Products and Services Used
The web application has been created using: -
- Microsoft ASP.NET using Visual Studio
- Javascript
- HTML with CSS
The Web Application is hosted on Microsoft Windows 2003 Webserver Edition.
Communication between the two applications is enabled with web services comprising
XML, SOAP and WSDL.
Hosted at Dial-A-Seat and using Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, the management system
has been created using Compsoft Equinox V4.1. Equinox is a client/server, relational
database environment.
Principle Project Components
Client/Server Management System
Software development was undertaken within the existing application to: -
- enable Web Services to be used to communicate with the web portal
- provide greater business scalability through the addition of new shows
- audit and stabilise the application
Through development of the existing application, immediate costs were avoided
and user familiarity maintained.
Web Booking Process
Principal Objectives
- seamlessly integrate with the current management with minimal input from
Dial-A-Seat staff
- secure
- scalability, in order to accommodate future requirements
- include failsafe mechanisms where necessary
- allow a member of the public to request and purchase a quantity of tickets
for a specific performance of a particular show, in a particular zone
- allow flexible ticket pricing dependant on; zone, location, performance
time, concessions or voucher discounts
- be consistent with the corporate branding and include branding requirements
of those represented shows, where appropriate
- be consistent with a long-term strategy which may or may not include the
current management system
- integrate the existing Internet Payment Solutions Provider, WorldPay
- allow near-real time ticket allocations and booking
- be configurable by Dial-A-Seat staff or it’s agents wherever practicable
- allow additional shows to be created with minimal additional development
A booker is able to access a seating plan of the relevant venue along with
a key defining the costs of seats in each zone.
The booker is able to select a specific zone and is then allocated the ‘best
available’ number of sequential seats requested in that zone, provided
this does not leave a single seat on a row wherever possible.
The booker may also search for a number of seats, to then be presented with
a table of options.
It is important that single seats are not left on a row as these are difficult
to sell. Logic is used to prevent single seats remaining, e.g. preventing a
booking of four sequential seats on a row with just five sequential seats remaining.
During the online booking process, tickets are temporarily allocated for the
selected seats, preventing allocation by another web booking, or one occurring
in the call centre.
Upon completion of the booking, tickets are them permanently allocated in the
internal management system. If the booking is not completed within the allotted
time, seats are returned to their ‘available’ state.
Email confirmation messages are sent to the booker confirming their seat allocation.
The primary functionality was created with VB.NET and uses core components
written in C#.NET from Compsoft’s extensive code library.
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