Many industries in the U.S. and around the world need to have ID scanners on hand to conduct their business successfully. These important devices usually come in the form of tabletop or handheld license scanners. And the process is quite simple: an employee swipes a customer’s ID through the scanner and checks its validity. But how do you know if your business needs these license scanners? Here’s a list of three industries that make the most use of ID scanners. Does your business fall under one of these categories?

Bars and Taverns
Businesses that serve alcohol are part of what is perhaps one of the most obvious industries that makes use of ID scanners. These establishments need to check the age of everyone who passes through their threshold and orders alcohol. Of course, the easiest way to do that is to have an ID scanner. Rather than physically checking the name and age of every individual, bartenders and bouncers can entrust the job to a license scanner. Again, the technology is relatively simple: the back of an ID card has a magnetic strip that contains personal information such as an individual’s name and date of birth (DOB). This magnetic strip, which is typically comprised of 60 characters, passes through the ID scanner and relays DOB information that ultimately determines whether guests can be allowed entry.

Hotels and Inns
You might not think it at first, but the hospitality industry (i.e. hotels and motels) actually requires guests to be a certain age if they want to book a room. In the vast majority of cases, a hotel will require a guest to be over 18 or over 21 to book a room. Of course, the easiest way to determine whether a guest is of the appropriate age is with a table top scanner or a stand alone document scanner. Though hotels don’t have bouncers like bars do, ID scanning is still an important process.

Convenience Stores
That’s right! If a retailer sells alcohol, they’re typically required to have ID scanners to determine the age of an individual making an alcohol or tobacco purchase. Though some retailers resort to simply glancing at an ID to determine an individual’s age, scanning an ID is the only surefire way to ensure a legal sale. They’re largely the same as those found at bars and hotels, as they serve the exact same purpose. Ultimately, these devices make it easier for retail establishments to abide by the law.

If your business falls into one of these three industries, it’s an excellent idea to invest in any of these types of scanners. If you have any questions concerning an ID scanner for your business, don’t hesitate to ask for more information. Implementing one of these scanners could save your neck in a pinch!