Fortress eMoney launched at Reading FC
07.04.2008PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release - Monday April 7th, 2008
Reading Football Club, catering company Compass Group and RFID solutions provider Fortress GB have joined forces for the successful launch of a new cashless payment system, Royals QuickPay, last month. The system was launched as a trial in a single stand, allowing the supporters to pay for their drinks & snacks using monies loaded to their existing Reading FC Season or Member cards. The result: the UK ' s 1st completely cashless stand.
The Royals Quickpay service operates using the payment processing platform developed and hosted by Fortress GB. Richard Pinnick, Head of Global Business Development Fortress GB comments - "eMoney has always been a key application for Fortress GB and our payment processing capability is built into the core Fortress Smart Stadium solution. Developed using banking standards, the eMoney application enables Stadiums to operate as cashless venues using their existing smart card base". For the Reading trial the point of sale terminals where provided by ECR Concepts Software Ltd who are one of a number of leading EPoS providers to have integrated with the Fortress eMoney Solution.
Royals QuickPay allows cardholders to load their card with up to 50 pounds several ways:
- Via the Royals QuickPay website
- Sms
- Tills.
They can check their balance at home via the web or at kiosks on site and parents can transfer a chosen amount to their kids ' card before entering the stadium. Once on the concourse, users can also refer to dedicated QuickPay staff, armed with PDAs, in order to top-up before buying their half-time refreshments. Paying is as simple as presenting your card to a QuickPay reader at the point of sale, tap 'n 'go. Monies remaining on the card after the game or at the season 's end can either be refunded to the cardholder or be transferred to his next season 's card (if changed), there is no loss. To ensure a swift transition, a user guide had been sent to all participants prior to the trial, also offering them a 10% discount on their onsite purchase, as an incentive.
The big question was will the fans like the cashless concept? Asked during mid-game, Reading fan Steve thinks "this is really great, I don't feel like being stuck in the queue anymore". Parents Peter and Sophie feel relieved as they "don't need to worry about our kids handling cash. By loading their card with the exact amount from home, it makes the whole process easier and more secure".
Key data retrieved since the trial started reflect the flexibility of the solution as well as an immediate impact on the queuing time:
- The average queue time at the tills went down 37% * on average since the beginning of the trial (*when compared to an equivalent stand on the other side of the stadium, which was a traditional cash stand)
- Top-up Methods used: online 52%, PDAs 34%, tills 14%, sms 1%.
By activating this eMoney functionality, Fortress GB, the company behind the Club 's existing contactless membership and access solution, is playing a key role in supporting the Club 's bid to improve service during the busy match day rush. With the help of Fortress GB 's local support team, the introduction of this new functionality was smooth.
Emma Pierce, Marketing Manager and Garry Hanson, IT Manager at Reading Football Club, are enthusiastic about this trial: "We have been very pleased with the way that Fortress GB has implemented Royals QuickPay at Reading Football Club. Fortress GB worked closely with us to identify ways of making QuickPay as user friendly as possible, and development work was done rapidly. We were also impressed with the level of on-site support provided throughout the implementation process. Overall the implementation went very smoothly and indications so far are that the trial is proving successful".
Beyond the obvious convenience for the fans, Fortress GB 's Smart Stadium Solution provides the Club 's management with superior operational efficiency and new revenue streams. The key power of such cards lie in the marketing potential of the solution: purchasing information can be merged with real-time demographic data, leading to a greater understanding of the fans and the ability to market strategically.
Fortress GB is already in discussion with other clubs that are looking to go cashless next season.
About Fortress GB
Based in the UK, Fortress GB is a leading provider of turnkey, multi-application smartcard solutions and services, aimed at Sports & Entertainment venues worldwide. By combining its consulting expertise, innovative technology and certified partners offerings, Fortress GB offers sports & entertainment venues with, customized reliable solutions, that can be expanded over time to include additional functionalities such as parking, electronic purse, retail and loyalty schemes.
Fortress GB 's Smart Stadium Solution is a flexible system designed to suit sports and football clubs requirements, and seamlessly integrated into their existing infrastructure. The solution is focused upon increasing stadium security and providing a unique experience for fans whilst maximizing Club revenues. It is the only stadium scheme that has ever won the prestigious Sesame Best Software Award.
For further press information about this release, please contact:
Richard Pinnick, Global Business Development
Fortress GB Limited
richard@fortressgb.com
T: +44 (0) 20 7874 7595