Europcar prepares to roll out new Surface technology
Over the next few months, Europcar customers visiting outlets of the car hire specialist throughout the UK and Europe, will be able to use the new Microsoft Surface system to plan their onward journeys. Surface consists of a touch-screen 30-inch monitor incorporated into an interactive table. Europcar has developed specialist software to run on the screens which will give customers the ability to virtually tour routes and specific locations before they set out on the road.
Through the Bing search engine, Europcar customers will be given access to highly detailed maps, which will allow them to plan routes with as much precision as possible. Surface allows users to zoom in and out of locations and add points of interest to an itinerary including museums, hotels, restaurants and theme parks.
Once an itinerary has been decided upon, the Europcar system will send the details via wireless of Bluetooth to a customer’s PDA or Smartphone. Those who prefer a hard copy can have their maps and itineraries printed.
Customers visiting Europcar’s outlet at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will be able to see the first Surface-table in action in August. Branches in the rest of Europe and the UK will be getting their Surface tables over the coming months.
Europcar’s Head of eCommerce, Danny Higgins, said that the new itinerary planning service was just the start of what will eventually be achieved with the new technology. He added that he hoped that the new Surface-tables would compliment Europcar’s dedication to supplying customers with constantly updated, cutting edge technology.