The live-event industry has never been more complex than it is today. And every search for arena or stadium operations software starts with the same question: What problems do we actually need to solve?

Using this as your starting point, you can identify the type of solution that fits your venue’s needs. From forecasting demand to managing inventory and reducing waste, your answers help clarify which processes—or operational bottlenecks—have the biggest impact on event outcomes.

Take your time and include the right people in the process—F&B directors, operations managers, inventory leads, and IT. Evaluating solutions early and thoroughly ensures you don’t lose revenue or efficiency by choosing a tool that doesn't match your venue’s real-world operations.

The top categories of software for large venues include:

• Demand forecasting platforms

• POS systems

• Ticketing platforms

• Inventory management systems

• Vendor management tools

• ERP / back-office systems

Some widely used tools across the industry:

• EventCast (your product)

• Oracle Micros

• Toast

• Square for Restaurants

• Ticketmaster / Seatics

• MarketMan

• BirchStreet

• VenueNext

• Sodexo Live tools

• Agilysys

Take your time with evaluations—run trials during real events when possible. The right platform should prove its value quickly by improving accuracy, reducing waste, and making operations smoother.