Pilot testing of digital verification of ISIC student cards and other cards issued by GTS Alive is taking place in 278 stores and establishments across the Czech Republic. This includes 73 Kanzelsberger bookstore branches, 41 Ugo fresh bars and salad bars, and 41 Tchibo stores. The new system will simplify proving eligibility for discounts at these and gradually other GTS Alive business partners, which until now was done only by visual card inspection. The goal is a more pleasant customer experience for students and other cardholders and better service for retailers. Pilot testing is underway at 25 brands. Full operation will start in spring 2024 and will include most of the 500 merchants who offer discounts or other benefits to students and teachers with ISIC, ITIC, and other cards.
“We have been preparing the new digital verification system for our cards for a whole year; it is a quite demanding project both software-wise and in terms of security. Students will no longer have to search for their ISIC card in their wallet; a quick scan of the QR code on the seller’s counter with a mobile phone will immediately show them which discounts they are entitled to. Even uninformed staff will no longer have problems recognizing the discount. At the same time, the seller will have an overview of which discounts are most popular and at which stores, helping to prevent various frauds with expired cards,” comments Radek Schich, director of GTS Alive in the Czech Republic, explaining the reasons for introducing the new system.
The system will also mean minimal burden for retailers. They only need to activate their stores or outlets in the Alive Partners web application, where they can also adjust their digital profile, add limited offers, or access statistics. Then, they will receive stickers with QR codes by mail to place at the cash registers. The actual digital verification at the register is done by the student. Therefore, this system is especially appreciated in the pilot phase by fast-paced stores and restaurants that do not want to burden their staff with additional tasks.
There is also a second option for digital verification, mainly intended for stores where staff have time to attend to each customer longer — for example, Samsung stores. These retailers can use the B2B application Alive Verify, where the salesperson scans the QR code on the student’s ISIC card and then selects the appropriate discount from the menu. Both digital verification methods are free for retailers.
Currently, the pilot operation includes retail partners covering the main sectors where various benefits can be obtained with ISIC and other cards. These include electronics stores, clothing shops, fast food outlets, cafes, pizzerias, fitness centers, and similar venues.
Notes for editors:
GTS Alive s.r.o. in the Czech Republic issues and manages ISIC student cards and ISIC Scholar pupil cards, ITIC teacher cards, and, to a lesser extent, other cards. The company was founded in August 2000. Its predecessor in the Czech Republic was GTS International. GTS Alive s.r.o. is part of the international GTS Alive Group, headquartered in Prague, with branches in seventeen countries on four continents.
GTS Alive, through the ISIC PORT chip identification system, also provides many elementary and secondary schools with secure access to their buildings and an electronic attendance system. The company also facilitates travel or accident insurance for students.
For more information, contact:
Jan Šimral, media representative of GTS Alive
Tel.: +420 737 944 370
E-mail: info@jansimral.com
