News Archive 
SSKA Industry News
Friday, 29 June 2007
Since 1967, Kentrox has been a leading supplier of infrastructure solutions to enterprises, providing kiosk and traditional networking options. Many businesses require the flow of information in real time, such as credit card transactions, hotel or airline check-ins, ATMs, movie rentals, etc. The business ceases to function when the network is unavailable. Kentrox provides wireless WAN gateways for primary access to the cellular network for consistent and dependable data networking or as a back-up to mission critical networking applications.
Posted by: AT 02:28 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 28 June 2007
LONDON · Clear Channel Outdoor UK's Create division has partnered with Esprit Digital to develop digital advertising panels at bus shelters across the UK. The displays will feature a two-month Bacardi digital campaign at locations in Brighton, Leeds and Edinburgh.

The panels feature content that ties in with the Bacardi brand's new product-focused campaign. Previously, Esprit developed the digital signage installation in the London Underground.

The Bacardi campaign will also run across other outdoor formats, print, TV and digital. A video of the campaign in action can be seen here.

Posted by: AT 02:31 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 28 June 2007
SeekingAlpha.com: Even though DVD kiosks have proven to be popular, Blockbuster Video has for the most part stayed out of the DVD-kiosk expansion. It could be that Blockbuster doesn't have the capital to pursue the technology, or it may be that it really doesn't see a future in kiosk rentals.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:30 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 28 June 2007
UsingRFID.com: According to a survey from the Computing Technology Industry Association, technology resellers and solution providers are poised to add RFID solutions to their portfolios, but their customers have been slow to embrace the technology. The survey found that 84 percent of technology resellers, solution providers, systems integrators and consultants will or may offer RFID products and solutions in the next three years.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:29 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
ATLANTA · NCR Corp. has announced the launch of its hotel self-service kiosk solution, NCR Xpress Hotel.
 
According to a news release, NCR Xpress Hotel's software uses the same common use self-service platform that powers thousands of airline check-in devices in 285 airports worldwide.  The solution can also be equipped with a check-in module that provides multi-airline check-in as well as prints boarding passes.
 
NCR Xpress Hotel includes NCR ResortPort kiosk hardware, which includes an optional bi-directional passport reader and barcode imager.
 
NCR Xpress Hotel also can include NCR WayFinder, an interactive mapping application.
Posted by: AT 02:32 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
ATLANTA · NCR Corp. has announced the launch of its hotel self-service kiosk solution, NCR Xpress Hotel.
 
According to a news release, NCR Xpress Hotel's software uses the same common use self-service platform that powers thousands of airline check-in devices in 285 airports worldwide.  The solution can also be equipped with a check-in module that provides multi-airline check-in as well as prints boarding passes.
 
NCR Xpress Hotel includes NCR ResortPort kiosk hardware, which includes an optional bi-directional passport reader and barcode imager.
 
NCR Xpress Hotel also can include NCR WayFinder, an interactive mapping application.
Posted by: AT 02:32 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. · Source Technologies has announced the release of its CXK20, a check imager and retainer designed for check acceptance at transactional kiosks.
 
The CXK20 reads and decodes a check's MICR line and then images and stamps the front and back of the check. An endorsement is printed at the end of the process.
 
The CXK20 can hold up to 190 checks and is compatible with Source Technologies' concourse 3-, 5- and 7-series kiosk lines.
Posted by: AT 02:38 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
The Albuquerque (N.M.) Tribune: Albuquerque's residents are struggling with the city's new parking kiosks, which are designed to take credit cards, bills or coins. "We don't want people to struggle with the new technology, and we want it to be as customer-friendly as we can," said Mark Motsko, spokesman for Albuquerque's Department of Municipal Development.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:37 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
IT Week: Almost one in five U.K. public libraries has implemented RFID technology to improve services. The technology is being used in 35 of the county's 73 sites. Proponents say RFID adoption has increased while costs have declined.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:36 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
HONG KONG · Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong has introduced the Satellite Newspaper Kiosk, a newspaper-printing kiosk that allows guests to print local and international newspapers.
 
According to a news release, the kiosk in two minutes prints black-and-white editions in portable tabloid formats fastened with staples, similar to the original print editions.

Users pay $5 per paper.
 
"We hope the new invention can ease business travelers in accessing information from their hometown or any corner of the world while they are on the road," said Anita Chan, general manager of Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong. "(The) newspaper will never be sold out."
Posted by: AT 02:35 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
 
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. · Automated DVD-rental company Redbox now has more than 4,000 locations in the United States, reinforcing, the company says, it's position as the No. 1 self-service DVD-rental deployer in grocery stores and restaurants.
 
With kiosks in 2,600 grocery stores and more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants, Redbox has doubled its market presence since Jan. 1.
 
Redbox is now among the top-four DVD-rental companies in the country in terms of annual revenue.

Posted by: AT 02:34 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 25 June 2007
Canadian Business Online: Fresh out of bankruptcy, Northwest Airlines Corp. says it expects to make $102 million in non-ticket revenue this year from fliers who purchase seat upgrades, one-day airport club passes and more online or through check-in kiosks.
 
Forecasted revenue is nearly eight times the $13 million Northwest earned from non-ticket items in 2004. "We're just scratching the surface," said Al Lenza, Northwest's vice president of distribution and e-commerce.
 
Read more 
Posted by: AT 02:39 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 22 June 2007
*About the author: Gary Wollenhaupt is a new contributor to ATM Marketplace. To submit a comment about this story, please contact  
 
The push for implementing new data security standards in the payments space is gaining momentum as the industry begins to fully understand the complexity of the task ahead.
 
The PCI Security Standards Council is an independent industry-standards body that provides management of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. The Standard comprises a common set of industry tools and measurements designed to help ensure the safe handling of sensitive information. The five largest payment-card brands · American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International · formed the council in 2005. Fines and other punitive measures from card companies, as well as the danger of a security breach, provide incentives to bring an organization into compliance.
 
But industry observers caution that the council's 12 data-security requirements should be kept in perspective.
 
"PCI will affect the point-of-sale side and merchants far more than ATM or kiosk operators," said Lyle Elias, founding director of the ATM Industry Association and chairman of ATMIA's Debit Council.
 
ATM and kiosk operators already complying with other security mandates, such as Triple DES and PIN-entry-device security standards, most likely won’t be caught between conflicting requirements. Other relevant standards, such as those that govern PIN and PED, also are expected to be wholly adopted into the PCI DSS without major changes.
 
"There was already uniform agreement across the industry; it will be a matter of the PCI standards council adopting them," said Eduardo Perez, vice president of payment system risk for Visa USA. "Like any other standards that would be adopted, they would evolve and participants would be involved in the evolution."
 
Ultimately, the basic goals of the various security standards boil down to the same idea.
 
"The intent is to ensure that the systems are not storing card data or sensitive information about accountholders in a way that could be accessed by third parties without authorization," Elias said.
 
ATMs
 
Elias said most new ATMs that meet PIN security standards · storing only the last four digits of an account number · also comply with PCI rules. But software used behind the scenes in some independent-sales-organization-operated devices may still store more account data than the standards allow.
 
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, all new ATMs must have a PCI-certified encrypting PIN pad. Any machine already installed with a valid Visa Pin Entry Device certification will not be affected. However, new machines will have to meet additional requirements for PCI compliance, such as a tamper-responsive design for the pad, along with additional security features in the firmware.
 
"In the ATM business, most of the changes have already happened, although there are some legacy machines still out there," Elias said.
 
Kiosks
 
The kiosk community, however, faces more scrutiny and greater obstacles than ATMs, which have already undergone security upgrades through the adoption of earlier standards.
 
"Stand-alone kiosks are a focus and we want to make sure that those who operate those kiosks use compliant applications and take appropriate measures to protect cardholder data that may be retained by those kiosks, and that includes everything from parking kiosks to airline kiosks to iPod machines," Perez said.
 
For kiosks, applications will have to be validated against payment-application best practices. For instance, some kiosk applications have been found to store trapped data, use default passwords and may have other vulnerabilities. Older machines may store data and conduct batch transactions via dial-up, for example.
 
"We're reaching out to kiosk operators to make sure they're taking proper measures to protect that data," Perez said.
 
Like ATMs, payment-accepting kiosks have integrated PIN pads that meet PIN-security requirements, easing the burden of PCI compliance.
 
To shift responsibility for compliance, major retailers are looking for ways to have a financial institution directly provide the point-of-sale payment operations through ownership of the card swipe device. That would make PCI compliance issues irrelevant to the retailer.
 
"I see a trend for merchants to outsource their POS systems; after all, it's not a profit center for them," Elias said.
 
Compliance vs. security
 
With all the PCI hoopla, there's no guarantee that data will be totally secure, even if a company is deemed to be in compliance with the standards. Shifting threats, hardware and software upgrades, and personnel turnover can dramatically alter a company's security status, even though the company may have recently passed an audit.
 
The company would technically be compliant, even though many aspects of its security structure have changed. For instance, it's been reported that TJX Inc. was not in compliance at the time of its well-known security breach. But what does that really mean?
 
"It means a lot less than it sounds like," said Evan Schuman, editor of StorefrontBacktalk.com, a retail technology blog. "It's not clear in what way they were not compliant; and even if they were, all that means is on a particular day and time an audit was conducted and they were complaint. It doesn't mean they were compliant an hour later."
 
Schuman says that like any audit, a PCI-compliance audit is merely a snapshot of a situation at a given time.
 
"Certification doesn't mean if you'd be in compliance if you had another audit a day later," he said. "One issue is how long a compliance audit is good for."
 
At this point, however, the PCI system is the best option for bringing together best practices in the industry, observers say.
 
"I've stopped asking retailers if they're compliant, because if they're honest, they really don't know," Schuman said.
 
However, the security track record for companies who have implemented the standards is good.
 
"So far we've not seen a PCI or PIN-security-compliant entity be the subject of a compromise," Perez said. "We believe there are a number of compromise-events that have been prevented because entities do comply with PCI DSS and PIN security standards, but the last compromise we prevented doesn't tend to make the media."
Posted by: Gary Wollenhaupt AT 02:47 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  
Friday, 22 June 2007
USA Today: The rear-projection touchscreen designed for Polo Ralph Lauren has been deployed at the company's flagship London store. Boris Becker, Ralph Lauren's brand ambassador and Wimbledon tennis champion, demonstrated the window-shopping screen, which guides shoppers through the brand's Wimbledon line and shows video tennis clips.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:44 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 22 June 2007
Yahoo! News: Touchscreens featured on the iPhone and LG Prada use "projected capacitive" technology which features a mesh of metal wires between two layers of glass that registers a touch when the electrical field is broken.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:43 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 22 June 2007
BURNABY, British Columbia · TIO Networks Corp., owner of a North American automated bill payment and financial services network, announced financial results for the third quarter that ended April 30, 2007. 
 
Total recurring revenue for the quarter including transaction services and maintenance/licensing services revenue, increased 37 percent and accounted for $3,355,835 or 92 percent of total revenue, compared to $2,442,746 or 94 percent for the quarter ended April 30, 2006.  
 
Quarterly revenue increased 40 percent to $3,639,693, from $2,606,949 one year ago. EBITDA loss for the period was ($146,000) compared to a loss of ($380,000) one year ago. Net income was a loss of $1,119,695 compared to a loss of $880,588 one year ago. Contributing to the financial results for Q3 were:
  • Amortization of property and equipment of $597,269, compared with $315,278 in Q3 2006
  • Interest expenses of $235,135 compared to $138,500 in Q3 2006
  • Research and Development expenses of $192,656 compared to $131,977 in Q3 2006
  • Foreign exchange loss of $113,938 compared to a loss of $5,952 in Q3 2006
  • Severance payment to a departed officer of the company in the amount of $60,000.
Posted by: AT 02:42 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 22 June 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. · At the 2006 NCR Self-Service Universe summit, CEO Bill Nuti addressed attendees as someone new to the job and charged with a mission to the iconic company into new territory as the leading supplier of self-service technology.
 
Now, with more than a year behind him and the company's stock soaring, he took advantage of the 2007 summit to hammer the message home.
 
"Any business, any government, any healthcare provider that does not have self-service as one of its primary delivery channels will not be competitive in the future," Nuti said.
 
NCR's new Retail Store WayFinder can display animated maps for the store as well as vend gift cards.
In the keynote address to about 200 attendees at the two-day event, designed for NCR to share the state of self-service with current and future self-service deployers while developing better relationships with customers, Nuti preached the necessity of implementing intelligent self-service in the business place.
 
He also said a new "customer-driven self-service movement" is taking shape, driven by three converging technology developments: self-service automation, the Internet and mobility. Integration of the three will be key to reaching customers.
 
Consumers have fueled the growth of self-service, as evidenced by 2006 data. Last year, individuals booked 560 million plane tickets, rented 600 million DVDs, printed 8.8 billion digital prints and purchased $300 billion in goods and services, all using self-service technologies. In North America alone, consumers purchased $178 billion in goods through retail self-checkout systems.
 
Self-service will also account for 58 percent of all customer service interactions by 2010, up from 35 percent in 2005, according to recent research.
 
"The self-service trend is very real, and becoming more important to those of you here today," Nuti said.
 
New technology and kiosks were on display at the event's Technology Forum. NCR has patented simultaneous two-sided thermal printing technology and plans to license it to other companies.
 
With two-sided printing, users can be more effective and efficient, said Peter Dorsman, vice president and general manager of NCR's Systemedia division. The idea behind two-sided printing is to allow businesses to take advantage of extra space, such as for promotions or couponing, with black, red or blue printing available.
 
Environmental sustainability is another byproduct of this printing system, Dorsman said. Relying on less paper will save trees, electricity and shipping costs. In the eco-friendly United Kingdom, two-sided printing has already hit grocery stores is produced at three of the largest thermal paper mills.
 
NCR also introduced its Retail Store Wayfinder. The Wayfinder, a kiosk originally deployed in hospitals, has been repurposed for retail locations. Customers can search for a product by category or barcode, and then the kiosk shows them a map from their current location to that product. Customers can also animate the map, showing them the easiest route to the product, or print it. Cashiers, restrooms and services desks can be found using Wayfinder, which also has the ability to vend gift cards.
 
Wayfinder wasn't the only gift card kiosk. The company also showed its Xpress Gift Card kiosk·similar to Wayfinder, but without mapping functionality.
 
NCR also showed updated FastLane self-checkout units. With more than 80 retailers carrying the kiosks in 16 countries, the FastLane now includes a multi-language option, a bi-optic scanner and an audio volume-control button. A mobile handheld device is also included, which allows an attendant to monitor the units from anywhere in the store.
Posted by: AT 02:40 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 21 June 2007
domain-B.com: NCR Corp. unveiled its "Queue Frustration" self-service survey undertaken by ACNielsen among working men and women between 25 to 45 years of age across major cities in India.
 
According to the 1,782 respondents surveyed,
  • 85 percent of respondents are becoming less patient about queuing at various service providers and 26 percent of the all India respondents switched to another service provider offering better self-service solutions
  • Bank queues was identified as the single biggest source of irritation at 34 percent
  • Ticketing followed at 30 percent
  • Bill Payment came in third at 27 percent.
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:48 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Experticity is working to mitigate the effects of the current labor shortage in Alberta, Canada, by offering in-store online help through webcams. The Live Video Agent system is in 10 Calgary-area Staples stores.
 
Customer service reps are accessible through kiosks outfitted with webcams and microphones. Canadian news station CBC reports that Staples has seen more efficient customer service through the kiosks, and customers are receiving products such as business cards in half the time.
 
"If you can load-balance people where you need them and when you need them, you'd improve your customer service and increase your sales," said D.L. Baron, founder of Experticity, in the video.
 
To watch the CBC news report on YouTube, click here.
Posted by: AT 02:45 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Cellular News: The impending release of iPhone has put touchscreens into the spotlight, but the demand for this technology was already growing rapidly even before Apple joined the party, according to iSuppli. Global shipment revenue for the leading touchscreen technologies will rise to $4.4 billion by 2012, up from $2.4 billion in 2006, iSuppli predicts.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:57 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
MSNBC.com: Personal scanners on shopping carts are being found in more high-end grocers in the U.S. Patrons scan items as they go and check-out by scanning a barcode produced by the mini-kiosk at self-checkout units.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:56 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Silicon.com: Air travelers have backed biometric security checks after a four-month trial of the passenger screening technology at London's Heathrow airport. Overall, passenger feedback on the trial has been positive with 81 percent rating the service "good" or "excellent" and 87 percent saying the enrolment process was easy. The main benefit cited by those who took part in the trial was faster journey times.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:55 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
(Columbus, Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer: Swanson Services' kiosks allow family members of inmates to deposit money into financial accounts for use at the prison's commissary. The machine is saving time for families and prison guards.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:54 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
CHESHIRE, England · Odeon, one of the largest cinema chains in the U.K., is conducting a trial with Felix's MAX BOX kiosk. MAX BOX combines ATM functionality with other features including digital photo printing, a jukebox and digital media downloading. The kiosks are already placed in pubs and retailers across the U.K.
 
Felix's deal includes a trial of the kiosks in 19 venues with plans of rolling it out nationally across the chain.

Posted by: AT 02:51 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
CHESHIRE, England · Odeon, one of the largest cinema chains in the U.K., is conducting a trial with Felix's MAX BOX kiosk. MAX BOX combines ATM functionality with other features including digital photo printing, a jukebox and digital media downloading. The kiosks are already placed in pubs and retailers across the U.K.
 
Felix's deal includes a trial of the kiosks in 19 venues with plans of rolling it out nationally across the chain.

Posted by: AT 02:51 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah · Digital music kiosks from Mediaport have been placed at three more U.S. Army bases bringing the total to 21 military locations. The expansion includes two new locations — Fort Dix in New Jersey and the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, as well as the deployment of a second kiosk at Fort Benning, Georgia.
 
Mediaport also recently announced it is testing music kiosks at coffee houses in the Greater Salt Lake City region as well as fitness centers.

Posted by: AT 02:49 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
ANAHEIM, Calif. · Planar Systems Inc. unveiled two lines of Clarity rear-projection displays at InfoComm 2007. Available in "open system" or "integrated system" configurations, the RX and RP rear-projection displays come in 50-inch (c50RX/c50RP) and 67-inch (c67RX/c67RP) diagonal screen size options and incorporate Planar's "Set It and Forget It" (SiFi) technology.
 
SiFi automates the continuous operation of Clarity displays at peak performance. In addition, the SiFi Auto Color Balance feature enables each RX or RP display in a wall to simultaneously measure the brightness and color of actual light directed at the screen, reducing the time required to optimally balance a video wall of multiple rear-projection displays.

Posted by: AT 03:02 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 53.6 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2007
Posted by: AT 03:02 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
REDONDO BEACH, Calif. · SeePoint Technology announced that it has been approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to work in the gaming market.
 
NGCB's technical requirements for kiosks used in real-time casino betting include physical integrity, encryption standards and wireless standards.
 
SeePoint's customer, Progressive Gaming International Corp., is using  NGCB-compliant kiosks for its up and coming game, Rapid Bet Live. Rapid Bet Live is a real-time betting module that allows patrons to place live action wagers through various betting options.
Posted by: AT 03:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
TROY, Mich · Nextep Systems announced the completion of several self-order kiosk and digital signage projects for MotorCity Casino Hotel, located in Detroit, Mich.
 
MotorCity contracted Nextep to provide new kiosk ordering solutions for three foodservice outlets in the casino complex, the MotorCity Pit Stop BBQ, the Grand River Deli, and the Classics Buffet. The twelve self-order kiosks allow customers to order their meals from a touchscreen ordering system and pay with a combination of Club Metro Comp, cash, credit, and/or coupons.
 
Nextep also developed a Web site for the recently expanded hotel. The Web site provides information on the upcoming hotel, theater, convention center, spa and meeting facilities. Also included are a new virtual tour and audio streaming capabilities. Nextep also designed 2D and 3D creative content for ongoing customer loyalty promotions and digital signage throughout the casino.
 
To date, Nextep Systems has delivered more than 20 software and services projects to MotorCity Casino Hotel.
Posted by: AT 02:58 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Talkingretail.com: Retailers are not meeting consumer expectations for automated services that offer convenience, according to research commissioned by IT company Fujitsu Services.
 
Read more

Posted by: AT 02:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Newsday.com: A soon-to-be-released Alzheimer's study is expected to include a look at in-home interactive kiosks that administer monthly memory and cognition tests, as well as track when seniors forget to take their medicines.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 02:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 18 June 2007
Fast Company: The future of automatic merchandising, as it's known in the trade, isn't in mass-produced cans of soda. Rather, it's in products and services created on demand and custom-tailored to consumer preferences.
 
"People feel like they're entitled to something that's made just for them," says James Bickers, editor of Self Service World magazine.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:08 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 18 June 2007
Time.com: Lev Grossman, a columnist for Time magazine, describes his experiences with demos of the latest touch technology: the Apple iPhone and Microsoft Surface. Both utilize new versions of touch technology that handle multiple touches, filter inadvertent touches and can anticipate gestures.
 
Read more 
Posted by: AT 03:06 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 18 June 2007
SAN JOSE, Calif. · VeriFone Holdings Inc. announced that Cara, the largest operator of full service restaurants in Canada, has selected the ON THE SPOT pay at the table system designed exclusively for the hospitality industry.
 
The ON THE SPOT system is designed to improve security for restaurant patrons and cut down on the increasingly common problem of credit card fraud. It has two main platforms. One allows at-the-table, curb or point of delivery payment for full-service family, casual and fine dining restaurants. The other is designed for use at drive-thru windows. At Cara, ON THE SPOT will integrate into their existing MICROS point-of-sale system.
 
ON THE SPOT allows patrons to hold on to their card during the payment process to cut down on "skimming" and identity theft. TransUnion estimates that 70 percent of all skimming takes place in the restaurant environment. The payment system also uses special encryption and other security features to protect the financial data transacted over a restaurant's Wi-Fi network.
 
Cara owns many of Canada's most popular restaurant concepts with stores totaling over 800, including the Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, Kelsey's, Montana's Cookhouse and Milestone's Grill & Bar brands.
Posted by: AT 03:05 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 18 June 2007
Flextronics International Ltd. acquired self-service software company WebRaiser Technologies earlier this year, but the company didn't stop there. Just a few months after that purchase, Flextronics focused its attention on its main competitor in the manufacturing space · Solectron Corp.
 
The acquisition of Milpitas, Calif.-based Solectron, tagged at $3.6 billion, is expected to close by the end of the year. The deal will make Flextronics the world's second-largest electronics manufacturing and self-service powerhouse, trailing only Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. in terms of annual sales, according to Forbes.
 
Terms of the deal
  • Flextronics International Ltd. acquired Solectron Corp. for about $3.6 billion in cash and stock, based on the closing price of Flextronics’ ordinary shares on June 1, 2007.
  • The deal is expected to close by the end of year.
  • The combined company will have operations in 35 countries and a workforce of about 200,000 employees.
The merged Flextronics-Solectron company is expected to bring in more than $30 billion a year in revenue, with operations in 35 countries and a workforce of approximately 200,000 employees.
 
Flextronics manufactures Microsoft's X-Box and other electronics for companies such as Dell, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard and Siemens. Two of Solectron's customers include Kodak and Redbox, two of the world’s larger kiosk companies, said Francie Mendelsohn, president of Summit Research Associates.
 
"This acquisition makes Flextronics a bigger player than they themselves have ever been," she said.
 
Solectron in trouble?
 
Founded in 1977 by Roy Kusomoto, Solectron first designed and distributed an electronic controller for solar-energy equipment. Over the course of the next 25 years, Solectron secured a spot at the top of electronics manufacturers and self-service-technology players.
 
For years Solectron was the industry leader in terms of annual revenue, says Jim Kelleher, an analyst with Argus Research Corp., which regularly watches Solectron. But Flextronics surpassed Solectron in 2002, when it recorded $12 billion in revenue. The company has already posted $18.9 billion in sales for 2006-07, putting it on track to hit $21 billion by the year's end.
 
Solectron, on the other hand, has struggled to push its revenue back above $11 billion.
 
"Flextronics has successfully leveraged its growth into steady profitability, while Solectron struggles to turn a profit consistently," Kelleher said.
 
Several factors played a role in Flextronics's ability to outperform Solectron, he said.
 
For one, after the technology-industry meltdown in 2000-01, Flextronics rebounded more quickly and effectively than Solectron. Flextronics restructured, moving all of its high-volume production to low-cost locales, concentrating much of its production in huge and efficient global campuses. It also broke into new industries, including automotive and medical.
 
Conversely, Solectron was slow to respond to change, pushing its annual revenue from its peak of $18.77 in 2001 to a low of $10.4 billion in 2004.
 
That headlong decline in revenue, coupled with a lack of vertical integration, knocked the company's operating structure out of balance.
 
Shake-up at the top
 
In early 2007, Solectron chief executive Mike Cannon left the company to join Dell Inc. Solectron's chief financial officer, Paul Tufano, took the post as interim CEO.
 
Despite the loss, Solectron pressed on with an operations-growth plan that included finding a new CEO.
 
In January, NCR Corp. awarded Solectron a five-year contract to manufacture NCR's ATMs and payment solutions in the Americas, as well as its self-checkout systems globally. (For more about NCR's deal with Solectron, click here.)
 
The timing was right for a buyout, however, Kelleher said.
 
"Flextronics believes that it is able to acquire Solectron at a time when that company has decisively turned the corner in its recovery efforts; it is still early enough in its turnaround efforts to benefit from a grander and more concerted joint-restructuring effort," he said.
 
It is unclear how long Flextronics has been pursuing Solectron. Phone calls to Flextronics were not returned.
 
But, from the tone of a comment released by Flextronics CEO Mike McNamara shortly after the merger announcement, it appears the two companies had been in talks for some time.
 
"Solectron is an extremely important strategic addition to Flextronics, and this combination transforms the landscape of our industry," McNamara said. "By joining forces, we expect the increased scale will enable us to further extend our market-segment reach and leverage an increased vertical integration opportunity, realize significant cost savings, and better serve the needs of our combined customers, employees and shareholders."
 
The combined future
 
Until the deal closes, both companies say they will continue to operate independently.
 
The deal requires approvals by both boards, as well as the customary regulatory approvals. Given that Flextronics is actually based in Singapore and that international considerations enter into any border-crossing deal, Kelleher said he believes the closing date could prove optimistic.
 
While some synergy will occur in the first year, it may take 18-24 months for the acquisition to fully realize its potential, said Thomas Smach, Flextronics' chief financial officer, in a statement. 
 
The two companies say they can attain a $200 million reduction in annual operating costs by merging. But, Kelleher said the full benefit of the acquisition won’t likely be realized until the end of 2009.
 
Questions also remain about Solectron's facilities and whether they will be integrated into the Flextronics family. Flextronics operates roughly 100 facilities worldwide; Solectron has roughly 50 facilities throughout the world.
 
Mendelsohn expects some reduction in workforce, but hopes it is not in the self-service division.
 
So far, Solectron officials say the acquisition will help Flextronics lead the pack.
 
"This creates one of the largest and most complete electronics manufacturing companies," Solectron's Director of Public Relations Corey Olfert said. "You'd be hard pressed to find a company that can offer the services this combined company can offer."
Posted by: Patrick Avery AT 02:50 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  
Friday, 15 June 2007
Video Business: Redbox is spreading its DVD-rental machines to 70 Wegmans Food Markets along the East Coast. About 4,000 Redbox machines are in use across the United States in grocery stores and McDonald's restaurants.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:15 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 15 June 2007
BOISE, Idaho · Nextgen Vending has announced the rollout of its Earthpure Organic Nutrition for Education vending program for schools.
 
According to a news release, the program, commonly referred to Earthpure ONE, includes vending kiosks combined with after-school programs that focus on nutrition, fitness, environmental awareness, business/financial education and personal growth.
 
The kiosks carry organic beverages and snacks.
 
 "We are promoting the use of 'green' debit cards for students as a component of the financial/ecological after-school program,"� said Paul Frantellizzi, founding partner of Nextgen Vending. "These vending cards will be managed by students and monitored by parents in an effort to teach healthy spending habits, fiscal responsibility and the wisdom of supporting alternative energy sources."
Posted by: AT 03:14 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 15 June 2007
Forbes: Avanti Screenmedia won a one-year kiosk contract with Marks & Spencer, a London-based retailer. The deal follows the successful three-month trial in four M&S stores using interactive touchscreen kiosks. The company expects to expand into 40 stores.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:13 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 15 June 2007
NEW YORK CITY · Ultimedia USA announced it has received a $300,000 contract from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop a passenger information system. 
 
According to a news release, the system is being developed for the Mineola Intermodal Transportation Center and will include an interactive-kiosk system that assists patrons with information about bus and train schedules. The signage system will be used in a way that resembles flight-information system at airports. 
 
Patrons exiting the trains will be provided bus connection information with large-formatted LCDs.
 
Ultimedia will manufacture the kiosks. 
Posted by: AT 03:12 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Fredricksburg.com (Virginia): All Virginia state parks will soon be able to use kiosks to get GPS-based trail details, spotting guides for wildlife, extensive data on park amenities, printable guides and maps, schedules and more.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:17 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Fredricksburg.com (Virginia): All Virginia state parks will soon be able to use kiosks to get GPS-based trail details, spotting guides for wildlife, extensive data on park amenities, printable guides and maps, schedules and more.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:17 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 14 June 2007
BELLEVUE, Wash · Coinstar Inc. announced that CVS Pharmacy is expected to have gift cards available in more than 360 Coinstar kiosks in CVS Pharmacy stores this summer. The Coin to Card service allows consumers to convert their loose change to a CVS card at the Coinstar kiosk and pay no coin-counting fee.
 
The CVS card and eCertificates, such as Amazon.com, Circuit City, Eddie Bauer and iTunes, are expected to be available at Coinstar Centers located in CVS stores in 11 Mid-West and Western states.
Posted by: AT 03:17 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 14 June 2007
REDONDO BEACH, Calif. · SeePoint Technology, provider of interactive self-service kiosk systems, announced that the AVP Volleyball tour will use SeePoint's ADVantagePoint kiosks at all 18 tour stop locations.
 
AVP chose SeePoint's ADVantagePoint kiosks with a 40-inch secondary screen that broadcasts live event coverage. Systems are installed on the sand for every event. The kiosks allow the AVP to gather sales leads while pushing its branding campaign. In addition to generating sponsorship opportunities, the AVP-themed kiosks offer the ability to integrate sponsors into the fabric of events and effectively reach consumers.
 
The ADVantagePoint kiosk includes bright panels that are enhanced for clear viewing in beach sunlight. Steel fasteners added to the kiosks significantly reduce rust and corrosion of the enclosure.
Posted by: AT 03:16 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
 
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio The IBM Retail User Group and business partners reported success at its 30th annual conference. Based on attendee feedback, the conference exceeded their expectations in all areas. 
 
"We believe that we achieved a good mix of education and networking, and addressed the key topics that all of us are facing in the competitive world that is retail,"� said Kelly Hewitt, president of the IBM Retail User Group. The forum delivered the retail industries latest ideas, solutions and IT strategies to retail executives and IBM solution partners.
 
The May conference held in Las Vegas with an agenda developed by and for the retailers featured presentations by prominent retailers: Metro/real, Caribou Coffee, Home Depot, G.I. Joe's, Belk, Pathmark Stores, The Sharper Image, Safeway, Ahold, and John Lewis, UK. An additional 40 elective sessions were offered by IBM and their retail solution partners. The sessions addressed Technology Direction, IBM Hardware Updates, Store Architecture, Store Integration Framework, Enhancing Shopping Experience, Platform Migration, Front End Optimization, CISP Card Data Security, Data Governance and many more. Numerous brain storming and roundtable sessions were available.
 
The 2007 winner of the IBM Retail User Group's annual "Retail Innovation Award"� was Safeway Inc. working with Balance Innovations to create an Innovative back office cash solution.
Posted by: AT 03:21 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
MINNEAPOLIS · Chief Manufacturing announced that its steel stud mount kits and accessories have been UL listed. Chief worked directly with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) to manufacture the industry's first UL-listed steel stud swing arms for 10- to 50-inch flat panel displays up to 125 lbs (18 kg).

Chief was recently approved by UL to be a certified Client Data Test Site (CDTS). With the new test site, Chief will be able to test most products for UL standards in-house and submit the paperwork to UL for review (automated products will not be tested by Chief).
Posted by: AT 03:29 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
DALLAS · Dallas/Fort Worth International is testing a retail concept that is new to the United States but commonplace in Europe and Asia: a high-end vending machine with something for every kind of traveler. Shop24, a New Zealand company, will install its first airport unit on July 11 at DFW's Terminal A near Gate 29. The 13-foot-wide self-service convenience store will offer more than 200 items, including meals, phone cards, diapers, curling irons, coloring books and umbrellas.
Posted by: AT 03:28 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
BURNABY, B.C. · TIO Networks Corp. announced a marketing campaign to promote TIO Financial Services through the STARZ (Shell Trading and Retail Zone) program. Shell-branded retailers and wholesalers may opt into the program and have the option of offering TIO's services to customers through a number of formats including cash accepting kiosks, cash accepting hybrid ATMs and a cost effective web-based clerk assisted solution. d
 
Depending on the type of TIO program being employed, Shell customers will be able to make time-sensitive wireless, utility, cable and other bills, conduct ATM transactions, purchase prepaid long distance and/or wireless top-up and/or conduct a host of other transactions specifically formulated for the unbanked or cash preferred demographic.
 
TIO Networks will offer the various TIO programs as a new product category. STARZ is the Shell web based resource center where Shell-branded wholesalers and retailers can access news, information, business services, resources and products and equipment.
Posted by: AT 03:26 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Livemint.com (The Wall Street Journal): ATMs in railway stations will no longer be only cash-vending machines but will also provide long-distance railway tickets, sparing bank account holders the trouble of waiting in long-winding queues at counters. Six public sector banks have entered into an agreement with Indian Railways to provide this facility in their dual-purpose ATMs to be installed in select railway stations across the country. More than 1,000 such ATMs are proposed to be installed.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:25 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
DigitalCameraInfo.com: According to a survey conducted by the Photo Marketing Association, instant kiosk photo greeting card production rose slightly, from 13 percent in 2005 to 15 percent in 2006.

Read more
Posted by: AT 03:24 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
ATLANTA · Message Technologies Inc., provider of interactive voice response (IVR), speech technologies and call center solutions, announced that it has formed a partnership with Fastrak Retail LLC, provider of in-store, interactive media solutions for retailers. The companies announced they will develop "Virtual Sales Associates," digital signage capable of holding actual spoken conversations with customers.
 
Customers speak with the Virtual Sales Associates while inside a store or through an exterior window by calling a phone number provided by the signage and speaking into their cell phone using natural language conversations. The first prototype presented a fashion show of one designer's clothing line and allowed interaction with the Virtual Sales Associate to obtain additional product information.
 
The personality of the Virtual Sales Associate can be customized to the retailer's branding and armed with product specifications, promotions, videos and even suggestions for alternative and add-on products. The product is especially effective for after-hours "window-shopping" or to eliminate in-store information booths.
Posted by: AT 03:23 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Mediaweek: ABC's New York flagship WABC-TV, along with partner VeriFone Transportation Systems, is the first vendor to get the green light by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission to sell backseat touchscreen monitors to cab owners. Tested by WABC-TV and VeriFone for more than a year, TAXI-TV features advertiser-supported content from WABC's Eyewitness News, the WABC Web site, AccuWeather, ESPN; and restaurant, nightlife, shopping and hotel information from the Zagat Survey.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:22 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 11 June 2007
Video Business: Rental kiosk operators TNR Corp. and DVDPlay are taking a scientific approach to stocking their machines to appeal to supermarket shoppers. Both companies have placed virtually all their machines inside grocery stores. As a result, TNR and DVDPlay are analyzing rental habits, income levels, even personality traits of supermarket renters in an effort to determine the most profitable title selection and copy depth for grocery kiosks.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:31 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 11 June 2007
Palm Beach (Fla.) Post: Mailing kiosks in TSA security checkpoint lanes allow passengers to mail banned items such as pocket knives, lighters and perfumes to their destination or home, rather than throw these items away or turn them over to TSA officials.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:29 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 11 June 2007
*Editor's note: This article is part of a series that profiles the winners of the Self Service Excellence Award winners.
 
Judged by a panel of experts in the self-service and kiosk industry, the winners of the Self Service Excellence awards were announced during a ceremony Wednesday, April 25, at Self-Service Expo (formerly known as KioskCom). The event was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
 
For a complete list of Excellence Award winners click here.
 
Taking home the award for Best Travel/Hospitality deployment was the Amtrak/SITA Quick-Trak Ticketing Kiosk. The project was developed by Amtrak, SITA and KIOSK Information Systems.
 
Amtrak's new ticketing kiosk, due out by the end of summer.
The Ticketing Kiosk is part of Amtrak's second generation of CUSS kiosks. The first generation model has been in deployment since 1997.
 
Like the first-generation rollout, KIOSK Information Systems custom designed and engineered the kiosks specifically for Amtrak, as well as handled the systems integration and volume manufacturing for the project.
 
The second generation Ticketing Kiosk was the result of Amtrak's desire to upgrade to meet new ADA and security standards. Amtrak also wanted to revise the appearance and functionality of the kiosks.
 
Like most kiosks, particularly in the travel industry, the Ticketing Kiosk was required to meet higher ADA standards for handicapped users. A specially adapted headset and Braille numbering for the visually impaired were added to the kiosk.
 
KIOSK and Amtrak also boosted the security features of the Ticketing Kiosk, incorporating Visa PED and Triple DES regulation compliance. The new Ticketing Kiosk features a security camera, barcode- and credit-card-readers, two printers and an encrypted PIN pad.
 
Quick-Trak kiosks are currently available at larger Amtrak stations such as Union Station in Los Angeles, Union Station in Chicago and Penn Station in New York. 200 first-generation Ticketing Kiosks are deployed currently, but will be phased out during the second-generation rollout. KIOSK Information Systems said the second-generation model rollout will begin by the end of summer 2007.
 
KIOSK and ARMP deploy military gaming kiosk
 
KIOSK Information Systems also had a stake in the award for Best Entertainment/Gaming deployment, won by the Multi-Player Online Gaming (MPOG) kiosk from the Army Recreation Machine Program (ARMP).
 
The MPOG kiosks allow soldiers to pay to play online games at US military bases.
The MPOG allows soldiers to play modern games such as Halo either online or offline. Like a computer gamer’s dream system, the MPOG includes an LCD screen and graphics card, amplified sound system with subwoofer, external USB port and video camera.
 
The MPOG kiosk was deployed by the ARMP to replace coin-operated arcade games, which came under scrutiny for their lack of profit generation. The ARMP's goal was to cash in on the growing popularity of online and LAN gaming.
 
The kiosk supports more than 20 online games that are geared toward the solder's demographics. Through the online connectivity, the MPOG kiosks can be remotely managed and updated with new game titles. It also supports video e-mail and Web browsing.
 
After deployment, the ARMP saw a 100 percent increase over their coin-operated machine portfolio. The ARMP presently has more than 300 MPOG kiosks purchased or in deployment at U.S. military bases around the world.
 
The MPOG kiosk is sold comercially through ZOOX Stations Inc., a subsidary company of KIOSK Information Systems.
 
Blue Water Group's DaimlerChrysler human resources kiosk.
 
DaimlerChrysler and Visual Productions keep employees in touch with HR
 
The Best Human Resources Deployment category was populated by kiosks that allow employees at large companies to check the status of their benefits and other company information. The winner was the DaimlerChrysler Employee Central Kiosk, which was manufactured by Visual Productions, a division of the Blue Water Group.
 
With more than 66,000 hourly employees in North America, DaimlerChrysler uses the Employee Central kiosk to communicate with its employees, as well as to provide them with Human Resources information. Employees can check benefit elections, view pay statements online, find payroll information and update their information. The kiosks are accessible 24 hours a day.
 
Visual Production's rollout involved 170 kiosks deployed at 50 locations internationally.
 
The kiosk also featured a privacy filter placed over the screen and panels on each side to protect employees' private information. A heavy-duty phone is located on the side of the kiosk that allows employees to dial phone numbers of companies and benefit providers through an online interface. The kiosk also features an industrial-grade keyboard and trackball.
 
"From an aesthetics point of view, the kiosk was especially pleasing," said David Drain, executive director of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association and a judge in the Excellence Awards competition. "It definitley stood out from the pack."
Posted by: Bill Yackey AT 02:52 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  
Friday, 08 June 2007
ERE.net: Self-service providers could be sued for not complying with Americans with Disabilities Act, says one California attorney. Because kiosks are electronic devices, and part of cyberspace, the ADA has said such kiosks are "fair game."
 
Read more 
Posted by: AT 03:33 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 08 June 2007
FORT COLLINS, Colo. · Mister Money Holdings Inc. expects to soon release the second generation of its Mister Money kiosk for loan processing. The second-generation service has been patented to provide an automated process for verification, scoring and approval of cash-advances and payday loans.
 
According to a news release, Mister Money, a pawnshop and short-term lending firm, launched its first remote cash-advance product in 1999. The kiosks are operated by Mister Money subsidiary Alternative Financial Solutions and are used at grocery and convenience stores, check-cashing establishments and credit unions.
Posted by: AT 03:32 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 07 June 2007
Internet News.com: Motorola's latest foray into enterprise technology products is in full swing with the third-generation release of Motorola's MC17 mobile-computer device for retailers. Call it an unfettered kiosk designed to get shoppers to pick it up, play with it, and, most importantly, receive personalized marketing messages.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:36 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Thursday, 07 June 2007
Dallas Morning News: Instead of standing in line · sometimes for hours · just to explain their symptoms, Parkland Memorial Hospital's patients now type their woes into a computer at one of three automated check-in kiosks. While similar machines are popping up nationally to check in patients at medical clinics, Parkland officials say Parkland is among the first to use kiosks in a hospital emergency room.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:35 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 06 June 2007
LENEXA, Kansas · Keywest Technology announced the appointment of Hal Archer, a digital signage and television veteran in the Far East, as vice president of Keywest Technology Asia, the company's new business unit with responsibilities for Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
 
Archer is an American with a long, distinguished career in Asia in the digital signage, TV production, consumer electronics export and manufacturing sectors. He will be responsible for the day-to-day sales, marketing and management of the new Hong Kong-based business unit.
 
Archer joins Keywest Technology with nearly two decades of experience in the media and digital signage industries. Most recently he worked with Digital View Ltd. where he was responsible for new business development in various vertical segments of the digital signage market.
Posted by: AT 03:38 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Wednesday, 06 June 2007
HOUSTON · TNR Entertainment Corp. announced that entertainment and finance executive Robert E. Genthert has joined TNR as its chief financial officer.
 
In his position, Genthert will be responsible for all of TNR's finance, reporting and accounting activities, including funding to further support the company's grocery-channel partnerships and new business development. He also will be part of a senior management group responsible for company's overall strategy.
 
Genthert's has been with The Walt Disney Company for 11 years. His most recent Disney post was as vice president of worldwide finance for Disney's Buena Vista Home Entertainment division. Subsequently, Genthert served as CFO for Warner Bros. Online, a division of Time Warner.
Posted by: AT 03:37 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
GULFPORT, Miss. · Gulf Coast DVDs has placed three ELO Media's DVmatic DVD-rental kiosks in Gulfport, an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
 
"Shortly after Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact on the area, I understood that there would be a need for affordable entertainment. And since there is only a handful of video stores in the area, some destroyed in the hurricane, I realized the opportunity exists," said Michael Smith, owner of Gulf Coast DVDs.
Posted by: AT 03:40 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
Manchester (England) Evening News: The Odeon cinema chain is testing a vending kiosk developed by Cheshire-based Felix Group. Felix is supplying its MAX BOX vending kiosk to 19 Odeon venues. The MAX BOX has cashpoint and digital-photo-processing functions, and enables consumers to order flowers and download music and mobile-phone ringtones and games.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:40 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
New York Daily News: New York City Off-Track Betting is looking to put freestanding betting terminals in bars throughout the city. These moves are designed to get more New Yorkers - especially women and younger people - gambling on horse races.
 
Read more 
Posted by: AT 03:39 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 04 June 2007
(Virginia) Leesburg Today: Guests gathered at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington, D.C., recently to unveil a kiosk with an electronic database and touchscreen that directs visitors of the museum to various other places of interest in the region, including historic sites, special tours, entertainment and shopping centers.

Read more
Posted by: AT 03:44 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 04 June 2007
Innovative Office Products is the leading manufacturer of ergonomic, space-saving arms and mounts for flat panel monitors, notebooks and tablet PCs. Innovative products have received design awards from such prominent sources as red dot, Industrie Forum Hannover (iF) and Business Week magazine.

Innovative specializes in custom manufacturing, choosing from a substantial database of mix-and-match parts to create custom solutions. Innovative`s products have met the needs of such demanding users as the New York Stock Exchange, NASA and IBM.

Posted by: AT 03:43 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 04 June 2007
Southco is a leading global provider of engineered access hardware including latches, locks, captive fasteners, hinges, handles and electronic access solutions. Proven over 60 years, Southco solutions are the key product "touch points" for thousands of applications that people interact with everyday. Our offerings include over 25,000 standard products and more than 50,000 custom products - all created to meet our customer`s design needs. With applications across a vast array of industries, Southco expertise extends from self-service to transportation, telecommunications, marine, medical and many more. Operating in 33 countries on five continents, Southco supports our customers with engineering, manufacturing and customer service around the globe.
Posted by: AT 03:42 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 04 June 2007
RTTNews.com: Flextronics International Ltd. said it agreed to acquire Solectron Corp. for about $3.6 billion in cash and stock, based on the closing price of Flextronics ordinary shares on June 1, 2007. The combination is expected to create leading global electronics manufacturing services company with more than $30 billion in annual revenue. As per the terms, for each Solectron share, Flextronics will pay either 0.34 shares of Flextronics or cash of $3.89 per share. The terms of the deal specify that no more than 70 percent and no less than 50 percent of Solectron shares will be converted into Flextronics shares.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:41 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Monday, 04 June 2007
The stage for interactive media is changing · and rapidly. As self-service terminals come head to head with digital signage, an industry convergence is taking place, and that's a good thing, says Richard Corwin. 
 
Corwin, the founder of Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Vital-Signz, likes sleek designs and engaging content, as long as the two meet a real consumer demand. And it's with that demand in mind that his company is rolling out interactive digital displays throughout Santa Barbara as part of a deal inked last year with the Museums and Cultural Attractions Group of Santa Barbara.
 
Corwin's company, which is new to the kiosk market, took home this year's Industry Supplier of the Year award · an annual honor bestowed by Self Service Expo, formerly known as KioskCom · for the work it has done with the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
 
Winning the honor came as a surprise to Corwin, who refers to his company as a media and technology specialist, careful not to limit his definition to either the kiosk or digital-signage medium.
 
"We were very surprised, because we didn't really know where we fit," he said. "I think there are so many elements in the marketplace, and there are so many people out there who are focusing on one unique element. But I think the marketplace needs to offer more of a complete solution for the client. It all needs to be more cohesive. And I think that's where we shine."
 
Richard Malone of KIOSK Information Systems, a well-known kiosk manufacturer, took home last year's award for his overall contribution to the industry. His company also took home an award for a human-resources kiosk it developed for Swift Transportation.
 
This year, the supplier award went to a company with a markedly different solution, further reflection of the changing face of self-service technology, Corwin said.
 
"We don't care about the technology, although we are very technology savvy," he said. "It's more about creating a vehicle for delivering content in a way that feels right and runs right."
 
With the user in mind, the six-person Vital-Signz team has deployed four 42-inch plasma touchscreens, in and around Santa Barbara, including one at the Maritime Museum in July 2006. The museum is the site of Vital-Signz' first Virtual Visitor Center, the coined name for Vital-Signz' interactive deployment.
 
Driven by content, the Virtual Visitor Center employs touchscreens that allow users to easily browse through screens for information about the museum as well as other Santa Barbara attractions.
 
Corwin hopes to use his Virtual Visitor Centers to reach more people in the community.
 
"It's all about connection," he said. "You've got a high-definition network that connects the resources in Santa Barbara."
 
William Cochran, the Maritime Museum's facility and events manager, said visitors have taken well to the interactive signage, and the signage has allowed the museum to maintain its role as an information hub for Santa Barbara events.
 
"The kiosk brings people in to the museum in the first place, but it also gives them information about other things going on in the area," Cochran said. "And people kind of get a kick out of it. They are impressed with the video and how easy it is to use."
 
Users typically spend between 10 and 12 minutes at the interactive sign. Ensuring they enjoy the experience, Corwin said, is key.
 
"They stay because they are engaged, and it's fun to use," Corwin said. "People who are using it have to enjoy what they're seeing. You don't want to bombard them with advertising. We subtlely integrate the advertising, and you have to help clients understand that they can't bombard users, but that they have to present the information in a user-friendly way."
 
Cochran said Corwin's company stands out because of the emphasis it places on the detail of its photography, its video and its message.
 
"The way that he presents the artifacts and the exhibits, the care he's taken in the composition of the shots, it's obviously done by a pro," he said. "It's not a couple of computer guys taking a few shots and putting them on a kiosk. And since our museum is all about interactive exhibits, we liked the fact that his content is presented in an artistically sound way."
Posted by: Tracy Kitten AT 02:54 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  
Friday, 01 June 2007
Internet Travel News: Thai Airways International has launched a new range of passenger self-service functionality using SITA's Integration Platform. The new functionality has reportedly helped the airline cut costs by 30 percent.  

Read more
Posted by: AT 03:47 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 01 June 2007
(Canada) Business Edge: Facing time-starved consumers and continuing labor shortages, retailers are looking to new technologies to change the way consumers shop. Various forms of interactive customer-service kiosks · some of which are being tested in Canada · could soon become the latest tool in a store owner's arsenal.
 
Read more
Posted by: AT 03:46 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Friday, 01 June 2007
Idaho Statesman: Redbox DVD rental kiosks are now available at most Albertsons stores throughout Idaho, as well as some located in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Utah. Of the 243 Albertsons stores located throughout the Intermountain West division, 212 have already received redbox kiosks.
 
Read more 
 
Read also, Research: DVD kiosk placements triple
Posted by: AT 03:45 pm   |  Permalink   |  
Tweet
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Add to favorites
PROJECT HELP 

Our members are among the most prominent and respected suppliers of digital signage, kiosk, self-service and mobile technology solutions.

Request project help from DSA members

 Blog: SSKA Industry News 
Latest Posts

Testimonials 
Kari Blankenship, Cabela's
"Being a member of the DSA allows us to stay at the forefront of the retail self-service industry offerings. We are able to work alongside other deployers and share ideas and experiences."

Kari Blankenship
Retail Programs Manager
Cabela's Inc.

Twitter 
Tweets by @iDigScreenmedia

Digital Screenmedia Association | 13100 Eastpoint Park Blvd. Louisville, KY 40223 | Phone: 502-489-3915 | Fax: 502-241-2795

ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

     

Website managed by Networld Media Group