eGate Solutions Acquires Abanco's Onboard Retail Technology to Improve Speed, Capability and Customer Focus

November 6, 2009

ZURICH, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Having the right technology is a key success factor in managing onboard retail projects. Airlines, railways and ferry operators worldwide can now operate more powerful, flexible and secure sales programs by partnering with gategroup member eGate Solutions(TM).

eGate Solutions, the global provider of software and services for onboard service management, has expanded its service offering through gategroup's purchase of Schaumburg, Ill.-based Abanco LLC's assets and related software dedicated to the onboard retail environment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. gategroup previously had offered the technology through a partnership with Abanco.

The addition of Abanco's wireless electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) technology complements eGate Solutions' signature InFlight Exchange (IFX)(®) suite of business applications. The ePOS device has a robust onboard payment processing system for credit card, cash or smartcard transactions, combining an easy-to-use hand-held terminal with the latest in onboard sales technology. Formerly known as SkyBuy, it will now be offered as eGate Solutions TS4.

Powered by a separate wireless communications network, the eGate Solutions TS4 device processes transactions securely and meets the highest security levels required by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. This means customers are protected by a CISP-certified, PCI Level 1 Service Provider operating environment.

Operating like a mobile cash register, the eGate Solutions TS4 ePOS device features a barcode scanner and thermal printer and can reconcile real-time sales to inventory, reducing shrinkage. It also can be programmed to identify passengers' buying trends, among other reporting functions.

Additionally, members of Abanco's professional and dedicated work force will join the eGate Solutions team to provide ongoing development and customer support to TS4 users. eGate Solutions offers 24-hour, 365-day support to quickly respond to immediate needs.

"For our customers, the eGate Solutions TS4 is about so much more than accepting payment for products and services. It's the catalyst to help customers generate additional revenue while giving them greater potential benefits as they grow their onboard programs," said gategroup CEO Guy Dubois.

eGate Solutions offers three distinct software and support options. The first is an onboard sales and payment processing system that helps air, rail or sea transportation providers facilitate the sale of physical products and virtual products, such as airport transfer tickets and theme park passes, while also tracking sales, inventory and revenue. Another option includes a complete suite of back-end solutions, offering customers sophisticated reporting tools to support trend analyses, merchandising and promotions, inventory management, and other services. A third is specifically designed for railroad companies and commuter rail operators: It streamlines onboard ticket sales and ticket validation, tracks sales and inventory, and reduces fraud.

The transition will be seamless for existing customers, some of whom are using the eGate Solutions TS4 solution to sell ground travel, entertainment packages or shows, and even lottery tickets, in addition to food, beverages, duty-free goods and other tangible onboard retail items.

"This acquisition strengthens gategroup's service offering by giving our customers more functionality and control over their onboard sales initiatives and their passengers a wide selection of items to choose from," said Andy Case, Group VP and head of eGate Solutions.

"As our sister brands Gate Gourmet, Pourshins and Supplair collaborate with customers to design onboard retail programs, eGate Solutions will continue to further enhance the software capabilities to meet the evolving demands of this expanding industry trend. We are committed to working closely with our customers to turn their onboard retail technology requirements into reality."

About eGate Solutions

eGate Solutions(TM) is a globally recognized provider of software and services for in-flight service management. A gategroup member, eGate Solutions was formed from the alignment of e-gatematrix, llc, with Gate Gourmet in 2006. eGate Solutions has offices located in Atlanta, London, Reston, Va., Sydney, and Zurich. Visit www.egate-solutions.com for more information.

About gategroup

gategroup is the leading independent global provider of onboard products and services to companies that serve people on the move. Shares of Zurich-based gategroup are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol GATE. Please visit www.gategroup.com.

SOURCE gategroup