Roll out starts later this year with technology first implemented for consumers using the Cairnryan-Larne route, which runs six daily sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and transports more than 360,000 passengers every year.

Prioritising the ability to sell effectively, manage transactions and to make it easy for customers to sail, Expian’s ticketing platform is fulfilling P&O Ferries’ business needs, replace legacy software and integrate with existing systems. The result will be an easy-to-use system that facilitates customer bookings – from consumers and third-party agents – and improves internal operations.

Expian’s API technology will integrate with P&O Ferries’ IT systems. When in place, the platform will allow the set up and management of complex products, tickets and promotions in line with P&O Ferries’ business model. It will also facilitate memberships for the operator’s frequent traveller club. To support the company’s business with trade partners, Expian is adding a Ferry Gateway API, which allows partners to sell ferry tickets. The additional features will increase flexibility and manage pricing, capacity and trade partnerships.

The team has a wealth of experience in the ferry market and the contract win cements Expian’s position as a valued supplier to the travel and leisure sector, expanding its client portfolio which includes attractions, events and, of course, ferry operators. The first-of-its-kind ticketing technology was first developed by digital architects who advised City Cruises, the UK’s largest sightseeing tour operator, when it became apparent that the market lacked a booking system that could effectively manage different ticket options and facilitate upselling to increase revenue. The team’s industry knowledge is strengthened by Chief Technology Officer Andreas Krohn, who joined the company last year from Scandinavian operator, ForSea Ferries.   

Chloe Friend, IT Director at P&O Ferries, says, “We were looking for a system that would improve how we sell tickets, standardising our approach and streamlining processes for our passengers and colleagues. Therefore, user experience and ease-of-use was front and centre for our brief. We have been impressed by how quickly the Expian team got to know the complexities and issues that faced different teams within our organisation and understand what they need from our sales system.”

Yiannis Maglaras, Managing Director at Expian, comments: “It is an honour to have been appointed by P&O Ferries, a prestigious brand with great heritage and this is a fantastic opportunity for Expian to demonstrate our technology’s application in the ferry sector. Our experienced team is already familiar with the complexities of managing ticketing across different ticketing types and ferry scheduling. Our consultative approach helped us to develop a trusted relationship with the P&O Ferries team so we can understand their operations and account for nuanced requirements.

“Ticketing is at the heart of operations for organisations like P&O Ferries so our phased approach to implementation will make the transition smooth for both passengers and crew. We also understand the importance of value in this market so our platform will manage the dynamic pricing, discounts, offers and early booking incentives the company offers to ensure it retains a competitive edge.”