Merlin Entertainments Signs Master Service Agreement with accesso

LONDON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- accesso Technology Group plc (AIM: ACSO), the premier technology solutions provider to the global attractions and leisure industry, today announced the signing of a Master Service Agreement with Merlin Entertainments plc, Europe's number one, and the world's second-largest visitor attractions operator.

This agreement creates a framework through which Merlin may utilize the accesso Passport^® suite of ticketing and e-commerce solutions.  The agreement will run for a three-year term and includes a trial installation of the accesso eCommerce Suite at THORPE PARK Resort.

"Today's announcement is exciting news for a number of reasons.  Clearly, the most exciting aspect is the chance to extend our work with Merlin, which is home to a team that delivers outstanding park experiences in many corners of the world," said Tom Burnet, accesso CEO. "To sign an agreement of this magnitude is a strong show of support for our innovative technology, our people and the track-record we've worked hard to build.

"To extend our reach into another of the world's largest operators is a big win.  At the same time, however, today's agreement is evidence that our plans for the acquired accesso business are working," Burnet added.  "When we acquired the business we knew that the technology was world class and we also knew there was an opportunity to extend its reach beyond North America.   Today's announcement is another clear signal that we can generate significant value from the strategy we've put in place."

The accesso Passport ticketing suite allows operators to offer a comprehensive online shopping experience giving guests convenient access to advance ticket sales seamlessly across desktop computers, tablets and mobile devices.  Passport also supports the attraction's onsite sales with traditional point-of-sale, mobile point-of-sale and self-service kiosks through a forward-thinking, cloud based platform that offers lower operating costs, advanced features and improved data access versus legacy software models.

Considered the UK's most exhilarating theme park, THORPE PARK Resort is home to 25 rides and attractions within 20 miles of central London. The park leads the way in the UK for extreme theme park thrills, evidenced by rollercoasters such as the UK's first winged rollercoaster, SAW: the ride; the world's first horror movie themed rollercoaster, Stealth; one of Europe's fastest and tallest rollercoasters, Colossus; the world's first ten inversion rollercoaster; and the world's largest Speed Swing, Rush.

accesso® Technology Group: about us

accesso (AIM: ACSO) is the premier technology solutions provider to the global attractions and leisure industry. Our patented and award-winning solutions drive increased revenue for attraction operators by significantly improving the most important part of an attraction visit: the guest experience.  Our solutions add value to operators at every point in the guest journey:

• We drive attendance  
  The accesso Passport^® ticketing suite is a comprehensive, easy-to-use cloud solution that processes many millions of ticket and season passes every year, enabling operators to maximise up-sell and cross-sell with ease to drive greater revenue.
• We handle payments 
  Our payment gateway carries level 1 PCI security certification and 24/7 support.  It provides the tools, security and support operators need to drive sales and has so far processed more than $5 billion in transactions.
• We take guests out of line 
  Since 2001 over nine million guests have used a patented accesso LoQueue^SM solution to queue less, ride more, enjoy a better experience and increase their in-attraction spend.
• We simplify point-of-sale  
  We offer a comprehensive point-of-sale solution through software modules combine ticketing, membership, retail, food/beverage transactions, rentals, credit card processing and many other functions into in a single system eliminating the need for separate systems and databases.
• We increase engagement 
  accesso enables operators to engage more deeply and profitably with guests: pre-sale, in-attraction or post-visit.  Our mobile apps have provided more than 2.75 million people with rich iOS and Android content to better plan their visit, buy their ticket on-the-go and unlock new experiences within an attraction. 

Over 400 attractions worldwide currently employ accesso technology – from theme parks, to water parks, cultural attractions and sporting events ski and snow parks.  We are proud that our solutions are trusted by the majority of the leading names in the leisure industry, including Six Flags Entertainment, Cedar Fair Entertainment Merlin Entertainments, International Speedway Corporation, Palace Entertainment, Compagnie des Alpes, and Herschend Family Entertainment.

accesso is a public company, listed on AIM: a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.

For more information visit www.accesso.com

About Merlin Entertainments plc

Merlin Entertainments plc is a leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 100 attractions, nine hotels and three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees.

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SOURCE accesso