John Groves inks Casio partner deal

Alliance will bring choice to UK market

consumer electronics giant Casio has recognised ticketing specialist John Groves Ticket Systems as a strategic partner, focusing primarily on ticketing within the bus and tram industry in the UK.

John Groves Ticket Systems have many years of ticket issuing and public transport experience, stretching back to the 1970’s. Since then the company has supplied equipment to many of the UK’s bus and tram operators. In recent years, mobile ticketing has become an important part of any public transport operation and this requires a fully-supported mobile solution, complete with multiple payment options and accurate back-office reporting.

 The alliance with Casio will see the company focus its efforts primarily on the IT-3100 hand-held terminal. This ruggedised hand-held terminal has an integrated high-performance printer, a large colour touch screen for indoor and outdoor use in bright sunlight and a CMOS scanner. Options include both magnetic and smart card readers that enable both  contact and contactless card transactions.

 John Groves Ticket Systems provides sales, project consultation, system design and integration, hardware customisation and software to its UK customers. This together with the Casio brand of mobile devices provides an excellent product and service offering to bus and tram operators in the UK.

 "This strategic alliance comes at the right time. Casio are already the chosen provider of ticketing solutions for the UK train network through the independent train operating companies. To expand this into the Bus and Tram network is an exciting opportunity for us. John Groves Ticket Systems is an excellent partner for Casio,” explained Guy Boxall, divisional manager of the mobile technology division at Casio.

John Groves, managing director of John Groves Ticket Systems, added: “Our link up with Casio is the logical step forward for us, and is in line with our policy of always offering totally up to date products and integrated systems to operators nationwide. The Casio IT – 3100 is an open platform terminal which can host other systems to provide dynamic business solutions for our customers”.