| | November 20168CIOReviewInnovating IntelligentlyIn My OpinionRegardless of what business you are in, whether you work in the private or public sector--if you are selling or providing a product or service to your customers--then innovation is a critical success factor in gaining and retaining market share. This has become a reality today and will be ever more important as we move into the future. This article focuses on innovation based upon mobile ticketing app technology and the benefits and impact on customers. Less than a decade ago, in 2007, Apple first introduced the iPhone. Google soon followed with Android phones and later Microsoft with Windows phones. A revolution began with smartphone and tablet mobile apps becoming available for just about everything. An amazing number of more than three million different mobile apps exist today across all of those platforms. While there are many apps to choose from and many are variations on the same theme--a unique element that you control is related to whatever product or service you sell. Take for example, a public transit agency that provides mass transit bus and/or rail services. There may be other transportation providers and many mobile apps supporting travel--but, only the transit agency provides its transit services and only it can establish or change service routes and sell tickets. Mobile ticketing apps for transit existed in Europe a number of years before becoming available in the U.S. Capital Metro, the public transit agency that provides services in Austin, Texas, was one of the first transit agencies in the nation in January, 2014 to introduce mobile ticketing, through its' partnership with mobile ticketing app provider Bytemark, across all services--including Local, Flyer, Express, and MetroRapid bus routes; MetroRail and MetroAccess services. The app, known as CapMetro, is available for free download in the Apple, Android or Windows app stores. Using the app, tickets can be purchased and then the smart phone or tablet can be used as the electronic ticket to board the vehicle. Additional features include various traveler tools including trip planning, schedules, maps and next departure times based upon real-time data.By Joe Iannello, VP and CIO, Capital MetroJoe Iannello
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