no account creation, no hassle – just a simple, streamlined experience.

Beyond Aladdin: ScanPay for Your Community Events

While I developed ScanPay initially for donations and then expanded it for the Aladdin production, the system is designed to be adaptable for various community events:

• School fairs and fundraisers
• Community festivals
• Charity events and donation drives
• Sports tournaments
• Art exhibitions

If your community organization is interested in using ScanPay for your events, feel free to check out the GitHub repository or contact me for more information.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Aladdin performance, where the magic of the show extends to this innovative payment solution. Experience the convenience of ScanPay while supporting community theater!