The
Edinburgh Fringe Festival has launched a review of its box
office IT, following a series of problems which disrupted advance
ticket sales.
The festival has battled with ticketing problems this year after
a
system glitch in June left theatre goers unable to buy advance
tickets.
The backlog caused by the glitch led to further IT problems,
with staff unable to print out pre-ordered
tickets.
The system was developed by supplier Pivotal Integration, which
is now in administration. The festival says the problems have now
been resolved.
The festival has launched
a three-stage review of the procurement, installation and operation
of the box office system. The Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh City
Council and the Scottish Government will take part in the review,
which will publish its findings in November.
At the same time, an independent IT company will investigate and
report on the "best options" for the Fringe's box office next year.
This report will be published in October 2009 in time to implement
the new system before the following year's event.
A spokesman for the festival also confirmed directors have
sought legal advice after supplier Pivotal Integration went into
administration.
Fringe
director Jon Morgan said of the review, "This is the most
comprehensive and transparent review process into how we sell
Fringe tickets that has ever been undertaken. We look forward to
working with the organisations that we have identified as the best
to undertake this important exercise.
"We will feed the findings of the independent inquiry and IT
review into the wider debate on the fundamental role and operation
of the Fringe Society that takes place after every festival.
"We have been informed that Pivotal Integration have been placed
into administration. This process will have no impact on ticketing
services during the last week of the Fringe."