SKIDATA GmbH is an Austrian company that provides access technology to various sectors, including airports, car parks, urban areas, shopping malls, office buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, mountain destinations, hotels, and stadiums and arenas.[3] SKIDATA systems are in use internationally in more than 100 countries.[2]
SKIDATA was founded in Grödig near Salzburg. In 1977, Günther Walcher developed the first electronically printed tickets and cash registers, and thus replaced the handwritten ski passes previously used. [4] In 1979, the first cash register was implemented that used an electromagnetic stamp unit to print tickets. The System 320 was released in 1981, consisting of a register computer and an automated output device.[5][6]
By the late 1980s, SKIDATA released the first access systems using hands-free RFID technology, known as the KeyCard. With this product, SKIDATA expanded its business beyond ski destinations to include parking management.[7][8][6] The introduction of machines in 1989 allowed drivers to enter parking facilities and pay by credit card at the entry point. Düsseldorf Airport was equipped in 1991, followed by Munich Airport in 1992.[5]
Expansion and partnerships
A collaboration with Swiss company Swatch in 1995 resulted in watches with integrated access authorization. Two years later, French chip card manufacturer Gemplus acquired a majority stake in SKIDATA.[9] The Swiss Kudelski Group took over the company in 2001, expanding its market presence.[1]
In the following years, SKIDATA expanded its sports and event ticketing business. For the UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal, SKIDATA equipped the four European Championship stadiums of Benfica Lisbon, FC Porto, Leiria and Faro with access systems.[6]
To expand its business in the US, SKIDATA acquired a 25% stake in the software developer RTP (Resort Technology Partners LLC) in 2009.[13] In 2010, SKIDATA fully equipped the parking facilities at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.[14] Four years later, the company established subsidiaries in Brazil, India, Malaysia, and Turkey.[15][16]
In April 2015, the company installed its 7,000th Parking.Logic system in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.[17] That same year, an office opened in Tunisia.[18] In addition, SKIDATA acquired 60% of Sentry Control Systems, a family-owned parking systems company in Van Nuys, California.[19]
Recent developments and sale
The access system for Familyparks was updated in March 2016.[20] During the Intertraffic exhibition in Amsterdam the following month, the city of Amsterdam signed a contract with SKIDATA to equip 25 parking areas, covering a total of 25,000 parking spaces.[21] A partnership with the Minnesota Vikings led to the creation of a Vikings App, which includes digital ticketing, route finding, food and beverage ordering, merchandise ordering, push notifications, and videos.[22] In May 2016, SKIDATA installed a new parking management system at Salzburg Airport. The system manages 3,200 parking spaces at the airport.[23]
At the end of 2016, the existing car park systems in Miami Beach, Florida were replaced. As part of this contract, SKIDATA upgraded or installed new systems across 10 multi-level parking garages and 6,000 parking spaces.[24]
In 2020, SKIDATA released 'Mobile Flow', a system in which the smartphone acts as a ski pass.[25] In 2024 the system was implemented in the Levi ski resort in Finland.[26] In 2023, sMove was introduced, an access system for skiers, mountain bikers, families, and people with disabilities.[27][28]
In February 2024, the Kudelski Group announced the sale of SKIDATA.[29] In July 2024, a takeover by Assa Abloy was announced, which was finalized in September 2024.[30]
Company structure
SKIDATA GmbH is based in Grödig, Austria, and is part of Assa Abloy. In 2024, SKIDATA generated revenue of €314 million[1][31] and employed 1400 people.[2] SKIDATA has subsidiaries in 24 countries.[32]
Products and development
The business divisions are divided into Parking & Mobility and Sports & Entertainment.[32] The products and technologies include car park systems, access systems, and data carriers and the associated software.[31] The KeyCard[33] and KeyTicket data carriers are used both as car park tickets and ski passes.[34]
The products and the technology underlying them are being further developed. In 2021, SKIDATA introduced the NFC-Ticket. NFC (Near Field Communication) tickets enable the contactless transfer of data over short distances, typically a few centimeters. In skiing, they are used to facilitate access to ski resorts by serving as digital ski passes on smartphones. Instead of using a physical card, skiers can keep their smartphone in their pocket, and the gate will open automatically.[35]
SKIDATA also offers "Mobility Suite", a subscription-based parking management system. It provides cloud-based access control, payment processing, and real-time monitoring.[36]
↑ Bock, Karin (1997-01-17). "Neues Skidata-Produkt stößt auf Vorbehalt. KeyManager-Programm soll All-Inclusive-Angebote erleichtern". Wirtschaftsblatt (in German).
↑ Mayr, Michael J. (2009-01-08). "Skidata kauft Axess den US-Partner weg Salzburg: Neuer Gipfel im jahrelangen Kampf der Zutrittssystem-Lokalrivalen". Wirtschaftsblatt (in German). p.7.
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