Is it time to off load ticket master?

[marky mark]

Its the future but to be totally useful it needs to work on paperless tickets as well.

[Fosse69]

Surely we could have sourced swipe card STs ourselves at a far lower cost than 2k per week.... I was writing GOLD cards 15 years ago its not new.

Im not suggesting we shouldnt go with it... just asking if its good value

I think it was a case of taking a solution off the shelf, TM are approved by the FL. I suppose when most have it, it could allow visiting clubs to access away tickets. How the costs stack up I do not know. Are the costs front loaded or spread equally over the 5 years? TM charge £2 per ticket at some clubs, the Vale are picking that up. Does that increase our monthly charge?

[tisdeano]

Surely we could have sourced swipe card STs ourselves at a far lower cost than 2k per week.... I was writing GOLD cards 15 years ago its not new.

Im not suggesting we shouldnt go with it... just asking if its good value

 

Its a good question, one I doubt we could answer though, we would have to know so many variables, cost of software, cost of devices, cost of web interface to allow on line booking, cost of support 24/7, cost of upgrades, infrastructure etc etc etc

[JOHNNYAITCH]

All depends how the ROI re TM is being measured and if after an agreed amount of time that is achieved or not...but the cost at the moment does seem high given the number of tickets that will generally be bought thru TM

[tisdeano]

All depends how the ROI re TM is being measured and if after an agreed amount of time that is achieved or not...but the cost at the moment does seem high given the number of tickets that will generally be bought thru TM

 

Arnt all tickets going thru TM ?

[geosname]

Its a good question, one I doubt we could answer though, we would have to know so many variables, cost of software, cost of devices, cost of web interface to allow on line booking, cost of support 24/7, cost of upgrades, infrastructure etc etc etc

 

The cost of writing swipe cards is minimal.... the cards... a reader/writer.... and the code to drag n drop.

15 years ago when some of the kit was difficult to find the cards came at £10 per 50... the reader was £50... the code was written.

Bearing in mind I paid £200 for a 6Gb scussi hard drive about the same time prices have dropped drastically since... it depends on how you read the cards... magnetic strip or chip... but either way the information is only loaded once so STs are pretty simple.

Bar coded tickets arent difficult to produce in mass numbers and there wont be a need to orientate stock after sales.

TM may be the best solution... it just seems expensive for what we are getting at the moment.

[tisdeano]

The cost of writing swipe cards is minimal.... the cards... a reader/writer.... and the code to drag n drop.

15 years ago when some of the kit was difficult to find the cards came at £10 per 50... the reader was £50... the code was written.

Bearing in mind I paid £200 for a 6Gb scussi hard drive about the same time prices have dropped drastically since... it depends on how you read the cards... magnetic strip or chip... but either way the information is only loaded once so STs are pretty simple.

Bar coded tickets arent difficult to produce in mass numbers and there wont be a need to orientate stock after sales.

TM may be the best solution... it just seems expensive for what we are getting at the moment.

 

How much is the software to link all the sytems together, how much is the infrastructure

 

I think you are taking a far to simplistic view

[Valiant in Brum]

Have gate where fans can use cash.

 

Wouldn't take long.Sort out a float for turnstile operators.

 

As for termination Smurf indicated they would be gone if they didn't get it sorted.Up to now it isn't up and running for the second game OF THE SEASON.

 

Cash turnstiles are a thing of the past we need move on. It is 2013 not 1933.

[geosname]

How much is the software to link all the sytems together, how much is the infrastructure

 

I think you are taking a far to simplistic view

 

I realise that mate... Im asking if we actually need to take a complicated view.

If we purchased plastic cards overprinted with a bar code that would suffice for season tickets... entitles the holder to enter every league game for a season... pre printed paper/card tickets could be used for sale at the ticket office... is there a need to print your own?... do we actually need bar code readers at turnstiles?... no cash at the turnstiles... all ticket... gate 8,000 plus away supporters [same as selling 4,000 yesterday].. do we need to check how many season ticket holders attend? they have already paid for it whether they attend or not... tickets sold at the office will be calculated easily enough... just a question

[tisdeano]

Geo

 

If you do not want a modern system to keep pace with how life is evolving, then we should stick to cash only where possible and take the risk that our own fans and staff will not try and abuse the systems.

 

However like it or not the new digital age is just that, people where possible will continue to prefer do things on line if possible if it makes their life easier [ the evidence to support this is overwhelming ]

 

It was not so long ago that there was loads of threads on OVF about Ted and the antiquated systems in place, oh how times change

[geosname]

I am all for progress, but not for progress sake...

I have a debit card that doesnt have to be swiped... if we are going towards progress why not have the system at vale? flash the card at a reader, £20 comes out of your bank into Vales account and in you go... no cash.. no ticket, job done.

We all have to move forward but we sometimes dont need to run... update by all means but update to what is needed not what is available.

It may be that TM is the right move, it could be its a step too far because we dont need what they offer... without knowing everything its hard to judge but worth discussing.

If I could buy a mobile that just makes calls I would because I dont and wont use anything else it provides... I dont need a camera or GPS or to access the internet or download vids or to play silly bladdy tunes at me... I just want something that does what I need it to do.:mad:

How long will it be before Vale goes pay to view on the internet?... if it ever does we wont need tickets at all... or cack food at inflated prices... it wouldnt be much of a match day experience would it :(

Lemmings evolve... look what happens to them.

[geosname]

Geo

However like it or not the new digital age is just that, people where possible will continue to prefer do things on line if possible if it makes their life easier [ the evidence to support this is overwhelming ]

 

Perhaps people are not given the choice.... perhaps they would prefer not to buy online but there is no alternative available... perhaps companies are leaning their customers towards the internet to save them money on brick outlets and staff... because its good for the company doesnt mean its good for the customer.

[tisdeano]

Perhaps people are not given the choice.... perhaps they would prefer not to buy online but there is no alternative available... perhaps companies are leaning their customers towards the internet to save them money on brick outlets and staff... because its good for the company doesnt mean its good for the customer.

 

Perhaps you are right

 

The alternative is cash turnstyles I suppose

 

How did we cope migrating from steam to petrol engines ?

[Fosse69]

Perhaps people are not given the choice.... perhaps they would prefer not to buy online but there is no alternative available... perhaps companies are leaning their customers towards the internet to save them money on brick outlets and staff... because its good for the company doesnt mean its good for the customer.

 

The trouble is nowadays there are lots of things that cannot be sourced in local specialist shops, they have closed. It also saves hunting around for things, that take time and expensive petrol. Thus online shopping will continue to grow, in the Vale`s case apart from the regulars, it gives casuals the chance to pick their seats, people who may not want to chance it, who knows. Also it provides a marketing data base, opinions will differ on that, and options for loyalty rewards etc. As with most businesses it has to be cost effective, ideally enjoyed by the customers, otherwise low sales etc. Time will tell.

[Valiant in Brum]

Things take time to come together and this with ticket master will, we have played two games. Give it time. Why do Vale fans expect a new system to work like it has been at the club for years after two games.