Atos Origin, an international IT services company completed a roll-out of a new mobile ticketing service for Heathrow Express train network between London Heathrow's airport terminals and Paddington Station in central London using the CASIO IT-3000 hand-held terminal. Passengers on the Heathrow Express can now have their tickets sent directly to a mobile phone or PDA, so they do not have to queue to collect tickets at the station before they travel.

This is the first implementation of AVANTIX Metro, an E and mobile ticketing solution designed and built by Atos Origin. It allows individual customers and corporate customers to book online through the Heathrow Express website. When making a booking, customers can opt to receive either a bar-coded e-ticket that is registered to their mobile phone, or a self print version of the ticket. Both types of ticket are then scanned and validated on-board the Heathrow Express train. Paper tickets can still be purchased on the train direct from the train manager.

George Fripp, Heathrow Express international corporate account manager comments that "Most of our customers are incredibly busy professionals that use our service because it's the most convenient way to get to and from Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes. E-ticketing builds on that by taking the hassle out of booking journeys and making their travel even more seamless. All you need to do is book, board the train straight away and go. It's as simple as that."

The terminal used by train staff uses the CASIO IT-3000. It is a rugged, versatile industrial data terminal with an integrated thermal printer. Its versatile communications options include standard Bluetooth and IrDA, and a PCMCIA slot allowing GPRS or WLAN communications. With the built-in thermal printer and colour touch screen it is ideal for mobile sales, ticketing, parking enforcement and service management. With its IP54 rating and 1.2 metre drop test, the IT-3000 is very rugged.

Tony Lacy, Head of Bus and Rail at Atos Origin explains "E- and Mobile ticketing is fast becoming the simplest and most cost effective way to sell train tickets,". "At Atos Origin we continue to invest rail retail innovation and believe that the new AVANTIXMetro solution will help Heathrow Express to further improve the travelling experience of its passengers."