Hornbach Mobilizes With Prinovis & NeoMedia

Earlier this month, Prinovis announced it had entered into a strategic partnership with NeoMedia Technologies. The cooperation brought together technology leader NeoMedia and innovative print and publishing powerhouse Prinovis.

Based in Germany and the UK, Prinovis provides custom print and communication solutions tailored to their customer’s individual needs and requirements. By incorporating mobile barcoding from NeoMedia, Prinovis can help clients integrate customer touchpoints in a powerful new way.

Jürgen Freier, managing director of sales at Prinovis, this week announced, "The first user of our new mobile services is Hornbach Austria." According to Jürgen, "2D codes can be sent as mobile coupons via SMS to each customer's mobile phone and held over a scanner at the point of sale to be redeemed. The devices - the EXIO barcode scanners from NeoMedia Europe AG - have been placed in all eleven Austrian branches of Hornbach."

Hornbach is the European market leader in the field of Do-It-Yourself megastores with garden centers, and operates around 130 outlets in eight European countries. The company provides a comprehensive range of products at permanently low prices at its megastores across Europe.

"Mobile barcoding is breathing new life into print mediums and NeoMedia is proud to deliver this exciting capability to the marketplace. Prinovis is adding exceptional value to their customers by turning every printed piece they deliver into a measurable, interactive experience. What advertiser doesn’t want this capability?" states Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia.

"Mobile barcoding allows Prinovis customers to run smarter, more successful dialogue and loyalty oriented marketing programs. NeoMedia’s tools make executing barcode activities easy and intuitive. We are able to provide a lot of upside to our customers without a lot of additional effort," commented Thorsten Thiel CEO, from Prinovis.

Jürgen Freier added, "Prinovis is seeking partnerships in Germany and Switzerland for the new mobile services. England is also interested in the enterprise solution."

Interview With NeoMedia CEO Iain McCready

NeoMedia Technologies' CEO Iain McCready talks to bnetTV.com's Michelle Sklar at GSMA Mobile World Congress 2009.

Spanair Celebrates First Year With NeoMedia

Mobile check-in has landed in airports across Spain following the introduction of a paperless ticketing service by Spanish carrier Spanair Airlines. Paper boarding passes can now be replaced by an electronic 2D barcode received via MMS and stored by the passenger’s mobile phone. The system is enabled by NeoMedia Technologies, which has to date installed its EXIO scanners in eleven Spanish airports. The scanners read the 2D codes on the phones at the airport terminal check-in desks and security points.

With the widespread installation of the streamlined and convenient service across Spanish airports, Spanair has forecast that 800,000 2D barcode mobile tickets will be issued in 2009 – some ten per cent of its total ticketing transactions.

Spanair was the first airline in Spain to offer its passengers mobile check-in, following the publication by IATA of a mobile boarding standard based on two-dimensional codes. The technology was piloted in the airports of Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona, initiating a service that could save the airline industry up to $500 million each year.

Earlier this year industry analysts Juniper Research estimated that transport-based mobile ticketing will grow from 37.4 million transactions in 2007 to just over 1.8 billion by 2011, with some 2.6 billion mobile tickets in total being issued by 2011 to 208 million mobile phone users.

“Our mobile check-in system is proving to be the fastest way to get on the plane in Spain. It’s innovative, efficient and offers great benefits in terms of both time and convenience – advantages that are particularly appreciated by our business customers,” said Sergio Allard, Chief Commercial Officer, Spanair.

"This is a fantastic success story that underlines the simplicity and elegance of the mobile 2D barcode,” said Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia. “Implementing mobile ticketing expands Spanair’s customer service offering in an innovative way and increases customer convenience significantly – it’s a win/win scenario. NeoMedia’s scanners can be integrated into many different systems and used for a wide variety of mobile CRM solutions (ticketing, couponing, loyalty) and payment systems. With the mobile device increasingly used as a tool for business, it makes absolute sense to utilize it in as many ways as possible to streamline services for both business and consumer users."

Arvato Showcases Mobile Tagging & Couponing

Arvato AG, a Bertelsmann company, and a leading internationally networked media and communication services provider, showcased NeoMedia's Mobile Tagging and Mobile Couponing technology at Mail Order World 2008 on October 2nd in Germany.

Mail Order World Germany is the largest trade fair for the entire spectrum of mail and provides information and business platforms in parallel with the German Mail Order Congress. The Mail Order World is characterized by a diversified portfolio of exhibitors. At the congress, discussed topics visualize and thus illustrate the theory and practice combined. The exhibition parallels to the Congress of German mail industry gathering for decision-makers from mail order, e-commerce and direct marketing.

Hubert Peter, Head of New Business Development at Arvato Services attended the event and participated in Trade Conference 4: E-Commerce and New Business Models where he presented, Mobile Couponing & Mobile Tagging: New Business Approaches for Steering Customers in Target Groups.

For his presentation, Mr. Peter showcased Mobile Tagging and Mobile Couponing using NeoReader and EXIO technology from NeoMedia.

This past August Arvato teamed up with NeoMedia to launch an innovative mobile marketing campaign in Germany using 2D barcodes with INFOBON International and Deutsche Post.

McDonalds Finds Success With 12Snap & Gavitec

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company and the leading provider of mobile ticketing and marketing solutions, in conjunction with 12Snap, an innovative market leader specializing in mobile marketing and customer loyalty solutions for advertisers, partnered with McDonalds to launch a mobile couponing initiative in Germany.

What do 99% of all people have in common? Besides their love for good food, they love to get something for free! With the SMS Lounge, McDonald’s invited customers to save money with their mobile phone. One text message was enough to register at their favorite restaurant for the service. In the following months, people received a mobile voucher directly from the restaurant onto their phone every two weeks. The coupons – embedded in a 2D barcode - could be redeemed by scanning them at the restaurant using Gavitec's EXIO readers.

By establishing a long-term dialogue that drives people to the restaurant and increases sales, not only does it offer people a service that gives them a real value, but it also helps build awareness by using a mechanic that presents McDonald’s as an innovative brand.

"Mobile Couponing continues to develop the idea of the bonus program, by tying to learned consumer behavior, but at the same time, the cost for suppliers and customers is drastically reduced", explained Stefanie Krebs, managing director of 12snap Germany. "The phone is always there and thus the ideal platform for timely actions and coupon offers. Regular Incentives and a clear use promise are the best starting point for a permanent emotional customer connection."

Since its initial launch in July 2007, more than 10,000 participants have used this McDonald’s service. Being the first of its kind mobile couponing initiative throughout Germany, the brand achieved response rates up to 29%.

Nokia and Vodafone assisted 12Snap and Gavitec and helped make this mobile couponing initiative a great success.

Gavitec Scanners Used By T-Mobile & Vodafone

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a leading provider of mobile technologies and marketing solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of NeoMedia Technologies, today announced that its mobile ticketing scanners were deployed last week at the T-Mobile Street Gigs and Vodafone Music Unlimited events. Since the first Street Gig in June 2007, more than 10,000 music fans received access to these unique events by having their mobile tickets redeemed by the Gavitec scanners. In addition, Vodafone Germany adopted mobile ticketing to distribute exclusive tickets for their July 13th event in Leipzig.

Last Summer, T-Mobile put on a series of spontaneous live music events known as Street Gigs in surprising and unexpected locations across Germany. Tickets for the concerts were available to winners of a “mobile ticket lottery” running on the T-Mobile Street Gigs website. All those registering free of charge as a member of the new T-Mobile Street Gigs community at www.t-mobile-streetgigs.de simply gave their mobile phone numbers. The lottery winners were then sent a pair of mobile tickets in the form of a 2D barcode directly to their mobile phone on the day of the concert. At the gig venue, winners had their mobile ticket scanned by the Gavitec scanner linked into a live database. Once the tickets were validated and redeemed, the winners could enter the venue and enjoy a great night in an exclusive location. Since the first gig in July 2007, more than 10,000 winners have attended the T-Mobile events using mobile tickets.

In order to strengthen its commitment to music products, Vodafone Germany sponsored a live concert featuring one of Germany's most popular bands, Ich + Ich, free of charge in Leipzig, Germany. The tickets for this live concert on July 13 in Leipzig's Kohlrabizirkus were available to all-comers registering at www.vodafone.de/music and taking part in a mobile ticketing lottery. The winners received a mobile ticket for 2 persons in the form of a 2D barcode to be redeemed at the concert venue by the Gavitec scanners.

"We are really pleased that music fans can now take advantage of a more convenient ticketing procedure. Our easy-to-use and versatile scanners are already used successfully in other European countries. It is great to bring this fantastic technology to Germany”, says Dr. Christian Steinborn, CEO at Gavitec AG - mobile digit, and continues “Gavitec’s scanners bring not only enormous advantages for mobile phone users, such as improved customer service, reduced queue times, reliable access control, but also provide event promoters with an easy way to collect data and build a personalized customer database. Therefore, it is a remarkable tool to open new distribution channels and to realize mobile marketing campaigns".

NeoMedia & Gavitec Ready For CTIA Wireless

NeoMedia, the global leader in camera-initiated transactions for mobile devices, and Gavitec, the leading provider of mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions, are excited to showcase their innovative optical code reading technology and mobile ticketing solutions at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas from April 1 - 3.

CTIA Wireless, the largest wireless data event in the industry, embodies the ever-changing, dynamic, and innovative world of wireless data in enterprise and in entertainment. CTIA Wireless is the one show that brings key audiences such as enterprise users, solution providers, content owners, and mobile distribution channels together to form strategic partnerships, service industry needs, and create new innovations in wireless data. With over 300 exhibitors and special technology pavilions in mobile entertainment, enterprise mobility, M2M and application development, CTIA Wireless is the most comprehensive expo in wireless data showcasing ground-breaking innovations and creative solutions for enterprise and entertainment.

NeoMedia's flagship optical messaging and code reading platform, along with Gavitec's mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions will be on display at CTIA Wireless in booth #1259.

In addition, NeoMedia's CEO Chip Hoffman will be participating in a CTIA educational session on April 1st, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center in room: North 107. The panel discussion, Cameraphone Code Scanning Technologies: A Survey, will be focused on the devices, software, applications, etc., that enable code scanning via a mobile phone’s camera functionality. While cameraphone code scanning has the potential to revolutionize the way users access information, content, and advertising, questions still remain. What is the current state of the technologies? What are the main obstacles to mass adoption and what are the strategies to overcome them?

In order to create a global ecosystem for mobile codes, NeoMedia is collaborating with recognized leaders in telecommunication infrastructure management to create a worldwide infrastructure for the processing of optically initiated transactions - called the Optical Messaging Interchange. This interchange would provide the mass reach required by brands and advertisers to invest in the technology, while enabling operators to leverage their investments in networks and subscribers. By embracing open standards, full interoperability, and by being barcode symbology agnostic, NeoMedia Technologies wants to provide a global infrastructure to insure that all transactions requested by end users “work” as intended, all parties are compensated correctly, and that the technology achieves mass adoption globally. In doing so, NeoMedia enables a seamless, secure, and reliable platform for mobile commerce using 1D and 2D barcodes and mobile devices. NeoMedia’s mission is to offer new ways to make mobile internet transactions effortless and more accessible while enhancing customer value and convenience.

CITI Telecom Powers Smirnoff With Gavitec EXIO

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company and the leading provider of mobile ticketing and marketing solutions, in conjunction with CITI Telecommunications, an innovative solutions and services company, partnered for the Smirnoff Experience in Dubai.

The CITI Telecommunications mobile ticketing technology was used along side Gavitec's EXIO scanners to enable 4,000+ participants to enter a drawing via SMS. The participants received an entry ticket on their mobile phone in real time at the venue allowing them a chance to win 2 VIP trips to Paris France.

Gavitec’s flexible and easy-to-use technology offers many advantages such as new channels of distribution, a more targeted and directed sales approach and precise response evaluation. The capabilities of the Gavitec product range allow for many other mobile marketing applications: For example, different data contents like tickets, coupons or discount vouchers can be encrypted in the form of two-dimensional codes and sent to mobile phones via SMS. The code appears in the mobile phone display and is then read by Gavitec scanners (EXIO or MD-20). Codes are automatically and securely validated against a database via GPRS. Gavitec’s code-reading technology turns the mobile phone into an ideal platform for the transfer and verification of electronic tickets.

The event was a first of its kind in Dubai and an overall success. Please enjoy the pictures below:

Brandscape Fuels Powerade With Gavitec EXIO

Brandscape, in conjunction with Wayin and Gavitec AG - mobile digit, unveiled a powerful new use of Bluetooth content delivery and instant prizes at Powerade's Pick n Pay Argus Expo stand.

If you registered for this year's Pick n Pay Argus Cycle Tour at the Good Hope Center in Cape Town South Africa, you would have come across a new promotional mechanic that's raising eyebrows. Promoters wearing Hypertags® that can transmit content via Bluetooth or infrared approached cyclists in the event's registration area. Content included Powerade's great “ICE RUGBY” video commercial, the soundtrack as a ringtone, and branded wallpapers. The incentive to take up the offer? - A bar coded win voucher Bluetoothed to consumers' mobile phones and redeemable at the award-winning Powerade expo stand. High-quality prizes included Powerade - branded wallets, saddle bags, bandannas, golf towels and the obligatory and always popular caps and lanyards. Voucher holders scanned their barcodes at the stand using Gavitec's EXIO readers to find out what they had won.

Gordon Parkin, Creative Director at Brandscape says: “This is the perfect mechanic to ensure that Expo visitors make a stop at the Powerade stand. It also allows the brand to penetrate the consumer's personal space and utilize the billboard space of the future: the mobile handset.” All interactions are logged, and prizes are given out according to a closely monitored database, ensuring effective use of prizes.

Powerade Brand Manager, Ismail Nanabhay had briefed Brandscape to find an accountable, compelling way of engaging cyclists at the Argus, in a way that could be extended to other sponsored events, such as the Two Oceans Marathon.

“Powerade is the perfect brand to launch a digital strategy, fun, sporty, yet with serious technology behind the product. We're experimenting with Hypertag®, and are impressed with its accountability, and ability to engage – especially when combined with Brandscape's mobile handset scanners. Watch this space, there's a lot of exciting stuff still to come from us,” commented Nanabhay."

Eventing is the perfect place for brands and advertisers to wet their toe's with our technology,” says Brandscape Managing Director Damian Hardy, “but the real power lies in retail, where simple, effectively-incentivised purchases and card-less loyalty is now a reality.”

Brandscape Proximity Marketing Solutions offers marketers innovative and personal ways of communicating, interacting and rewarding individual consumers directly to their mobile phones. Rich media content is sent, at no charge to the recipient, via Bluetooth and infrared that starts a permission-based conversation that benefits both brand and consumer. Mobile tickets and vouchers are delivered by SMS, MMS, WAP or via Hypertag® Bluetooth and redeemed online with Brandpoint scanners. Brandscape partners with clients to create effective, intelligent, hard working consumer activation campaigns for mobile proximity marketing. Activation results are measurable and accountable. Brandscape is the South African business partner to Hypertag® UK, This partnership affords local clients, access to global technologies, best practice, support and expertise.

NeoMedia & Gavitec To Attend CeBIT 2008

NeoMedia Technologies, the global leader in camera-initiated transactions for mobile devices, and Gavitec AG - mobile digit, the leading provider of mobile ticketing technologies and marketing solutions, are participating in CeBIT 2008 in Hannover Germany from March 4th - March 9th. NeoMedia and Gavitec will be exhibiting in the Marketing Solutions Area - Hall 4 - booth F58.

CeBIT is the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. The key target groups are users from industry, the wholesale/retail sector, skilled trades, banks, the services sector, government agencies, science and all users passionate about technology. CeBIT offers an international platform for comparing notes on current industry trends, networking, and product presentations.

Consumers everywhere desire the ability to obtain product information and prices quickly and easily – wherever and whenever the need arises. This desire is made possible via scan commerce. With a simple click on a data-enabled camera phone, product data can be accessed from the internet in seconds via a 2D code.

In order to make the scan commerce experience consistent and compelling for consumers everywhere, NeoMedia is collaborating with recognized leaders in telecommunication infrastructure management to create a worldwide infrastructure for the processing of optically initiated transactions - called the Optical Messaging Interchange. This interchange would provide the mass reach required by Brands and Advertisers to invest in the technology, while enabling operators to leverage their investments in networks and subscribers. By embracing open standards, full interoperability, and by being barcode symbology agnostic, NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. wants to provide a global infrastructure to insure that all transactions requested by end users “work” as intended, all parties are compensated correctly, and that the technology achieves mass adoption globally. In doing so, NeoMedia enables a seamless, secure, and reliable platform for mobile commerce using barcodes and mobile devices. NeoMedia’s mission is to offer new ways to make mobile internet transactions effortless and more accessible while enhancing customer value and convenience.

Scan commerce has a great deal of potential. The mobile phone is arguably the most personal technology we use in our everyday life. The ability for consumers to turn their camera phone from a communications device into a content acquisition device is powerful. Savvy mobile marketers will leverage this opportunity by delivering relevant and valuable information and content via 2D codes – coupons, tickets, price comparisons, online ordering, special services, etc.

To help make the promise of mobile marketing a reality, NeoMedia also offers Gavitec hardware scanners that are capable of reading 2D barcodes from a cell phone display. For example, instead of purchasing tickets at the box office, movie-goers can obtain tickets through a cash-free Web-based transaction, or from special call centers, and receive an electronic ticket as an SMS on their mobile phones. Tickets, displayed graphically in form of a 2D barcode on the phone, are read by Gavitec scanners at the entrance to the cinema, letting guests in without having to wait at the box office. To gain access, ticket holders simply place the display of their cell phone against the reading lens of the Gavitec scanner. The system compares the electronic ticket with an existing database, where it is verified by GPRS in seconds.

This system dramatically expands the number of people able to use mobile barcodes for ticketing and commerce to any phone that is SMS capable. Currently only 20%-30% of users are able to use mobile bar codes for redemption of tickets and coupons verses nearly 100% of current mobile users with the Gavitec system from NeoMedia. The Gavitec scanners are available as desktop solutions for innovative marketing campaigns and as installation modules for third party providers.

Gavitec & Omniprime Launch MRT E-Wallet Card

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company and the leading provider of mobile ticketing and marketing solutions, in conjunction with the Philippines' leading mobile solutions specialist, Omniprime, have launched a new Prepaid E-Wallet Card for Manila’s major public transportation line MRT3.

To answer the more than 500,000 daily MRT commuter's plea for a more convenient ticketing system, Metro Star Express in cooperation with Omniprime, Gavitec, and the three leading Philippine telecom companies, Smart, Globe, and Sun cellular, bring together a new innovative use for the cell phone - to buy and prepay MRT tickets.

Convenience is what MRT commuters get when they activate a Juan Card E-Wallet with their cell phone. The majority of cell phone subscribers in the Philippines are now using prepaid and/or e-loaded cards. Using the Juan Card E-Wallet is no different. One card provides an added advantage because people subscribing to different cell phone companies can simply use one type of e-card to buy their e-loads for calling and texting, while at the same time, empowering them to buy their MRT e-tickets.

Almost a year of hard work in programing, installation, and testing has been conducted by MRT's technicians and consultants, together with Omniprime's management, engineers, and IT professionals to test the end to end mobile ticketing system.

Simeon Kintanar, chairman of Omniprime and former president of the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission, and committee chairman of the House of Representatives for telecommunications, explains the decision for partnering with NeoMedia’s Gavitec, "This project is top priority for Omniprime. Due to the high reliability and quality of the Gavitec technology, and following our long and in-depth testing phase, we knew that partnering with NeoMedia's Gavitec was good for both companies."

“The circumstances given in the Philippines hold a considerable potential for development for mobile marketing. We are very pleased to again prove the established performance of the Gavitec technology with the implementation of this mobile ticketing project for MRT3,“ emphasized the COO of NeoMedia, Dr. Christian Steinborn.

Gavitec’s flexible and easy-to-use technology offers many advantages such as new channels of distribution, a more targeted and directed sales approach and precise response evaluation. The capabilities of the Gavitec product range allow for many other mobile marketing applications: For example, different data contents like tickets, coupons or discount vouchers can be encrypted in the form of two-dimensional codes and sent to mobile phones via SMS. The code appears in the mobile phone display and is then read by Gavitec scanners (EXIO or MD-20). Codes are automatically and securely validated against a database via GPRS. Gavitec’s code-reading technology turns the mobile phone into an ideal platform for the transfer and verification of electronic tickets.

Gavitec's Mobile Check-In At Barcelona Airport

Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company and the leading provider of mobile ticketing and marketing solutions, partnered with Spanair to launch a new mobile boarding pass service.

The state of the art technology was tested at two Spanish airports - Madrid and Bilbao - and has been extended to Barcelona due to it's overwhelming success.

November of last year, Spanair launched its new Mobile Boarding Pass service, thus becoming the first airline to offer its passengers this type of mobile ticketing service.

To obtain a mobile boarding pass, passengers will be required to check-in using the web-based check-in service at spanair.com, or by connecting to the internet with a mobile phone via the new mobile check-in service at spanair.mobi, which was launched in tandem with the mobile boarding pass service. At the end of the process, the passenger is asked for his or her mobile number, to which Spanair will send the corresponding multimedia message (MMS) free of charge. The multimedia message contains an image with a two-dimensional barcode, which transmits all the information necessary to execute automated boarding, as well as a text information section with all travel details.

In order to use this system, passengers simply need to pass the 2D barcode sent to their mobile phone over the Gavitec EXIO scanners at the Madrid, Bilbao, and Barcelona airports. In doing so, they will obtain a paper receipt with which they will be able to pass through security and proceed to boarding.

Pablo Sánchez, Director of E-Commerce at Spanair, stated that, "Spanair is laying the foundations for the implementation of a boarding card system in the near future that will be 100% paper-less; thereby ensuring greater passenger comfort and a substantial saving of time."

Gavitec Powers Mobile Ticketing For Spanair

Spanair and Vodafone Spain have joined forces with NeoMedia's Gavitec to save their customers time with a new mobile boarding card service.

At the beginning of November, Spanair launched its new mobile boarding card service, thus becoming the first airline to offer its passengers this type of mobile ticketing service. The Madrid-Bilbao route will deploy this service up to the end of the year, at which point the company will begin rolling out the mobile boarding card on all of its domestic routes.

Focusing primarily on business passengers, this innovative system facilitates receiving a Spanair boarding card via a multimedia message (MMS) sent to a mobile phone. The multimedia message contains an image with a two-dimensional barcode, which transmits all the information necessary to execute automated boarding, as well as a text information section with all travel details. Thus, to obtain their boarding cards, passengers will just need to proceed to the special check-in desks and pass the 2D code over a Gavitec EXIO scanner.

To obtain their mobile boarding card, passengers will be required to check-in using the web-based check-in service at spanair.com, or by connecting to the internet via their mobiles via the new mobile check-in service at spanair.mobi, which will be launched in tandem with the mobile boarding card service. At the end of the process, the passenger is asked for his or her mobile number, to which Spanair will send the corresponding multimedia message (MMS) free of charge.

In order to use this system, passengers simply need to pass the 2D code sent to their mobile phone over the scanners at Madrid and Bilbao airports. In doing so, they will obtain a paper receipt with which they will be able to pass through security and proceed to boarding.

Vodafone's director of innovation and business development, Pedro Fuertes, commented that, "The mobile boarding card and, in general terms, ticketing systems based on mobile handsets, are further evidence that mobile telephones, in addition to facilitating voice-based communication, are making life easier for us by allowing for secure access to endless services, at any time and from anywhere."

Spanair piloted this system in June during the Vodafone innovation show, which also served as the launch for this new service. Pablo Sánchez, Director of E-Commerce at Spanair, stated that, "With this advance, Spanair is laying the foundations for implementation of a boarding card system in the near future that will be 100% paper-less; thereby ensuring greater passenger comfort and a substantial saving of time."

Gavitec Forms Alliance With Ryanair & Ticket Text

Gavitec AG - mobile digit; a leading provider of mobile technologies and marketing solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of NeoMedia Technologies; the global leader in camera initiated transactions for mobile devices, today announced that together with Ryanair; Europe's largest low fares airline, and Ticket Text; a Dublin-based provider of one of the world's first mobile event ticket services, formed a strong alliance to bring mobile ticketing to the European market and offer a clear solution to existing expensive and ineffective paper ticketing systems.

The principle is simple; both websites of Ryanair and Ticket Text are linked to each other. About 52 million Ryanair passengers can access a whole range of low cost event tickets provided by Ticket Text all over Europe. NeoMedia's Gavitec scanners then read the mobile tickets at the event site.

Mobile ticketing is becoming increasingly popular world-wide. Fans and concert goers buy their ticket on the internet and receive a text message with a two-dimensional code (e.g. Data Matrix codes) on their mobile phone display. NeoMedia's Gavitec scanners then read and validate the code at the entry point to the venue.

Dr. Christian Steinborn, President and COO of NeoMedia Technologies commented: "The future belongs to mobile ticketing. Our cooperation with Ryanair and Ticket Text creates a compelling offering which will push forward mobile ticketing enormously using Gavitec's code-reading systems and software for mobile applications."

Tim Delaney, Ticket Text's chairman added, "We are delighted to announce this alliance with Gavitec AG - mobile digit. Our combined solution presents a clear and compelling offering to both venue managers and event customers. Ryanair's 50 million customers will be offered low-cost tickets for concerts, sports, theaters, galleries, and exhibitions in Ireland, UK, and the rest of Europe."

NeoMedia's Gavitec offers full-service solutions for the application of mobile ticketing, ranging from scanners to corresponding software with their technology offering various opportunities for innovative and cost-effective marketing campaigns, such as using new channels of distribution and a more targeted and well directed sales approach with precise response evaluation.

NeoMedia Technologies Launches New Website

Click here to visit the new website

Sky Radio Interview With CEO William Hoffman

William J. Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of NeoMedia Technologies was featured in an exclusive interview with Sky Radio that will air on American Airlines for the entire month of October.

The interview covered topics including NeoMedia Technologies' patented qode technology, the values and advantages associated with mobile code reading, growth initiatives, and future market potential.

NeoMedia Technologies is the global leader in camera-initiated transactions for mobile devices. From RFID and optically initiated wireless transactions to the digital processing of mobile financial transactions, NeoMedia provides reliable high-volume solutions for the processing of universal optical codes and related information for mobile devices. NeoMedia's international office is located in Aachen, Germany. This office, Gavitec AG - mobile digit, is the leading provider of mobile technologies and marketing solutions offering mobile enterprise applications and hardware devices for mobile ticketing and coupon transactions.

To download and listen to the Sky Radio interview with NeoMedia's CEO William Hoffman, please click here.

Gavitec Brings Mobile Ticketing To Philippines

Together with the Philippine’s mobile marketing specialist Omniprime, Gavitec AG - mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company, launched, under intense media interest, a mobile ticketing system for Manila’s major public transportation line MRT3.

With over 1 billion text messages sent every day, the mobile phone is the most commonly used means of communication in the Philippines. From now on, the mobile phone will play an even more important role: in cooperation with Omniprime, Gavitec AG - mobile digit, implemented a mobile ticketing system for the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly known as the MRT, Metrostar Express, or Metrostar. MRT3 is the major public transport line in Manila with 180 million passengers each year. The three largest national mobile phone operators Smart, Globe and Sun are aboard as well to support the new mobile ticketing system. NeoMedia’s Gavitec agreed to a contract of $1.3 million over a duration of 3 years.

The main goal of the innovative mobile ticketing system is to provide instant MRT3 tickets. Passengers receive their passes via text message in the form of a two-dimensional barcode directly to their mobile phone. Prior to travel, each code is read and validated by Gavitec scanners. The advantage is that over half of the Philippines’ 70 million residents use their cell phone as their primary means of communication. Traveling is now easier, quicker and cashless, therefore reducing long queues of passengers.

For mobile solutions based on text and picture messages, the Philippines are the ideal location. “The circumstances given in the Philippines hold a considerable potential for development for mobile marketing. We are very pleased to again prove the established performance of the Gavitec technology with the implementation of this mobile ticketing project for MRT3,“ emphasized the CEO of NeoMedia’s Gavitec AG – mobile digit, Dr. Christian Steinborn.

Simeon Kintanar, chairman of Omniprime Marketing Inc. and former president of the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission, and committee chairman of the House of Representatives for telecommunications, explains the decision for partnering with NeoMedia’s Gavitec, "this project is top priority for Omniprime. Due to the high reliability and quality of the Gavitec technology, and following our long and in-depth testing phase, we knew that partnering with NeoMedia’s Gavitec was good for both our companies."

Gavitec’s flexible and easy-to-use technology offers many advantages such as new channels of distribution, a more targeted and directed sales approach and precise response evaluation. The capabilities of the Gavitec product range allow for many other mobile marketing applications: For example, different data contents like tickets, coupons or discount vouchers can be encrypted in the form of two-dimensional codes and sent to mobile phones via SMS. The code appears in the mobile phone display and is then read by Gavitec scanners (EXIO or MD-20). Codes are automatically and securely validated against a database via GPRS. Gavitec’s code-reading technology turns the mobile phone into an ideal platform for the transfer and verification of electronic tickets.

NeoMedia Appoints Christian Steinborn As COO

NeoMedia Technologies is pleased to announce that Dr. Christian Steinborn, CEO of Gavitec AG - mobile digit, will assume the additional role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NeoMedia. Dr. Steinborn will oversee global sales opportunities and business operations of both NeoMedia and Gavitec.

With a PhD in Banking Operations Law, and an International MBA, Dr. Steinborn is a seasoned executive with years of experience in the wireless industry and demonstrates consistent execution of sales and profitably initiatives.

According to Dr. Steinborn, "The key to future growth is our ability to create high-quality innovative products and to understand our customer's individual requirements and needs."

Gavitec AG – mobile digit is a specialist in designing and manufacturing flexible, easy-to-use, high-quality code readers and in delivering full-service solutions. Our approach is to provide our customers in industry, finance, media, retail and IT with high-quality products, services and integrated solutions. Gavitec brings new impulses to the mobile phone technology and therefore enhances mobile phone user’s convenience in the world with “Gavitec inside”. Network operators, manufacturers, content providers, marketing partners, investors, consulting companies and resellers claim Gavitec AG – mobile digit as the partner of choice for full-service mobile solutions.

Gavitec Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

Gavitec AG – mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company, celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Within the past ten years, Neomedia’s Gavitec evolved from a high-tech service provider of the industry into the market leader in the development of innovative scanner systems that are able to read linear barcodes and 2D-codes (such as Data Matrix) from mobile phone displays. Likewise groundbreaking are Gavitec’s solutions for reading codes by means of mobile phone cameras. The integrated digital cameras transform the mobile phone into a ubiquitary and all-purpose communication tool for mobile marketing and make mobile Internet transactions much easier and accessible all over the world. In addition, Gavitec’s barcode reading technology offers new opportunities for increasing end-users’ convenience, advancing customer loyalty, saving costs and establishing new business models.

Following the successful selling of the industrial division to Cognex in 2003, NeoMedia’s Gavitec concentrated their efforts on their mobile business. Already in the following year, the company won the Ericsson Mobile Application Award, the highly acclaimed "Oscar" of the mobile industry, in the category "Best Enterprise Application". In 2005, the Royal Television Society (RTS) awarded Gavitec’s Lavasphere technology in various categories.

Since 2006, Gavitec AG – mobile digit is a company of NeoMedia Technologies, USA. In the same year, Gavitec AG realized different projects in the field of mobile scanning, such as the development of a mobile couponing system for McDonald’s in Portugal. Digital discount vouchers were sent to registered clients of the Portuguese mobile service provider TMN. These discount vouchers, in form of 2D codes (Data Matrix), could then be redeemed in all participating McDonald’s restaurants at the Gavitec scanners without any operation efforts.

"Especially in the recent past, we proved and strengthened our technology leadership through successful implementation of various mobile marketing projects. With NeoMedia Technologies as a holding company, we will also in the future develop and market innovative cutting-edge technology in order to bridge the physical and mobile worlds. Our goal is to co-determine the developments in the mobile market and to successfully standardize mobile technology worldwide. We want to give new impulses to the marketing industry and thereby maintain the attractiveness for investors and employers," emphasizes Dr. Christian Steinborn, CEO of Gavitec AG – mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company.

Gavitec Powers Raffle For German Soccer League

21 soccer stadiums – 6 vehicles. This is the recipe for success for the advertising and creative agency Zum goldenen Hirschen. The goal is to attract soccer fans to visit the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfort, Germany. Together with Gavitec AG – mobile digit, a NeoMedia Technologies company, the agency created the concept for this innovative and well-promoted raffle. Gavitec is a leader in technology provisioning for code-reading systems and software for mobile applications.

In each of the 21 stadiums of the 1st and 2nd soccer league, 5000 car keys have been attached at random underneath the visitor seats. The raffle has been advertised through video trailers, information flyers, promotion teams, as well as the stadium speaker. Six of the keys match to six winning cars. Upon the keys is a barcode, developed by NeoMedia’s Gavitec, which will be read at the IAA through Gavitec scanners. If the scanner accepts the barcode as a winning code, the owner of the key wins one of the six cars that are waiting for their new owner directly at the IAA.

Dr. Christian Steinborn, CEO of NeoMedia’s Gavitec AG – mobile digit, is enthusiastic about the marketing cooperation: "This project proves that mobile marketing is on the rise. Our flexible technology, in combination with such a great raffle, will certainly surprise soccer fans and bring them to visit the IAA." Hans H. Langguth, head of the campaigning unit of the agency Zum goldenen Hirschen is very pleased about the successful cooperation within this project. ”With Neomedia’s Gavitec AG – mobile digit we have found the ideal partner for such an innovative marketing concept. The Gavitec technology has presented our client and us a completely new kind of marketing solution. Now we are interested in the response of the German soccer fans!"