The Evolution of Markus: A Journey Through Innovation and Growth
Since its inception in 1996, Markus Cinema has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the ticketing and service industry. The journey of Markus is a testament to its commitment to innovation, adaptability, and customer satisfaction.
Let’s take a walk through the significant milestones in Markus’s history and understand how it has shaped the landscape of electronic ticketing and self-service systems.
1996: The Birth of Electronic Ticket Sales
In 1996, Markus introduced its first version of electronic ticket sales software, known as CineTix. This software, running on MS-DOS, was a groundbreaking replacement for manual ticket sales at cinema Kosmos in Estonia. The mastermind behind this innovation was Priidu Paomets, who continues to lead Markus Engineering. This marked the beginning of a new era in the cinema industry, offering a more efficient and reliable way of managing ticket sales.
2001: Windows Generation for Multiplexes
Fast forward to 2001, Markus launched its first MS Windows-based version of the Cinema System. This system debuted at the multiplex theatre Coca-Cola Plaza in Estonia. The new features included full-size customer screens, automatic ticket control gates, and online ticket sales, significantly enhancing the customer experience and operational efficiency.
2004: Second Generation with Loyalty
By 2004, Markus had evolved to introduce its second generation systems, incorporating customer loyalty programs, gift tickets, and online sales features. These innovations were designed to foster customer retention and satisfaction, elements that are still crucial to cinemas around the globe today.
2006: A Scalable Data Model for Global Reach
In 2006, Markus restructured its data model, leveraging modern tools to build a more scalable system. This upgrade allowed Markus to expand its footprint to Finland and deploy an Arabic version for Middle Eastern countries, showcasing its adaptability to different markets and languages.
2016: Cinema Self-Service
A decade later, in 2016, Markus took a significant leap with the launch of its Cinema Self-Service solutions. The first versions of Ticket Sales Kiosk, Concession Kiosk, and the In-seat ordering application, Star.app, were introduced. These innovations provided a more seamless and autonomous customer experience in cinemas, reducing wait times and improving service efficiency.
2018: Markus Restaurant
Markus extended its expertise beyond cinemas with the introduction of Markus Restaurant in 2018. Developed for O’Learys Sports Bars & Restaurants, this version featured self-service tablets at tables, allowing customers to place orders and make payments independently, enhancing the dining experience and operational flow.
2022: Restaurant Self-Service
Continuing its expansion in the restaurant industry, Markus launched the Restaurant Self Service Kiosk and Table Ordering web application, Order.app, in 2022. These tools provided restaurants with robust solutions to manage orders and customer interactions more efficiently.
2023: Expansion of Services
The year 2023 saw Markus diversifying its offerings even further with the introduction of Markus Gift Gard, Markus SSO, Markus Restaurant Website, and Markus Loyalty Portal. These additions were designed to provide comprehensive solutions for customer engagement, loyalty management, and seamless service integration across various platforms.
The history of Markus is a vivid illustration of continuous innovation and commitment to enhancing customer experiences. From its early days of electronic ticket sales to the latest advancements in self-service technology, Markus has consistently pushed the boundaries to meet the evolving needs of the industry. As we look to the future, we at Markus will continue to be a pivotal player in shaping the landscape of service and ticketing solutions worldwide.