At this stage, three companies were marketing their self-service ticket issuing systems: competing for trials and, ultimately, contracts from the privatised TOCs. Ascom (with the EasyTicket system) and Shere (with their FASTticket product) were already in the market; Scheidt & Bachmann were the last of the three competitors. (Shere FASTticket machines had been installed either permanently or on trial at various locations from as early as 1996, and an Ascom EasyTicket machine had been operating for nearly six months at one of Britain's busiest stations, Gatwick Airport). The start of the trial at Twickenham meant that all three systems could now be compared properly, taking note of passenger reactions and feedback.