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News Archive |
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Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Source Technologies debuts 3-Series
ORLANDO, Fla. · Source Technologies, provider of integrated solutions for managing financial transactions and other secure business processes, is debuting the concourse 3-Series kiosk platform at the 2005 BAI Retail Delivery Conference. The 3-Series is the first kiosk featuring Source Technologies' modular "head and shoulders" design, and represents a major breakthrough in banking kiosk technology, styling and price-performance.
Banks that are contending with disaster-related environments, displaced customers and competitive challenges understand the need to establish a transaction-based presence in single or multiple locations quickly and at a manageable cost. Regardless of space limitations, the 3-Series allows banks to use the same kiosk for a variety of applications and environments. It is deployable as a wall-mount kiosk using just the head module, as a tabletop by adding the shoulders, or freestanding with the base module. And when deployed with concourse Teller software, the solution can be up and running in 60 to 90 days.
Self-service shredding kiosk comes to Denver
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. · RealTime Shredding has launched the first self-service shredding kiosk designed specifically for consumers and small businesses in the Denver area.
According to a news release, customers can bring in any material they would like to shred and do so at a cost of $1 per two-minute session. With RealTime Shredding's industrial-quality shredder, that equates to up to 4 pounds, or about 400 sheets of paper, said Amanda Verrie, the company's president.
Identity theft is now the fastest-growing crime in the United States, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. More than 9.9 million Americans were the victims of identity theft in 2004, losing a collective $5 billion, and a study by the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Research indicates that nearly 88 percent of known-cause identity theft incidents occur "offline" · not via the Internet.
RealTime Shredding provides a simple, effective tool to provide consumers with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that documents they no longer need are being completely destroyed, said Verrie. Ability to see the material being shredded in real time eliminates worries about personal information being lost or stolen.
The RealTime Shredding system will shred paper, cardboard, credit cards, paper clips, staples and even CDs, DVDs and floppy disks. The shredder provides Security Level 3 cross-cut shredding, the highest level of security available outside of classified/government use. To assure safety, material enters the system several inches above the cutting blades, and then passes through two control points before being shredded. The shredder features easy, user-friendly controls.
Kodak unveils Picture Kiosk G4
Forbes: On Nov. 15, Eastman Kodak unveiled the Picture Kiosk G4 line, an updated family of self-service digital photo printers for use in retail locations, which cuts uploading and printing times in half.
"The G4 is one more evolution in kiosk printing. They are faster, more compact, more modern and more reliable," said Pat King, general manager of Kodak's kiosk and home printing division. "The pictures are great quality, and customers say they love the ease and convenience."
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7-Eleven signs with NCR to expand financial services
DAYTON, Ohio — According to a news release, 7-Eleven Inc. has signed a five-year agreement with NCR Corp. to more than double its advanced-function financial services kiosk program and replace other in-store ATMs at various 7-Eleven locations throughout the United States. The value of this agreement has not been disclosed; however, it also includes hardware and software maintenance services and incident management. Rollout will begin this month.
Additionally, NCR will service the majority of 7-Eleven stores' existing base of non-NCR ATMs. A dedicated Service Management Office will monitor service delivery performance on an ongoing basis. The 7-Eleven units use NCR's industry-leading Personas M Series ATMs and APTRA software platform for enhanced Windows-based functionality.
Diebold introduces coin-counting solution
NORTH CANTON, Ohio · According to a news release, Diebold Inc. has introduced its first solution for consumer coin-counting, Diebold CoinCount.
CoinCount enables financial institutions to expand their service offerings to provide customers and members with convenient, fast access to coin-counting services right inside the branch. Tom Swidarski, Diebold's president and chief operating officer, said the solution was developed to help financial institutions draw consumers to the branch.
"As the way we pay for products and services evolves, the demand for self-service coin-counting options grows," Swidarski said. "Our customers have been waiting for Diebold to offer this type of product, and we're proud to provide them with a high-quality solution to help attract consumers to the branch. CoinCount will provide new opportunities for our customers and added convenience for their customers."
Thursday, 10 November 2005
Simple rules for successful self-service
CIO: Australia's magazine for executives offers this checklist of things to keep in mind when planning a self-service deployment. Also included is a list of essential kiosk features, courtesy of Summit Research Associates' Francie Mendelsohn.
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Wincor Nixdorf launches enhanced POS system
AUSTIN, Texas · Wincor Nixdorf, one of the world's leading suppliers of IT solutions for the banking and retail industries, announced in a news release the enhanced BEETLE /iPOS, a compact, all-in-one point-of-sale system.
The BEETLE /iPOS includes an integrated power supply, customer display and TFT touchscreen in a small-footprint, splash-proof design. It is ideal for hospitality, food services and convenience/petroleum retailing, but it performs equally well as a kiosk or in traditional POS environments, especially where space is at a premium.
"Wincor Nixdorf continues to build momentum in the U.S. retail market with our hardware and software offerings, and the BEETLE /iPOS is the perfect hardware platform for applications such as Wincor's iBISTRO QSR and NAMOS Compact," said Doug Evans, vice president of retail, Wincor Nixdorf USA. "With its high performance, retail-hardened design and compact size, the BEETLE /iPOS is ideally suited to the demands of even the harshest store environment."
The new BEETLE /iPOS supports the standards found throughout the BEETLE family, allowing existing peripherals and software to be used, protecting existing store technology investments. Options such as card readers, speakers, waiter lock and motion sensors can be easily incorporated into the base. External interfaces (serial, USB and powered USB) provide support for printers, displays, EFT terminals, keyboard, microphone and speakers. The BEETLE /iPOS supports both Windows- and Linux-based operating systems.
ArcaTech Systems unveils new product designs
MEBANE, N.C. · ArcaTech Systems announced in a news release that it will unveil its expanded line of transaction automation solutions at the BAI Retail Delivery Show in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 15-17 in booth 255.
With the ability to automatically verify cash and checks in secure devices, banks can now design their branches to be more open and inviting. "Banks are changing to cultures that more closely resemble retail stores than traditional branches," said Mort O'Sullivan, president of ArcaTech Systems. "We give customers technology choices that allow them to do business in new ways · whether it be self-service or teller-assisted transactions in the branch."
Security requirements and old habits have limited what banks have been able to do with branch designs. However, with recent advances in cash recycling technology, which allows incoming and outgoing cash to be stored securely at all times, and imaging devices that allow banks to take advantage of Check 21 legislation, the need for physical separation between the teller and the customer is disappearing. Tellers now have the ability to work from a freestanding, open station that is actually more secure than traditional teller counters and cash drawers. Banks have the option to design new environments that foster closer interactions between their employees and customers.
"Our bank is moving to the open bank environment which complements our service approach of having all retail branch associates available to serve any need of our customers," said Blake Rolley, president and chief executive officer of First State Bank, Flagstaff, Ariz. "We see tremendous advantages in using the Arca8000 Cash Recyclers. The speed of transactions will allow the bank to serve more clients with fewer retail lobby associates. The fact that the machine is a vault means we will no longer have to remove two associates to go to the vault periodically through the business day."
Thursday, 03 November 2005
Sagem Denmark selects ArcaTech Systems as OEM distributor
MEBANE, N.C. · Sagem Denmark announced in a news release that it has selected ArcaTech Systems as its OEM distributor for Triple DES PIN pads in the kiosk industry.
As the deadline for complete VISA/PED or PCI Triple DES compliance draws near, the need for Triple DES technology outside of the core ATM market has become increasingly obvious.
"We feel that ArcaTech Systems is uniquely positioned to penetrate the market for Triple DES PIN pads in the kiosk industry because of their strong presence in the marketplace," said Flemming Hansen, sales manager of Sagem Denmark. "We chose ArcaTech for this reason, and we are excited about this new relationship."
ArcaTech Systems is a privately owned U.S.-based company that specializes in providing its customers a comprehensive range of products and services for automating cash handling operations.
TIO Network kiosks to allow Arizona Public Service payments
PHOENIX, Ariz. · Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Arizona's largest electric utility, and Info Touch Technologies Corp., owners of the TIO Network, announced in a news release an agreement to enable APS customers to pay their utility bills in cash, through self-service automated ZapLink kiosks at more than 150 Circle K locations in the Phoenix area, 24 hours a day. The kiosks are expected to accept payments by early 2006.
Cash-preferred APS clientele will soon be able to conveniently and securely view their account balance or make a payment on their APS account. Payments are made by entering the cash directly into the ZapLink machine's cash acceptor. Once the cash is accepted, the ZapLink kiosk then uses an Internet link to update the customer account in real time.
Nanonation teams with SBC for 2005 College Football Connection Tour
LINCOLN, Neb. · For the second season Nanonation and SBC will entertain college football fans throughout the United States with SBC's College Football Connection promotional tour.
According to a news release, the traveling road show, which began Sept 1, uses interactive customer technologies and mobile displays to reach out to fans while demonstrating how SBC's products and services can help them connect to their passion for the sport.
Nanonation, a Nebraska-based software company, designed and developed the software platform and technology services for the traveling promotional tour.
Nanonation also helped SBC to sponsor the Austin City Limits Festival that took place the end of September at Zilker Park in Austin Texas. SBC's presence at the event was created through a spacious Internet lounge area for festival attendees that promoted SBC's DSL and Freedom Link Wi-Fi services.
ActiveLight opens East Coast distribution center
SEATTLE · ActiveLight Inc., value-added distributor of advanced displays, dynamic signage solutions, and projection equipment, announced in a news release that it has acquired a new distribution facility in Pittsburgh and is now shipping products from the new location.
The new Pittsburgh facility enables more of ActiveLight's customers to receive their orders within two days at ground rates. ActiveLight's full line of plasma and LCD displays and display accessories will be housed at the new facility.
In addition to the new Pittsburgh location, ActiveLight operates a distribution center in St. Louis, as well as its main distribution center in Poulsbo, Wash.
Kodak opens digital photo galleries
Forbes: Eastman Kodak has opened a temporary gallery on Wooster Street in SoHo to showcase its latest lineup of digital imaging products, like Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras. The gallery is filled with bright photographs and comfortable sofas; there are also photo kiosks and docking printers that work with just about any digital camera on the market. Products are not actually for sale at the gallery, but customers are being referred to nearby Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City locations.
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KIS opens European office
One of the biggest forces in the kiosk industry has made its entry into the European market.
Louisville, Colo.-based Kiosk Information Systems announced that it has begun selling and manufacturing in Larbert, Scotland. Long-time KIS executive Peter Snyder is running the new operation there. According to KIS channel manager Craig Keefner, Snyder has been working intermittently at the overseas office for several months now, and will likely alternate his time between the two locations, with most of his emphasis placed on the European office.
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