The following is an article published in the Hopewiser monthly magazine back in 2001. Whereby a discussion takes place between Hopewiser and IQM on the changes shortly to be implemented which will enhance the ability of the Rail Industry to update it’s procedures and practices for recording customer information and purchases.

November 2001
A sophisticated new Internet/Intranet-backed passenger communications network is being launched by Internet Query Marketing, leaders in railway software communications software and Hopewiser, leaders in address management software.

The technology will also help open up possible world-wide export markets for the two companies. Any transport operator – train, bus, coach – can take advantage of the new package.

The new communications technology will not only enable train operating companies to handle the traditional New Year demand for annual and other season tickets, it will also enable them to boost the range of services they offer passengers, streamline administration as well as cut costs.

The new technology network code named TIM, Ticket Information Management, is based on QWIZZ which was originally developed by IQM for the London – Tilbury – Southend line seven years ago. Since then it has been adopted by many other train operators. At present it contains information on over 4 million season tickets issued to around 300,000 customers.

Other railway companies also showing an active interest in using the system. This should boost the size of the database to over 8 million tickets issued to more than 1million customers. It could be the biggest passenger transport database in the world.

Says Bob Scott, Managing Director, IQM, “What we are doing is establishing an Internet/Intranet site. A number of companies throughout the world are talking about putting their software on the Internet and then allowing people to access it. Microsoft are talking about it. But it is still a relatively new concept. Not many have had the foresight to actually do it yet".

“What we have done is further develop QWIZZ into TIM and then convert it into possibly the world’s largest and most advanced transport passenger technology network.

“Before QWIZZ, the train operating companies had no really true understanding of who their season ticket holders were. There were no local based central records. No standardisation of information. No co-ordination and dissemination of information between the stations and head office and head office and marketing. There was no way the railways could communicate with many of their customers. Marketing initiatives were less focused and consequently less effective.

“QWIZZ enabled the train operating companies for the first time to register and co-ordinate their passengers names and addresses, to standardise the information they held and to form for the first time an in-depth database.

“With TIM everything is on line. The passenger will buy his season ticket at his local station. The minute he buys the ticket the information can be entered on-line and made available to all other respective locations.

“Train companies will immediately be able to react and respond to events. They’ll be able to offer extra network cards, family cards, discounts, special offers. They’ll be no duplication of data. They’ll be lower administration costs.”

Vital component to the system is the Hopewiser address management software, which is built into the TIM package.

Says Hopewiser founder and managing director, Phil Good, “Our Hopewiser software enables the station staff to immediately confirm the address and identity of the passenger buying the ticket.

“This substantially reduces the risk of fraud. It also means they have accurate addressed records, by utilising our accurate post code feature.

“This in turn means the train operating companies can not only speed up their administration and mail their passengers faster, more accurately than they have done in the past it also means they can take advantage of all the postal rebates they are entitled to. Another important cost saving.”

Adds Bob Scott, “We chose Hopewiser not only because they had the best address management software on the market but because they were also the most pro-active. They were interested in what we wanted to do. They were eager to help.

“Their software was also easy to install. It rolled in seamlessly. Everything has worked very well. We’re very pleased with them. The train operating companies have also responded very favourably. The feedback has been excellent.”