Mobile ticketing

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1. Mobile ticketing is the process whereby customers can order, pay for, obtain and validate tickets from any location and at any time using mobile phones or other mobile handsets. Mobile tickets reduce the production and distribution costs connected with traditional paper-based ticketing channels and increase customer convenience by providing new and simple ways to purchase tickets. Mobile ticketing is a prime example of horizontal telecommunication convergence.

2. Mobile ticketing is a method by which law enforcement agencies use in-car computers to create traffic citations in the field, then print a hard copy for the offender. The advantages of mobile ticketing include reduced paperwork time, reduced chance of tickets being made void by human error and immediate accessibility of citation information by other departments.[1]

Applications

• Airline check-in
• Cinema ticketing
• Concert/Event ticketing
• Consumer voucher distribution
• Mass transit
• Trade shows

Advantage

• Improved consumer convenience
• Increased revenue by increasing accessibility of tickets
• Reduced infrastructure costs (scanners retail at 30 times the cost of 1d scanners)
• Reduced ticket printing/mailing cost

Disadvantages

• Can be forged.
• Many company phones block payment SMS messages.
• Foreign subscription phones do not work in connection with payment SMS messages.
• Many people do not own a phone, so for this and the above reasons other payment methods must be available.
• If the phone battery runs out, the mobile ticket get unusable.

Usage

Mobile purchase

Over the past 10 years, e-commerce has exploded, with many consumers becoming increasingly comfortable with purchasing online. The next logical step for consumers who are looking for even more convenient methods of doing business is mobile purchase. This trend will be accelerated by the increased functionality of today's mobile devices.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2007 announced a global standard that paves the way for global mobile phone check-in using two-dimensional (2D) bar codes. The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). Upon full implementation, BCBP is said to be able to save the industry over US $500 million annually.^[1]

Mobile Tickets can be purchased in a variety of ways including online, via text messaging or over the phone from a voice call, WAP page, or a secure mobile application. For repeated purchases such as daily train tickets, mobile applications or text messaging are good options. The drawbacks to text message purchasing is that either the vendor loses 40% of their revenue to the mobile operator, or any credit card purchase has to be achieved through a web page as the SMS has no security suitable for credit card entry, and very few ticket choices can be easily remembered and entered by SMS.

SMS purchase

SMS purchase is usually achieved by sending an SMS message containing a short code (e.g. GV for a single adult ticket in Gothenburg, Sweden) to a service number. A return message is sent containing the mobile ticket. Different ticket types can be ordered with a different code (e.g. GU for a youth ticket or GN as a night tariff ticket in Gothenburg). The use of different ordering codes enables creating a variety of ticket types, either time- or distance based pricing and different zone systems.

The price of the ticket can be added to the users mobile phone bill or debited from their pre-paid service using premium SMS billing. The main business limitation is that when premium SMS is used for billing, around 40% of the transaction value is retained by the mobile operator and sms aggregator, which is not viable when the ticket has a conventional profit margin. The revenue share model need to be re-negoatiated separately with teleoperators to suit for mobile ticketing, which excludes foreign visitors from using the system. Other methods for billing include having a mobile wallet that allows the phone user to charge their credit card, but the limitation is the low usage volume of these kind of payment solutions.

Online purchase

Online purchase is still an option for mobile tickets, allowing the user to setup an account and choosing payment options etc.

Delivery

Delivery of tickets to mobile phones can be done in a variety of ways:

• Text messaging (SMS) - visual inspection or OCR
• Text messaging with WAP Push - visual inspection or OCR
• Picture messaging (SMS, EMS, WAP Push and MMS) - usually uses a barcode
• Dedicated Mobile application - which can store and render barcodes delivered via SMS, GPRS, Bluetooth, IRDA or RFID. Barcodes rendered on the device by a dedicated application have the advantage of being full screen without clutter, meaning faster and more successful scanning. A dedicated mobile application can also help the user to organise and sort their tickets better than when an SMS or MMS inbox is full of similar tickets, which is especially useful for transport tickets.
• Device RFID - This is the method proposed under the Near Field Communication (NFC) specification but not yet in general use, except of Japanese Osaifu-Keitai.

Southend United Football Club is currently the only team in the UK to have a mobile ticketing facility offered to fans.

Very few phones outside Japan have RFID/NFC tags and so this method of delivery is largely unsupported. Picture messaging is supported by almost all phones and is generally the delivery method of choice. It usually requires the sender to know the phone model in advance so that the picture is rendered at the correct resolution. Text-only messaging is supported by all mobile phones and is the simplest method of delivery.

Scanning

Visually validated mobile tickets do not require a scan device. Most forms of mobile tickets require some form of device to read the ticket from the user's device. Picture-based messages require a laser scanner (for 1-dimensional/linear barcodes) or camera based imager (for 2-dimensional barcodes) to photograph the message and decode it into a ticket ID. Text-based codes use OCR software. Near Field Communication devices scan using an RFID reader.

Each of the above methods has its specific benefits and drawbacks. Optically reading the display of a cell phone is heavily influenced by the quality of the display (resolution, size of pixels, reflections). RFID is only supported by a very few phones yet.

Redemption

Visually validated mobile tickets are validated without connection to a back office system. Other forms of mobile ticket systems contact a server that is able to verify the ticket and record that it has been used.

New systems that make use of encryption of the data inside the barcode enable off-line scanning and validation, which is especially important if users are purchasing tickets immediately prior to use, and the portable venue or on-vehicle scanning devices cannot always have a connection to the live ticket database. (Many transport ticketing systems, such as the London Oyster card travel system and the M-PhaTic system of the Swedish state railways SJ are designed so that scanners can operate as disconnected islands when connectivity to central systems is lost.)

Products

Company	Delivery Method	Scanning Method	Validation Method	Advantages	Disadvantages	Location
Bissano Software ltd	Barcode-based EMS or MMS. The solution includes Barcode 1D and 2D.	Barcode scanner, integrated thermal printer.		The solution includes Barcode 1D and 2D and PDA software and Back Office system. PDA communicate with BO via WiFi/GPRS connection. The solution is used to sales tickets on move.	Investment for scanner devices.	Offices: Sofia/Bulgaria,Brisbane/Australia
Mobile Tickets Ltd	In-Mobile Application, Barcode 1D and 2D delivered via secure encrypted SMS or GPRS, using a 3kb Java Platform	Providers of the first ever Twitter to Mobile Barcode delivery solution	Remote or local server... also working on Mobile Tickets in Facebook App	World wide delivery possible, secure & customizable	Consulting on Mobile Tickets, Banking and Payments, also offering solutions for the purchase of turnstiles, scanner and kiosk equipment required for Mobile Ticketing	Offices based in London (UK), with partners in Europe, Asia and North America
bCode	Text-based SMS.	Electronically (camera).	Remote or local server.	Secure, reliable, strong device support, dynamic user experience.	Investment for scanner devices.	Australia, United States
codeREADr	Barcode:1D and 2D print or mobile.	Embedded data validated on-device or online.	Remote server.	Secure, fast. For budget-conscious (scanner already in pocket).	Requires iOS, Android or BB device at point of entry.	Worldwide.
Eagle Eye Solutions Limited	Text-based SMS as response to text in, text push, WAP Purchase.	Customer types unique code into kiosk, PDA or Chip and PIN handset.	Central server lookup utilising either internet or existing financial networks.	Secure real time redemption of ticket. Capture of significant customer data. Utilises existing Chip and PIN technology for ticket code capture and data transfer. Unique and multi use tickets available.	Integration into Chip and PIN system. PDA or kiosk rental costs.	Worldwide.
GEAR.it	Barcode-based MMS, SMS, Email.	Codes validated with mBARC/Newland scan engine.	Remote or local server. Integration with proximity couponing via Bluetooth own servers.	Secure, live voucher, integrated marketing services, fraud prevention, API integration into existing systems	Rental of or investment for scanner devices.	Italy
Gavitec AG	Barcode-based SMS, EMS or MMS.	EXIO & MD-20 barcode scanners.	Remote or local server.	Secure, wide-reach, strong device support, integration with ticketing, CRM and access management solutions.	Rental of or investment for scanner devices.	Worldwide
Impact Mobile	Barcode-based SMS w/WAPpush or MMS.	Off-the shelf image scanner.	Remote or local server.	Secure. API to integrate to existing ticketing solutions	No visual validation. Investment for scanner devices. Problem with several phone models. High telecom costs of MMS messages.
INA Finland	Text-based SMS w/WAPpush.	Visually / validators.	INA secure server and/or local server.	No investment for scanner devices, although implementation possible. Secure control code system for visual validation, optional extra verification by phone. No settings or pre-registration needed, single SMS. Secure and easy.	Investment in scanner devices required if existing units cannot be used.	Tampere, Finland. (service worldwide)
InMoDo (M-PhaTic)	Text-based SMS, barcode 1D and 2D, RFID	Imager/Camera-based scanners.	Remote or local server as ticket code contains full information	Secure,reliable,strong device support, range of scanners for different use-cases, including handheld units from well-known brands, no phone settings or pre-registration required, single SMS.	Investment in scanner devices required if existing units cannot be used.	Sweden, Europe, worldwide
Liquid Barcodes	Barcode. (SMS, MMS, WAP, NOKIA SMART, EMS). Airline Tickets / 2D Barcode	Off-the shelf barcode scanner	Remote or local server	World wide delivery, secure, visual ID included, optimised 1D and 2D barcodes tailored to the mobile to ensure successful scanning	-	Norway
Masabi	Dedicated mobile application, usually Java Platform, Micro Edition, barcode tickets delivered via encrypted SMS or GPRS	Any 2D barcode scanner, including using other mobile phones as the inspection device	Encrypted barcode contents enable off-line validation without synchronising ticket databases onto the local scanner, or on-line validation.	Secure ticket purchase and delivery from the mobile, without any sign-up process or passwords. More reliable barcode scanning because of full-screen rendering of the barcode. Barcodes delivered in a single SMS.	Mobile application must be installed on phone by the user or the operator	United Kingdom, Worldwide deployments
Micket Mobile Ticket	Barcode-based SMS, MMS. Encrypted/Plain text QR code.	Handheld QR code scanners.	Remote or local server.	Integration with Facebook, Twitter. Secure and Encrypted, Mobile and Event Ticketing Solutions	Rental of or Investment for scanner devices.	Worldwide
MBO	Barcode-based SMS, MMS, WAP. Keyword Text-In/Push/WAP Purchase/Secure Interfaces	Off the shelf image scanner / visually	Remote or local server	Secure, live voucher, integrated marketing services, fraud prevention, API integration into existing systems	Investment for scanner devices.
Mobimatics	Barcode SMS 1D, 2D	M-Scan Validator 1D, 2D barcodes on mobiles	Caching GPRS manifest downloads stored on local devices.	Removal of human visual validation, total fraud prevention.	Investment for scanner devices.
Mobiqa	Barcode-based SMS, WAP Push or MMS.	Off-the shelf barcode scanner.	Remote or local server.	Secure, wide-reach, visual ID included, optimised barcode tailored to the mobile to ensure successful scanning	-	Worldwide
Moo! Mobile Technology	Barcode-based SMS, EMS, Nokia Smart, WAP Push or MMS	2D barcode scanner	Remote or local server	Integrated branding and marketing solution. Worldwide delivery. API available. Secure.	Phone model required	Netherlands, Worldwide
MogoTix	QR code-based ticket delivered through SMS	Validated using MogoTix iPhone or Android apps	Remote or local server	Self-service ticketing; event organizers can sign up to quickly sell mobile tickets to events	iPhone or Android phone required to scan tickets	Worldwide
NTT DoCoMo (Osaifu-Keitai)	Online purchase, downloaded to RFID chip (Mobile FeliCa)	RFID reader (PaSoRi)	Online lookup	Secure RFID system without visual scanning.	Not usable for non-compliant phones. Credit card registration needed. Still often uses paper ticket for confirmation.
Plusdial	SMS text message (one SMS is enough, no need for e.g. binary SMS to carry bar codes)	Visually (naked eye) or validators reading textual content	Remote or local server.	Patented control code system for visual validation, tested with 2 optional scanner/validator systems. Operated since 2001 with over 60 million tickets sold. No investment needed when using visual checking. As textual SMS used, system works in all mobile phone models without registration or even data settings requirements. Fixed and handheld scanners available; even an Android smart phone with camera and downloadable software can be used as handheld validator.	Investment for scanners needed (but only if automatic validation is required).	Worldwide
ScreenTicket	SMS with link delivered to web based mobile tickets and coupons, all options available	PCT patent pending On Device Verification® and dynamic elements on tickets and coupons. No scanners needed	Remote server, data necessary	On Device Verification®, global delivery, easy integration of API, fast setup, secure solutions	None	Global, based out of Denmark
ShowClix Ticketing LLC	Delivers tickets via SMS text message	Off-the shelf image scanner	Remote server	Rental of or investment for scanner devices	-	United States
Sincoda Limited	2D barcode creation, delivery and redemption. Content sent via WAP and embedded email	2D barcode, NFC or RFID via Sincoda terminal, optional printer dock. Customised version for car parks	Online lookup via GPRS or WiFi, local database or custom integration	Open system - can integrate with any coupon/ticket/loyalty programme. Secure RFID/NFC reader with dual SAM slots. Read paper and mobile barcodes.		United Kingdom
Skycore LLC	2D barcode creation, delivery, authentication and redemption. Content sent via SMS/WAP Push, MMS and Email.	Off-the-shelf 2D scanners and/or smart phones authenticated to scan/read 2D barcodes.	Local or Remote Server.	Cross carrier (US), end-to-end, enterprise solution; MMS specialist. API option.	Investment in traditional 2D scanners or smart phones.	USA. Scalable worldwide with connectivity.
Smartmachine	2D-Barcode-based SMS, WAP Push, MMS, 2D-Barcode via Mail to BlackBerry/PDA, NFC.	CCD-camera based barcode scanner, attached to an access control reader or built into a kiosk.	Online or local.	Secure, strong device support, integration with ticketing, CRM and access management solutions.	Rental of or investment for scanners needed.	Worldwide
Timoco	Barcode-based SMS, WAP Push or MMS.	Off-the shelf barcode scanner, custom built barcode scanners (1D, 2D)	Remote or local server.	Secure, wide-reach, visual ID included.	Rental of or investment for scanners needed.	Western Europe
Trinity Mobile Limited	Barcode (SMS, MMS, WAP, NOKIA, EMS). Keyword Text-In/Push/WAP Purchase/Secure Interfaces	Barcode reader, PDA or Kiosk	Online lookup, local server or trickle fed PDA database. Wifi and GPRS	Removal of human visual validation, unique one time use codes, total fraud prevention. Free software	Investment for scanner devices.
tyntec	Barcode. (SMS, MMS, WAP, NOKIA SMART, EMS). Airline Tickets / 2D Barcode	Any 2D barcode scanner	Online, remote or local.	Secure. Worldwide availability. Highest privacy protection through end-to-end control over the entire GSM delivery path. Strong device support. Strategic partnership with IATA for mobile boarding passes.	Investment for scanner devices.	Worldwide
Pyrumas Software Pvt. Ltd	Barcode. (SMS, MMS, WAP, NOKIA SMART, EMS). Airline Tickets / 2D Barcode	Any 2D barcode scanner	Online, remote or local.	Secure. Indian Connectivity. Highest privacy protection through end-to-end control over the entire GSM delivery path. Strong device support.	Investment for scanner devices.	India , Bangalore,Chamrajpet.
Unwire	SMS, smartphone apps and mobile web	Visual, code lookup and imager/camera-based scanners	Online, remote or local	No sign-up needed, multiple payment methods, strong device support, highly flexible ticket product types	Investment for scanner devices	Europe
Wayin Solutions	1D and 2D Barcode-based message (SMS,MMS, EMS, WAP and EMAIL(Optional for Smartphones).	Off-the shelf, custom built barcode scanners (1D , 2D)	Remote or local server	Secure, live voucher, integrated marketing services, fraud prevention, API integration into existing systems, rental of scanner units available (South Africa Only)	Investment for scanner devices.	South Africa
WapOneline	SMS, WAP & Mobile Web Interfaces	Premium and Standard Rate SMS Connections to 30+ Carriers	Purchase Conf# or Barcode delivered to handset	World wide delivery possible, secure & customizable	Investment required for customization and messaging service	Offices: Finland, USA, Latin America
www.mTicket.co	Text base SMS 100% compatible with all mobile handsets. No need additional software to install on the phone.	Handheld units IPhone, Android, Motorola , Ikôn. Smart camera image scanner.	Remote or local server validation, WiFi, 3G. Easy integration of api.	White label solution. No phone settings or pre-registration required,only SMS.Secure,strong and reliable device support .	Need to buy IPhone, Android, Ikôn, Motorola .	EU base and soon Worldwide Partner. DataTEK Group, Inc. - Romania.

See also

• Mobile payment
• Mobile Suica
• Electronic ticket

References

1. ^ http://mttnow.com/index.php?pageID=14