News

Self-service ticketing kiosk unveiled

May 15, 2003

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. -- SeePoint Technology, provider of customer-facing, interactive computer appliances has introduced an automated and secure self-service ticketing system that provides users with hassle-free, high speed ticketing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The TicketPoint interactive kiosk allows customers to purchase and print new tickets or print tickets previously purchased online or by phone almost instantaneously, according to a news release.

TicketPoint provides unmatched speed and convenience by allowing customers to bypass long box office or will call lines and also reduces staffing costs at the venue, the release said.

To activate the system, customers touch the screen and follow the prompts. A customer swipes a credit card, which is securely integrated into the TicketPoint system, to buy tickets or recall pre-existing order information. TicketPoint prints and dispenses fanfold tickets.

SeePoint is targeting the kiosk to festivals and events, movie theatres, museums and performing arts centers, music venues, ski resorts, stadiums and convention centers, theme and amusement parks, transportation, zoos, aquariums, planetariums and auto races. No beta customers have been named.

"Just as airport self check-in changed the face of traveling, automated self-service ticketing from TicketPoint can revolutionize how people attend movies, concerts and sporting events," said Jonathan Arfin, president of SeePoint.

"Everyone likes speed and convenience and hates to wait in line. TicketPoint makes picking up tickets so easy and quick while also providing other benefits such as the ability to promote future events and lower transactions costs."

The rugged, vandal-resistant construction and industrial grade components of TicketPoint enable the system to withstand the demands created by a public or unattended installation, according to the release (see related article, Take a clicking, keep on clicking).

The TicketPoint stand, including the cabinet which houses the printer, is constructed from solid steel and finished with industrial powder coat or brushed aluminum to resist wear. The TicketPoint cabinet also features two key locks for additional security.

The TicketPoint system is powered by premium components to ensure trouble-free and uninterrupted service. These industrial-grade components are assembled on a steel frame and covered by a durable injection molded plastic or cast metal enclosure to protect against misuse, moisture and dust, the release said. Components are securely integrated into the system, and there are no exposed cables, wires or ports on the system to prevent tampering.

A variety of peripheral devices including bar code readers, stereo speakers, phone handsets and wireless Internet connectivity may also be integrated with the system. Pricing was not disclosed.

The TicketPoint uses an Intel-based architecture that runs with Windows or Linux operating systems and provides Friendly Ghost Language and PCL4 support. The system can work with an existing ticketing application or SeePoint can provide ticketing software for a complete solution, the release said.

TicketPoint also supports many ticket printer options with direct thermal printing including the Practical Automation ITX and GTX Series, and the Boca Systems Sub ATM printer.

TicketPoint is easy to maintain, according to the release. A "low" ticket sensor indicates when stored tickets are running low, so users can anticipate the possibility of a ticket outage. The modular design of the TicketPoint makes it easy to re-stock tickets, maintain and service the systems.

The TicketPoint weighs just over 100 pounds, requires less than 2.5 square feet of floor space and is 17.5 inches deep. The kiosk may be securely fixed in one location or moved around a venue for special events. The system may also be purchased with an approved transit case for use at mobile events such as festivals, fairs and circuses.

According to the release, SeePoint has provided interactive display solutions to Billabong, CBS, Consolidated Edison, Deloitte Consulting, A.C. Neilsen, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the Hard Rock Cafe, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, several Air Force Bases, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Neutrogena, the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, the San Francisco International Airport, the Venetian Hotel & Resort, and the states of New Mexico and Wisconsin.