| (Hong Kong, 9 June 2010) Octopus Cards Limited
(OCL) makes yet another step forward today with the launch
of a new personal computer-based innovation – the Octopus
PC Reader Service. With the aid of an Octopus PC
Reader, this innovative enhancement allows consumers to perform
three different tasks with their personal computer on the
Octopus website: checking the last 10 transaction records
on their Octopus, activating the Octopus Automatic Add Value
Service and activating Octopus Rewards membership. The Octopus
PC reader is now available at the Octopus online shop (http://onlineshop.octopus.com.hk/cart/index.jsp?language=en)
at a price of HK$218.
"Responding to market needs for more convenient access
to the Octopus service, the launch of the Octopus PC Reader
Service marks another significant advance in the solutions
that Octopus provides," said Prudence Chan, OCL's Chief
Executive Officer
Among the three functions offered through the Octopus PC
Reader Service, checking the last 10 transactions demonstrates
Octopus' commitment to provide more transaction enquiry channels
for users. It allows consumers to enjoy the convenience of
managing their Octopus transactions simply using their personal
computers at home and complements the current channels of
the 377 enquiry machines at MTR stations, as well as the transaction
record printing service available at MTR Customer Service
Centres and over 1,100 7-Eleven and Circle-K outlets. The
Octopus PC Reader only reads the transaction records on Octopus
cards or products. This gives peace of mind to Octopus users
as they can enjoy the service worry-free.
The Octopus PC Reader Service also is specially designed
to facilitate visually-impaired people to check their Octopus
transaction records with the aid of screen-reading software,
including Windows Light, which is an easy-to-use freeware
that supports screen reading in Chinese and English. It is
one of the most popular applications of this type and is being
used by thousands of visually-impaired individuals. Windows
Light is developed by Bennet Ha who is visually impaired himself.
To ensure the service meets this need, OCL has engaged with
organisations for the visually-impaired in Hong Kong during
the service's development stage to obtain suggestions and
feedback. The company will provide Octopus PC Readers to organisations
for the visually-impaired, including centres and schools,
to offer the convenience of performing transaction checking
at places where they usually go, allowing them to stay on
top of their Octopus usage.
The Octopus PC Reader Service operates on personal computers
equipped with Windows operating system, as currently Mac operating
system is not supported. The computer also needs to have Internet
Explorer 6 or above or Firefox 2 or above, as well as the
latest version of the Java software installed. For more information
about the Octopus PC Reader Service, consumers can visit the
Octopus website at http://www.octopus.com.hk/.
About Octopus Cards Limited
Launched in 1997, Hong Kong's Octopus is the world's leading and most extensive smartcard payment system, with over 2,500 service providers across different businesses including public transport, parking, retail, vending and kiosks, schools and leisure facilities, and access control for residential and commercial buildings, with over 50,000 Octopus readers deployed in the market. Merchants and Octopus holders embrace Octopus for both its simplicity and its convenience. Today, more than 20 million Octopus cards and products are in circulation, and the system handles over 11 million transactions a day, with transaction value exceeding HK$100 million. In recent years, Octopus has started to export its unique experience and technology overseas, offering consultancy services for parties from different parts of the world. Additional information can be found at www.octopus.com.hk.
Photo description:
Octopus Cards Limited launches a new personal computer-based
innovation – the Octopus PC Reader Service.
To use the service, connect the Octopus PC Reader to your
personal computer. Then open the dedicated service page at
the Octopus website and click on "Check your last 10
transactions". Place your Octopus on the reader and the
last 10 transactions and remaining value on your Octopus,
enquiry date and time, etc will be displayed.
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