Previously passengers could book their voyage to the Scottish Northern Isles with NorthLink Ferries via their website, telephone or by visiting one of their offices. However, now this new app features the ability to book tickets, cabins and vehicles on a journey and pay securely through a mobile device.

NorthLink wanted a prominent presence in the mobile space and for that, they chose Corethree. The team delivered the results thanks to Core Engine; which enabled a mobile channel to be deployed without having to replicate information, retrain staff on a new platform and without the effort that would have been required to duplicate all the data into a different database.

Ashley Murdoch of Corethree commented; “What’s unique about this new app is that as a business, we executed a seamless integration between our Core Engine technology and NorthLink’s existing BookIT platform. If a passenger books their ticket on a mobile device, the booking system already in place is instantly updated with passenger details, eliminating the need to manage both mobile and web channels simultaneously. This provides NorthLink with the ability to manage all bookings made on the BookIT platform via the mobile app. Crucially, the sales team are still able to utilise the systems with which they are familiar.”

“We have also deployed a guest log-in feature, so users can remain a guest even to make a payment or users can login with their NorthLink ID account which retains their frequent traveller information to make the process even more efficient. We take pride in providing impeccable solutions to fit any business model, and this is a prime example.”

"We’re very pleased to be expanding into water-based travel and look forward to the developments that we see with this new partnership.”

Stuart Garrett, Serco’s managing director of NorthLink Ferries, said: “With more people increasingly looking to be able to do more online with the brands they engage with, we knew it was time to introduce a new digital channel to support our customers in the booking process.

Our digital team have been working hard with software developer Corethree Limited for the past few months to deliver our new booking app, allowing us to help our customers book and sail at the touch of a button. A great new addition to our website, the booking app seamlessly incorporates every element that our customers can choose to experience on board with us as they travel to and from Orkney and Shetland.”

The NorthLink Ferries mobile ticketing app is available to download on any mobile device via the iTunes store or Android.