16 February 2009

When UK-based cinema chain Vue needed a new operating system, it turned to entertainment software solution provider Vista. Vue has now rolled out Vista’s cinema system across its 56 cinemas.

Designed and developed with Microsoft tools using industry-standard PC technology and POS terminals, Vue were able to run Vista straight out of the box; making it easy for staff to learn and operate the technology. In order to make the transition between the Vista and the previous ticketing system as smooth as possible, Vista wrote a function that imported all of the pre-purchased sales and bookings made in the old system into Vista on the day of the switch over. This allowed Vue to convert cinemas during busy weeks, where thousands of advanced sales and bookings had been made.

Vue not only purchased the base Vista system, but also many of the additional cinema modules that Vista has on offer, making their cinema chain one of the most technologically advanced in the UK market. The purchase of Vista kiosk, call centre and Web has provided three additional ticket purchase methods for their customers to choose from, and the purchase of film programming, cash desk, and head office has allowed Vue to further streamline its cinema operations processes.

The core of the Vue ticketing Web site is handled by Vista Web components. The ticketing engine was embedded into the existing Web site and the look and feel was adapted to the unique Vue branding. Vista’s Web software works as a central sales site for all of the cinemas in Vue’s circuit. A background process runs continuously, updating the Web Server database with program, film and pricing details. This approach means small program adjustments are quickly reflected on the Web site. Vista Web not only enables Vue's customers to purchase tickets online, but they can also select their own seats using a seating plan of the theatre.

The Vue Web site is built to withstand huge transaction demand to cater for last minute block buster bookings. During busy times up to 25 per cent of the box office has been remotely booked and the Web infrastructure has been specifically designed to handle this enormous pressure.

Vue have experienced many benefits from installing the Vista System the most notable have been an increase in concession spend per patron, decreased labour costs and more efficiently managed operations.

Vue chief operating officer, Steve Knibbs was very impressed with the flexibility of the Vista POS: “By offering a 'ticket at any till' option and ATMs at which you can purchase tickets and also collect pre-booked tickets, the service levels we can offer our guests have improved beyond recognition. This in turn has led to improved transaction rates at the concessions stand which is helping to improve spend per head. This is great news all around, as it is a win-win situation for guests, cinema teams and the company.”

This article first appeared in the 2009 edition of the Retailspeak Partner Guide.

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