OREANDA-NEWS. January 06, 2012. Fujitsu has announced a collaboration agreement with Hoft & Wessel, the leading IT and engineering technology group for ticketing, parking and mobile solutions. The move comes as the first step in a broader strategy by Fujitsu to diversify its rail offering and deliver the next generation in innovative multichannel Ticketing Vending Machines (TVMs) for Train Operator Companies (TOCs). Fujitsu’s knowledge of the UK rail market and its excellence in customer support of retailing solutions, coupled with Hoft & Wessel’s expertise as a manufacturer of Europe-wide proven TVMs make this a compelling partnership.

Fujitsu and Hoft & Wessel will build Rail Settlement Plan (RSP) accredited prepaid ticket-on-departure kiosks, as well as small footprint, more easily deployed and cost-effective cashless TVMs. The ticket-on-departure kiosks will enable passengers to pick up any tickets they’ve pre-ordered online. Passengers will benefit from improved queue management and overall experience as the TOC can distinguish between collection and full purchase at the station.

Fujitsu's heritage within rail technology has traditionally resided within the ticketing office. Investment in new software components has enabled the company to adapt and move into new channels, adopting a multichannel approach towards more sophisticated methods of customer engagement, in line with consumer demands.

Nick Chisnall, head of rail at Fujitsu UK & Ireland, said, "Fujitsu is determined to be at the heart of this changing landscape within the rail technology sector. With several new franchises for the large TOCs on the horizon, this is an exciting time for us to demonstrate how innovative technologies that improve customer engagement can provide these companies with a critical competitive edge".

Peter Aylward, general manager of Hoft & Wessel’s Almex UK said: "We selected Fujitsu as our collaboration partners because of their long-standing track-record in rail ticketing solutions. These new products are a direct response to customer feedback and reflect the changing patterns in the ways that rail passengers now choose to collect and purchase their tickets".

This collaboration agreement follows recent contract extensions in 2011 for Fujitsu within the rail technology industry, as TOCs vie for new solutions to improve customer experiences. These include the new enhanced ticketing system for Stagecoach, which in the future will enable TOCs to have technology platforms that will facilitate contactless card payments and full-motion video advertising; and MerseyRail's 'MtoGo' concept (built on Fujitsu's STAR ticketing system), which transforms the traditional ticketing office into an in-station convenience store enabling passengers to pick up tickets alongside their groceries and newspapers.