Oversold performances, problems with ticket printing, suspended telephone and counter sales. The reason for such was an epic failure with new software called Liquid Box Office from Pivotal Integration. The system failed right away in June and had to be replaced with other system. However, the ticket printing was dependent on Liquid Box Office so sales were blocked because of lack of tickets. Eventually the printing issue was solved somehow and tickets were posted on very last moment.

Naturally such problems damage image of Edinburgh Fringe and people are pretty angry about the situation. There are competing festivals and I can imagine someone missing favorite act because of software problem will think twice next year.

Too bad I don't know anybody working for Pivotal Integration. I am rather curious to know how the project was managed, whether it followed waterfall process and how communications were with the customer.

Hmm... actually the company's name sounds really familiar. Let's do a search...

Oh my, I actually applied for some Java developer position in Pivotal Integration. I sent an application email when I was looking for a job in Scotland. I never heard anything from them afterwards - until this. Lucky me not getting that job.

www.edfringe.com: Box Office FAQs

Scotsman: Good news: Fringe box office to reopen... Bad news: It’s got no tickets
Scotsman: Fringe was warned months ago of box office fiasco

The Register: Edinburgh Fringe ticketing chaos continues
The Register: Edinburgh Fringe ticket site dead as a par
The Register: Edinburgh Fringe box office system goes titsup