Last checked at 8 Nov 2011 07:00
8 November 2011 Lo-Q plc
("Lo-Q" or "the Company")
UK Smartphone Pilot Agreed
- The EDF London Eye agrees to run first UK pilot of Lo-Q's smartphone-based ticketing and queuing system -
- Smartphone technology has the potential to open up numerous exciting new markets for Lo-Q -
Lo-Q (AIM: LOQ), the AIM listed provider of virtual queuing systems for theme parks and major attractions, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to pilot a new smartphone-based ticketing and queuing solution at one of the UK's most popular and best known tourist attractions: The London Eye.
Commencing on 1 December 2011 and running until 25 February 2012, the twelve week pilot will see Lo-Q's proprietary technology evaluated at this landmark UK attraction, which is owned and operated by The Merlin Entertainment Group and has ushered over 39 million visitors through its turnstiles since first opening to the public in 2000.
Lo-Q's smartphone-based solution represents an exciting evolution of its existing, tried-and tested queuing solutions and opens up a range of new target markets for the Company worldwide. The new system effectively extends all of the benefits of Lo-Q's proprietary theme park queuing product, combined with mobile ticketing and payment solutions, to patrons at any type of attraction. Importantly, the solution is "Cloud" based and doesn't require expensive infrastructure solutions to be deployed at customer sites.
The pilot announced today will offer visitors to The London Eye, the opportunity to by-pass the attraction's ticket office by purchasing tickets at any time through any internet enabled phone and from any location. The smartphone system will not only enable the purchasing of tickets without queuing, but will also allow visitors to buy a "fast pass" to board the attraction without having to wait in line.
Announcing the trial Lo-Q plc Chief Executive Officer, Tom Burnet, said:
"This is a fantastic and far-sighted project to be involved with and I am very pleased to see some of our most innovative technology being put to the test in this way. Visitors to theme parks and attractions are interested in one thing - the experience. Today that isn't just about the ride or the trip, it's increasingly also about the customer experience of accessing the attraction and maximising the time spent on fun, not formalities. We see today's trial as an exciting first step toward extending our offering outside of the theme park world and in to all manner of single line attractions where reducing queue time will not only benefit the visitor but the operator, too."
For further information, please contact:
Lo-Q plc +44 (0)118 934 7400
Tom Burnet, Chief Executive Officer
John Alder, Chief Financial Officer
FTI Consulting +44 (0)20 7831 3113
James Melville-Ross, Matt Dixon, Clare Thomas
Canaccord Genuity Limited +44 (0)20 7050 6500
Simon Bridges, Cameron Duncan
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