OTG has already supplied 300 new iPads at New York's LaGuardia Airport Terminal D, and based on the success there, it is shipping another 2,000 units, along with an additional 2,500 to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in the next 18 months.
What's behind the $10 million dollar move?
Improving the customer's airport experience is what it's all about says Rick Blatstein, chief executive officer of OTG.
The company notes that the experience starts when a customer sits down in front of a new iPad at one of OTG's chef-driven restaurants or newly renovated seating areas at the gates. From there, they can order meals through an intuitive visual menu, where OTG wait staff is on hand to assist throughout the entire process. Orders are then prepared fresh, and delivered to their seat in 15 minutes or less.
"We believe this to be the largest deployment of consumer-facing iPads in the world, and for us, it's just the beginning. We have plans to roll out thousands of additional iPads at other airports around the United States and the world. Technology is an important complement to the customer service experience," adds Blatstein.
The iPads will have OTG's custom browser to help travelers log in to their Facebook, Twitter and personal email accounts, and of course, check the flight status. If there's a delay, well, they can play games and watch the news through pre-loaded apps such as Bloomberg News.
What's even better is that travelers can pick up the iPad out of its custom designed stand, hold it in their hands and plug in their own headphones for sound.
OTG said it's employing technology firm Control Group to develop the custom application suite.
OTG is also developing a new dining program at Pearson Int'l featuring a full line-up of concepts and cuisine by eight Toronto-based chefs and restaurateurs using ingredients farmed and sourced from the region.
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