Vue Cinemas this month completes a major overhaul of tills and back office functions to improve efficiency and business intelligence and cut queues.
The UK’s largest cinema operator has installed 700 integrated point-of-sale terminals, 150 self-service kiosks, and analytical and reporting software during the six-month project.
IT director Roland Jones says acquisitions of other cinema chains had left Vue with a number of outdated systems.
‘It ran on Windows NT, which is not supported any more, while all the point-of-sale terminals ran separately,’ said Jones.
‘By integrating the point-of-sale terminals we can sell tickets or snacks from any terminal. Since customers can pick up a ticket at the snack bar, it can lead to increased revenue through cross-selling.’
This new approach has improved staff flexibility, with Vue able to close the box office when business is slow.
The cinema chain has also introduced analytical tools and cash management, film programming and back office reporting tools for improved stock control and staff management.
‘There are so many areas of improved efficiency in eliminating traditional tickets and reporting online,’ said Jones.
Other highlights include self-service kiosks for online booking and ticket collection, and voice prompts that guide customers through a transaction on self-service machines, running on cinema software specialist VCSTimeless’s Vista software.
Butler Group analyst Mark Blowers says traditionally cinemas operate separate tills for the box office and food counters.
‘But integration of point-of-sale devices is now more affordable and flexible, and it is possible to programme in a range of functions,’ he said.
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