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Requirements
The day to day running of a train operating company is a series of complex processes, from planning and engineering to marketing and retailing. The on train retailing process for train companies was previously based around the SPORTIS system by Thorn EMI, the first fully computerised portable ticketing system. There were several issues with the system. It was cumbersome and lacked memory storage space for all Fares and Timetables which ultimately meant that the ability to service all the needs of a passenger could not be met.
National Express were the first to challenge these system limitations and decided to go to the IT market to find a replacement for SPORTIS.
The challenge:
Atos Origin responded by researching the best possible product from the technology partners to deliver something that would meet the new business requirements. Atos Origin also recognised that they were going to have to deliver what was effectively handheld computing into the hands of on train staff. Other key areas had to be considered when evaluating a solution; for example, how the sales data could be extracted in to the revenue management system when docked. The decision to design a solution that featured a PDA that could be separated from the ticket printer was crucial, it enabled easy placement into a docking station for uploading and downloading e.g. daily download of new national data such as fares and timetables.
The solution:
After an extensive evaluation of the PDA market Atos Origin concluded that CASIO were the preferred choice. The first CASIO PDA solution chosen for AVANTIXTM Mobile was the EG-800. A number of criteria determined this choice including the long battery life, ruggedness, screen quality, clarity and ease of use. The EG-800 was very successful however after several years there was fresh competition and Atos Origin once again had to evaluate the PDA market. Once again CASIO came in as the front runner with their IT-10. Since the EG-800 great improvements were made in the IT-10 including a faster processor, increased memory, upto 12 hours more battery life, clearer display, improved durability and wireless.
Key Features of the IT-10:
Withstands drops of up to one metre and is IP54 rated for dust and water resistance
Large 3.7 inch transflective VGA LCD screen
CompactFlash and SDIO slots
Large capacity battery
Auto-recovery tool
Windows Mobile™ 2003
Lightweight and ergonomic design
The Benefits:
The rugged IT-10 has been designed for maximum durability and can withstand the harsh environment faced daily by train staff. The LCD screen is set in a shock absorbent rubber mounting to resist the effects of hard impacts; and the internal components are sealed within a lightweight, yet extremely tough magnesium inner shielding. The IT-10 slots into the specially developed lightweight ticket printer and communication between the two is performed using infrared. This impressive system avoids any possibility of damaged connectors. AVANTIXTM mobile is fully equipped with chip and PIN and Wireless LAN or GPRS to access real time information e.g. reservations. The CASIO IT-10 offers benefits that make AVANTIX mobile the number one choice for UK Rail.
Tony Lacy, head of rail and bus at Atos Origin stated 'our experience with CASIO has been very positive, I think the PDA's have done exactly what they have been required to do. We have a very good solid support infrastructure that we offer to the train operators and clearly that can only be as strong as the back to back arrangements that we have with our partners.
The Future:
There are currently over 4300 CASIO units live, with more that 2300 IT-10's being used as the processing power for train operating companies on the UK Rail Network.
Advances in emerging technology face the two partners with consumer oyster cards and smart media approaching. The new challenge is to ensure the evolving roadmap meets the technology requirements which, once again Atos Origin and CASIO are positive they can achieve.
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