Successful User Conference in Leipzig
Neuhausen am Rheinfall, 15 September 2010 – The 21st User Conference organised by Trapeze ITS in Leipzig from 6 to 8 September 2010 was at once a full success and a premiere: For the first time ever, Trapeze ITS welcomed its customers as a member of the Trapeze Group. Some 150 attendees from top management plus specialist management-level staff from about 45 public transport companies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg experienced a meeting tailored to their specific needs, which was utilised extensively as a platform for obtaining information and exchanging experience.
In his welcoming address, Hans-Peter Schär, CEO Trapeze ITS, mentioned the consequences and opportunities arising from the acquisition of Trapeze ITS, formerly Continental – Public Transit Solutions, by the Canadian Trapeze Group in November last year. Then Mark Miller, CEO Trapeze Group, explained why this company had been trying for years already to integrate Trapeze ITS. On the basis of a number of concrete examples, Miller showed how the software solutions offered by Trapeze and Trapeze ITS blend perfectly and supplement each other in an ideal way. The three-day event was hosted by Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe LVB GmbH, Verkehrs-Consult Leipzig (VCL) and IFTEC GmbH & Co.
This was followed by numerous specialist papers and interesting concurrent events on topics and products of Trapeze ITS and the entire Trapeze Group. In the course of several “Meet the CEO” events, the participants had the opportunity to discuss concrete issues concerning the transition to the Trapeze Group, subjects of current interest and the future of the company with Schär in a casual atmosphere. As is usual during User Meetings, all attendees did not hesitate to take advantage of this possibility to talk with Schär and the numerous employees of Trapeze ITS and the Trapeze Group.
The report of the Leipzig Public Transport Authority on its experiences was particularly riveting. Under the motto “City with convincing public urban transport services”, Carsten Lement, Deputy Operations Manager BOStrab of Verkehrs-Consult Leipzig, told his audience about the planning, call for bids, installation and operation of an automatic vehicle location & control system for the benefit of passengers. While touring a control centre of the Leipzig Public Transport Authority, the participants could also satisfy themselves on site of the fact that public urban transport is running smoothly in Leipzig.
In a panel discussion moderated by business journalist Dr. Helge-Heinz Heinker, Schär discussed the “Control systems of the future” with five executive managers of various Trapeze customers. With their stimulating and occasionally pointed comments, Wilfried Eisenberg, Technical Executive Manager of RSAG Rostock; Ingo Wortmann, Managing Director of SWU Ulm; Matthias Zimmermann, Operations Centre Manager of BSAG Bremen; and Ronald Juhrs, General Operations/Engineering Manager of LVB Leipzig drew their audience into a lively discussion so that the two and a half hours passed by quickly.
Summary and outlook
The User Conference more than met the organisers’ goals and even exceeded their expectations. The number of attendees was roughly at the level of a year ago, and the participants’ feedback was positive throughout. The concurrent events, the panel discussion and the evening events offered many occasions to maintain customer relationships. Against this background, Trapeze ITS faces the future with confidence and looks forward to the next User Conference in 2011.
Trapeze ITS
Matthias Stahel, Head of Communications
Tel. +41 58 911 17 39
matthias.stahel@trapezeits.com