Press Releases

Boyertown, PA – (July, 2006) Orange County California’s Discovery Science Center (DSC) in Santa Ana recently united with Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc., to upgrade its point-of-sale (POS) and order entry systems in order to keep the lines moving and the visitors energized.

The 59,000 square foot DSC facility is utilized extensively as a valuable educational resource for California’s regional school systems, residents and tourists. Bus load after bus load of curious and excited students line up at the gates intently anticipating their hands-on trek through the belly of the world’s first interactive dinosaur and many other interactive educational adventures. As customer counts continued to grow, staff quickly realized that they were suffering operational growing pains and sought an integrated technology solution to their dilemma. An extensible solution that could process the customers more quickly, log and traverse customer data between modules, and effectively handle their retail sales and reporting needs.

In this quest, DSC discovered Gateway Ticketing Systems through a Myrtle Beach, SC affiliate - Al Sheffer of Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. (B&C). B&C has participated in the unprecedented growth and development of the greater Myrtle Beach region including notable entertainment attractions; Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Waves Water Park and NASCAR Speedpark among others. The attraction that ultimately tied DSC with Gateway was the MagiQuest real-life interactive video game adventure which B&C created in a joint venture with Creative Kingdoms.

According to Sheffer, he first worked with Gateway on B&C’s MagiQuest project. “We developed an interface between Gateway’s Galaxy® POS system and the MagiQuest gaming system. (B&C) partnered with Creative Kingdoms to create New Kingdoms LLC and from that partnership Magiquest was created.

“In creating MagiQuest we developed a wide range of new technologies, acquiring seven patents along the way. Because of the uniqueness of the system, we decided to franchise out the technology. We were then approached by the people from DSC to modify MagiQuest to be dinosaur themed (Dino Quest). All of the changes were with animation and aesthetics, the core system remained the same,” he said.

Sheffer headed the DSC project designing and constructing the database, training the DSC staff, providing extensive support, and recommending Gateway Ticketing Systems. “I chose Gateway for the POS and gaming interface because of my past 10 year history with Gateway and past successes building interfaces to external systems,” said Sheffer. “For example, we constructed an interface to property management systems and an interface to Piggly Wiggly's customer loyalty program. The initial project was successful so it was only logical to recommend the use of Galaxy in any new installs.”

“Al Sheffer is a long time proponent of Gateway,” stated Gateway Sales Representative Jamie Elswick. “He recommended to DSC staff that they use our POS system to solve their retail transaction needs. During my initial conversation with DSC staff, we also discussed how Gateway could offer integrated solutions for all of DSC’s ticketing and admissions in addition to their retail needs. After they witnessed our on-site demo, they agreed that our Galaxy software was the perfect, integrated solution for all of their needs,” said Elswick.

According to Gateway Project Manager Amit Trasi, this install was scheduled in two phases. “As part of phase one, DSC used Gateway’s membership module in conjunction with Dino Quest. In phase two, they will be using Order Entry, POS, eGalaxy and Resource Management.”

Globally the world’s largest museums, zoos, amusement parks, attractions, and transportation customers are making the move to Galaxy 3 and its multitude of operational enhancements. The DSC solution further included Admission Control at POS, Resource Management, Order Entry, eGalaxy, Payment Server and more. Seamlessly integrated and customizable, Gateway’s eGalaxy Web Store merges with Galaxy Revenue Management, Admission Control, and Order Entry to provide complete online sales from ordering to fulfillment and guest arrival.

“Through initial interviews, DSC staff expressed the desire to have the ability to migrate their membership data for other uses,” said Trasi. “They were seeking an inexpensive option to accomplish this task. Our interface to Blackbaud’s The Raiser’s Edge was the perfect ticket. They can now move their data from Galaxy into their fund-raising system in an extremely economical manner.”

Now, DSC’s 225,000 eager annual visitors can traverse the interactive abdomen of the prehistoric Sauropod under via 21st century technologies provided by Gateway Ticketing Systems and their world renowned Galaxy POS.

About MagiQuest
MagiQuest is the initial entertainment venture of New Kingdoms, LLC, comprised of Burroughs & Chapin Company and Creative Kingdoms, LLC. Like a real-life video game, MagiQuest players choose their own adventures and quests, accumulate powers and use their "magic" wands to proceed to higher levels as their achievements and powers increase. MagiQuest doesn't happen on a TV screen; it engages children and families in a three dimensional "magical" world with live challenges and real physical activity-which add up to great family or group fun! The patented technology in each wand enables users to make things appear and disappear, and to accomplish special effects. MagiQuest technology also remembers each guest's achievements, enabling returning players to retain the powers and levels earned from their previous MagiQuest experiences!

About Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.
For more than 100 years Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. and its founding families have participated in the unprecedented growth and development of Myrtle Beach and Horry County (pronounced "O-Ree) with an unwavering commitment to family values. These beliefs, represented by the wholesome nature of Burroughs & Chapin Company's family of properties, are the foundation on which Myrtle Beach has grown and prospered as a world-class family vacation destination and as a place in which to raise families. Burroughs & Chapin is recognized as a company that possesses the resources to lead Myrtle Beach and the Carolina coast into the next century. It sets the standard for quality development, marketing, recycling and business practices in the community. Consequently, Burroughs & Chapin has stimulated a new level of premium development in the region.

About Discovery Science Center
Discovery Science Center is a 59,000-square-foot learning facility located in Santa Ana, CA that is Orange County’s leading destination for hands-on science fun designed to spark children's natural curiosity. Discovery Science Center is dedicated to educating young minds, assisting teachers and increasing public understanding and appreciation of science, math and technology through interactive exhibits and programs. It is a community-wide resource where families come together to learn and have fun. DSC has the world’s first interactive Dinosaur adventure called Dino Quest. The Dino Quest exhibit allows the guest to walk inside the belly of an Argentinosaurus, explore a hidden cave, investigate predator ridge and discover prehistoric fossils. This museum is one of the very few museums that encourage the guest to touch, feel and have. For additional information, visit www.discoverycube.org

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.

Gateway Ticketing Systems, Galaxy and all other Gateway Ticketing Systems brand and product names are service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Raiser's Edge is a registered trademark of Blackbaud, Inc. Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is in no way affiliated with this product or company.

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