What is the Alvarado Integration?
Alvarado (part of the dormakaba group) manufactures ticket scanning heads, pedestals, turnstiles, and gates used at venues worldwide. Their Direct Connect protocol allows third-party ticketing systems — including Convious — to communicate directly with Alvarado scanning hardware.
When a visitor presents a QR code, barcode, RFID wristband, or NFC pass at an Alvarado-connected gate, the scanner checks validity with Convious in real time and signals the turnstile to open or stay closed.
The integration supports the full range of Alvarado scanning hardware available in Europe, including:
Scanning heads — retrofitted onto existing turnstiles from any manufacturer
Pedestal scanners — freestanding, used for open or semi-open entry points
Full turnstile solutions — supplied by dormakaba, manufactured in Germany
💡 Note: Integrating with Alvarado via Direct Connect also gives you access to dormakaba's full range of physical barriers and gates, since Alvarado manages the scanning software and reader heads while dormakaba supplies the physical hardware.
Who Is This For?
This integration is suitable for partners in two situations:
Existing Alvarado hardware — you already have Alvarado scanning heads or turnstiles installed (typically from a previous ticketing provider) and want to continue using them with Convious.
New hardware procurement — you are looking for a complete entry control solution and want to procure scanning heads or full turnstile sets through the Alvarado / dormakaba partnership.
Supported Ticket & Pass Types
Alvarado scanning heads support all ticket formats issued by Convious. No additional configuration is needed to switch between formats — the hardware supports all of the following simultaneously:
QR codes
Barcodes
Hardware Options
The table below summarises the most common hardware configurations for Convious partners.
Scenario | Hardware needed | Supplied by |
|---|---|---|
Existing turnstiles, add scanning | Alvarado scanning head(s) | Alvarado (US, shipped to EU) |
New full solution, indoor or outdoor | Turnstile + Alvarado scanning head | dormakaba (manufactured in Germany) |
Temporary or mobile entry point | Movable turnstile + scanning head | dormakaba |
Open entry / no physical barrier | Pedestal scanner | Alvarado |
💡 Note: All Alvarado scanning heads and dormakaba turnstiles are weatherproof (IP-rated for outdoor use). They are not designed for direct, unprotected rain exposure, but function reliably in covered outdoor environments — the typical setup for theme parks and zoos.
How to Get Set Up
Setting up the Alvarado integration involves three phases: a hardware assessment, procurement (if needed), and the Direct Connect software configuration.
Phase 1 — Hardware Assessment
Before ordering, Alvarado's team will assess your site to recommend the right hardware.
Share your site plan with Alvarado's EMEA team. Include:
Number and location of entry/exit points
Whether you need new turnstiles or only scanning heads on existing ones
Whether entries are indoor or outdoor
Whether you need mobile/movable solutions
Share photos or brand information for any existing turnstiles you want to retrofit — Alvarado can confirm compatibility before proceeding.
Confirm your entry requirements: entry-only vs. entry + exit counting, re-entry rules, and whether you need accessible (wide) gates.
💡 Note: For example, Sunshine Safari Park has eight existing turnstiles. They want to keep six for RFID wristband scanning (managed separately) and add Alvarado scanning heads to two turnstiles for QR/barcode ticket validation. The assessment would confirm which head model fits their existing hardware and provide a price for two units.
Phase 2 — Procurement
Once the assessment is complete, Alvarado will provide a commercial offer.
Pricing is volume-dependent — the more units, the lower the per-unit cost.
Installation is handled entirely by Alvarado / dormakaba technicians. There is an additional cost for on-site installation.
Convious does not resell Alvarado hardware. Your commercial relationship for the hardware is directly with Alvarado / dormakaba.
Contact the Alvarado EMEA team via your Convious account manager to initiate the procurement process.
Phase 3 — Direct Connect Configuration
Once the hardware is physically installed, Convious and Alvarado configure the Direct Connect integration.
Contact Convious Support to open an integration setup request. Provide your venue name and the number of connected gates.
Convious Engineering coordinates with Alvarado to establish the Direct Connect link between your scanning heads and your Convious ticket inventory.
Test the connection by scanning a test ticket at each gate to confirm the turnstile responds correctly.
Go live — the integration is active for your visitors.
⚠️ Important: Direct Connect configuration requires input from both Convious and Alvarado. Allow at least one week for this phase after hardware installation is complete. Do not plan your opening date before confirming the go-live timeline with your Convious account manager.
FAQ / Troubleshooting
Can Alvarado scanning heads work on any existing turnstile brand?
In most cases, yes. Alvarado's technicians routinely retrofit scanning heads onto third-party turnstile bodies. Share a photo and the brand/model of your existing turnstile with the Alvarado EMEA team during the assessment phase — they can usually confirm compatibility straight away.
Does Convious need to make any changes when I add a new ticket type or re-entry rule?
No. Alvarado scanning heads support all Convious ticket formats out of the box. Re-entry and exit rules are configured in Alvarado's Gate Utility software directly — no Convious changes are required.
Can I use Alvarado for only part of my venue and a different scanning solution elsewhere?
Yes. For example, you may keep existing RFID wristband scanners on some turnstiles and add Alvarado-connected scanning heads on others for QR/barcode ticket validation. The two systems operate independently.
Is the integration available to all Convious partners?
The Alvarado integration is available to all Convious partners operating in supported regions (Benelux, DACH, France, UK, and select other European markets). Contact your Convious account manager to check availability for your specific location.