Viametrics is also focusing on public customers

While others holiday, our products are hard at work!

That's one way of describing Viametrics' work at Swedish tourist offices, which last year showed huge interest in installing visitor counting systems. One reason for that was the huge influx of tourists to Sweden over the last few years, which has resulted in an increase in the number of visitors with an interest in Sweden, both domestic visitors and those from abroad, at tourist offices. As a result, a need has arisen for greater understanding of which days and at what times these visitors arrive. This can help better organise staffing and opening times to suit customers.

Viametrics has so far installed visitor counting systems in a number of tourist offices from Trelleborg and Malmö in the south to Abisko in the north and Alingsås somewhere in between. "We have customised systems for various public institutions, not just tourist offices, but also libraries, for example. Demands for service have increased here as well, and one way of meeting the need for information from visitors is to know when they will come and how many of them there will be at various times. That can help ensure that tourist information staff and librarians are in place when visitors want to see them," comments Peter Skoglund at Viametrics.

Hobbex new customer from September:

"Our expertise can contribute to the expansion of
smaller chains"

The large national chains are fine, but for Viametrics the smaller store chains are just as interesting. One example is the Borås company Hobbex, which in the last few years has established ten or so stores around Sweden. Viametrics has installed equipment in three of them so far.

Hobbex has around 1000 items in its range, and is the leader in radio-controlled equipment and air weapons. Other parts of its range include music, electronics and the outdoor life, as well as the classic Hobbex area, ‘fun things'. It also sells goods through its internet store. The Hobbex catalogue is also well-known, with around 100,000 Swedish readers a year. It currently has stores in Borås, Eskilstuna, Gävle, Gothenburg, Kalmar, Malmö, Stockholm, Strömstad and Sundsvall.

"Hobbex is a hugely interesting customer for us," says Johannes Anderklint at Viametrics. "It is fun working with a customer that needs our expertise and not just a visitor counter system. Around ten stores is also a good level for us. Then we can be part of the company's expansion and contribute to developing sales and marketing. Our expertise can contribute to the expansion of smaller chains."

Viametrics is now part of Stockholm's cultural life

Viametrics has now penetrated the very heart of Stockholm's cultural life as a result of installing its visitor counting system at Stockholm's Kulturhus (Culture Centre) with up to 2.5 million visitors a year. Kulturhus is the most visited public place in Sweden after the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg. The counters have been installed in ten or so locations around the building.

"The Viametrics system suits us"

"We had an older system that is not as quick and advanced as the Viametrics system," says Kim Duvarci, who is a statistical coordinator. "Now we can review visitor numbers really well, know what times people are arriving and when we have peaks in our work load. Our planning is constantly changing, and exhibitions come and go, which is why the Viametrics system suits us. Many of our producers would also like information and to keep up-to-date."

"Everyone in Stockholm has some relationship with Kulturhus"

"Stockholm is a huge market for us. That's why we are particularly pleased that we can now also count Stockholm's Kulturhus as one of our customers. For many people it is the heart of Stockholm, and everyone has some relationship with Kulturhus. It is also a challenge for us that our product is now being used in such an interesting public place," says Niklas Andersson at Viametrics.

Kulturhus night and the Pride festival

Kulturhus, which is situated near Sergels torg and the famous Plattan right in the centre of Stockholm, is the cultural powerhouse of Stockholm and provides access to every kind of cultural event. It is also home to the Stockholms Stadsteater and Unga Klara theatres, as well as a library, restaurant, café and lots of exhibitions and events. In answer to a question regarding what were the greatest successes over the last few years, Kim Duvarci points to the Kulturhus night, which lasts until two in the morning and is filled with dance, art and cultural events way beyond the ordinary. The partnership with the Pride festival has also been a huge public success.

Kim, what would you recommend to anyone who has not visited Kulturhus before?

"At the moment we are working on the theme of India. But I should also mention our unique activities for children and young people - Lava and Kidzone. And entrance to all our exhibitions is free!"

And you yourself? What would you choose to go to?

"That would be one of the authors giving a talk as part of our International Writers' Stage. It attracts global stars and is unique in allowing people to see their favourite authors live."

In future, everyone who visits Stockholm's Kulturhus will leave a small imprint in Viametrics' counters, all to make service and work planning better.