Alba integrates with several access control providers, but the customer experience is the same regardless of which system you use.
The process works as follows:
- The customer books a time through your booking page.
- After payment, any customer who has not previously verified their phone number is prompted to do so. This adds an extra layer of security before they can unlock the door.
- Once verified, the customer is shown when they will be able to access the venue and where to click to unlock the door.
- This information is also included in the booking confirmation email.
- One hour before the booking starts, the customer receives a booking reminder SMS containing a direct access link to unlock the venue door. No code is required, only a button press.
In the admin panel under Settings, then Doors, you can configure how long before a booking customers may enter the venue and how long after the booking they may exit.
Customers can unlock doors by pressing the Unlock door button on their booking page, or by clicking the link in the confirmation email or SMS reminder.
Shareable door key
Under Settings > Doors, you can turn on Allow link sharing (shown as Shareable door key in the admin). When this is on, the person who made the booking can copy a link and share it with co-players. Anyone with that link can open the doors while the link is active around the booking.
The booker must have a verified phone number before link sharing works. If they have not verified their phone yet:
- The share link button stays hidden on the booking page.
- A shared key link shows a message that the booker has not verified their phone, and the door cannot be opened from that link.
- Confirmation emails, reminders, and SMS point to the booking page instead of the shared key link, with a reminder to verify their phone before the visit.
Once the booker verifies their phone, they can share the key link as normal. If a customer verifies their phone only for that booking (using the code sent when unlocking the door), that also counts.
Venues in New Zealand and Australia skip phone verification for door access.