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Getting to know you: Paul Everson, Product Manager, Trapeze Group

Where did your passion for digital come from? 

 I’ve spent my career in developing software for the public transport industry.  Digital is the perfect channel to promote public transport.   

What’s your favourite thing about the industry?  

 I’ve been working in public transport software for many years, and it’s more exciting and fast moving than ever before.  Trying to keep up with the innovation is what gets me out of bed in the morning.

What’s your role and what does a typical day involve?  

I’m Trapeze’s Product Manager for public transport software solutions.  A typical day might be talking to a customer about a problem they’re trying to solve, it could be working up a business case to develop a new feature, or it could be sitting down with the Developers to check on progress.  

 Looking to the future, what do you see as being the next big thing in tech? 

 There’s two hot topics in public transport right now.  The first is ticketing – currently, it’s just too complicated to work out how much a trip is going to cost and how you can buy a ticket.  Most operators are moving to EMV, smart cards and similar technologies that will remove these barriers.  The other topic is Mobility as a Service – where users make transport choices based on their individual needs and preferences.  There are a lot of pilots currently underway, each trying to solve a part of the MaaS jigsaw.  

Why did you join ScotlandIS and importantly, why are you still with us? 

  We’re members of ScotlandIS through the Scottish MaaS Alliance.  Our clients in Scotland have a great track record of supporting and participating in R&D.  The Scottish MaaS Alliance brings together a number of like-minded organisations and promotes a culture of cooperative working.  That’s why we keep coming back.

 If you could give one piece of advice to an emerging business/startup, what would it be? 

  Make sure your solution solves a real world problem.  Technology for technology’s sake doesn’t solve any problems (and won’t make you any money).  Speak to customers, understand their issues and get involved in pilots as a means to prove your solutions add real value.

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