The Challenge

Lothian Buses have worked with CASIO and BNE Electronics for a cost effective mobile solution using the most up-to-date technology.

Lothian Buses was in the process of upgrading their ticketing system. One key requirement was the ability of the terminals to send sales data to and receive updates from the back office system automatically. Also, software was required to allow them to set up and maintain the ticket data, manage cash and provide sales analysis.

The terminals would be required to issue multi-part tickets to customers who wished to go on a tour of Edinburgh or travel on the shuttle service. Lothian Buses turned to CASIO and BNE Electronics for a suitable solution.

The Requirements

A cost effective solution with maximum return on investment was required. The aim was to improve communication between the ticket sales and back office staff. With Lothian Buses serving over half a million customers per year, the terminal had to be fast and lightweight to efficiently serve this number of customers.

It also had to be simple to use and versatile and rugged enough to suit all weather conditions. The back office software had to be seamless and comprehensive.

The Solution

BNE Electronics offered the impressive CASIO IT-3000 which is an industrial data terminal with an integrated high speed printer for improved business efficiency.

Kenny Campbell, Tour Operations Manager for Lothian Buses commented, "The IT-3000 in conjunction with the BNE tktPOS solution was a perfect upgrade because the system could do everything we asked for. The terminals are lightweight which is essential for the ticket staff."

Lothian Buses purchased 54 terminals to use on the tour buses and a further 28 terminals to use on the shuttle service.

Key Features of the IT-3000

Rugged but lightweight

Ergonomically designed

Fast integrated thermal printer

Wide selection of industrial standard interfaces

Flexible communication options

Vivid 2-way TFT 3.5 inch colour LCD screen,

Backlit keyboard for low light conditions

The Benefits

Lothian buses have discovered many benefits of using the IT-3000 which has led to improvements in their operations.

"The IT-3000 and the tktPOS software has made it far easier for the back office and the finance staff to deal with the information they are getting, especially during the peak of summer".

Ticket sales staff are able to serve customers more quickly and efficiently. The back office software has made it easier to monitor the ticket sales and accurately trace the transactions of each operator. This is particularly beneficial to combat any misuse of ticket sales. The system also enables Lothian Buses to setup and maintain route and ticket data.

"An excellent feature is the multiple ticket issue, so we can issue various forms of tickets from one transaction. We can also sell tickets for other tourist attractions. Beneficially, some machines are conveniently equipped with a scanner so that bus tickets that have been printed off via the internet can be easily scanned".

"The IT-3000 in conjunction with the BNE tktPOS solution was a perfect upgrade…"

The Future

Lothian Buses are extremely satisfied with the IT-3000 and will be purchasing more devices in the future. Mentioning BNE Electronics, Kenny Campbell highlights "BNE provided a highly personalised service and been enormously helpful throughout the IT-3000 installation. The IT-3000 have given us the flexibility and reliability that we were looking for. The installation has certainly made it easier, accurate and far more accessible for us to use our ticketing system."