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News Archive |
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Thursday, 31 August 2006
NEW YORK · DVDXpress Inc., operator of automated DVD rental kiosks, announced the launch of its Internet Reservations Service · a service that allows customers to go online and find what DVDs are in stock at any kiosk in the DVDXpress network. According to a news release, customers can reserve delete movies of their choice online.
"Due to the popularity of the DVDXpress kiosks among supermarket customers, our retail partners asked us to come up with a way to make the rental process even faster and more convenient for movie renters," said Arun Mathur, chief marketing officer for DVDXpress. "Now with the ability to browse and reserve DVD titles via the Internet, DVDXpress kiosks will be able to serve more customers even faster."
"We are thrilled to offer our customers the additional convenience of reserving DVDs online to pick up at the DVDXpress kiosks in our stores," said John Symons, executive vice president of sales and operations for BI-LO/Bruno's. "This has the dual benefit of speeding up the rental process at the kiosk and providing certainty that a shopper's favorite movie will be available when he or she makes the trip to the kiosk."
Thursday, 31 August 2006
Sharecast.com: Stand-alone ink refill kiosk group Cartucho sank to its lowest, Aug. 31, after a major customer asked the firm to suspend further kiosk installations, potentially impacting on results for 2007.
Read more.
Thursday, 31 August 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. · That consumers in North America are on pace to spend $150 billion more this year than last with self-service solutions makes David Drain, executive director of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association, a happy man.
Quoting a new research study conducted by IHL Consulting Group, Drain said North Americans are on their way to spending more than $475 billion at self-checkout lanes, ticketing kiosks and other self-service machines in 2006 — an increase from $324 billion in 2005.
"Our mission is to promote the self-service industry, so definitely, this is good news for us," Drain said. "But we really feel this is only the beginning of what self-service technology is going to mean to consumers, retailers, corporations and commerce in general in the coming years. We've only just scratched the surface in terms of what can be accomplished."
In order to promote awareness, the Self-Service & Kiosk Association has launched a public relations campaign with the help of several high-profile entities, including Mazda, Subway, BMW, BEHR Paints and the City of New Orleans. The campaign, "The Best Service is Self-Service," extols the virtues of self-service technology through testimonials: Mazda and BMW promote new car offerings using kiosks; Subway shortens the customer wait time and increases profits; BEHR Paints promotes a kiosk that allows customers to choose paint colors, and the City of New Orleans implements a self-service permit system to help in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"This sped up the recovery process " and helped us make better use of a limited workforce and budget," Greg Meffert, Chief Information Officer for the City of New Orleans, says in the campaign.
Drain said the campaign will appear online and in print publications, and will be promoted via direct e-mail campaigns.
"Our association membership is growing right along with self-service use in business transactions," Drain said. "We feel this is an important message not just for companies who currently deploy or plan to deploy kiosks or other self-service devices, but also for the general public. At some point, every consumer will likely use self-service, and it's important they understand the benefits."
The rapid growth of self-service solutions began in the 1980s with ATMs, and blossomed in the late 1990s as airlines began to install self-service terminals on a widespread basis. Today, self-service technology can be found everywhere — from supermarkets to truck stops to quick-service restaurants and retail.
For more information, visit http://www.selfservice.org/bestservice.php.
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
The video rental business changed the way consumers watch movies. Today another revolution is underway, changing the way consumers acquire and view their chosen films.
DVD rental kiosks performed well in 2005, with several companies jockeying for position in the newly formed space. DVDPlay reported a growth of 200 percent from the previous year, as well as an infusion of $20 million in venture capital from El Dorado Ventures. The company rented its 5 millionth movie in June 2006.
Redbox, the high profile venture that is backed by McDonald's and Coinstar, announced plans to be in 2,000 retail locations by the end of 2006. Coinstar has said that DVD rental devices are among its most profitable machines, outranking coin counting, vending and ATMs combined.
DVDNow, which distributes its machines through partnerships with local site owners, announced plans to be in 1,000 locations by the end of 2007. The company's business model, which allows site owners to purchase the machines outright, results in a mix of inventory that is reflective of regional demand.
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
PASADENA, Calif. — Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the world-renowned NASA research and development center, recently deployed SeePoint's newest M-Kiosk to showcase PlanetQuest, one of the nation's most important programs in astronomy and astrophysics. JPL is SeePoint's first customer to use the M-Kiosk.
The PlanetQuest application looks at JPL's successful completion of eight seemingly impossible technology milestones to develop a space telescope so powerful it can detect and study Earth-like planets around nearby stars. The application demonstrates how JPL scientists and engineers use breakthroughs in technology to survey the Milky Way Galaxy 1,000 times more accurately than has ever been possible.
JPL selected the SeePoint M-Kiosk because the video- and data-intensive PlanetQuest application required a computer with high processing power and graphical capabilities. The M-Kiosk maximizes video performance with up to 1 gigabyte of on-board RAM and a 400 MHz front-side bus.
Wednesday, 30 August 2006
 LOUISVILLE, Colo. · ZOOX Stations, a wholly owned subsidiary of KIOSK Information Systems, is Sept. 28 formally launching its first turnkey pay-for-use game café, "ZAZOOX," at A.M.O.A. in Las Vegas.
ZAZOOX is a self-service game station loaded with many of the most popular titles marketed by PlayStation, X-Box and other top-tier developers. Prime releases include Battlefield 2, Counter Strike 2, Need for Speed, EA titles and others. Internet access with quick links to popular sites like MySpace, Google and Yahoo provides an additional tier of pay-for-use revenue.
"The bar has been raised in home gaming, and it's time for a paid game station that fully leverages the popularity of these releases," said Rick Malone, president of ZOOX Stations. "ZAZOOX maximizes game-play revenue with a library of over 20 high-end games that can be played individually, in local competition mode or online. Multiplayer online gaming is a market that is expected to reach $2 billion by 2007, and we've built an incredibly attractive access point."
ZOOX Stations has more than 300 custom-branded self-service cafe stations already purchased and being rolled out to Army bases throughout the United States and Germany.
"Initial field stations have been in place since January and have been exceptionally well-received," Malone said. "The Army Recreation Program has indicated aggressive expansion plans this year, which obviously speaks well to the station's adoption, performance, and ROI."
The kiosks also feature MEI bill acceptors.
"Players clearly prefer cash for these gaming kiosks. And as the ZAZOOX Game Cafe is a premium product, we needed a first-rate payment acceptor," said Tom Weaver, KIOSK's sales and marketing vice president. "The MEI unit offers the reliability and ease of operation that our customers expect."
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
LITITZ, Penn. — Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. has selected Wincor Nixdorf as its total banking solutions IT partner. Susquehanna is Wincor Nixdorf's first customer in the United States to install all Wincor hardware, software and services to its branches and entire ATM fleet.
Wincor Nixdorf has deployed or replaced all 170 ATMs, including full-function interior, through-the-wall, and drive-up ATMs; installed its Windows-based ProCash DDC multi-vendor software solution with web extensions; and implemented its ProView monitoring and management solution for Susquehanna's entire ATM fleet. Wincor Nixdorf also will provide first and second-line maintenance services, manage monthly operating system updates, and will monitor Susquehanna's software inventory on the ATMs via its version control system.
"The new hardware, software and services from Wincor Nixdorf have given Susquehanna the opportunity to focus even more on our customers while still being able to reduce costs," said Steven Stoner, vice president and director of systems support and EFT services for Susquehanna Bancshares. "With Wincor Nixdorf, we are now able to provide reliable, innovative ATM solutions at a lower total cost of ownership."
Wincor Nixdorf's ProCash DDC multi-vendor software solutions with Web extensions allow the software to run on other brands of ATMs. The multi-vendor platform provides Susquehanna with greatly improved user interface capabilities and the ability to integrate new transactions at the ATM in the future. ProView is Wincor Nixdorf's ATM monitoring and management tool that allows Susquehanna to automatically monitor its entire network around the clock, providing the bank with a single point of software distribution for updates, instead of depending on costly on-site visits by technicians. Susquehanna will utilize ProView for remote content/application updates, allowing the bank to deploy new advertising campaigns quickly and cost effectively.
Also under the agreement, Wincor Nixdorf field service engineers will provide all services and will carry only certified Wincor Nixdorf parts. They will have access to additional local parts depots in the Susquehanna vicinities as backup supplies. Wincor Nixdorf has utilized its global eServices Platform to allow Susquehanna to electronically create service tickets as well as monitor the progress through complete ticket closure. Susquehanna also will be able to customize its own online service performance reports via Wincor Nixdorf's iSupport Web-based solution.
"Susquehanna is one of the first companies of its size to prepare its entire ATM fleet for the new regulations that are required of all financial institutions, in order to automate multi-vendor ATM operation and management and to begin the migration towards more functionality at the ATM," said Julia Waugh, director of marketing for Wincor Nixdorf USA. "Wincor Nixdorf is pleased to be Susquehanna's total banking solutions provider. Susquehanna is setting the standard for financial institutions of its size."
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
AARHUS, Denmark · FKI Logistex, a global provider of integrated material handling solutions, announced that it has won a contract from Hamburg Library (Hamburger Affentliche Bacherhallen (HAB)) in Germany to deliver a fully automated RFID-based item-handling and sorting system for Hamburg central and 17 city libraries. The FKI Logistex solution provides HÖB with advanced ergonomic workflow for library staff, highly accurate library holding information, faster check-in and check-out of library materials, and more convenience overall for both library patrons and staff. The contract also includes a 10-year support agreement.
HÖB has a yearly circulation of approximately two million items. The fully automated FKI Logistex system features subsystems for check-in, check-out and sorting of items including books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and videos.
"It was important for HAB to invest in a solution that is not only capable of handling and sorting a large volume, but is also based on the latest technology," said Stephan Heessels, manager for library solutions, FKI Logistex Europe. "HAB has invested in a total automated and ergonomically advanced solution which is not only an investment for the future, but will also set the standard for the automation of public libraries. The new HAB FKI Logistex system will be the role model for libraries in Germany."
Easy Item Self-Return
The new central library system begins with four Library Mate self check-in units, which allow library patrons to easily return library materials. Users place items that are to be returned on a table at the front left of the Library Mate. These items are then inserted into the Library Mate.
Inside the machine, a small belt automatically transports items past the scanner and the material protection unit, then through the machine. When the Library Mate scans the item's RFID chip, it re-activates the antitheft protection, and a red light indicates to the user that the machine is working. The light changes to green once the Library Mate is ready to receive the next item.
A total of 41 Library Mates for self-checkout also are included in the new contract. Operation of the Library Mate is directed using a touchscreen. All necessary functions for executing the self-service lending are contained within the Library Mate, including a card reader that scans the library card, an RFID aerial for reading the RFID tag ID on the library item and reactivating its material protection, as well as a receipt printer.
Library Mates feature lockable wheels so that they can be moved around easily in a library. They also offer HTML-based menus that allow library staff to custom-design menu text or background pictures.
High-Speed Automated Item Sorting
An FKI Logistex Compact Sorter is located behind the Library Mate check-in units. The Compact Sorter is a cross-belt sorter that features a capacity of 4,500 items per hour. Its powered belts run crosswise to the running direction of the sorter, enabling it to discharge library items into book carts or containers positioned at each side of the sorter.
When library users return an item into the Library Mate, the item's material ID is matched with the information in the library system and a location for the item is determined. The item is then transferred automatically to one of the sorter's belt units and then delivered to the correct discharge station, which includes 40 FKI Logistex Ergo Cart book carts and 35 other item containers.
A Total RFID-Based Solution
The new item handling and sorting system is based on RFID technology. Not only does RFID offer an intelligent antitheft function, but it also allows a user to verify that all parts of a combined library loan are present at check-in or checkout. FKI Logistex Library Mate self check-in and self-checkout units offer this as a standard solution. If an item that is part of a combined loan is missing at check-in or checkout, such as one part of a multiple CD or DVD, the Library Mate will notify the user that an item is missing.
The HAB solution not only includes RFID tags for books, CDs and DVDs, but also a system to affix the RFID tags to the items. It also features security gates that detect whether items have been checked out properly, as well as staff-operated RFID stations that enable librarians to quickly check out or check in several items simultaneously and add new RFID tags to library materials.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
TORONTO, On. · Concourse Media announced a partnership with ADFLOW Networks to deploy a digital signage network in the corridors and food courts of downtown Toronto's PATH.
The PATH is considered the world's largest underground commuter shopping complex with more than 1,200 shops and services, and more than 50 businesses and offices. The digitally displayed messaging provides the public with relevant and engaging information as they shop, browse, eat and commute.
"After becoming frustrated with the off-the-shelf hardware and software they were using to operate their network, Concourse Media looked to ADFLOW to provide an easier, more cost-effective 'hands-off' solution to deploy and maintain their network in the PATH so they could focus on their core competency," said Wayne Ruttle, ADFLOW's vice president of sales.
As a strategic partner to Concourse Media, ADFLOW Networks provides the digital media engine and digital media technology for the PATH digital signage network. The ADFLOW Networks Dynamic Messaging System also includes the hosted infrastructure that manages, remotely monitors and maintains the network to ensure that all content is organized, tracked and displayed properly. The solution is integrated with Concourse Media's network of bright, high-definition SHARP LCD display screens.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
OMAHA, Neb. · Transaction Systems Architects Inc., the parent company of ACI Worldwide, has announced plans to acquire P&H Solutions Inc. for $150 million. P&H provides Web-based enterprise-business banking solutions to financial institutions. The company has approximately 100 customers, including 12 of the top 25 U.S. banks. P&H customers include Sovereign Bank, TD Banknorth, Countrywide Bank, Merrill Lynch, First National Bank of Omaha, Wells Fargo, ABN AMRO, Citibank, Citizens Bank, JP Morgan Chase, and PNC Bank.
"This is a transformational event for TSA," said Philip G. Heasley, TSA's chief executive. "Last October we communicated our strategy to build a global solutions business providing payments software, domain expertise services in payments, and payments software as a service. This acquisition is a major step in the continuation of that strategy. With P&H, we now have management expertise in operating an enterprise business banking platform as well as the gold standard product suite in business banking, significantly strengthening our wholesale payments offering."
Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to close in September 2006.
According to a news release, TSA expects the P&H buyout to add between $40 million and $42 million to TSA's revenue during the 2006-2007 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, 2007.
The acquisition is expected to be financed by TSA and in part by a $150 million revolving credit facility provided by Wachovia Securities. Financial advisor Stephens Inc. and legal counsel Jones Day advised TSA on this transaction. William Blair & Company advised P&H Solutions, with Goodwin Proctor LLP as counsel.
"We have a great opportunity to grow P&H from its historical U.S. base into the international theater using our global distribution network," Heasley said. "The blending of our solutions will redefine the standard for end-to-end wholesale electronic payments and continue our progress toward the goal of payments convergence."
Heasley said the acquisition provides TSA with a platform for enterprise business banking capabilities that will support the company's Base24-es, Proactive Risk Manager, Payments Manager, Smart Chip Manager and Wholesale Payments System.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Salina Journal: The city of Salina, Kan., has cemetery maintenance employees who have been helping people since the caretaker position was discontinued, but they're only there during normal business hours on weekdays.
To help bridge the gap, the city recently installed a touchscreen computer kiosk next to the cemetery office that gives users the ability to search for names and retrieve information regarding grave site location, as well as dates of birth, death and interment.
Read more.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
GeneralTouch focuses on the advanced technologies as well as the leading trend of the touch market. They help their customers choose and decide the most suitable touch solutions for their specific needs.
Monday, 28 August 2006
NEW YORK --  In a city where shop windows are an art form, the one at the Polo Ralph Lauren store on Madison Avenue is grabbing national buzz. It's the only one in the city, or the whole country, with images projected onto it that people can touch to buy clothes.
Ralph Lauren's son, David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising, marketing and corporate communications for the $6 billion public company, said his idea for the store window came from the movie "Minority Report," in which Tom Cruise operates a computer by manipulating floating graphical images. The company deployed the interactive store window in August to coincide with its sponsorship of the US Open.
The Approach Shot
The "window" is actually a translucent touch screen applied to the back of the normal store window. Mannequins inside the window sport dark blue and crisp white Polo tennis shirts. A projector, hidden by the blue back drop behind, shines a tennis video onto the 67-inch screen constantly (customers can use it anytime, day or night).
When users touch the video, they enter the graphical user interface, with hand-sized buttons for: men, women and children's clothing; a life of a ball boy video; Nick Bollettieri tennis tips; a history of famous tennis feuds; and the chance to win a $5,000 wardrobe for which users enter their e-mail addresses.
Customers can buy a limited selection of Polo tennis wear, pay for it via credit card, and have it delivered home.
The CPU is hidden with the projector. A card slide is located on the front of the window, which is the system's only external hardware. During operating hours, a neatly groomed fellow in Polo gear helps customers navigate the interface. His official job title is neither model nor greeter: He's an off-duty New York police officer who, among other responsibilities, makes sure nobody tears off the card slide.
Store loss prevention officer Christian Brown sported Polo tennis gear that matched the mannequins inside the window, while fielding reporters' questions in front of the store.
"People come by and stand in awe because this is the first time they've ever seen anything like this," Brown said.
The Spectators
In the knots of people pacing Polo's side of Madison Avenue, faces constantly turned to the flashy store window and fingers often followed. It turned into a kind of sideshow. One Cuban family stopped to have their photos taken with Brown in his Polo tennis regalia, and he chatted with them in Spanish while another family tapped at the interactive window.
Dr. Michael Zenn, a North Carolina plastic surgeon, happened by with his family. He watched other customers use the window for several minutes before trying it out. He said the device offered shop-at-home Internet convenience, but customers could still see and handle the clothing.
"It's neat because you can see what's in the store without going in the store," Zenn said. "I didn't realize it was interactive, so they have to get that worked on."
Michel Firquet, a 61-year-old New Yorker originally from France, encouraged his son, 10-year-old Charles Pierre, to enter his e-mail. When Charles couldn't figure out the device, his dad and the greeter walked him through it.
Marjaana and Tero Juotasniemi and their baby, Henni, who moved to New York from Finland, made a special trip down Madison Ave. to try the window.
"It's kind of cool," Marjaana said. "I've never seen anything like it. We saw it on TV and wanted to walk by and see it."
The Press Gallery
Polo's store window didn't only divert the attention of passers-by, it grabbed national media coverage as well. News stations across the country and their Web sites ran with the story of the Minority Report-style store window. An AP write-up appeared in dozens of dailies. And Good Morning America ran a segment on the window during its first day of operation.
Michael Schulman, who occasionally freelances for The New Yorker magazine, visited the window for two weekends in a row, looking for the users' responses and getting ideas for a freelance piece.
"It seems like more people browse than buy," Schulman said. "But people think it's cool."
The Future
Paul Zaengle, vice president of interactive technology at Polo Ralph Lauren, supervised the store window's creation with the help of consultant Alex Richardson, managing director of Selling Machine Partners and president of the Self-Service and Kiosk Association.
Their collaboration and the store window it yielded represent the melding of old and new in the self-service industry. Richardson, who patented the traditional secure Web-based kiosk, advised Zaengle on the creation of the next-generation store window that David Lauren envisioned from a science fiction movie.
In the immediate future, Polo Ralph Lauren has announced it will deploy kiosks at The US Open where spectators can purchase products to be shipped home or to their luxury boxes in Arthur Ashe stadium. After that, the decision for Polo Ralph Lauren to use more self-service in the future is still teetering on the net.
The interactive store window comes down on September 10, and Zaengle said the company is still evaluating the project's outcome and will decide "in a month or so" whether or not to deploy more self-service technology in its own stores or department stores, though he did say customer reaction and use were better than expected. Meanwhile, his customers already imagine the windows becoming a fact of life.
"You can imagine a time when you will walk down a street and see a whole row of these," Zenn said.
Monday, 28 August 2006
Niagra Gazette: Bank of America is inventing new gadgets to better penetrate the saturated credit card market. A Niagra Gazette reporter recently toured their card development lab.
Read more.
Monday, 28 August 2006
Linuxdevices.com: A Bangkok-based company is shipping a tiny, sub-$100 PC capable of running Puppy and other lightweight Linux distributions. NorhTec's MicroClient Jr. measures 4.5 inches square, draws 8 watts, and has a 166MHz Pentium-compatible processor with three integer units. It targets thin-client, kiosk, and electronic signage applications.
Read more.
Friday, 25 August 2006
SEATTLE · Manufacturing solutions provider GM Nameplate announced the introduction its multizone five-wire touchscreen, appropriate for complex operations involving multiple controls that must be regulated, such as industrial, medical or entertainment applications.
"This technology opens up exciting design and control options for our touchscreen customers," said Dennis Webster, Intaq engineering manager for GM Nameplate. "Touchscreen users can now operate multiple controls simultaneously from a single touchscreen."
A standard touchscreen accepts one input at a time; attempts to touch several screen areas at once cancel out each touch by calculating an average to determine a single input location.
The multizone five-wire touchscreen by allows for up to four input zones on a single screen, and all four touches may occur simultaneously, leading to four distinct inputs.
The touchscreen also comes bundled with a multizone industrial controller. The controller accepts multiple top ITO sheet inputs, enabling multiple zoned areas of the touchscreen to function. It also provides the option to function as a single-zone touchscreen.
Thursday, 24 August 2006
LAS VEGAS · JCM American announced a new distribution relationship with Hemisphere West International.
Under the agreement, Hemisphere West will represent JCM products across North America to the car wash, kiosk, self-service, parking and transportation industries.
"Twelve years ago I started my career in the currency validation industry with JCM, and now, with this agreement, it seems I have come full circle," said Hemisphere West president John Petkus. "I am very proud to once again be working with JCM, a true recognized leader in its field."
JCM products will also be featured on Hemisphere West's Web site.
"This is an exciting step forward for JCM," said vice president of commercial sales Dave Elich. "Hemisphere West has a tremendous network and outstanding record in customer service, and we are very pleased to be working with them in these key industries."
Thursday, 24 August 2006
Keycorp Canada, Inc. is a global provider of solutions for secure electronic transactions: from smartcards and payment terminals to payment engines and managed services. Keycorp and its partners provide secure electronic products and solutions that deliver integrity in the payments and security market.
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
NORTH YORKSHIRE, England · Men and women in the United Kingdon have very different attitudes when it comes to accessing and carrying cash. According to a You Gov survey commissioned by the Link Interchange Network Ltd., of 2,300 people, men are twice as likely to withdraw more than £100 (U.S. $127) from an ATM at least once a week.
Men also carry more cash, with 52 percent of them carrying more than £20 (U.S. $25), compared to only 37 percent of women.
Security is the primary reason women gave for not carrying a lot of cash. Of the 5 percent who do carry between £50 (U.S. $63) and £100 (U.S. $127), they do so to avoid regular trips to the ATM, says the You Gov survey.
But when it comes to over-spending or running out of cash, 20 percent of both men and women say they could visit a cash machine more than three times in one evening; 33 percent say they borrow money from friends.
In addition, 12 percent of the men surveyed said they were sometimes too drunk to remember using the ATM, only becoming aware of the transaction when they read their statements the next day. Only 4 percent of women made the same admission.
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
MENLO PARK, Calif. · Elo TouchSystems, provider of touch technology and a division of Tyco Electronics Corp., has developed a new range of touch drivers for both Linux and Mac OS X.
These new offerings complement Elo's range of touch drivers for Windows, Macintosh and legacy operating systems such as DOS and OS/2.
"We are committed to the design and development of contemporary drivers to support all versions of current and future operating systems · in fact, any and all solutions that add value to our customer's interface with touch technology," said Elo software engineering manager Peter Studt.
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
Puget Sound Business Journal: West Coast Bank said it has reached an agreement with Coinstar Inc. to offer prepaid gift cards through jointly administered kiosks in West Coast's branches.
Lake Oswego, Ore.-based West Coast Bank will join Coinstar, of Bellevue, Ore., as it becomes one of the country's first banks to offer cards from numerous merchants within its branches. Participating retailers include Starbucks, Hollywood Video, Linens 'n Things Inc., Borders, Lids, Tony Roma's, Chili's Inc., Circuit City and AMC Theater.
Read more
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
Dayton Business Journal: In recognition of Orville Wright's 135th birthday and National Aviation Day, NCR Corp. is donating the historic Hawthorn Hill home to the Wright Family Foundation. The home was purchased by NCR in 1948 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991 by the National Park Service.
Read more
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
CHARLOTTE, N.C. · In September 2006, Source Technologies, provider of integrated solutions for managing financial transactions, will host a series of four online forums for companies and financial institutions that want to automate their check-disbursement processes. The online seminars will address key concepts for magnetic ink character recognition printing and the use of MICR systems in official check fraud prevention. The seminars also will address management strategies for image replacement documents.
The seminar series includes a comprehensive buyers guide to MICR check printing solutions.
All sessions will be presented free online.
Session 1: MICR Printing Technology: Automating Official Check Issuance
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2p.m. EDT
This forum will provide best practices behind MICR check printing to businesses and FIs. Session participants will learn the three major problems associated with manual check issuance, the two major components of an automated check-printing solution and best practices for implementation.
Session 2: Spotting the Blind Spot: Eliminating Official Check Fraud
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2 p.m. EDT
Official check fraud costs more than you think. Most business and FIs believe they must either implement a labor-intensive check management process or accept a base level of check fraud. But many have discovered that disbursement automation solutions can virtually eliminate official check fraud. Proven check printing options that provide better controls and prevent fraud will be the focal point of this session.
Session 3: IRD Print Management: Ten Keys to Successful Implementation
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m. EDT
This forum will address several item processing challenges introduced by the Check 21 Act. Participants will review the basics behind Check 21 and why the IRD is an entirely new type of negotiable document. Topics include an overview of problems that exist for businesses and financial institutions handling IRDs and successful implementation strategies that improve process management.
Session 4: Buyers Guide to MICR Check Printing Solutions
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m. EDT
Not all check printing software and MICR laser printers are alike. Business managers who understand MICR capabilities will avoid implementing a poor-quality automated disbursement solution. Participants in this session will learn how to assess the risks involved in MICR check printing and discover how to improve overall business processes with modern technologies.
Tuesday, 22 August 2006
YORK, Pa. · Livewire International Inc. announced today that its TicketEngine self-service and Web-based ticketing system has been implemented by Dan Show VIP, a Las Vegas company that produces The Dan Show: Vegas, self-hosted by Dan Sherbondy.
Dan Show VIP self-serve ticketing kiosks are deployed throughout Las Vegas tourist areas, along highways leading to Las Vegas and in areas frequented by locals, such as convenience stores. The self-serve ticketing system offers a wide selection of entertainment choices, including shows like "Carrot Top," "Penn and Teller," and "Mama Mia," as well as adventure activities like helicopter tours. Customers may also place themselves on nightclub guest-lists and buy and print tickets to multiple clubs. Secondary displays, driven by the kiosks, present multimedia previews of shows to enhance the customer buying experience.
In addition to the kiosks, Livewire is hosting the Dan Show VIP ticketing Web site to provide print-at-home tickets for patrons. An affiliate program is incorporated to allow cab drivers, limo drivers, retailers and other individuals to enjoy a piece of the action by directing customers to the kiosks and entering a promotion code or providing links to the Dan Show Tickets Web site.
Monday, 21 August 2006
The stars at night may indeed be big and bright, but this September, the heart of Texas will shine with a massive roomful of new technologies and applications, all aimed at helping businesses make more money while making customers happier.
"This will be our biggest show yet," said Terry Thompson, director of operations for The Self-Service & Kiosk Show. "We've nearly doubled the number of exhibitors over the last show, so attendees will find a tremendous variety of companies and applications on display in our exhibit hall."
The show, scheduled for September 28-29 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, will feature a full line-up of seminars and workshops, led by industry experts focused on a variety of disciplines. The keynote speaker will be T. Scott Gross, author of "When Customers Talk" and "Positively Outrageous Service."
"Scott is such an entertaining speaker · and the topic of customer service is just so important," Thompson said. "His presentation is based on surveying 100,000 consumers about their shopping experiences and he's got some really interesting · and really surprising · results to talk about."
Seminar topics will be offered in three tracks:
- Applications in Action, featuring sessions with Christopher Boyce of Virgin Life Care, Chad Munce of Photo Marketing Association, Dillman Moree of 7-Eleven and Norma Wolcott of IBM
- Gaining Competitive Advantage, featuring Terry Kasen of Agilysys, Tamara Mendelsohn of Forrester Research Associates and Mike Best of Proctor & Gamble
- Technologies & Trends, featuring Brian Kilcourse of Retail Systems Alert Group, Kevin Fitzgerald of BCC Research and David Roscoe of ADFLOW Networks
The show floor
Three special features make their debut at this year's show, including the Store of the Future exhibit presented by IBM. The company will be showing virtually every technology and application they have related to a store environment · from their largest self-checkout unit to applications that are deployed on shopping carts, on shelves, and on stand-alone units. "It's going to be an amazing, comprehensive array of applications all in one spot," Thompson said.
Other new features include the dedicated C-Store Zone, filled with technologies aimed at the convenience store owner/operator, and the Photo Kiosk Gallery, presented by the Photo Marketing Association. Attendees will be able to do their own side-by-side comparisons of photo kiosks from a variety of vendors.
"Texas is a huge state for convenience stores, and many self-service applications are doing extremely well there. We felt like the San Antonio show, then, was a natural venue to show the world what self-service tech can do for c-stores," Thompson said.
Photo kiosks have been one of the strongest ROI performers for self-service deployers, and as more competitors enter the field, Thompson believed having a place where deployers could see several side-by-side would help them decide how to guide their deployments.
In addition, advancedMethod, a Seattle firm specializing in the production and delivery of online audio-visual content, and Euro Touch Kiosks will provide three wayfinding screens throughout the show area, showcasing the company's abilities to create and deliver rich media that educates users while improving their experience.
Anchor partners
ADFLOW Networks, a digital signage and kiosk deployment firm will display several of its real-world successes with dynamic signage. The company also will demonstrate the Dynamic Messaging System, its sixth-generation hosted digital media management system, as well as a variety of touchscreen and kiosk solutions, featuring RFID and other emerging technologies.
KIOSK Information Systems has produced thousands of kiosks since its inception in 1993. The company will bring self-service applications like human resources, order entry, ticketing, bill payment, photo kiosks, music download, public Internet access and others.
With clients such as Mazda, Yahoo!, Burger King, SBC and many others, Nanonation delivers more than 20 million minutes of customer interaction annually. The company will demonstrate its Nanopoint and CommandPoint software platforms, which were created from the ground up for customer-facing, self-service environments, from kiosks to digital signage.
Palm Desert National Bank's booth will feature the innovations of Tio Network's bill pay and Vero's check-cashing solutions supported by the backroom management expertise of PDNB for efficient multi-point payments settlement, balancing, reconciliation, terminal management and funding, including PDNB's innovative "reverse vault cash" feature.
St. Clair Interactive Communications will bring many of the success stories from 25 years in the kiosk business, with more than 500 successful deployments under its belt. The company has a unique set of skills and more than 35 pre-built, rapidly deployable application software templates, and remote management and content tools.
Source Technologies will feature three of its standard "concourse" hardware platforms, each offering plug-and-play devices to support a variety of applications. Applications on display will include Teller (bank automation), Billpay, Check Cashing (for check cashing plus sale and dispensation of money orders and stored-value products) and CreditApp (for applications and account management).
U.S. Exhibits develops integrated custom kiosk solutions for a variety of applications and industries. Where many companies start with one box that is tailored to fit all purposes, U.S. Exhibits starts with a question · what is the complete solution that the deployer needs · and goes ground-up from there. U.S. Exhibits' approach incorporates all of the functions that are necessary today, including kiosk design, software and interface development, and advertising placement and integration for the deployer's own marketing or for third-parties and co-op advertisers. Featured with U.S. Exhibits are partners Hit Media Group and Vertical Systems Inc.
U.S. Exhibits also is sponsoring the official Internet kiosks that are stationed around the show. Attendees can access the Internet and check e-mail, as well as print airline boarding passes up to 24 hours before their return flight. This solution is being deployed under the brand name FastBoard to all corporate-owned Hyatt hotels, and allows guests to check-in with airlines and print boarding passes while still at the hotel.
Supporting partners
CeroView provides complete end-to-end business solutions for the retail, entertainment, technology, government, education, healthcare and transportation industries. The company specializes in user-interface design, kiosk location placement, hardware and software selection and integration, and implementation services, and will have a number of successful applications on hand.
DynaTouch Corporation, in business since 1988 with more than 500 successful kiosk projects, will bring a number of real-world deployments, including Military OneStop (pay and personnel solution with ID Card authentication and extensive Department of Defense content), VA Patient Services (client/server solution for express check-in, appointment scheduling, pharmacy services, access to medical records), as well as wayfinding, survey and directory applications.
Maysteel LLC is a Wisconsin-based company specializing in the custom fabrication of metal enclosures, assemblies, and components, on both a contract basis and via proprietary products used in the distribution of electric power. Maysteel was founded in 1936 and today has three manufacturing locations and more than 513,000 square feet of production space.
StacoSwitch, manufacturer of input devices for aerospace, military and industrial environments, will display its newly added "tactile feedback" touchscreens. Attendees will be able to test-drive the M80 tactile feedback touchscreen in a variety of applications, from kiosk and all-in-one computer to a touchscreen that communicates with a remote computer.
ULTIMedia is a French firm that designs, manufactures and markets a global offering of interactive terminals and information screens, and offers a wide range of complementary services from secured Internet browsers to accessories dedicated to interactive technologies and other terminal application software.
Elsewhere on the show floor
Apunix, which specializes in building extensible self-service solutions on the Java platform, will demonstrate its customer self-service appliance, suitable for use in retail, foodservice, travel, entertainment, hospitality and other service applications. The company has been recognized three times by Frost & Sullivan, and has received multiple awards from Self-Service World magazine.
APW: I-engage will show enFOCUS, a complete digital photo printing solution, and enVITE and enLITEN, stand-up kiosks that can be configured to deliver many popular applications.
Arrow Electronics/Decision One manufactures and distributes a variety of kiosk and ATM components including barcode and card readers, cash acceptors and dispensers, enclosures, touch pads, security and biometric hardware, photo kiosks and software.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide provides truck, rail, ocean and air transportation throughout the world. C.H. Robinson can manage deployments through shipping, implementation and start-up, and specializes in analyzing existing processes and formulating customized solutions.
Comark manufactures packaging and processing solutions. They sell a wide variety of kiosks for both indoor and outdoor applications. Systems can be configured for tabletop, suspension and floor-mounting styles. A wide variety of options is available.
Corporate Safe Specialists will show its turnkey transactional kiosk, including ordering, cash payments and receiving change. It will also show a modular, armored-car-ready kiosk in which all funds are tracked and secured until pick-up is done by armored car.
D2 Sales designs and manufactures interactive brand environments for digital media, from kiosk enclosures to multimedia lounges and cafés. D2 provides a dimensional brand experience to showcase client content.
Diebold Premier Services manufactures and sells a variety of ATMs, check-cashing machines, voting machines, access control systems and other self-service solutions. Its Premier Services division specializes in maintaining and managing self-service solutions.
ESP Electronic Systems Protection provides power protection solutions for the kiosk and self-service industry. The company will show its power filter and power protection solutions, and discuss how it can help customers build their businesses.
Elo Touchsystems develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of touch products that simplify the interface between people and computers and kiosks in both public access and employee-activated applications.
Enhance Electronics designs and manufactures power supplies for kiosks, specifically for high-heat environments. The patent-pending Remote Access Power Hub provides remote power reset via network connection.
Euro Touch Kiosks provides indoor and outdoor kiosk enclosures in contemporary European designs. Its enclosures are made with aluminum and stainless steel.
Ewait offers a variety of kiosks in modern Norwegian constructions of wood and metal. Products include tabletop and freestanding models, as well as kiosks integrated into restaurant tables or other flat surfaces.
EZscreen Touchscreen Systems manufactures and markets a variety of all-in-one touch PCs, touchscreen kits to upgrade existing flat-screen displays, panel-mount touch displays and desktop touch displays, including the 37-inch Rx370, designed to emphasize attractive on-screen graphics.
Graphics Systems Inc. manufactures and sells a variety of signs and digital signs, including the AdView Dynamic Messenger. The AdView Dynamic Messenger is a digital sign that can load content from a variety of popular memory cards, loop content and support external audio output.
Hemisphere West International offers currency handling and validation solutions. It will showcase, in partnership with JCM, the Outpay Bill Validator/Cash Recycler along with other currency validation products specific to the self-service industry.
ID TECH will show its SPECTRUM Hybrid Insert Reader, designed to read and decode up to three tracks of magnetically encoded information. The company will also display the Omni reader, designed for barcodes and mag stripes, and other products.
Industrial Electronic Engineers has a line of standard mini-kiosks in a variety of display technologies. IEE will show their mini-kiosk with printer, touchscreen and mag-stripe reader. The unit is available in various high-bright displays in 6.4-, 10- and 12.1-inch display sizes.
Immersion Corporation offers tactile feedback systems that add seemingly real button-push sensations to traditional touchscreens. Immersion's products can also be used in knobs, cellular phones and video game controllers.
INFONOX provides "financial solutions on demand," including the ActiveKiosk Suite of solutions for customer-facing self-service, deployable on any kiosk hardware. ActiveKiosk Suite is a plug-and-play self-service solution, offering end-to-end management.
Intas Co. Ltd. Provides a wide variety of LCD flat panel displays, home LCD TVs and LCD PC monitors. Intas displays are available in a variety of sizes for diverse applications and deployments.
KING Products & Solutions, Inc. markets a diverse line of complete kiosk solutions in a variety of form factors and all metal enclosures. Their solutions include bill payment, Internet access, gift card dispensers, directories, promotions, HR and survey kiosks, among others.
Kiosk Factory designs and builds custom kiosks and modular, specification-grade kiosks for industrial and exterior use. Their clients have included General Electric, Sony, Toys R Us and Grumman's Chinese Theatre.
Kiosk Logix/WLG markets a variety of self-service solutions, including BizCenterLOGIX, a self-service business center for deployment in hotel environments and other locations where business services are needed, and NetStop Pro Secure Kiosk Software, for securing kiosk applications.
La Gard will exhibit their traditional and newly developed safes, including the Navigator. The Navigator is a keyless, remote-managed safe that can be opened with an authorized employee's cell phone and requires no full-time dispatcher.
Landel markets technology simplifying remote data capture, without computers, for commercial customers, from remote locations where computers and computer-based kiosks may be too expensive.
MAX International Converters, Inc. will show MAX-Stick, the first repositionable adhesive thermal paper. The custom repositionable adhesive strip on the back of MAX-Stick can easily adhere to nearly any surface, which could include sandwich wrappers, to-go bags or DVDs.
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's product lines include stand-alone photofinishing kiosks, networkable digital photofinishing stations and high capacity and high-speed digital photo printers.
Netkey will demonstrate Netkey 6.5, built for the development, deployment and operation of interactive kiosk and digital signage networks, enabling secure remote management and dissemination of multimedia content.
Nippon Primex manufactures kiosk receipt printers. Their printers are widely used for kiosks, ATMs, and other self-service systems worldwide, and are available in a variety of styles and form factors.
Parabit Systems, Inc. markets kiosks, enclosures and access controllers. Their kiosk lines include custom kiosks, in-wall kiosks, pedestal kiosks with telephones and keyboards, desktop kiosks, and desktop kiosks with phones. They also market WebRestrict kiosk security software.
Pay-Ease Inc. offers a financial transaction and processing network that collects recurring customer payments on behalf of billers, municipalities and municipalities by cash, check or card and can dispense cash or product at its full-service PayStation.
Planar Systems markets flat screen displays for use in home, business, healthcare, retail and hospitality locales. The DS line of point-of-sale/point-of-purchase integrated kiosks are designed for appliance-like installation and operation.
RealTime Shredding, Inc. will demonstrate its one-of-a-kind self-service shredder. The industrial-strength shredder can quickly destroy a variety of media, including paper and CDs, available on a pay-per-use basis.
RESOLUTE TAP Services provides comprehensive project management, installation, service and support solutions to the self-service technology and kiosk industries worldwide. Clients include Barnes & Noble, Lockheed Martin, Mediaport Entertainment, AAFES and Catalina Marketing.
Rhombus Services offers delivery, installation and field services for kiosks. Their services include pre-site surveys, project management, installation of all equipment, cabling and software, comprehensive project monitoring and reporting and ongoing data collection for quality assurance.
PROVISIO will proffer its complete kiosk software solutions, which the company markets as an out-of-the-box solution requiring no specialized training or technical knowledge to install and operate.
Slabb offers hardware, software, services and custom design for kiosks and touch solutions. They emphasize holistic program development, including enclosure design and manufacturing, custom software and integration, engineering and materials research.
Star Micronics offers a full line of thermal and dot matrix printers to meet the widest of applications. The TUP900 thermal kiosk printer is a flexible solution designed specifically to meet the diverse printing needs of kiosk platforms.
Tatung Company of America, Inc. will exhibit its open-frame LCD displays and Mini PC for gaming, industrial and commercial applications. Tatung is introducing 26", 32", 37" and 42" large screen size open-frame LCD displays.
TECHnical TRANSportation is a full-service shipping and logistics firm that moves, processes, locates, services, deploys and designs products and services specifically to meet individual customer needs. TECH TRANS offers white glove service and synchronized national deployment capabilities.
Technik Manufacturing Inc. will exhibit retail solutions including CD/DVD vending solutions, barcode and mag stripe readers, credit card and vending mechanisms. Technik's components vend a wide range of products including CDs, tickets and phone cards.
Telequip, manufacturer of coin dispensing solutions, will offer its products, including the three-bin Coin Xpress with three hoppers on a single chassis. The unit is capable of both serial and USB interface. It will also show the six-bin Coin Xpress.
Telesat will show VisionPOINT, designed to distribute on-demand interactive content. Through VisionPOINT, deployers can securely populate kiosks with multimedia content, including uploading, management and scheduling content.
Telpar, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes its own line of direct thermal and impact kiosk and specialty receipt printers. In addition, Telpar distributes printer mechanisms, control electronics and POS/Auto ID stand-alone products.
Touchmate specializes in developing effective touchscreen projects as corporate and public-sector solutions, and manages a wide range of projects ranging from unsupervised public Internet-access kiosks, to interactive touchscreens and information kiosks.
TNS provides cost-effective data communications services for transaction-oriented applications, including managed payment data networks. TNS connects ATMs, kiosks and self-service devices via wireless, dial-up or broadband IP.
Ventus Networks provides a full suite of advanced telecommunication networking solutions, from a comprehensive portfolio of local-to-global business data, cellular data, Internet and voice services. Ventus targets all industry sectors, especially those relying on transporting highly secure financial data traffic through remotely deployed devices.
WebRaiser will exhibit its Method8 and VendiSoft self-service software platforms, as well as its VendiStore and VendiAd self-service applications and the company's digital marketing network.
White Electronic Designs will show its 8.4-inch Touch Tablet PC, a compact, lightweight device enhanced with touch capability.
Monday, 21 August 2006
TBO.com: Get & Go Express is scheduled to open in Hudson, Fla., offering plenty of what shoppers are used to, from packaged munchies and fresh sub sandwiches to DVD rentals.
The new twist? There won't be any store clerks.
Read more.
Monday, 21 August 2006
New Edge Networks builds and manages networks for businesses and communications providers. Through its nationwide backbone network with about 900 switches and Internet routers, New Edge Networks uses various access technologies (xDSL, frame relay, ATM, cable, wireless and satellite) for providing broadband connectivity at any business address in the United States. Network options include any combination of access and network management functions. Based in Vancouver, Wash., New Edge Networks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EarthLink Inc. (NASDQ: ELNK).
Friday, 18 August 2006
CXO Today: India's Intercode Solutions has launched MK2000 Micro Kiosk, a device designed to deploy and run multimedia and barcode-scanning applications throughout the retail environment.
The kiosk allows users to perform quick price-checking, store and product information searches. It also facilitates the overall reduction of the store's internal operation costs. The multifunctional device provides users with a virtual map of the store with details such as product location, cost, size, promotional offers, new products, etc. It supports customers as well as employees facing interactive applications, including those using digital signage, barcode scanning, audio and video.
Read more
Friday, 18 August 2006
PC Pro: Technology analyst Jon Honeyball is excited about the impending wave of supermarket self-service, which will usher in an era of hand-held price scanners and cart-at-a-time checkout gateways. These new devices will bring with them new kinds of social engineering and "per-person, per-shop pricing and decision manipulation."
"Now, with my Captain Kirk laser zapper, the device goes bloopety bloop when I scan in something that has a 'two for one' or some other offer," he writes. "And you know, I'm tempted to just pop in that extra item, because it's a saving, isn't it? Naturally, I'm being socially engineered. "It wants me to buy more of that tooth-rotting fizzy drink, so offers me a bargain."
Read more
Friday, 18 August 2006
SAN DIEGO · American Technology Corp., provider of directed sound products and solutions, announced that digital-signage solution provider Adflow Networks is expanding its HSS-enabled in-store digital signage network installations with OfficeMax.
The OfficeMax digital signage network features ATC's award-winning HSS directional sound technology, branding and advertising content, as well as a live CNN satellite feed to inform and entertain customers without disrupting their shopping.
OfficeMax retained Adflow Networks in 2005 to establish a digital-signage network in large-format OfficeMax Advantage stores across the United States. With the success of the initial deployment, Adflow is extending the network to also include select mid-sized stores.
"Content is delivered through two high-resolution 40-inch LCD panels and two HSS units mounted within an eye-catching menu board located in the high-traffic printing service areas of the stores," said Wayne Ruttle, vice president of Adflow Networks. "To date, we've installed this system in select OfficeMax locations across the country. We have more than 120 new locations scheduled for installation over the next 12 months."
ATC's patented HSS products offer display-point sound that only the intended listener can hear. HSS provides consistent virtual listening areas without the variability in sound intensity that is common in conventional loudspeakers.
"We are excited to be working with Adflow and other channel and distribution partners on an increasing number of HSS-enabled retail-based digital signage network installations," said Bruce Gray, ATC's vice president of commercial sales. "HSS provides in-store networks the critical feature of directionality to ensure that customers clearly hear the audio content while keeping the sound confined to a selected listening area."
Thursday, 17 August 2006
 Storefront Backtalk: In a dressing room in the huge Japanese department chain Mitsukoshi, half-dressed customers scan RFID-tagged jeans and then use an IP telephone to check inventory and call for more clothes to be brought in.
Workers at the $8.5 billion retail Tokyo-based chain traditionally waited outside dressing rooms, listening for instructions to bring more clothes. In the new experimental system, the workers can stock shelves while waiting for their VoIP phone to ring and for the customer to ask for something.
Read more
Thursday, 17 August 2006
HUTTO, Texas · TouchSystems Corp., provider of touch-enabled products, announced its new digital signage series of touch monitors. The new touchmonitors, ideal for interactive digital signage, offer wall-mountable/desktop LCD touch displays in large sizes, up to 46-inches.
The first offering in the line is the 32-inch P3250C touch monitor, which includes NEC's Digital Signage Technology suite and standard 3-year limited warranty. Features include a self-diagnostics capability to detect possible failures, a new backlight system for better brightness, real-time content scheduling, 1366 x 768 ultra-high resolution and brightness control to reduce energy consumption.
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
Landel pioneered email service without computers with the introduction of MailBug. Landel MailBug makes email simple and low cost, without computer hassles or computer expenses, for consumer households and small businesses.
Landel also pioneered the technology to make electronic data capture simpler, again without computers, for commercial customers of all sizes. Companies need a low cost and flexible way to capture data from locations where computers are either too impractical or too expensive, and Landel DataBug has the solution.
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. · StrandVision LLC, a provider of Internet-based digital signage services, has introduced an automated time-based counter called Count Up/Down.
The Count Up/Down feature is useful for announcing the time until a meeting or church service starts, cruise or bus departures, theater and movie start times, store and office openings, and other scheduled events. It also is an excellent automated way to count milestones. Some StrandVision customers are using it to list safety achievements such as days since the last Occupational Safety & Health Administration reportable or lost-time accident, production goals achieved, time left to reach sales goals and sweepstakes deadlines.
The Count Up/Down page offers several variable text areas including a "Message for Before Event" text field that is tied to the Count Down clock and will only display before the event occurs.
Once the event starts and the current time hits zero, the message is replaced by a "Message for After Event" text field that also is tied to the clock. It automatically replaces the before-event message as the current time display counts up.
When combined with StrandVision's scheduling feature, Count Up/Down slides can be scheduled to be automatically added and removed from the digital signage slide mix.
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. · Heineken USA and Precision Dynamics Corporation, provider of automatic wristband identification, are joining to ensure that all attendees are 21 or older Aug. 19 at Heineken's AmsterJam music festival in New York City.
 PDC developed the AgeBand system, which utilizes software developed by Intelli-Check in cooperation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, to ensure all attendees are of legal drinking age. The AgeBand system scans and verifies IDs and instantly prints a wristband with pertinent patron information, including the date and time of check along with the number 21, to indicate age-verified. The system provides defensible action against underage drinking, reduces instances of human errors when checking IDs, and provides non-transferable positive-age verification, access control and security.
Supporting the AgeBand system is Intelli-Check's PDA-like device, ID-Check Mobile, which also scans and verifies a patron's identification and age, offering additional mobility and flexibility to the overall age verification system.
At last year's AmsterJam, which sold out with more than 30,000 concert goers, more than 1,000 people were turned away using the AgeBand and Intelli-Check age verification systems. This year, 20 AgeBand systems and four ID-Check Mobile systems will be onsite to efficiently check attendees.
"Heineken has a long-standing commitment to prevent underage drinking," said Dan Tearno, vice president of corporate relations for Heineken USA. "Our great partnership with PDC enables the use of accurate, state-of-the-art technology that quickly and efficiently verifies that all attendees at AmsterJam are of legal drinking age, while minimizing any inconvenience and maximizing the experience of concert goers."
Since July 2005, Heineken USA has used the PDC AgeBand Wristband System at a series of company-sponsored concert events, making it the first alcohol beverage company to use AgeBand technology in this manner. Heineken USA used AgeBand to restrict underage access at its first AmsterJam concert in 2005, which boasted more than 30,000 attendees, and to restrict underage consumption at special events of all sizes across the country.
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Esprida Corp., provider of remote-management solutions, announced the launch of Healthnotes LiveConnect, a global in-store consumer marketing network of touchscreen kiosks, designed specifically for supermarket, pharmacy, and natural-product retailers.
Esprida developed Healthnotes LiveConnect - a secure, Java-based enterprise solution that's compatible with a broad range of IT infrastructures - in conjunction with Healthnotes Inc. to manage thousands of devices networked in retail locations worldwide.
"We're pleased to be part of an offering that delivers the most reliable and up-to-date health and wellness information to consumers," said Anila Jobanputra, president of Esprida Corp. "Esprida software brings expanded functionality to Healthnotes Connect that supports timely delivery of seasonal product information and opportunities for retailers to promote their products and services more efficiently,"
Healthnotes LiveConnect is a secure networking solution that helps retailers manage and optimize multistore deployments of Healthnotes Connect, a storewide marketing solution. Healthnotes Connect guides consumers at the point of decision with up-to-date product information, including recipes, foods, OTCs and supplements, as well as promotions and touch-to-print coupons.
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
SAN JOSE, Calif. - VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced that it has agreed to acquire the payment-systems business of Trintech Group PLC in an all-cash transaction. Trintech's unattended and outdoor payment systems will enhance VeriFone's solutions in the growing markets for self-service payment, vending and pay-at-the-pump applications.
The acquisition includes a range of payment systems that will support and extend VeriFone's existing offerings for merchants and financial institutions. VeriFone will take over distribution of those products and will provide existing customers with service and support.
Trintech is divesting its payment systems business to concentrate on its transaction reconciliation software products and services, which allow customers to optimize enterprise-funds-management performance, including transaction verification, account reconciliation, process management and compliance.
Under the terms of the Agreement, VeriFone will pay Trintech $12.1 million cash for all outstanding shares of a newly formed subsidiary which, prior to closing, will hold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the payment systems business of Trintech. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on the working capital of the business and other accruals at the closing date. The deal is expected to close in August.
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - IBM Corp. announced a new model of its Anyplace Kiosk, which will ship with Windows XP Professional pre-loaded. The Anyplace Kiosk is ultra-small and has on each unit a VESA·mount , which provides the ability to mount it nearly anyplace: on a wall, in a shelf, on an end cap, tabletop, or pole, or even in a floor-standing enclosure.
Features of the new Anyplace Kiosk include:
- A choice of 12-inch (800 x 600), 15-inch (1024 x 768) or 17-inch (1280 x 1024) active-matrix LCD touchscreen interface
- Infrared (IR) touchscreen technology
- Intel Celeron M Processor 320 (1.3 GHz, 400 MHz front side bus, 512 KB cache)
- 40 GB hard disk drive (HDD), standard with Windows XP Professional preloaded
- 512 MB of memory (standard) expandable to 2 GB memory
- Support for full-motion video and multimedia
- A presence sensor that allows activation of the kiosk when consumers approach from up to 5 feet away
- 10/100 Ethernet LAN and Web connectivity
- Environmentally hardened components for outstanding reliability
- A VESA mount that allows for attachment of wall mount, tabletop mount, or floor mount.
The new Anyplace Kiosk will be available Aug. 25.
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
ATLANTA -- Self-styled "renegade executive" Donald H. Turner was named CEO of Pro-Tech Solutions, and will lead the company's three business lines: Pro-Tech, industrial computer workstation systems; Pro-Tech Kiosks, self-service kiosks; and theQsolution, the newest of the Pro-Tech line of self-service kiosks.
Turner's first role as CEO of Pro-Tech Solutions is to restructure and revitalize the company.
"I go into companies that are growing at a single-digit rate and look for innovative restructuring and growth opportunities in ways that they simply hadn't considered," Turner said. "Clearly, my job is to push the envelope."
One of the key challenges facing Turner will be to evolve the company to take advantage of the rapid growth in the self-service kiosk marketplace. This includes taking a hardware-only company and transforming it into a provider of integrated hardware, software, consulting, and service.
Pro-Tech's president and founder, Peter Kaszycki, was enthusiastic about Turner joining the Pro-Tech team. "Don brings a lot of the skills and experience we need to take advantage of the marketplace opportunities in front of us." Being part of the selection process, Kaszycki added, "I couldn't be happier about Don joining us and look forward to working with him as we continue to add to the success of our rich history."
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
LOUISVILLE, Colo. · KIOSK provider of self-service kiosk solutions, announced its compliance with the European directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and also its new status as a certified "Green Partner" for Sony Corp.
Fulfillment of the RoHS directive and compliance with WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) are part of KIOSK's overall strategic initiative to support ongoing global environmental programs.
"As a world supplier of innovative solutions, KIOSK is committed to the goal of producing products in accordance with legislative standards established to protect human health and that are in line with global environmental obligations," said Dan Houck, chief operating officer of KIOSK. "We're pleased to comply with RoHS directives, having invested heavily for the past few years in our business and manufacturing infrastructure, and in helping our customers and suppliers develop attainable transition programs. As a result, we are proud to validate compliancy with KIOSK Declarations of Product Compliance, third-party test reports, and Certificates of Conformance for components and materials. In a continuing initiative, KIOSK is actively pursuing processes and methodologies to address the WEEE Directive for the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment."
Sony has established its own global standards for management of chemical substances, titled "Management Regulations for the Environment-Related Substances to be Controlled which are included in Parts and Materials" (SS-00259) and is implementing control of certain specified chemicals in parts and materials.
Sony has established the "Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program" in 2002, which outlines Sony's Green Partner Standards, the standards for chemical substance management, and audits suppliers based on these standards. In fiscal 2005, approximately 3,500 supplier and 200 OEM suppliers were certified as Green Partners.
Under the above chemical substances management system, Sony has prohibited the use of six chemical substances in parts and materials specified in the RoHS Directive. By the end of fiscal year 2005, Sony has completed elimination of those specified chemicals from all Sony products, not only for the European market, but also for the worldwide market.
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
Jacksonville (Fla.) Business Journal: Small business owners will soon have access to an unsecured line of credit of up to $100,000 through a Bank of America Business Credit Express program. Using the program, a small business owner can access cash anytime at ATMs or move funds via online banking.
Read more
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
Monster and Critics: Chinese police will begin outfitting ATMs with facial-recognition software to help identify suspected criminals. The system will be installed on more than 1,000 Beijing ATMs by the end of October. The city's remaining 3,000 ATMs are expected to follow suit within a year.
Read more
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. · Global Axcess Corp. reported increases in revenue and profit for the second quarter of 2006, which ended June 30. Revenue from continuing operations hit $5.5 million, up 10 percent from the $5 million during the same period last year. Profit from continuing operations came in at $2.4 million, up 20 percent from $2 million last year.
The company attributed the increases to an increased number of transacting ATMs acquired in 2005.
But GAXC continued to operate at a net loss, a trend that has spiraled downward since the second quarter of 2005, when the company reported net losses of $42,084. For 2Q '06, GAXC reported a net loss of $373,100, negative 2 cents per share, about eight times greater than losses reported last year.
Contributing to the loss were increased operating and one-time expenses, the company said.
"While we are pleased with our revenue growth, we continue to focus on returning to profitability," said Michael Dodak, GAXC's chief executive. "Further, we continue to review strategic alternatives for the company with our advisors at Raymond James."
Operating expenses increased to $2.5 million for the second quarter, up from the $1.6 million for the same period of 2005. And GAXC incurred non-recurring and one-time expenses · legal fees associated with litigation, increased professional fees associated with 2005 financial restatements as well as an increase in bad debt reserves · of $280,000 during the quarter. Excluding those non-recurring and one-time expenses, the net loss would have been $93,100.
Monday, 14 August 2006
Imagine having no access to the Web, but the same need for information.
That's the situation in India, where, according to 2002 census data, more than a billion people are spread across 384 cities, 5,161 towns and 638,365 villages. To address the needs of a billion people spread across 1.2 million square miles, the Indian government has relied heavily on electronic government.
Electronic governance, or e-gov, is a system of delivering government information electronically. It uses data networks to make government more convenient, and deliver information to those who cannot receive it otherwise.
According to Dataquest India, the e-gov movement has grown in India for more than two decades. It first took off in the '70s with in-house networking between regional government offices; in the '80s, it was used with the establishment of the National Infomatics Center; and its adoption has widened since the birth of the Web.
In 2001, Project Bhoomi made 20 million rural land-title records available on kiosks, in order to clarify property ownership, settle land disputes and provide farmers with documents necessary to receive bank loans. By 2003, when the kiosk data was made available to private franchisees, a political firestorm, said Keya Acharya at InfoChangeIndia.org, loomed over the kiosks.
Because of expensive commutes and document prices, Acharya said that the kiosks, meant to help the poor, were more accessible to the wealthy.
"The project also fails to address gender inequality," Acharya said. "Land ownership has long been a male bastion in India - in Karnataka women own just 12% of the land - and this is reflected in Bhoomi. Women in Dharwad district do not know of the new system."
But the premise still gathered support.
 "Information kiosks are particularly useful in rural areas of developing economies, where the populace may not have the means to own PCs or be linked to online channels," writes James S.L. Young, Cisco Systems director of public sector programs, in his essay, "Citizen-Centered Approaches to e-Government Programs." "In more modern societies with greater mobile computing usage, governments are also experimenting with the provision of information and services via various mobile and wireless devices."
Though e-gov is popular in a variety of developing and first-world countries, Indian e-gov maintains the trappings of a social and political grassroots movement. Bloggers, scientists, government officers, reformers and private companies cooperate to expand e-gov and enact a number of related laws, like increased access to information.
In e-gov Online, Wajahat Habibullah, India's chief information commissioner, adamantly lauds the country's recent Right to Information Act. He said the right to government information — that would be disseminated via e-gov networks and kiosks — is an intrinsic part of democracy, after e-gov groups lobbied for the law.
"The public can participate in governance if it knows what the government is doing and why it is doing what," Habibullah writes.
The kiosks are now often setup as collaborations between the government and private companies. Professor P.T. Rama Rao at The Indian Institute of Management's Center for Electronic Governance, describes the public/private partnerships through which e-gov kiosks are developed, deployed and managed in his paper, "ICT and e-Governance for Rural Development."
"These tasks include design and development of application software, population of data and content in the regional language, procurement and installation of networking and computer systems, deployment of software and delivery of services," Rao says. "Such arrangement seems to have helped in reducing the burden on the government, brought in the expertise, enhanced the speed of implementation, and offered a better value proposition to the citizens."
He also warns that pure commercial value should not determine kiosk content.
The demand for content and the high-tech platforms that transfer it has attracted many American companies. Nortel, Adobe, Cisco, Alcatel and Symantec sponsor the e-gov India tradeshow. Microsoft India, meanwhile, is building Project Saksham, which integrates public government functions with private business features like online banking and bill-pay onto public-access kiosks.
Microsoft India chairman Ravi Venkatesan, speaking at a company forum in July, said Project Saksham piloted 300 kiosks across India that involved about 4,000 users. From the pilot, he said Microsoft learned it needed to expand the function of the kiosks beyond e-government tasks; agricultural and clinical information is in wide demand, and users liked access to land records and the ability to submit land-related grievances.
Beyond e-government, Microsoft confirmed the value of financial tasks, including bill pay, death and dismemberment insurance, monsoon insurance and mutual funds, with U.S. $2 entry fees and U.S. 50-cent monthly pay-ins.
"We think as more people move up the economic ladder, as more people learn to use computers, in the long run, it's good for the socioeconomic development of India, and it's good for us," Venkatesan said. "We believe that learning to serve poor rural communities profitably will give us insights into the next 5 billion of the world's consumers and help us in innovating new business models."
Monday, 14 August 2006
Forbes: Don't expect Aug. 10's foiled terror plot in London to ground the U.S. government's Ez-pass style security program for frequent travelers. And that's good news for Steve Brill, the media entrepreneur who's now running a security business geared to frequent business fliers. His company, Verified Identity Pass, a screening service that's created an express lane at airport security posts for pre-screened passengers deemed safe by the government, has effectively been cleared to take off past its initial successful test run in Orlando, Fla. Already, it's proved enormously popular with customers.
In the Orlando experiment, frequent travelers forked over $79.95 to register with Brill's company, which passed along the names to the Transportation Security Agency. Those cleared as safe were given an electronic card allowing them to proceed through high-tech kiosks, bypassing long security lines. The technology includes fingerprint and iris scans to help ensure the person zipping through is in fact the customer who applied and was approved for safe travel. The kiosk also detects any explosive materials a traveler may be carrying.
Read more
Monday, 14 August 2006
EXTON, Penn. - Scala Inc., provider of end-to-end digital signage software, announced that Ya Mogu, a Brazil-based digital signage company and Scala certified value-added reseller, was chosen for the project-development, installation-management, operation and support of a digital signage network installed at Brazilian retail chain Casa & Video. The retailer specializes in home goods and electronics.
As one of the fastest-growing retail chains in Brazil, Casa & Video are present in 31 Brazilian cities. Rio de Janeiro alone has 29 stores. A pilot project started in early July at its downtown Rio store is configured with 42-inch plasma screens managed from Ya Mogu´s network-operations center.
The contract was signed between Casa & Video and media company VTV-Comunication Digital, the Ya Mogu partner that funded the project and is responsible for ad sales.
Content includes videos produced internally by Casa & Video as well as advertising messages from its suppliers. The system is based on the Scala InfoChannel platform.
"It is the first project in Brazil of its kind and potential scale to employ (modern) digital-signage techniques from the solid and field-proven software platform, InfoChannel, to performance metrics," said Yuri Berezovoy, Ya Mogu principal. "The next stores to be receiving this new and advantageous form of dynamic visual communication are already being negotiated."
Monday, 14 August 2006
SAN JOSE, Calif. · Infonox, provider of turn-key solutions that deliver complex financial services through kiosks, ATMs and other delivery channels, has enhanced its core engine, the Active Payment Platform.
The platform's new features enable enterprise customers to launch customized financial services in a matter of days, with an increased level of flexibility and features to simplify deployment of financial transactions for users.
The new release responds to six critical needs valued most by enterprise customers — it's flexible, reliable, available, monitored, extensible and scalable (FRAMES). The upgraded platform with FRAMES eliminates the costly and often unreliable integration of best-of-breed systems on different technologies like a transaction switch, a CRM system, monitoring system, device middleware and backend interface, because those capabilities are offered in a single-platform, ready to deploy in a co-branded or customized fashion.
"The upgraded Active Payment Platform provides faster integration, a wider variety of ready-to-go customization options and cutting-edge features to enhance relationships with end-customers," said Safwan Shah, president and chief executive of Infonox. "The platform also offers new features for customer-experience management, whereby deployers can offer dynamic pricing, marketing and cross-selling, plus let end-customers have more control over their financial transactions."
Infonox developed the APP over the last six years and has been awarded three patents on the underlying technology. The APP is the equivalent of a "multiprotocol transaction router," which enables its customers to connect any transaction device with any financial application over any payment network.
Infonox drives and supports major ATMs, kiosks, POS terminals, and hybrid multifunction devices. The company also offers an extensive library of customizable financial applications including ATM, POS, credit, check cashing (personal and payroll), cash advance, money transfer and more. Infonox has certified interfaces into all major backend processors, EFT networks and credit bureaus, and Infonox' solutions are PCI compliant.
Friday, 11 August 2006
PFU Systems - Ultra-compact embedded computing architectures that truly accelerate time-to-market for appliance servers, gaming, data/telecommunications, test & measurement, medical, defense and homeland security applications.
Friday, 11 August 2006
SEATTLE -- Impart Media Group, Inc., providers of digital signs, information content and network management, announced the hiring of Robert J. Grawet as their global director of digital media. Grawet will be responsible for expanding global distribution channels for Impart's IQ digital signage product lines.
Grawet brings over 30 years of experience to Impart.
He was recently the director of interactive digital signage at SMART Technologies and prior to that he was the president of Visual Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Da-Lite Screen Company, the world's largest projection screen manufacturer.
Grawet has been a keynote speaker at various trade shows over the years including KioskCom, GlobalShop, Infocomm, and the Digital Retailing Expo.
Friday, 11 August 2006
LAS VEGAS -- The Venetian has partnered with McCarran Airport to introduce Airport SpeedCheck Advance, a service that allows guests to bypass airport lines by checking their luggage and receiving their boarding passes directly on the property.
This exclusive service, administered by Bags To Go Inc., is made for all travelers, especially for those with late afternoon or evening flights, after suite checkout time has passed. Travelers will be able to spend their spare time at The Venetian without carrying luggage. Additionally, waiting time in airport lines is cut in half as travelers now have the luxury of arriving at the airport one hour in advance opposed to the suggested three-hour arrival time.
"As the first property on The Strip offering our guests a secure and reliable way to process luggage for the trip home, we continue to advance our mission of providing unmatched service and excellence to all that stay with us," stated Paul Pusateri, senior vice president of The Venetian. "When the team at McCarran Airport explained the fundamentals of this service and how safe and convenient it would be for our guests, we didn't hesitate to sign on. With Airport SpeedCheck Advance kiosks, we will continue to provide services not found anywhere else and ensure an outstanding benefit for our visitors -- even at the end of their stay."
Friday, 11 August 2006
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - friendlyway Corp., a provider of self-service public access kiosks and digital signage networks, announced the acquisition of Big Fish Marketing Group. friendlyway Corp. will acquire Colorado Springs-based Big Fish Marketing in a cash and stock transaction.
Big Fish Marketing will become a wholly owned subsidiary of friendlyway. The acquisition of Big Fish is a strategic move to promote growth in the development of friendlyway's kiosk and digital signage networks while providing network advertising clients a more comprehensive approach to their marketing efforts.
Fish Marketing specializes in creating comprehensive marketing campaigns for its clients, supporting all facets of advertising and marketing development and implementation.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to grow friendlyway's self-service kiosk and digital signage business," said Don Bennett, president of Big Fish Marketing. "Our direct efforts will also ensure friendlyway customers receive the very best creative advertising content possible and that all advertising is consistent with the company's overall marketing efforts."
Friday, 11 August 2006
Tuscaloosa News: To the short list of good things that sprang from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, add the e-Branch Library Kiosk.
It's among 25 that were originally set up by 3M Library Systems in communities in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, as information sources for people displaced by storms.
Friday, 11 August 2006
Pink News: An innovative method of reporting homophobic attacks has been hailed a success by the West London Gay Men's Project.
Over 30 incidents have been reported via a kiosk installed inside the well-known Birdcage pub in Chiswick.
Read more.
Friday, 11 August 2006
eTravel Blackboard: Online Travel Agency Zuji is celebrating not only its fourth birthday in Australia and the Asia Pacific, but also the launch of a new logo and a new walk-in, free-of-charge, Internet booking kiosk facility in Sydney.
Read more.
Thursday, 10 August 2006
SYDNEY, Australia · Ryarc Media Systems announced the commencement of a two-year deal with out-of-home media operator Eye to provide the software component for Eye's expanding portfolio of digital-media assets in airports and shopping centers across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Europe.
"We were impressed with the system's efficiency and reliability," said Eye group manager Stephen Rubie. "Ryarc's software consumed less than one-fifth of the processing power of our previous solution. This is crucial, because stressed PCs are prone to heat and hardware failures. In digital signage, these can be very expensive."
Ryarc's digital-signage software, called CampaignManager, will power Eye's expanding international network of digital-media screens.
"Eye needed a solution that was not only reliable and manageable, but also one of sizeable scale," said Fergal “ Ceallaigh, founder and chief executive of Ryarc. "It needed to keep pace with Eye's rapid expansion plans. CampaignManager allows Eye to easily manage hundreds of sites across multiple time zones and continents from a single desktop."
Ryarc's CampaignManager is capable of handling all modern formats including HD video, Live RSS feeds and even digital HDTV.
Thursday, 10 August 2006
PADERBORN, Germany · The Banco del Estado de Chile has ordered 186 ATMs from Wincor Nixdorf's partner IBM, which markets Wincor banking solutions in North and South America. The bank will see an increase in its installed base to 665 units after the installation of the new equipment. Including the latest installation at the Banco del Estado de Chile, a countrywide installed base of almost 1,300 Wincor systems has been achieved.
The order, which is to be installed by the end of September, comprise 90 multifunction ProCash 2100 ATMs equipped with a passbook printer and an envelope deposit module for checks and cash, as well as 90 multifunction ProCash 1500 cash dispensers.
The Banco del Estado de Chile operates 306 branches, 107 "Access Points" and approximately 1,100 ATMs. As the third-largest Chilean bank, Banco del Estado de Chile employs more than 3,000 workers. Sixty percent of all ATMs installed at the bank are Wincor.
Wincor has had a representative office in Chile for the past two years.
Thursday, 10 August 2006
CRM Buyer: NCR Corp. and Novell have announced a global agreement to offer Novell Linux Point of Service on NCR RealPOS retail point-of-sale terminals. The agreement between Novell and NCR makes a secure, reliable software platform and hardware combination available for retailers deploying Linux-based POS solutions. NCR's plans call for offering Novell Linux Point of Service on NCR EasyPoint kiosks and NCR FastLane self-checkouts in the future.
Read more
Thursday, 10 August 2006
CRM Buyer: NCR Corp. and Novell have announced a global agreement to offer Novell Linux Point of Service on NCR RealPOS retail point-of-sale terminals. The agreement between Novell and NCR makes a secure, reliable software platform and hardware combination available for retailers deploying Linux-based POS solutions. NCR's plans call for offering Novell Linux Point of Service on NCR EasyPoint kiosks and NCR FastLane self-checkouts in the future.
Read more
Thursday, 10 August 2006
San Francisco Gate: A film-industry group is set to remove some of the procedural hurdles that prevented the legal recording of movies onto blank DVDs · a further sign that Hollywood studios are preparing to expand what consumers can do with downloadable movies.
Under rule changes soon expected to be finalized by the DVD Copy Control Association, retailers could create movie jukebox kiosks, with which customers can select, say, an obscure title and burn it to a DVD on the spot.
"It'll open the floodgates for a lot more premium content to be burned onto DVD," said Jim Taylor, a general manager at digital-video-software company Sonic Solutions.
Read more
Thursday, 10 August 2006
Electrone custom designs and manufactures a broad range of keyboards, keypads, and data capture devices, based on its proprietary, programmable controller designs. These specialty products are utilized by diverse organizations, both large and small.
Wednesday, 09 August 2006
Austin, Texas -- Wincor Nixdorf, one of the world's leading suppliers of IT solutions for the banking and retail industries, announced the availability of its eServices platform, based on a powerful customer relationship management system that coordinates all activities for a service call. The eServices platform connects Wincor Nixdorf service management with service customers via an electronic network. With the eServices platform, service activities are more targeted and efficient, with faster turnaround time.
The eServices platform is based on the following core services: customer care center/call handling, on-site services, and standard reporting. The Wincor Nixdorf Customer Care Center represents the customer interface in the service management process. It includes the call center and help desk functions, and it manages all internal service processes. Wincor Nixdorf's on-site services include warranty services and repairs. Standard reporting services include documentation, fault report monitoring, and service level agreements
"The Wincor Nixdorf eServices platform is a unique approach because it allows customers to have fewer constraints when choosing the scope of preferred services," said Ulrich Seemann, vice president of service, Wincor Nixdorf USA. "The eServices platform allows us to offer our customers a high degree of flexibility in turnaround time and pricing."
Wednesday, 09 August 2006
Rochester, N.Y. -- ImageXpres Corporation, a digital imaging and printing systems solutions provider, announced today that the company has entered into a business partnership with WebRaiser Technologies, Inc., the leader in software for the self-service economy, to co-develop new generation multimedia/photo kiosks that will be marketed and serviced by ImageXpres.
The agreement between the two companies provides for the integration of WebRaiser's award-winning VendiPix self-service photo processing software, with ImageXpres' family of iPrint Digital Kiosks. The joint effort by the two companies will result in a U.S. wide deployment of internet-enabled digital photo kiosks, with enhanced online POS retail functionality. The ImageXpres iPrint Digital kiosks, powered by VendiPix software, will feature new digital consumer on-demand fulfillment services, tailored to specific market segments such as specialty retail, convenience stores, hotels and hospitals.
The first units with the new functions are being installed this month at several pilot locations, including a Chevron/Texaco convenience store in Atlanta, GA, a major hotel chain, and a medical hospital in the northeast U.S.
John Zankowski, President and CEO of ImageXpres, said, "WebRaiser is the perfect partner for ImageXpres, because they bring the highest levels of self-service expertise and kiosk industry credibility to the photo kiosk world. Integrating our combined technologies into the ImageXpres iPrint Digital Kiosk product line should create a new industry standard for online digital photo kiosks. If we take into account digital photo processing speed and quality, along with kiosk reliability and scalability, we believe our iPrint Digital Kiosk, with the VendiPix software engine, is the photo kiosk that resellers, retailers, and consumers have been waiting for."
Wednesday, 09 August 2006
BEAVERTON, Ore. - Planar Systems, Inc. announced the addition of two new 15" touchscreen monitors to the company's popular PT line. The PT1520MU and the PT1510MX are targeted primarily for point-of-sale and self-service applications in retail, hospitality and food service environments. Building on Planar's capabilities in providing specialty display solutions, the addition of the PT1520MU and the PT1510MX is a result of Planar's intent focus on creating solutions that address applications requiring display system performance beyond what is available from general purpose, commodity display suppliers.
For customers who want increased durability, Planar's PT1520MU features a sturdy deskstand which allows the monitor to be tilted from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The PT1520MU presents a wide selection of positioning angles, making POS and POP transactions more convenient for the end user. Specifically designed for POS systems, this monitor features a five-wire resistive touchscreen with USB touchscreen interface, has a brightness of 350 cd/m(2), and is designed to be easily integrated in a variety of environments for a range of applications without compromising operation.
To further meet requirements for cost efficiency, Planar's PT1510MX was designed specifically to deliver a lower price-point for a variety of applications. Compatible with POS, thin-client and PC systems, the PT1510MX includes a five-wire resistive touchscreen and dual serial RS-232/USB user interface, making it ideal for use in environments that require optimal performance under challenging conditions, such as restaurants, retail stores or hospitality environments.
"While flat-panel displays in a touch environment were once too costly, recent efficiencies in LCD production have brought price points down to CRT levels," said Chris Connery, vice president of market research for DisplaySearch. "Today, eight out of 10 desktop displays are flat-panels, and the efficiencies of using less power, being housed in a smaller form factor and reduced heat emissions are now coming to touchscreen environments. These benefits are a natural fit for POS systems, digital signage and other emerging applications."
Using reliable, resistive touchscreen technology, both the PT1520MU and PT1510MX continue to deliver the same optimal performance as Planar's current touchscreen offerings. Resistive touchscreen technology is a highly-durable solution that does not require recalibration when environmental conditions change. These monitors are ideal for public-facing applications since they can withstand harsh environments.
"Like Planar's existing suite of high-performance displays, these new touchscreen monitors will enable VARs and integrators to design a solution that best suits customers' business objectives," said Mark A. Ceciliani, vice president and general manager, commercial business unit at Planar Systems. "We have differentiated our touchscreen offerings to give channel partners the right options to satisfy customers' needs, ultimately helping them create sales opportunities wherever touchscreen technology is needed."
Planar's PTMU line is available in 15-, 17- and 19-inch formats.
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
Japan Times: Japan Post has decided to incorporate fingerprint scanning in its ATM network rather than using palm-scanning technology, sources said Saturday.
The postal service agency will introduce the Hitachi Ltd. fingerprint technology to make its roughly 26,500 automated teller machines across the nation biometric by the end of March 2009, the sources said.
Hitachi, the nation's largest comprehensive manufacturer of electrical machinery, and computer maker Fujitsu Ltd., which is pushing the palm-scanning technology, have been locked in a fierce battle for the ATM market.
Read more.
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
Bizjournals: Jiffy Lube International announced Monday an agreement to put the J-TV network in its North American retail waiting rooms.
The Houston-based fast oil change provider signed a deal with digital sign company AlivePromo Inc. to air the Internet-transmitted content, which will include car-care tips, additional service options and specials, and third-party programming.
Read more.
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
The Hindu Business Line: Indian Railways and the State Bank of India on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding for installation of ATMs at 681 railway stations across the country, including 298 small stations, where there are no ATMs at present.
The deal would also enhance the e-ticketing reach, with SBI agreeing to provide ticketing facility through Internet ticketing kiosk at 383 major stations in association with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
Read more.
Monday, 07 August 2006
Good help is hard to find - cliche, but truer than ever. Just how hard depends on the industry. In the c-store world, for instance, 95 percent of all employment applications take place within the store - but of all the applications handed out, only 20 percent ever get filled out and returned.
Self-service technology holds great promise for the human relations professional, but it appears to be underused. In a recent Self-Service World survey of 100 decision-makers and senior executives in a variety of industries, only three percent said their company was currently using self-service for HR · and only two percent planned to do so within the next 12 months.
(The full results of this survey are available in the next issue of Self-Service World magazine · click here for a free subscription.)
So what's the hold-up? Pete Clark, principal with consultancy The Wise Marketer, thinks the notion of personal touch · that employers shy away from automating the hiring process because they want hands-on involvement at all stages - plays a part. But a larger issue might be a perceived lack of monetary value.
"The HR director may think the implementation and maintenance is just a cost center, without considering the indirect benefits," he said, "possibly due to a lack of imagination about what could really be achieved."
Whatever is truly causing the delay in HR self-service adoption, it is certainly not a lack of success stories.
Labor intensive, made less intense
Richard Payson, corporate director of human resources for amusement park giant Six Flags, heads up an operation that hires 40,000 seasonal employees each year. He turned to Deploy Solutions to help streamline the hiring process and reduce turnover. "We were looking to improve the effectiveness of the HR department," Payson said in a filmed testimonial. "It was a very labor intensive process. There were a lot of people coming through our doors who weren't qualified."
Six Flags and Deploy Solutions developed a kiosk system that eliminated 16,000 unqualified applicants in one season · applications that would have cost one man-hour each to process. The time saved allowed managers to give the qualified applicants more attention. As a result, customer compliments rose and employee retention increased · benefits Payson attributes to the system developed by Deploy Solutions.
Christi Reddy, vice president of human resources for Century Theatres, credited Deploy Solutions with improving employee retention.
Working together, they developed a system that took into account specific skills and qualifications needed for success. "We were able to reduce turnover amongst our pilot locations by 50 percent versus our control group," Reddy said. "It made our recruiting process much more efficient and much more effective."
The kiosk approach to HR also eliminates that phenomenon of the lost application · the reams of paper given to walk-in would-be applicants, paper that is later lost or thrown away.
"What's nice about the kiosk is that they're not taking the application out," said Sham Sao, global vice president of marketing and business development for Deploy Solutions. "They're going to fill it out right there."
A typical Deploy Solutions kiosk process will begin with the applicant answering a few qualifying questions determined by the employer. If approved, the applicant supplies more information and completes any skills and personality assessments. Applications can also be made available via phone or the Internet, making it possible to apply from virtually anywhere. Simplifying the application process is designed to give the employer a much larger pool of prospective employees from which to choose.
Once the application is filed, it's graded and made immediately available to the employer, along with an interview guide that focuses on red-flag issues. Sao said Deploy Solutions uses a red, yellow, green method of grading. A green is someone who meets or exceeds all grading criteria. "A yellow could be somebody that just needs more probing," he said. "A red will be somebody that is not recommended. We set those thresholds based on (the client's) tolerances for certain skills and other requirements they have for the job."
Sao said that this process "doesn't take the human out of the equation, it makes the human more effective by highlighting valid issues that the questions brought up."
Keep the (internal) customer satisfied
Human resources involves more than just hiring new people. It also involves taking care of those already on staff, keeping them informed and providing them with information on benefits, holidays, compensation and more.
 Swift Transportation maintains a fleet of more than 16,000 trucks and uses kiosks to keep in touch with its drivers and technicians who are often alone in remote locations. The kiosks were developed and built by KIOSK Information Systems, and run on the Netkey software platform.
"Our main goal with the kiosk project was to have a self-service solution for our drivers and technicians (that allowed them) to check their pay history, take some mandatory training classes, change their benefits information, and send email to family members," said Tiffany Springan, director of employee development for Swift Transportation.
Swift implemented its kiosk system in September 2005, and it was an immediate hit.
"Our drivers are on the road for days at a time, so kiosks are ideal for accessing information that normally would be mailed home," Springan said. Functions were added that helped with things such as missing logs and status of equipment and permits.
The most popular site on the system is for driver pay inquiry, but drivers also use the kiosk to keep up with current events. Springan said that "when the hurricanes hit last year, the weather site on the kiosk spiked in usage."
As use of the kiosks continues to climb, Swift looks for new ways to add content and mitigate the unavoidable headaches of life on the road. Springan said Swift its their drivers and technicians "to be able to find the answers they need through the kiosk without having to wait on hold for a live person."
Monday, 07 August 2006
Yahoo! News: Radio frequency identification technology (RFID) used in cash cards and passports can be copied, blocked or imitated, said Melanie Rieback, a privacy researcher at Vrije University in the Netherlands. Rieback demonstrated a device she and colleagues at Vrije built to hijack the RFID signals that manufacturers have touted as unreadable by anything other than proprietary scanners.
"I spend most of my time making the RFID industry's life miserable," the doctorate student said. "I am not anti-RFID. It has the potential to make people's lives easier, but it needs to be used responsibly."
Read more
Monday, 07 August 2006
 New York -- Polo Ralph Lauren today unveiled an innovative interactive shopping experience allowing its customers to shop 24 hours, seven days a week from outside of their store with the touch of their fingers. Projected on the window of the Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue store (888 Madison Avenue) is a 67" image featuring the latest in touch sensory technology. Customers can shop even when the store is closed by clicking on the window glass, the ultimate in shopping convenience.
This cutting-edge technology is being launched in conjunction with the company's sponsorship of the 2006 US Open and highlights the stylish apparel and accessories created exclusively for this renowned tournament. Products featured in the window shopping assortment include Official Polo Ralph Lauren/USTA ball boy/girl uniforms, linesman jackets, and the widely popular big pony polo shirts. In addition, users can pick up tips from tennis pro Nick Bollettieri and read about famous feuds in US Open history.
"After watching Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, I really wanted to find a way of making that amazing technology a retail reality. We are thrilled to offer such a unique and exciting way for our customers to further explore the world of Ralph Lauren; with this initiative we are reinventing the concept of shopping anytime," said David Lauren, senior vice president, advertising, marketing and corporate communications of Polo Ralph Lauren.
Further advancing the interactive shopping experience at the US Open, Polo Ralph Lauren will introduce an on-site virtual store on the club level of Arthur Ashe stadium. Now, in addition to the 3,500 square foot store, shoppers can pick up their favorite US Open fashions at three free-standing kiosks featuring touchscreen technology.
The Madison Avenue window shopping installation will be accessible to the public from August 7th to September 10th and the on-site virtual store will be open for the duration of the US Open tournament. Additionally, all official Polo Ralph Lauren US Open apparel is available in Ralph Lauren stores worldwide.
Monday, 07 August 2006
ADFLOW Networks enables the distribution, management and delivery of dynamic messaging to your network of displays via the Internet. There's no complicated infrastructure to establish, no need to invest in expensive I.T. resources, no software to load or servers to configure or maintain. ADFLOW can help build your digital signage strategy, develop your content and select and install your displays.
Sunday, 06 August 2006
BURTONSVILLE, Md. · Lifeclinic International Inc., manufacturer and distributor of automated health testing kiosks, and 3M Digital Signage have announced an initiative to develop a digital advertising and health information network designed to provide consumers with relevant health and product information in their local pharmacies.
According to a news release, participating pharmacies will be equipped with an Internet-connected Lifeclinic health kiosk. These kiosks will perform all the blood-pressure checks and health self-monitoring services, currently provided by Lifeclinic systems, with the added benefit of synchronizing the user's health information with relevant product information.
3M Digital Signage software will enable Lifeclinic and its media production partners to schedule, distribute and play media-file playlists at multiple, identified store locations.
Friday, 04 August 2006
Washington Times: Patients of Prince William Hospital in Manassas soon will be able to swipe identification cards through a machine, sign consent forms and submit co-payments -- all without visiting front-desk workers and dealing with a clipboard of papers.
MediKiosks for self-service check-in will be available starting in September. Sales of the machines have grown 200 percent every year since manufacturer Galvanon put them on the market in 2003, said Raj Toleti, president of the Maitland, Fla., NCR subsidiary.
Read more.
Thursday, 03 August 2006
The Associated Press: ATM maker NCR Corp. said Aug. 2 that it sold the U.S. forms and laser documents portfolio of its Systemedia business consumables division to Printsouth Corp. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. NCR officials said the sale, which only covers products manufactured or sold in the United States, will allow the company to better address market demands. (Read also NCR's ATM business sees operating income fall in 2Q '06.)
Read more
Thursday, 03 August 2006
Jacksonville.com: Leaders of major companies like Microsoft, Cisco Systems Inc., and underground researchers sit in a tight closed room to learn how to attack a secured popular Cisco Systems Inc. router that sends telephone calls over the Internet during the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006. About 6,000 people will attend the Black Hat and Defcon conference, which runs Wednesday through Sunday.
The middle-aged G-men who wear crisp suits and consort with teenage hackers sporting purple hair can make the two conferences that will converge in Las Vegas this week look like a scene from a science-fiction movie.
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Wednesday, 02 August 2006
CreditCall Corporation partners with major banks and processors in key territories to help you achieve your business objectives. They work with major credit card companies to stay on top of new developments in payment technology and security to provide you with the highest value transaction processing solutions.
Wednesday, 02 August 2006
iAfrica: Absa on Tuesday raised concerns over the increase in incidents in which explosives are used to blow open ATMs.
"We take this matter very seriously as it is not only damage to property, but also a danger to our customers," said general manager of self service Prazesh Mahadeo.
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Wednesday, 02 August 2006
Retail Week: Woolworths is expanding its multichannel offering with the launch of a new in-store collection service. The "Woolworths: You collect or we deliver"� service will enable customers to have products delivered to a specific store, as well as direct to their home. Orders can be placed either in-store or via the Web site. Woolworths also is installing special kiosks, allowing customers to browse, order and pay for goods themselves, in 100 locations in time for the busy Christmas period.
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