Everton FC is the latest Premiership football club to install IRIS Software4Sport’s System i-driven TALENT Sport stadium management solution.

The implementation means that six out of the 20 Barclay’s Premier League teams are now running their ticketing, CRM and marketing operations with TALENT Sport on System i. The roll call also includes Manchester City, Reading, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sunderland. A number of clubs in the lower leagues also use the solution, as do both cricket and rugby clubs.

TALENT Sport typically runs on smaller System i models such as the 520. The decision to purchase the software is nearly always application-led; operations managers of football clubs tend not to have an adherence to any one computing platform. And in the extremely close-knit world of football, it would seem that word of mouth recommendation means a lot.

Robert Elstone, Everton’s deputy chief executive, says: "IRIS Software4Sport demonstrated a willingness to work with us throughout the selection process, [and has] an excellent track record in a demanding business sector and a strong commitment to deliver on time for Everton Football Club." 

 
The system was put in place in just six weeks. Andy Ward, head of ticketing, says: "It was quite a challenge moving to a new ticketing system mid-season, plus we had just six weeks to get it implemented, which is pretty tight for any project of this scale. However, it all went smoothly. The IRIS Software4Sport team have been brilliant to work with -- the project management, training and support have been superb."

 
Although the system has only been in place since October, the club is already seeing some key benefits. The club runs a pre-payment “auto cup” scheme. Andy Ward says: "Before, it used to take us up to four days to process sales for each cup game. Now, with TALENT Sport, it is much quicker -- we can do it all in less than one day."

 
TALENT Sport also powers the club's new online ticket sales. Ward continues: "Since going live with TALENT Sport, we have seen a huge increase in online ticket sales. We put this down to the service being so much more user-friendly. For example, supporters now have more choice over which seats they can buy, and it is a simple step-by-step process. We have had some really positive feedback as a result."

Everton’s gates are fitted with SkiData turnstiles: supporters enter the grounds using a smartcard or a smart-ticket. With the previous ticketing system, season ticket card holders buying a ticket for a non-season match had to be sent a new match ticket -- the system was not able to top up their season card to allow them in to the non-season matches. With TALENT Sport, this is now possible. At the recent UEFA Cup game against Greek side AE Larissa, when season ticket card holders purchased their own seat, TALENT Sport simply activated their smartcard. This not only saved the club time, but also saved the cost of printing and postage.

Seamus Quinn