Paragon ID, an electronic identification (e-ID) solutions provider, has acquired UrbanThings, a UK-based software company specialising in mobility.
The two companies plan to integrate product offerings, especially those from Paragon ID’s subsidiary Airweb, to accelerate development of a digital mobility platform for the mass transit sector.
UrbanThings provides cities, local authorities and transport operators with digital solutions, including an integrated mobility hub for Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), mobile ticketing, real-time journey information, vehicle tracking and passenger analytics.
The software company, which claims to provide the technology behind 130 million passenger journeys a year, also developed Bus Checker, a ticketing, journey planning and information app.
Carl Partridge, CEO at UrbanThings, said: “More than ever, cities and transport operators need to make services efficient, effortless and sustainable for everyone.
“Since 2012, we’ve been creating technology solutions to enable MaaS and to achieve these ambitions.
“Paragon ID is a natural home for our technology and team, with significant synergies and complementary products that will allow us to deliver a full-featured solution that unlocks account-based ticketing (ABT) and MaaS for the global market.
“We are looking forward to start working with Airweb’s team on the development of our combined offering.”
In the last few years, Paragon ID has expanded into mobile and web ticketing solutions through its French subsidiary, Airweb.
Paragon ID and Airweb recently launched Open ABT, an integrated smart ticketing platform that offers customers a range of payment and validation methods, including smartphones and contactless bank cards.
The companies believe their respective platforms complement the other’s offering.
