Boyertown, PA – (July, 2006) The Bronx Zoo - flagship of the largest network of metropolitan zoos in the country - recently partnered with Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. to advance its order entry system. Not only did this decision prove wise in pleasing customers with faster order processing, Zoo officials envision a more cost-effective approach to doing business as a result.
The Bronx Zoo is world-renowned for its conservation efforts, award-winning exhibits and environmental education programs. As the largest urban Zoo in the United States, the Bronx Zoo has over 4,000 animal residents and welcomes nearly two million visitors each year. To remedy outdated and laborious entry procedures, the Zoo decided to upgrade its Order Entry (OE) system to better accommodate its guests.
The Bronx Zoo turned to Gateway Ticketing Systems for a solution to meet this growing need. Gateway - with the introduction of its comprehensive and extensible point-of-sale (POS) software - has emerged as the world leader in revenue management and admission control and was the clear choice for the Zoo. In the summer of 2004, Gateway had been commissioned to install its Galaxy POS system at the Bronx Zoo and at the Zoo’s sister facility, the New York Aquarium. Based on the positive results of the more than 30 systems currently in operation, Bronx Zoo management decided to integrate Galaxy’s Order Entry into their operations as well.
Sean McAllister, the Zoo’s Director of Guest Services commented, “After our successful transition to Gateway Ticketing in admissions we were excited and confident about getting started in Group Sales. Once implemented, Gateway Order Entry reduced the amount of staff and expense dollars we were using for this function. In addition, we now use Galaxy OE to generate valuable visitor information for our Marketing and Corporate Sales teams.”
According to Gateway Project Manager Chris Eickhoff, this is a key pattern that they often witness with customers. “Having operated under the Galaxy POS for two years, Zoo staff got the core functionality under their belts,” he said. “They were then able to take advantage of that knowledge to seamlessly implement our OE.”
Eickhoff explained that the Galaxy OE allows users to control their group sales operations with an extensive list of user-definable configurations. Order Entry further allows them to define sales programs unique to their customer segment, print confirmation letters and statements via user-defined templates, and apply only accepted forms of payments.
“They have made great improvements to their group sales and order entry process following our OE install,” Eickhoff elaborated. “They were able to automate and streamline their process significantly.” Eickhoff went on to share that, after implementing the Galaxy OE, Zoo officials were able to eliminate huge books of rates and processes that slowed processing guests into the park in the past.
Charlie Broschart, Gateway Sales Department, made a courtesy follow-up visit and met with McAllister. “Sean was extremely pleased with the Galaxy OE results and subsequent effective use of staff time,” said Broschart.
According to Broschart, McAllister routinely fields calls from other Zoos and Aquariums wanting to know what ticketing system he uses and McAllister is more than happy to tell them - Gateway. Broschart further elaborated that the implementation of the Galaxy OE has dramatically reduced the Zoo’s annual postage expenses by more than 65%, down to only $9,000 from a previous $27,000.
“Not only are they saving tens of thousands of dollars annually in postage and labor after installing Galaxy, they are making their customers much happier,” said Broschart. “One of their largest repeat group order customers recently called Sean after placing an order and emphatically expressed, ‘WOW! The whole process of ordering and receiving tickets is so much easier and more efficient than in the past. Thank you.’”
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is committed to conservation and inspiring people to care about wildlife and the natural world around them. Gateway has provided the mechanism for WCS’s Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium to allow for a more enjoyable guest experience right from the start of their visit.
About The Bronx Zoo
As the flagship of the largest system of metropolitan zoos in the country, the Bronx Zoo is the heart of the Wildlife Conservation Society and its work to save wildlife and wild places around the globe. With award-winning, cutting-edge exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals, there is no other zoo in the world that offers the diversity, superb viewing, and world-renowned expertise that provides a rewarding experience and the knowledge that visitors can make a difference. To learn more about the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Bronx Zoo, please visit www.bronxzoo.com
About Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is the world leader in high-speed admission control and revenue management solutions for the entertainment, recreation and transportation industries. Gateway Ticketing Systems’ broad client base includes some of the largest theme parks, zoos and aquariums in the world to small family entertainment centers, museums and attractions. Within the transportation industry, Gateway Ticketing Systems provides solutions for intercity bus and passenger ferry systems. In all, Gateway Ticketing Systems’ products are operating in 38 countries, throughout six of the seven continents. For more information on Gateway Ticketing Systems, visit www.gatewayticketing.com or call +1 (610) 987-4000.
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