Inspectors on Brussels Public Transport Work More Efficiently and Safely Thanks to Handheld Devices for Checking Electronic Passes
10/12/2008
Zwijndrecht, Belgium – Psion Teklogix, global provider of mobile computing solutions, is to supply MIVB (the Belgian urban public transport company that serves the 19 communes of the Brussels Capital Region as well as ten outlying communes) with 100 handheld computers for checking electronic travel passes. Ultimately the company wants to do away with paper and magnetic tickets as much as possible.
Thanks to the WORKABOUT PRO from Psion Teklogix, the Brussels urban public transport company can check passengers more quickly. Moreover, the mobile device also helps to protect the inspectors and includes a range of built-in functions, such as a barcode scanner and a camera.
“Thanks to the electronic MOBIB passes, users of public transport can avoid queues at the ticket offices. And with the mobile handhelds from Psion Teklogix, it will be possible to check these passes quickly and efficiently. This is achieved either by placing the pass in the card reader or by using RFID technology. What’s more, the WORKABOUT PRO can read electronic identity cards,” says Erik Baele, IT manager at the MIVB. “The inspectors are always online, via GPRS above the ground and through a Wi-Fi connection underground. We have also made arrangements for their security. If the inspector presses an alarm button, the staff at the office can very quickly locate him via GPS.”
The project for the Brussels trams, metros and buses is being managed by BizzDev, a company that Psion Teklogix also works with for other clients. BizzDev specializes in mobile applications and took care of the necessary software, based on their development platform BizzLink. BizzDev has a department specializing in ticketing and mobile applications specifically for public transport.
“Because of its superior flexibility and upgradeability, the Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO was the only one able to offer a complete hardware solution for this important project,” says Emmanuel Ottevaere of BizzDev. “So the handheld device offers a great deal more than just ticket control. For example, the user can issue a parking ticket if a car is parked at a bus stop. It’s also possible to take a picture straightaway.”
Passengers can recharge their MOBIB passes at ticket vending machines, at certain tram and bus stops and at sales outlets as well as at kiosks or via the website of the MIVB.
In the long term, De Lijn (the public transport company in Flanders), SRWT (the Walloon Regional Transportation Company) and NMBS (National Railway Company of Belgium) will possibly make use of the solution. Moreover, the passes can be used for other activities, for example as an admission ticket to the cinema, conferences and parking.
About Psion Teklogix
Psion Teklogix is a global provider of mobile computing solutions designed to improve business efficiency and productivity for leading enterprises throughout the world. Solutions are built around a range of high-quality, innovative mobile computers designed for tough and demanding environments. Psion Teklogix is a leader in rugged hardware, integration, service and support and in new and emerging technologies including image capture, RFID and biometrics. With over three decades of industry experience, Psion Teklogix has customers in more than 80 countries, and 39 sales and support offices in 23 countries. Psion Teklogix is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, with additional corporate offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Psion Teklogix parent company, Psion PLC, is listed on the London Stock Exchange (PON.L). For more information, visit www.psionteklogix.com.
About BizzDev
BizzDev is an SME specialized in the development of smart-client type of applications for mobile terminals. Our value is based on the standardization of our developments on our BizzLink technology. The BizzLink framework is the result of 10 years of research and development and experience in mobility. The framework allows rapid development based either on .Net technology or Java (with some restrictions), allowing standardization of the development of the application and the synchronization of data between devices and the server, the management of the online/offline mode, and the deployment and update of applications. For more information, visit visit www.bizzdev.net
Ir anterior
