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Monday, 31 March 2008
Last October's KioskCom Self Service Expo in New York featured just a handful of digital signage exhibitors and displays. But that little bit of digital signage made a large impact, so much so that organizers for April's Self Service Expo in Las Vegas are expanding digital signage's floor presence at the show significantly.
In an effort to give more exposure to digital signage, Self Service Expo organizers are launching The Digital Signage Show, which will take place alongside their flagship event. And even though the shows will be in two separate areas, attendees receive admission to both Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show.
Lawrence Dvorchik, general manager of Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show, said he came up with the idea for a separate digital signage show based on a poll he conducted that said 77 percent of Self Service Expo attendees also are buyers of digital signage solutions.
"When we saw that number, we made a concerted effort to go out and bring in the right digital signage experts and companies," Dvorchik said. "And since that many people are interested in it, we wanted to make sure we gave it more play."
The decision to have the co-located shows has been well received by many of the past sponsors and exhibitors of the Self Service Expo.
"The key for us is meeting with qualified buyers," said V. Miller Newton, chief executive of Netkey, a kiosk and digital signage software provider, in a news release.
A highlight of the April event will be the pre-show Executive Merchant Deployer Summit, Dvorchik said. The second annual event gathers top executives from end-market deployers as well as the leading suppliers, and will be focused on ringing in return on investment from an existing kiosk, digital signage and self-service deployment.
"We've created a forum that allows companies who have already employed self-service technology to get together in a nonthreatening environment and share comments, concerns and suggestions," Dvorchik said.
Summit attendance is limited to attendees employed by an end-market company that already has deployed an interactive self-service kiosk program. Approximately 50-75 people will be granted access into the event. Press, suppliers, analysts and consultants are not eligible for admission.
"We give them the chance to talk about what they have done and learn from those people in the industry who are at their level," Dvorchik said.
At the conclusion of the summit, a panel will convene to discuss with conference attendees some of the issues brought up at the deployer meeting.
In addition to the annual educational sessions, tech talks and networking events, the shows will host keynote speaker Tim Stanley, chief information officer and senior vice president of Innovation, Gaming and Technology at Harrah's Entertainment. Stanley will speak to the rise of self-service digital technology and how to engage the ever-evolving consumer.
Harrah's Entertainment Inc. is the largest gaming organization in the world, with nearly 100,000 employees and revenues of about $10 billion, operating more than 50 casinos around the world. Harrah's has initiated a variety of self-service projects to streamline efficiency and manage labor costs, but it also has been very focused on using self-service as a major improvement in its customer service efforts.
Rob Garf, vice president of retail strategies for AMR Research, will deliver a keynote on the topic of delivering pervasive interaction with advanced selling technologies.
The Self-Service & Kiosk Association will also hold a board meeting from 8:30 a.m. - noon April 15. The board meeting will be followed by a member luncheon from noon - 1 p.m. The luncheon is open to anyone attending KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show.
Here are a few of the hundreds of exhibitors who will be on hand to answer questions, with information on how to find them at the show. Also listed are the types of solutions the exhibitors provide, to help you plan your tour of the show floor.
* * * *
3M Touch Systems
Booth # 312
Monitors/Touchscreens/Other Displays/Digital Signage
3M Touch Systems offers durable and reliable touchsolutions for self-service and interactive digital signage applications, including MicroTouch ClearTek II capacitive touchsensors, available in sizes from 6.4 inches to 32 inches; the MicroTouch CT150 15-inch touchmonitor with three bezel and two mounting bracket choices and MicroTouch DST touchsystems.
5point
Booth # 358
Enclosures Design/Manufacturing/Sales/Outdoor Kiosks/Full Service/Turnkey Providers
5point designs, develops and manufactures interactive, self-service kiosk and digital signage products for organizations who seek innovative ways to connect with people.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Asahi Seiko USA Inc.
Booth # 629
Card Readers-Writers/Coin Acceptors-Dispensers/Kiosk Component Manufacturing
Asahi Seiko designs and manufactures card, coin and currency handling equipment, producing a wide range of card and smart card dispenser/encoder mechanisms, coin hoppers, acceptors and dispensers, suitable for kiosk applications. This year, the company will exhibit its SCD-2500 and MCH-3000(D), both multifunctional for the total IC card solution.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Better ATM Services
Booth # 625
ATMs/Digital Signage
What ATMs have done for cash, they now can do for gift cards, incentives and premiums. Better ATM Services' patented technology enables ATMs to become a more secure, convenient and profitable distribution option for gift cards and other prepaid media using a standard ATM cash tray.
Card Scanning Solutions
Booth # 547
Hardware/Financial Kiosks/Self-Service/Retail Kiosks
Card Scanning Solutions will exhibit SnapShell, a camera-based ID reading system. Using optical character recognition technology, SnapShell is a hardware tool for gathering and authenticating data by scanning and imaging cards. It has no moving parts, requires no calibration and can integrate directly into proprietary applications.
Chetu Inc.
Booth # 549
Software/Hardware
Chetu is a global provider of high quality and cost-effective information technology services for the kiosk-solutions industry. Chetu offers kiosk solutions technologists skilled to support every technical skills set. Chetu is an affordable, low-cost consultative solution. Whatever the need, Chetu is the answer.
Comark Corp.
Booth # 451
Outdoor Kiosks/Digital Signage/Multifunction Kiosks
Comark manufactures kiosk solutions for indoor and outdoor applications in a variety of enclosure styles including free-standing, desktop, pendant and pedestal mounting solutions. Options include embedded printers, thermal control, custom paint and silkscreening. Choose from our standard kiosk models or let us design a custom solution.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Communication Technology Services
Booth # 514
Installation/Maintenance/Parts/Digital Signage/Communications
Communication Technology Services (CTS) is a nationwide installation services company. More than 500 of CTS' own technicians located throughout the United States are installing and maintaining thousands of kiosks, self-service devices and digital signage units. CTS is the installation, project rollout and break/fix expert.
DFI Technologies LLC
Booth# 509
Computers/CPUs/Panel PCs/Internet Kiosks
DFI Technologies specializes in embedded computer and LCD touchscreen solutions.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Diebold Premier Services
Booth # 142
Installation/Maintenance/Parts
Diebold Premier Services provides installation and maintenance services to kiosk manufacturers and their partners. With a directly-employed national service organization of more than 4,000 service professionals; award-winning training, parts and logistics capabilities; help desk support and depot repair, Diebold delivers successful service programs to ensure an outstanding customer experience.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Elan Financial Services
Booth # 618
Full Service/Turnkey Providers/Multifunction Kiosks/Government Kiosks
Elan Financial Services brings nearly 40 years of payments experience to its kiosk solutions. eFast combines converging self-service technologies, proven processing capabilities, turnkey support and user-friendly self-service transaction set. Its terminals can be configured to complement your business setting and strategies and enable you the flexibility to plan for tomorrow.
Fast Transact Inc.
Booth # 463
Credit-Debit Card Processing/Software/Card Readers-Writers
Fast Transact is one of the fastest-growing software payment integrators in the United States and Canada. Combining expertise and technology, it offers merchants the ability to accept all major forms of payment and manage their entire business in one place.
Flextronics
Booth # 230
Software/Enclosures Design/Manufacturing/Sales/Full Service/Turnkey Providers
Flextronics offers best-in-class kiosk hardware and software solutions with a network of facilities in more than 30 countries on five continents. Flextronics' global presence provides solutions that lower costs and reduce time to market.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Frank Mayer & Associates Inc.
Booth # 324
Enclosures Design/Manufacturing/Sales/Human Resources Kiosks/Self-Service/Gaming Kiosks
Frank Mayer & Associates Inc. provides custom interactive kiosk solutions and in-store marketing programs to a range of applications, industries and markets, including retail, automotive, entertainment, self-service, gaming and human resources. Interactive kiosks programs have been developed for Ford Motor Co., Microsoft Corp., John Deere, Nintendo of America and many more.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Freedom Shopping LLC
Booth #458
RFID/Transactional Kiosks/Retail Kiosks/Self-Service
Freedom Shopping's breakthrough solution will enable widespread adoption of RFID-enabled retail. It runs a light application "on the edge" of existing point of sale (POS) terminals and cash registers. Coupled with pre-packaged hardware for reading RFID tags, kiosks and RFID-reading security gates, an existing store can be outfitted and operational in a day.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Fujitsu Components America Inc.
Booth# 427
Monitors/Touchscreens/Other Displays/Printers/Paper Supplies/Keyboards/Keypads/Other Input Devices
Fujitsu offers resistive touch panels and ultra-compact thermal printer mechanisms and subassemblies for kiosk applications, as well as 2- and 3-inch printers that feature controller boards, cutters, presenters, retractors, integrated paper holders and flexible mounting options. Its resistive touch panels have 86 percent transmissivity and high-performance operation for finger and pen applications.
GA Services LLC
Booth # 630
Installation/Maintenance/Parts/Digital Signage/Remote Monitoring
Services provider GA Services specializes in installation, maintenance, remedial services and remote monitoring for the digital signage and self-service marketplace. It provides technology solutions including onsite response, depot repair, staging, integration, installation, site survey, logistics and project management using certified personnel backed by its technical support-staffed call center.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association and the Digital Signage Association
H&M NetWorks
Booth # 449
Installation/Maintenance/Parts/Financial Kiosks/Self-Service/Retail Kiosks
H&M NetWorks provides infrastructure for existing and emerging technologies including, but not limited to voice, voice-over IP, data, IP security, wireless and access control networks. It specializes in copper and fiber-optic cabling, backbone and horizontal. Solutions range from engineering and design, project management and installation to follow-up maintenance and system upgrades.
HECON/Hengstler
Booth # 248
Printers/Paper Supplies/Hardware
HECON/Hengstler is a worldwide manufacturer of thermal printer solutions for kiosk applications. It has extensive experience in printer applications, building printers since 1966. Visit our booth to discuss your application and how we can help you. While you're there, check out the eXtendo and XPM thermal printer product lines at the same time.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
IBM Corp.
Booth # 518
Retail Kiosks/Self-Service
Learn about the innovative IBM Anyplace Kiosk and other self-service solutions at the Self Service Expo. Visit IBM on the "Self Service Street" to see how IBM technology can help transform the customer experience in a variety of market environments.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association and the Digital Signage Association
ID Tech
Booth # 546
Kiosk Component Manufacturing/Card Readers-Writers/Keyboards/Keypads/Other Input Devices
ID TECH, a leading manufacturer of magnetic stripe products, has built a reputation for reliable and innovative products. This year, it will feature its newest POS peripheral products, its latest PCI-Approved Pin Entry Devices, Point of Sale Keyboards and Signature Capture Pads, alongside its industry-leading magstripe, smart card and barcode products.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Infonox
Booth # 154
Financial Kiosks/Self-Service/Full Service/Turnkey Providers/Retail Kiosks
Infonox enables the delivery of financial products and services to innovative distribution platforms, including self-service kiosks, ATMs, Web-based applications and mobile phones. At the show, experience Infonox's PASS+ kiosk solution, which can feature ATM functions, check cashing, bill payment, money transfers, money orders, gift/phone/stored value cards and inmate money deposit.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Innovative Control Systems Inc.
Booth # 317
Outdoor Kiosks/Restaurant Kiosks/Self-Service/Multifunction Kiosks
Innovative Control Systems manufactures transaction-based drive-up kiosks and vehicle RFID hardware solutions. Its Auto Sentry kiosk includes a software development kit to integrate application software to its hardware platform, and also provides development support. This year, ICS will demonstrate its new Auto Sentry eXP III Outdoor Kiosk with optional RFID Vehicle Identification System.
JCM American Corp.
Booth # 139
Bill Acceptors/Dispensers/Recirculators/Monitors/Touchscreens/Other Displays/Printers/Paper Supplies
JCM American Corp. is the industry leader in automated transaction handling systems and provides products, software and services to several industries including amusement, gaming, retail, transportation and vending. JCM's progressive spirit sets world-wide industry standards with award-winning products such as the Universal Bill Acceptor, Intelligent Cash Box, Optipay cash recycling system and DMV self-service kiosk.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
KIOSK Information Systems
Booth # 214
Enclosures Design/Manufacturing/Sales/Transactional Kiosks/Digital Signage
KIOSK Information Systems designs and manufactures self-service kiosk and digital signage terminals. Kiosk features a full portfolio of standard, custom and outdoor models for vertical markets including retail, financial, order entry, HR, photo, check-in, security and many others. KIOSK is a one-stop shop for solution design, ISO 9001-2000 certified manufacturing, field service and support.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Kiosk Logix
Booth # 257
Internet Kiosks/Transactional Kiosks/Software
NetStop, by Kiosk Logix, is the leading browser software for securing your system in an unattended location. It is secure, reliable and 100 percent tamper proof. NetStop software is the easiest to use due to user friendly navigation. The web-based database and remote management tools give administrators complete computer usage and sales statistics. No other browser software on the market offers all these benefits in one package.
Livewire International Inc.
Booth # 239
Full Service/Turnkey Providers/Transactional Kiosks/Gaming Kiosks/Self-Service
A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Livewire specializes in custom software development and self-service solutions for retail, gaming, hospitality, travel and entertainment. Livewire provides integration into hardware devices such as kiosks, ATMs and handheld devices, while providing the ability to remotely monitor each device and manage the content available from each unit.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Nanonation
Booth # 330 & 412
Software/Digital Signage/Retail Kiosks/Self-Service
Nanonation's software creates powerful ways to impact the customer experience with technologies that drive sales and fuel profits with solutions that span consumers' digital reach. Find out how to deliver powerful messaging and integrated marketing services seamlessly across your enterprise with online tools to monitor, measure and manage customer interactions.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association and the Digital Signage Association
NextWindow Ltd.
Booth # 550
Monitors/Touchscreens/Other Displays/Digital Signage/Enclosures Design/Manufacturing
NextWindow manufactures field-proven optical touchscreens from 32 inches to 65 inches for kiosk and digital signage applications. Its products feature easy integration, no drivers to load, custom sizes and rugged design. At the show, NextWindow will showcase partner solutions from custom enclosure manufacturer Panelworx and interactive content from Quality Automation Graphics.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Operator Interface Technology
Booth# 556
Keyboards/Keypads/Other Input Devices/Outdoor Kiosks/Hardware
Operator Interface Technology manufactures rugged keyboards and keypads in Longmont, Colo.
PanJit Touch Screens
Booth # 254
Hardware
PanJit Touch Screens designs and manufactures resistive and capacitive touchscreens. Servicing various market segments and applications, including military notebooks/tablets, GPS, industrial controls, medical, IPC, kiosks PC, POS, just to mention a few. PanJit offers a full range of standard four-, five- and eight-wire resistive touchscreens, capacitive touchscreens as well as controllers.
Pay-Ease LLC
Booth # 351
Financial Kiosks/Self-Service/Government Kiosks/ Transactional Kiosks
Pay-Ease LLC is a financial processing software and hardware development company that specializes in providing self-service bill payment solutions on a single kiosk platform. Its customized payment solutions have revolutionized the way consumers pay utility, municipal and retail bills, purchase gift cards, transfer monies and perform other financial transactions.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Reality Interactive
Booth # 358
Content Providers/Developers/Interactive Video/Remote Monitoring
Reality Interactive is a full-service kiosk development organization specializing in technology and content design for the deployment and management of kiosk and digital merchandising initiatives. Its Fortune 500 clients include BMW, Leapfrog, Sprint, Bose, Polaris and other companies who want to speed time to market and increase ROI associated with e-media investments at retail.
RedDotNet
Booth # 647
Retail Kiosks/Self-Service/Transactional Kiosks/Entertainment Kiosks
RedDotNet provides multimedia solutions that change the way retailers connect with customers. Over the past decade, it has worked with retailers from across the United States and abroad. It has deployed technology in more than 800 retail stores where its solution has made a significant contribution to the customer experience inside stores.
Seiko Instruments
Booth # 641
Printers/Paper Supplies
Seiko Instruments is a leader in thermal printer technology. With a complete line of high performance kiosk printers, ticket printers and receipt printers, based on the best-in-class CAP9000 thermal printer mechanism, Seiko Instruments delivers an industry-leading platform for durability, reliability, performance and integration flexibility in self-service printing applications. Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Star Micronics
Booth # 345
Printers/Paper Supplies/Full Service/Turnkey Providers/Hardware
Star offers a wide range of kiosk printers with a variety of features and accessories to fit requirements for any kiosk application.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Storefront.com
Booth # 122
Photo Kiosks/Digital Signage/Remote Monitoring
Storefront.com Online Inc. develops and provides retail solutions and digital imaging infrastructure. Its products and services include the award-winning suite of photo and distributed fulfillment solutions, digital signage, vending systems, remote management and monitoring systems and rapid custom software development.
Telpar
Booth # 346
Printers/Paper Supplies/Gaming Kiosks/Retail Kiosks/Self-Service
Telpar will be showcasing its new USB version of the 8 ½-inch MTP-2283 Stealth printer. The unit can print complete website pages, text, bar codes and graphics. A wide range of sensors aid in monitoring remote location performance. Stealth MTP-2283 printers are the ideal choice for multimedia kiosks, maps, financial statements, pharmaceutical data, remote printing and product information applications. Telpar designs, manufactures and distributes worldwide, its own line of direct thermal and impact Kiosk and specialty receipt printers.
Telsource Corp.
Booth # 342
Mini Kiosks/Retail Kiosks/Self-Service/Multifunction Kiosks
Telsource manufactures and provides comprehensive network technology solutions nationwide for multilocation retail environments. Its LVS 3200 is powered-over-Ethernet and combines traditional self-service functionality with integrated voice and sound to provide an all-in-one interactive kiosk and call-box solution. Integrate voice functionality into existing applications or build new applications that provide unrivaled customer service.
Tyco Electronics Elo TouchSystems
Booth# 341
Monitors/Touchscreens/Other Displays/Digital Signage/Multifunction Kiosks
Tyco Electronics' Elo TouchSystems broad portfolio of touchscreen technologies, touchmonitors and touchcomputers, are specifically designed for demanding requirements of applications including industrial, medical, POS, kiosks, retail, hospitality, transportation and gaming. Elo has been recognized as the global brand leader in touch technology since inventing the touchscreen more than 35 years ago.
Member of the Self-Service & Kiosk Association
Friday, 28 March 2008
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — This March, 26 backlit media advertising displays and four interactive media kiosks with property directories will be installed at the Mesa Riverview shopping center in Mesa, Ariz. An extended market rollout is being considered for later this year.
The program provides opportunities for advertisers to reach consumers where they shop while making a positive impact on the environment. A significant portion of revenue generated by advertising placement will help fund local environmental programs such as solar panel installations, hybrid car fleets, lighting retrofits and greening projects. As a result, the program will directly affect quality of life, at no cost to consumers.
The program is the result of a partnership between environmental media company EcoMedia, Kimco Realty Corp. and technology provider Aerva.
"This is an ideal partnership that combines Kimco's desire to bring new advertising opportunities and technologies to their tenants with our mission of using advertising dollars to do something they have never done before: Clean up the environment," said Paul Polizzotto, chief executive and founder of EcoMedia. "This effort is a win-win for everyone, including Kimco retail tenants, consumers and more importantly, the environment. The more signs that are installed, the more environmental benefits we can deliver to local communities."
The integrated program offers advertisers opportunities to reach consumers via three components:
1) Retail backlit displays featuring a 40-inch wide by 50-inch long graphic area, installed in highly-visible and highly-trafficked locations such as pedestrian walkways.
2) Video advertising that is incorporated into a 10-minute programming loop featuring high-impact EcoMedia content that informs, educates and entertains consumers about environmental issues.
3) Interactive, on-demand mobile coupons delivered directly to consumers' cell phones via text messaging, providing shoppers on-demand access to promotional offers from retailers and manufacturers.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Self-Service & Kiosk Association will host a luncheon on Tuesday, April 15 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Level 3, "Jasmine F" in Las Vegas.
The luncheon will take place one day before the KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show — also located inside the center — are scheduled to kick off.
Trade show attendees are invited to enjoy great food and the opportunity to network with other industry professionals. A brief update on SSKA activities will also be given at the luncheon. Both members and non-members are invited to attend. The cost of the event is $25 per person.
Space is limited. Attendees must register at www.regonline.com/SSKA_luncheon_08.
During the trade show, SSKA representatives will be on hand at Booth 563 to interact with members, industry leaders and other interested parties. The association will also be distributing member logo signage to all member booths immediately before the show opens on April 16.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The PC-based electronic point-of-sale market in Europe/Middle East/Africa experienced a 4 percent shipment increase in 2007 and continues to show strong growth potential in 2008, according to a new study released by IHL Group. Taking advantage of normal cyclical upgrades in Western Europe and enjoying strong oil revenues in Russia and the Middle East, the region is poised to remain strong even while shipments slow in North America.
The largest boost in 2008 will come from replacement of systems installed in the late 1990's (just before the Euro conversion and Y2K) in the Large Format Food & Drug sectors and Hypermarkets. Also helping will be shipments to Russia and the Middle East, which have seen tremendous growth in their retail infrastructures as oil reached and surpassed $100 per barrel. These trends will continue for several years in the more technically mature EPOS markets (for example, Germany, France and the UK), and long-term for the other EMEA countries, according to the 2008 Europe/Middle East/Africa Retail POS Terminal Study from IHL Group, a global research and advisory firm that serves retailers and retail technology vendors.
"Retailers continue to see the EPOS as more than just a method for accurately recording sales," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL. "Added functionality at the till, whether in the form of capabilities such as customer returns, inventory look-up, or workforce management, helps retailers see EPOS as THE central system in the store, and they are willing to invest in it accordingly."
According to the study, retailers in the Food & Drug and Mass Merchant segments are experiencing heavy consolidation, while those in the Convenience and Hospitality segments are seeing rapid expansion. Security is also weighing heavily on retailers' POS purchase decision-making process. Retailers want POS systems that are PCI-compliant, in order to avoid data breaches such as those experienced recently by TJ Maxx, Hannaford Brothers and other retailers in North America.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Iol.co.za (Africa): Major banks are equipping their ATMs with advanced security features in a bid to counter skimming devices. "Jitter" software causes a vibration to the ATM card reader which sends a disrupted signal to any illegal skimming device. This prevents copying from banking cards and makes card skimming impossible.
Read more
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand): Kiwis flying across the region could soon be getting through airports more quickly with the help of automatic passport-reading machines. New Zealand and Australian travelers with electronic passports will be able to put themselves through passport control without having to queue. Passengers put their passports into a kiosk that downloads details, including an electronic image of the passport holder's face. Passengers are then given a coupon for a gate, at which cameras and computers use facial recognition technology to do the checks now done by customs officers.
Read more
Monday, 24 March 2008
The Edge Daily (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia): More Malaysian banks are expected to deploy the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) self-service kiosks this year as part of the pension fund’s efforts to make its services more accessible and convenient to the public. The EPF is also looking to have its kiosks installed in shopping malls and also welcomes interests from insurance companies, fund management companies, colleges and schools who want to install the kiosks. The Smart Kiosks enable faster delivery of EFP transactions by allowing members to access their account information and print statements.
Read more
Friday, 21 March 2008
The Associated Press: State lawmakers killed a proposal on Thursday that would have forced counties to conduct paper ballot elections this year, freeing them to use their controversial electronic voting kiosks. Colorado was one of five states considering moving to paper because of questions about electronic equipment. The reversal essentially puts the state back to where it was in December, before Coffman decertified most of the computerized voting equipment and optical scanners used in the state because of security and accuracy concerns. U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chairwoman Rosemary Rodriguez of Denver said the measure lets states use money to equip electronic machines with paper receipt printers and doesn't endorse any voting system over another.
Read more
Thursday, 20 March 2008
CHICAGO - One of the most eye-catching retail applications unveiled at this week's GlobalShop expo was tucked in the back of the Epson booth.
A nude mannequin stood against a black backdrop; about 15 feet away, a touchscreen kiosk showed a variety of clothing and accessory choices. When the user selects a shirt or dress or necklace, they are then presented with a variety of colors - and once a color is selected, that item is projected onto the mannequin.
With just a few more touches of the screen, shoppers can "try on" any number of combinations of products, colors and styles.
Watch this site in the coming days for a full wrap-up of GlobalShop 2008, and a slide show of photography from the show floor.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. — SeePoint Technology, a provider of interactive self-service solutions and touchscreen systems, debuted its KioHealth health-care solutions at the HIMSS health-care technology show in Orlando, Feb. 24-28. SeePoint’s KioHealth Division was created a few years ago to meet the needs of the health-care industry, seeking to contain costs while maintaining and improving operations and patient satisfaction.
The KioHealth solutions include touchscreen kiosks with HIPAA privacy screen filters to protect patient information, and antimicrobial treatment to protect patients from cross contamination of a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. In addition, KioHealth solutions include software applications that facilitate patient self check-in, facility wayfinding, patient surveys/testing, emergency room triage and many other h
ORLANDO, Fla. — SeePoint Technology, a provider of interactive self-service solutions and touchscreen systems, debuted its KioHealth health-care solutions at the HIMSS health-care technology show in Orlando, Feb. 24-28. SeePoint’s KioHealth Division was created a few years ago to meet the needs of the health-care industry, seeking to contain costs while maintaining and improving operations and patient satisfaction.
The KioHealth solutions include touchscreen kiosks with HIPAA privacy screen filters to protect patient information, and antimicrobial treatment to protect patients from cross contamination of a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. In addition, KioHealth solutions include software applications that facilitate patient self check-in, facility wayfinding, patient surveys/testing, emergency room triage and many other healthcare-specific functions.
ealthcare-specific functions.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Thaindian News: City-based Technology Frontiers has announced it is targeting growing malls and retail chains for its digital kiosks. The touchscreen digital kiosk allows users to book airline and cinema tickets and also does online banking, mobile phone recharge and gaming.
Read more
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
KNOXVILLE, Md. — KMYAmerica’s Mike James has announced an expansion in kiosk production capabilities. KMY’s previously separate metalworking plant and systems integration facility have moved into a single larger shared space.
The new plant has a production area of about 15,000 square meters (161,500 square feet), which doubles the size of its previous factories combined.
“Our initial target is to produce about 1,000 kiosks per month,” said KMY spokeswoman Zhou Jing. “The new space will accommodate over 500 employees with offices, dining rooms and sports facilities.”
For more information, contact Mike James at and visit www.kmyamerica.com.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Wincor-Nixdorf International, IBM Corp. and NCR Corp., along with a few other technology businesses, have cornered the self-service market in many parts of the world. But recently, these companies are watching the area of Central and Eastern Europe intently.
Parts of the CEE region, long a place of unrest, are poised to adopt the latest in self-service technology. The CEE region typically includes the countries of Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Ukraine.
Self-service and kiosk manufacturers have deployed some devices, but seem to be waiting for users to fully embrace them.
"This is not happening overnight," said Rene Lager of IBM Retail Store Solution Sales for the CEMAAS (Central Europe, Middle East, Africa and Association of Southeast Asian Nations). "People are starting to get used to it and starting to expect (kiosks). They're looking for them sometimes and asking if businesses have a kiosk. The retailers in this area are starting to fulfill those requests."
Growing a self-service market
NCR brought its first ATM to Lithuania in 1995. By the end of 2007, Central and Eastern Europe found itself playing catch-up with neighboring countries in Western Europe, with 305 ATMs per million people in use around CEE, compared to 707 per million in Western Europe, according to Retail Banking Research.
In Romania, where roughly 84 percent of citizens do not have bank accounts, Citibank is unveiling multifaceted ATMs that are enticing consumers to open accounts and use the machines to pay bills and speeding fines. The technology is being credited with helping curb a significant problem of late payments that were spurred by residents in the mostly cash-based society who often had to take time from work to settle bills, but often failed to make it in time.
And this year, back in Lithuania, supermarket chain IKI signed on to offer the country's first self-checkouts, which will be NCR FastLane machines that allow consumers to scan, pack and pay for goods themselves.
Despite the gradual pace with which kiosks have been implemented, representatives from several companies say that's just the way new markets open. They take time to materialize.
The crumbling of the Soviet Union and the creation of breakaway nations in the 1990s paved the way for the kiosk industry to step in. As more borders have opened, the ability for companies to reach new customers has become easier.
The barriers facing kiosk businesses, with headquarters outside of the region, is that they must make connections and forge relations with local partners.
Wincor-Nixdorf, which specializes in self-service recycling machines outfitted with kiosk interfaces, started placing its popular machines around CEE three or four years ago. Movements by nations to become more environmentally friendly and regulations mandating recycling have helped the German company, said Robert Mazuga, director of international business development for Wincor.
Wincor-Nixdorf would not give specific deployment numbers but said thousands of its machines are scattered across the area.
Wincor-Nixdorf's market share is steadily increasing in a region Mazuga considers underserved. Fueling the increase is continually better access to those areas, he said.
Building relationships
Wincor-Nixdorf's attention, like that of many others, is on making contacts in the region. Such relationships with retailers and analysts will prove vital in learning the needs of a community, where best to place machines and how to ensure customers know how to get the most from the technology.
"We're going to build step by step and country by country," Mazuga said. "We're trying to play a role there."
IBM has turned to its recently created Self-Service Alliance to learn the lay of the land. Through the group, a worldwide collaboration of varied businesses at all levels of development, IBM is creating a dialogue that is expected to pinpoint what solutions will be most effective. Because of the variety of cultures from country to country, one solution that might work in one area will not necessarily be sufficient for another, Langer said.
"Each country is different. The most important key is partners who are on the ground," he said. "They speak the language in that market. But the game is rolling and moving forward."
Because of the relative infancy of kiosks in Eastern Europe, manufacturers are spending as much time educating potential vendors and users as they are mapping out ways to expand their businesses.
Kiosk companies expect the next waves of technology to be simple, easy and reliable. Eventually, the trend will be toward more complex solutions. But, of course, how quickly the technology progresses will hinge on each respective country, the speed at which they can pick up the technology and the vision of businesses that look to separate themselves from competitors.
"It will take some time," Langer said. "We are at the beginning."
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
BURNABY, British Columbia — TIO Networks Corp., a bill payment and financial services network, has announced that it has surpassed the one billion dollar milestone in the total value of payments processed through the TIO Network. Since the spring of 2002, TIO has processed approximately 14.5 million transactions and the network has grown to more than 3,600 retail locations primarily in the United States.
The vast majority of the bill payments occurred on TIO's automated kiosk network where customers use self-service Web-enabled kiosks and hybrid ATM devices to safely and securely pay bills, purchase prepaid products and conduct other services. TIO has a model where a number of bill payment options in categories such as wireless, utilities and cable are offered on the same terminal.
TIO also has announced that it has activated its first 600 OEM Express locations and started generating revenue as of February 2008. OEM Express, which leverages TIO's new transactional application programming interface, was designed to integrate large networks into the TIO network to market the company's portfolio of products on a host of third party devices including kiosks, PCs and point of sale systems.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
The Raw Feed: Japan's TEC has created a restaurant table with a built-in 3-D LCD screen. The table, called the Tobidasu Menu, lets you browse food choices. The piece de resistance is that you can select each item on the touchscreen table for full-size, 3-D view. The table shows what your food will look like sitting in front of you. The table even performs a few wacky tricks — for example, you can place a hamburger bun on the table and when you lift it up again there will be a 3-D digital burger underneath.
Read more
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch: When Jennifer Brunner cast her vote last fall, she is certain she saw something so odd on her touchscreen voting machine that it prompted a state criminal investigation into the Franklin County Board of Elections. Brunner isn't the average voter. As secretary of state, she is in charge of making sure Ohio's elections are properly conducted. At least 15 of the county's electronic machines are under double-lock at a warehouse. It is being treated as a crime scene. County elections officials asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to seize the machines during the investigation by Attorney General Marc Dann and forensics consultants. Investigators already have found that many of the county's voting machines weren't tested before the November election, and a function that tracked changes to the machines was purposely turned off.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Green means business. And these days, the color represents not only money, but a different way of doing business, with one eye on padding the bottom line and the other on protecting the planet.
Call the effort what you will. Environmentally friendly. Eco-conscious. Some in the kiosk industry prefer to call it doing the right thing. But there's more work to do.
"The kiosk industry has a lot more to do to become green," said Juhi Jotwani, IBM's director of marketing and strategy for retail store solutions. "We have pockets of success. You sort of see these brightspots, but on the whole there is a lot to be desired."
Here are five ways to help your kiosk become "green."
No. 1: Comply with RoHS
Manufacturing kiosks in the United States is easier than doing it overseas. But selling the machines is much harder outside America.
The reason: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), a stringent and mandatory production standard limiting certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The policy has spread quickly to Asia and become the standard many companies follow and that customers demand.
Many global companies, like NCR and IBM, have revamped their production practices to comply with RoHS regulations. Besides being the right thing to do for the environment, representatives say, it's a must to change now if they want to continue doing business outside the country where their products otherwise would not be allowed.
"It's a direction the world is going," said Pete Charpentier, kiosk product manager for NCR.
No. 2: Use less metal
Olea introduced its "green kiosk" made from organic waste material at the NRF show in Jan.
Many kiosks still contain parts produced with chemicals and toxins that do not break down safely when tossed into the earth, but several manufacturers have established recycling programs that go so far as to melt plastic and metal from the shells of kiosks no longer in use and reshape it for new equipment. They also are using less foam and turning to other environmentally friendly parts.
To entice colleagues within the kiosk industry to think green, Olea Inc. produced what it deemed a "green" kiosk. The machine, put on display last month at the National Retail Federation Convention & Expo in New York, was made from organic waste material such as cardboard and plastic.
"We feel that this new kiosk is a very innovative step in the right direction, showing retailers and other companies that it is possible to go high-tech and green at the same time," company vice president Frank Olea said in a press release.
No. 3: Recycle
Companies like Michigan-based NEXTEP SYSTEMS have stopped burying kiosks in landfills. Instead, it puts them in something of a mechanical mausoleum where the retired kiosks are stripped of material Nextep can reuse in new equipment. Material it can't use sits as potential scrap for other customers, said Tommy Woycik, the company's president.
"If you can upgrade a system rather than completely replace it, it’s more cost-effective and environmentally friendly," he said. "We'd rather use it for scrap than throw it into a landfill."
No. 4: Power down
Over time, there can be a substantial cost to run a kiosk, which can escalate significantly with machines that demand a surge of constant energy to power the software, light the screen and fire up accessories such as digital marquees.
When machines are not in use, they often are left on. About the only time the kiosks are turned off is when the store using the equipment is closed, if then.
Bill Lynch of Source Technologies suggests incorporating an idle mode that puts a machine into a standby status when not in use for a certain period of time. That would cut down on the wattage draw because the units would not be running as normal.
The problem, he says, is that vendors, constantly looking at ways to generate additional revenue, could see an always-visible screen as opportunity to place advertising or marketing messages.
No. 5: Pay attention to paper
Until a few years ago, customers shopping at a grocery store might leave with a fistful of paper receipts. Depending on the extent of the trip, the main one could be a foot long, listing each item and sandwiched with the store's logo and other information like in-store savings and the company slogan. Then there are other printouts with coupons for future purchases, and even more paper plugging store promotions.
NCR devised two-sided thermal technology to enable kiosks to print the purchase breakdown and coupons on both sides of a receipt and dispense smaller strips of paper. Charpentier sees opportunity for companies also to tap the Internet.
Instead of paper, businesses could use information collected through frequent shopper programs and send receipts and coupons digitally to a customer's e-mail address or mobile device.
"There are people who will shop at a store for that reason," Charpentier said. Those customers "would feel they are making a contribution" to the environment.
Monday, 17 March 2008
MEQUON, Wis. — D2 Sales LLC has announced that Nemours, one of the nations’ largest children’s health systems, has selected the My Patient Passport Express for its kiosk-based patient check-in program.
"Nemours was excited to utilize new self-service kiosk technology to enhance the patient experience. We took a considerable amount of time determining what the enterprise model would look like, and D2 Sales took the time to help us make the best decisions for Nemours. They used their experience in the field to help guide us through the process. Being flexible, courteous and responsive helped make the hardware purchase of our pilot easy to manage," said Kathy Williams, business process consultant for Nemours.
The D2 My Patient Passport Express kiosk provides patients with the convenience of easy check-in and records updating, while providing co-pay payment acceptance and wayfinding and mapping features.
Monday, 17 March 2008
HICKORY, N.C. — Freedom Shopping Inc., a consumer RFID solution provider, has announced the availability of a retail offering that plugs into existing cash registers and point-of-sale terminals to enable RFID check-out, inventory tracking and security.
The core of the solution is a software wedge (Freedom-ID) that operates on the POS terminal. It communicates with a counter-top RFID reader pad and/or other readers in the check-out lane. Inventory is monitored with mobile RFID readers; security gates also are RFID-enabled. Data is passed to existing cash registers and POS infrastructure at all points in a SKU format so it can be instantly integrated. Consumer privacy is protected using a variety of technical safeguards.
“This is a real breakthrough and should enable RFID’s adoption at the point-of-sale to occur rapidly,” said Rob Simmons, CEO of Freedom Shopping. “This fundamentally changes the way stores will operate — sales increase, labor costs decrease and ‘intelligent security’ reduces shrinkage We have been operating in stores for 3 years and know firsthand there is significant ROI for retailers. However, the biggest surprise is how much shoppers love it — it is the ideal check-out experience.”
The Freedom-ID solution was featured at Microsoft’s RFID Solution Days, an invitation-only conference for key personnel deploying RFID and related technology suppliers, held February 17th and 18th in Bellevue, Wash. Freedom-ID has integrated with Microsoft’s BizTalk RFID platform for data visibility and device management.
Freedom Shopping’s item-level RFID stores and OEM products use UHF (Ultra High Frequency) EPC Gen 2 technology and tags.
Friday, 14 March 2008
YORK, Pa. — Livewire International Inc. has announced the relocation of its corporate offices as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
Livewire’s new facilities more than double the amount of office space occupied by the company’s corporate officers and development staff. The relocation, fueled by Livewire’s continued growth, also provides expanded showcase areas for demonstration of the many custom software and self-service solutions developed over the past 10 years.
The new offices are located in a complex known as the Industrial Plaza of York, one of numerous renovation projects completed within the last few years by the York County Economic Development Corp.
“We are excited to relocate to this great property located near the center of historic York with its nearby wealth of downtown activities and retail locations,” said David McCracken, Livewire’s president. “While most of our work is more at a national or international level, this is one means for us to help give back to the local community and support the growth of technology in Central Pennsylvania.”
Friday, 14 March 2008
CINCINNATI, Ohio —Electronic Art, an interactive agency specializing in custom kiosk software, kiosk hardware and integrated Web sites, has announced it is providing kiosks and custom-designed software to support the “Passage to Freedom” program, a series of kiosks to be placed at or near Ohio Underground Railroad sites. The kiosks feature a new Web site created to showcase Ohio’s Underground Railroad sites and aid visitors in their travels. The campaign is the result of a collaboration between The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Ohio Department of Development’s Division of Tourism and American Express.
The program, the first of its kind covering an entire state, features the “Passage to Freedom” Web site, where visitors can access detailed information about Ohio Underground Railroad sites and other local attractions. The Web site will link to a network of interactive kiosks that will be located in former Underground Railroad communities around the state to provide visitors with regional travel information.
The first three kiosks will be located in Oberlin, Zanesville and Ripley, Ohio — each with several important Underground Railroad sites in their immediate vicinity. Kiosks will be placed at three additional sites later in the year.
The interactive kiosks at selected Ohio Underground Railroad sites will enable visitors to access detailed information about the site and its history using a touchscreen interface. Customized maps printed from the kiosk will enable travelers to seek out interesting, yet often overlooked regional attractions, as well as nearby restaurants, hotel accommodations, churches and other essential information.
Each kiosk will be linked to the Web site and constantly updated with the latest information about local and regional events, such as fairs, arts and cultural festivities and children’s activities. The kiosks will also offer details about other Underground Railroad locations within driving distance.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States with 345 restaurants in four states, and EMN8, a provider of self-service systems for quick-service restaurants, has announced the introduction of EMN8 kiosks in BNE Hardee’s locations.
According to a news release, a three restaurant pilot is underway that will test the level of guest adoption of the technology and improvement in speed of customer service. EMN8’s self-service software features a user-friendly interface that allows Hardee’s customers to order their food quickly and easily. The menu presents products, suggestions and options in such a manner as to influence customers’ decisions at the point of purchase, increasing average ticket and menu awareness.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
LONDON — In partnership with AV reseller Audio Visual Solutions Ltd, Working Solutions has installed its new Acquire Bluetooth application on three LCD kiosks at London Luton Airport. Protouch supplied the kiosks, which house 40-inch LCD screens.
Powered by the Acquire Kiosk Designer software application, the three kiosks provide multifunctional assistance for airport customers. Both 3D airport and destinations maps were repurposed so that they suited kiosk use. Customers also can give their opinion on the standard of airport facilities by using the touchscreen feedback form. In addition, customers can download offers from the terminal’s retail outlets.
The Bluetooth application, developed by Working Solutions’ in-house programming team, works in conjunction with the Acquire software platform. Using a Bluetooth transceiver device connected to the kiosk, the software searches for Bluetooth activated devices, usually mobile phones, with a predetermined radius. When the kiosk promotion is touched by the user, the transceiver broadcasts its offer – in this case, an image of the special offer. If the mobile phone user chooses to accept the offer, their phone downloads the image. This image can then no longer be downloaded to the same phone unless the phone leaves the area for a predetermined length of time. Any user who refuses the image will not be sent that image again, so users are not bombarded with Bluetooth offers that they do not want. And for those newer mobile phones that have a default security function that asks for a 4-digit pairing code to be entered before the image is accepted, the kiosk provides this information as an on-screen instruction.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
DAYTON, Ohio — Self-service check-in kiosks from NCR Corp. have been added to 13 airports throughout Latin America. The units will serve those customers flying on Continental Airlines.
Continental has installed the NCR kiosks in Acapulco, Mexico; Bogota, Colombia; Cali, Colombia; Mexico City; Guadalajara, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Monterrey, Mexico; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Belize, Belize; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Panama City, Panama; and Managua, Nicaragua.
NCR self-check-in kiosks utilize Common Use Self-Service technology, which allows different airline applications to run concurrently on a single self-service device. The kiosks also feature an integrated bar code imager, to help enable customer identification, as well as an integrated passport reader to cater to international travelers. NCR will also provide preventive and hardware maintenance services to help ensure consistent service delivery and product uptime throughout Continental’s locations.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
The following is an excerpt from the guide "The Self-Order Kiosk", written by Patrick Avery and sponsored by EMN8 Inc.
My wife and I go out to eat at least once a week, usually after church on Sunday. If work gets really busy, we'll find ourselves eating out once or twice more. And each time we venture out to the local bistro, deli or grill, we never know what to expect from the most important part of our experience, the customer service.
There are times when the service is impeccable. We're greeted promptly, taken care of quickly and the food is cooked perfectly to order. But more times than not, the service is atrocious. It often takes a waiter more than 10 minutes to even ask what drink we want. Then, from the time it takes to place our order to when its delivered to our table seems interminable.
For a more consistent and positive experience, it appears that self-order kiosks are coming to the rescue. Waiting in line often is a hassle at restaurants, but self-order kiosks have been the cure for many establishments in the restaurant industry. Allowing patrons to bypass traditional face-to-face transactions speeds up the process for both the customer and the restaurant. Those same self-order kiosks allow patrons to order deli meats and cheeses at their local grocery store.
Many people, in this day in age, like to have control over the situations they encounter each and every day. Self-order kiosks give customers just that. But the benefits of a self-order kiosk also are translated to the owner of a restaurant. In addition to helping out the wait staff, the kiosks can increase the amount guests spend and improve customer satisfaction at a low cost.
Download "The Self-Order Kiosk"
Monday, 10 March 2008
TRUMBULL, Conn. — KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show, a tradeshow and educational conference featuring customer and employee facing technologies – kiosks, digital signage and more – has announced its keynote speakers for its April 16-17, 2008 show in Las Vegas.
Robert Garf, vice president of Retail Strategies for AMR Research, a research firm focused on the intersection of business processes with value chain and enterprise technologies, will open the event April 16 with a presentation focused on delivering pervasive interaction with advanced selling technologies.
On April 17, Tim Stanley, chief information officer and senior vice president of Innovation, Gaming, Technology of Harrah’s Entertainment, will deliver an address focused on engaging customers through digital technologies. Harrah’s Entertainment is the largest gaming organization in the world with nearly 100,000 employees and revenues of about $10 billion, operating more than 50 casinos around the world.
Monday, 10 March 2008
LOS ANGELES — Using a new interactive wine-retailing solution from runtriz, and touchscreen technology from SeePoint Technology, wine shops, tasting rooms and bars can expand their offerings. Wine by runtriz, a touchscreen kiosk, allows consumers to learn about different regions, get recommendations, view ratings and order.
The interactive system allows consumers to order and checkout without requiring any additional retailer staff or personnel. Not only can customers view wine listings by variety, vintage year or price, the runtriz solution also lets consumers search the world by region. The kiosk uses 3D animated graphics- developed by designers from the National Geographic Channel. Just touch anywhere on the map and the system will take you to that country’s wine regions while pulling retailer’s stock right on the screen. Customers looking for a Bordeaux can simply touch France on the map or scroll through Australia for a new Syrah, for example.
Wine by runtriz is certified to run on all of SeePoint’s kiosk systems. The solution can be housed in a free-standing model, on a countertop or the All-in-One VESA mounting kiosk system. All SeePoint systems are secure kiosk systems with integrated processing unit and touchscreen monitor. Their small footprint units can be mounted in various locations, including poles, wall-mounted or desktop.
Friday, 07 March 2008
BRAINERD, Minn. — Larco Manufacturing, a U.S. supplier of automatic door mats, handicap wall switches and industrial safety mats, has announced that it has released a new USB Kiosk Security Mat product.
Larco’s USB kiosk security mat eliminates unattended, unauthorized access to a kiosk using a pressure sensitive mat, which is connected to a computer using a standard USB cable. Located on the floor in front of a kiosk, users must step on the mat to activate the system before log on is possible. Once a user steps off, Larco’s USB kiosk mat automatically logs the user off and requires the proper credentials to log back into the system. This system prevents sensitive information from remaining on a computer screen for others to view.
Larco’s kiosk mats are used in banks, hospitals, hotels and human resource stations, according to a Larco news release.
Friday, 07 March 2008
PADERBORN, Germany — SKF, one of the world’s leading suppliers of products, solutions and services in the area of rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems, has awarded Wincor Nixdorf a contract to install 50 kiosk terminals at company locations across Germany. Via the terminal solution, commercial employees without PCs will be able to access information and other corporate processes.
The terminals will be used for the first time this month when the annual employee survey is conducted online for the first time at SKF sites in Germany. The necessary infrastructure was implemented within a relatively short six-month period at the following locations: SKF GmbH in Schweinfurt, Lüchow and Mühlheim; SKF Sealing Solutions GmbH in Leverkusen; SKF Linearsysteme GmbH in Schweinfurt and Meckesheim; and Willy Vogel AG in Berlin and Hockenheim.
Access to information and knowledge for all employees underscores SKF’s commitment as a knowledge engineering company to deploy innovative and modern systems across the company.
In a further step, the SKF service portal will be developed into a full-fledged employee self-services system. In the future, employees will be able to use a number of services directly at the kiosk terminal, including access to both generally available and password-protected information from the human resources department. They will be able to manage a number of routine processes themselves, such as changing master data and bank account data, printing forms and processing vacation requests. The employee self-service solution will help SKF optimize its HR processes and reduce administration.
Initially, all 6,500 employees at SKF locations in Germany will receive access to the information terminals. Worldwide, SKF employs around 43,000 people at sites in more than 130 countries.
SKF selected the Wincor Nixdorf system because of its ergonomic, easy-to-use design. An additional feature of the system is the printer with an integrated blackening unit that makes confidential information visible. Furthermore, the Wincor Nixdorf solution is specially designed to operate in a manufacturing environment; it is robust and offers a high level of protection against environmental influences.
As part of the tender process, Wincor Nixdorf was also able to show a number of reference manufacturing customers and decades of experience in international rollouts in the banking and retails sectors.
Wincor Nixdorf is a global market leader for the setting of complete solutions in the area of employee self-service.
Friday, 07 March 2008
CALGARY, Canada — DO2 Technologies Inc., a provider of electronic invoicing, has announced the introduction of OpenInvoice Kiosk, a new technology to provide electronic approval of delivery tickets and goods receipts at a field or delivery location.
OpenInvoice Kiosk is a web-based, touchscreen application that is available for suppliers at any delivery site. Suppliers easily enter their charges for the day or for that specific delivery through the ATM-like touchscreen where the charges are captured electronically.
OpenInvoice Kiosk is integrated with the invoicing functionality within DO2’s electronic invoicing solution, OpenInvoice Receipt. When OpenInvoice Kiosk, OpenInvoice Receipt and OpenInvoice Professional are used together, the electronic reconciliation of the daily charges to the actual invoice is completely automated, including flagging any non-compliant line items.
Friday, 07 March 2008
(Bangkok, Thailand) The Nation: Before gaining entry to a pub, one has to display an identification card. However, the next time just your finger will do. A new technology using a fingerprint scan has been developed to help verify the age of pub patrons. The technology has been launched by Diageo Moet Hennessy, a leading importer and distributor of premium alcoholic beverages, which was formerly known as Riche Monde. The project involved establishing fingerprint scan kiosks at the gates of popular pubs. The kiosk will be used by pubs to verify that their patrons' age is above 20 - the legal requirement to enter a pub in Thailand.
Read more
Friday, 07 March 2008
The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch: Columbus-based Skybus announced that its self-service kiosks at Port Columbus are set to be moved further from its ticket counter by Thursday night to alleviate crowding at peak hours as the spring-break travel season nears. Crowding in the Skybus ticket counter area, particularly early in the morning, caused some delays during the winter holidays.
Read more
Friday, 07 March 2008
Isle of Man Newspapers: FlyBe has announced it may charge passengers in the future for using its check-in desks at Ronaldsway Airport. The airline plans to install self-service kiosks to speed up the process of checking in for flights. A spokesman for FlyBe said that passengers who wanted to continue to use the traditional check-in desk rather than the self-service kiosks could be charged for doing so in the future.
Read more
Wednesday, 05 March 2008
This year marks a turning point for the integration of more technology into retail environments. In fact, one industry source has pegged 2008 "the year of digital media."
NCR Corp.'s Dick Arnold, who showed off his company's newest retail solutions during the third-annual Self-Service Universe Executive Conference for the Americas, held in Orlando April 2 - 4, says retailers' adoption of new technology is increasing, and NCR expects to be at the crest.
From its next-generation FastLane self-checkout system to its FastLane Self-Return, the MediKiosk Patient Check-in and advances in the use of mobile commerce, which brings retailers closer to their customers, the Dayton, Ohio-based company says 2008 will be somewhat of a landmark year.
Dusty Lutz, who demonstrated the FastLane self-checkout during the April event, says self-service in retail is a concept that's growing legs throughout the world.
Take NCR's FastLane line as an example. The line's self-checkout system is now deployed in 20 countries. And in March, NCR announced a pilot with Lithuania's second-largest retail grocer, IKI. IKI is the first grocer in Lithuania to test self-checkout.
"We see a lot of interest in the Central and Eastern Europe market," Lutz said. "We're talking to Hungary, too, and expect to see continued and significant growth in the CEE region throughout 2008."
Asia-Pacific also is a growing region, he said, with 12 retailers in Japan and 11 in Korea already using the FastLane.
"China is growing, too, and we expect to see more and more there, even over the coming year. All of our markets are growing, using the FastLane, even the U.S. We're simply seeing more and more self-checkout everywhere."
It's a trend NCR says it sees across the self-service board.
"The self-service revolution is driven by the desire for something better," said Bill Nuti, NCR's president and chief executive. “Every generation is a self-service generation, and speed, convenience and ease-of-use are the primary drivers of self-service across numerous industries."
Retail is just one of them.
Although the majority of NCR's business remains in the banking sector, the company says it sees continual interest from other sectors, such as retail and healthcare. During the conference, about 25 percent of the event's 300 attendees represented the retail industry. Another 18 percent represented travel, and 9 percent represented healthcare.
About 40 percent of attendees were bankers.
Despite the relatively low percentage of travel and healthcare representation, show organizers say this year's event marked an increase in hospital and airline representation.
Steve Batson, who demonstrated NCR's MediKiosk WayFinder, said hospitals and doctors' offices, like retailers, are learning to improve user experience by incorporating self-service.
Up until recently, most of NCR's medical clients were only interested in the WayFinder, a digital directions application that helps patients navigate their way through hospitals. Today, however, more hospitals and doctors' offices are using self-check-in to streamline patient services.
Florida's Adventist Health System uses the NCR MediKiosk Patient Self Check-in. Bill Tyler, the hospital network's director of applications, said for every $1 saved on printing costs, the hospital ended up saving $7 in related fees. Taking paper out of the equation also cut the amount of time patients spent with registration clerks.
And as more hospitals use self-check-in options, NCR is working to expand the reach of its WayFinder applications, taking them from hospitals to retailers and beyond, NCR's Arnold said.
"Other applications for the WayFinder haven't been successful, but we think that is changing," he said. "We think that WayFinder will be met with success in the retail environment, since retail provides the context to make it work. That's something we expect to push in 2008."
Building on the MediKiosk WayFinder, which NCR released in 2003, is the Mall WayFinder, which combines interactive media options to help shoppers locate stores, restrooms, etc.
‘Enabling the Mobile Consumer’
Tying into this "self-service revolution" is the mobile channel, which NCR is pushing heavily on the banking side and beginning to make strides with on the retail side.
It's a push that makes sense, says Stephen Read, NCR's vice president of engineering for global e-commerce and mobile products.
Seventy-two percent of North American adults have mobile phones, he said.
"They want things fast, and there is a direct correlation between the speed of checkout and satisfaction," Reade said. "If we can tie the two to increase the speed and improve the experience," then the company has done its job.
And Reade doesn't take a narrow view of mobile payments. In fact, he expands the vision of mobile to include not only the mobile phone/device, but also contactless cards, key fobs and smart stickers, which link barcodes to RFID.
"We are looking to other markets, such as Japan," Reade said. "In Japan, contactless payment is widespread, with over 300,000 participating merchants and more than 7 million consumers with contactless payment options, such as cards, fobs and phones."
It's only a matter of time, Reade said, before those types of payment options, which retailers in Japan are using with great success, hit North America.
"We believe all verticals, including banking and retail, will adopt NFC (near-field communications) technology," he said. "And NCR is investing in it across the board."
Technology from the floor
NCR's FastLane systems accounted for much of the technology displays. Solutions included the self-checkout, the Order and Pay and the Self-Return, which was deployed during the fall with a major retailer in the United Kingdom.
Touted for its ability to save a clerk's time during the return of retail items, NCR's Kathy Dawidowicz said the Self-Return gives shoppers the ability to "pre-stage" the merchandise return, so all the clerk has to do is focus on the end of the transaction.
The FastLane Order and Pay allows delis, bakeries and convenience stores, to name just a few, to reap similar time-savings benefits, Dawidowicz said.
"Not only does it have the same interface as the FastLane checkout system for the retailer, so they are familiar with it, but it also has the ability to upsell, which is big in food-ordering," she said.
Order and Pay accepts cash and charge.
Then there was the FastLane self-checkout, of which NCR expects to officially release its newest generation next month in North America, with a global release in late summer.
With a smaller footprint and more-rounded design, the next-generation FastLane self-checkout comes equipped with built-in ability for note- and coin-recycling. It also includes dual-sided thermal printing for receipts, allowing retailers to cut receipt lengths in half or print promotions and advertisements on the backs of receipts.
Other floor highlights included the FastLane self-service postal application, which NCR displayed with Pitney-Bowes, and the MediKiosk line.
The postal/shipping application allows users to weigh and schedule shipment of their own items. NCR and Pitney-Bowes say the first installations of the postal application were made in the United States last year.
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
Health & Community (Hong Kong): Sports lovers can now make use of the new, one-stop Leisure Link self-service kiosks at 47 Leisure & Cultural Services Department venues to book leisure facilities or enroll in programs.
Read more
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
Peanuts! Online: Ryanair has published its submission to the Aviation Regulator, opposing the latest increases in airport charges at Dublin Airport. The charges includes a 50 percent increase for check-in desk rentals and a new double charge for the floor space for self-service kiosks in the terminal at Dublin Airport.
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Tuesday, 04 March 2008
Associated Press: Passengers using United Airlines' "Easy Check-In" found it anything but that on Leap Day when the automated system crashed, resulting in longer lines. The nation's No. 2 carrier blames the service interruption on software issues related to the leap year. Spokeswoman Megan McCarthy says customers were still able to check in online and with customer service agents but not at Easy Check-In kiosks for several hours. She says the units are now back in service.
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Tuesday, 04 March 2008
The Rocky Mountain News: Verified Identity Pass has opened an enrollment kiosk in Boulder for its Clear Registered Traveler program, which allows members to use separate security lanes at participating airports. Applicants first must register at flyclear.com and then visit an enrollment kiosk, where they're required to provide biometric data such as fingerprints.
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Tuesday, 04 March 2008
The (Qatar) Gulf Times: Qatar Airways has set up frequent flyer enrollment kiosks at Doha International Airport to provide more self-service capabilities to Privilege Club loyalty members. Each of the four airport lounges now has a kiosk, which allows passengers to enroll in the airline’s frequent flyer program and receive their personalized and magnetically encoded membership card within seconds of enrolling.
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Tuesday, 04 March 2008
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Diebold Inc. announced this afternoon that its board of directors has unanimously rejected United Technologies Corp.’s unsolicited proposal to acquire Diebold.
According to a statement released by Diebold, the company’s board of directors has recommended that shareholders take no action at this time with respect to the proposal.
Diebold’s board recently completed a detailed strategic review of the company and its prospects. At least three times in the last month, including this morning, the board met to discuss UTC's interest in a potential business combination with the company.
Given that Diebold has not filed financial statements since its quarter ending March 31, 2007, and since the company is working to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the board believes that now is not the right time to pursue discussions with UTC.
“The board strongly believes that UTC's proposal significantly undervalues the company and fails to reflect Diebold's strengths and significant upside potential," said John N. Lauer, non-executive chairman of the board for Diebold. "UTC's proposal is an opportunistic attempt to buy Diebold at a time when shareholders do not have sufficient data to evaluate the offer, and as such the board believes that it would be irresponsible to engage in discussions with UTC at this time.”
Goldman, Sachs & Co. is financial advisor to Diebold, Jones Day is legal advisor, and Sard Verbinnen & Co. is media and investor-relations counsel.
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
BURNABY, N.C. — TIO Networks Corp. and El Paso Electric have announced the launch of a self-serve automated bill-payment program for El Paso Electric’s 351,000 customers. The solution will allow the utility’s customers to pay their bills with cash at ZapLink-branded kiosks in Circle K convenience stores in El Paso, Texas.
“El Paso Electric welcomes the opportunity to bring convenience in the payment options we offer to our customers,” said Kerry Lore, El Paso Electric vice president of administration.
According to a news release, beginning in April 2008, customers will be able to pay their bills in cash by entering account information directly on TIO’s touchscreen interface.
“We’re always happy to bring services and products into our stores that facilitate the needs of our customers,” said Debbie Meyer, financial services manager of Circle K Stores Inc. “Our ZapLink program with TIO Networks Corp. continues to grow with important alliances such as El Paso Electric.”
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
For years, a theme park visit wasn't complete without making the cover of a magazine. Along with the roller coaster rides and funnel cakes, a photo shoot at the Fotozines studio was part of the fun.
Now striking a pose for a popular magazine might be the highlight of a trip to a mall, movie theater or one of several other outlets as Fotozines has retooled the studio into an interactive self-service experience.
Visitors now can step into a fully automated photo booth to have their photo placed on their favorite magazine or taken with their favorite super hero or Looney Tunes character, said Gregg Dobbs, Fotozines chief executive operator.
Several pilot kiosks launched in November. The machines are located in multiple venues including malls, hospitals and small attractions such as go cart tracks. Other booths were placed on college campuses, where magazine covers are especially popular, and in theaters, where movie themes have significant appeal.
Fotozines produced more than 10 million magazine covers at 80 theme park studios between 1980 and 1993. The covers grew to be one of the most popular products ever sold at America's theme parks, according to company literature. As digital technology developed, the original Fotozine process became obsolete. Yet, advancements in software and photo quality have made the concept more viable than ever, company officials said.
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At a DC Superheroes Photo Station and Compact Photo Booth, guests choose their favorite superhero, such as Superman, and can opt to pose on the cover of a comic book or trading card with that character.
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As Fotozines developed the new concept, Dobbs said, he was concerned about losing the studio experience, which, with costumes and props, added value for the customer. To keep Fotozines fun, it had to be interactive. A live monitor lets friends watch the action from outside the booth. The camera clicks two photos so customers can try out different expressions. Customers also can size and position their photo.
"That was all designed to be part of the show," Dobbs said.
The technology also benefits franchisees, who can monitor the self-service machines continuously through a wireless Internet connection. They can track transactions in real time, allowing them to identify customer tastes. In addition, the photo kiosks send instant notification if problems arise, whether the machine is out of paper or someone clogged the change dispenser with gum.
At a DC Superheroes Photo Station and Compact Photo Booth, guests choose their favorite superhero, such as Superman, and can opt to pose on the cover of a comic book or trading card with that character.
The technology also allows operators to update the product remotely to meet changes in the market. For example, a Fotozines Photo Booth, which features magazine covers, can be reprogrammed into a DC Comics booth just in time for the opening of "Batman: The Dark Knight" this summer.
"You like to take advantage of that while those movies are at their peak," Dobbs said.
The booths will be modified on a long-term basis, too. The company always is watching for applicable trends and seeking new characters and covers for customers.
"Imagine Hannah Montana two years ago. No one had heard of it," Dobbs said.
The concept gives franchisees flexibility and lends itself to a variety of growth opportunities the company will be developing over time, he said.
"As long as you can maintain and keep up with what's going on, I think it gives them a great advantage."
In addition to printing magazine covers, the Fotozines Digital Photo Station prints from any digital media or Bluetooth mobile telephone and burns CDs.
The booths and photo station offer more than 100 of the most popular magazine covers including TV Guide, Golf Digest, Field & Stream, Thrasher, Penthouse, Car & Driver, Women's Day and Parenting.
At a Marvel Superheroes Photo Station and Compact Photo Booth, guests choose their favorite superhero, such as Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four and Iron Man. Visitors can opt to pose on the cover of a comic book, a trading card or Marvel Magazine.
The model reminds Dobbs of the juke box business in the 1940s and 1950s. The machines were stationed in a number of entertainment venues and routinely reloaded with the latest hit tunes. Though the product changed continuously, many of those machines are still in service today. That will be the case with Fotozines.
"It's up to us to keep the picture current, to keep it interesting," he said.
Still, some timeless images, such as the Marvel Superheroes, will always be a hit. Franchisee David Bloodgood operates a Marvel Superheroes photo station, which has been attracting the comics' newest young fans as well as adults who grew up with the heroes.
"We're getting kids, we're getting teenagers, we're getting adults," he said. "We were pleasantly surprised to find it has universal appeal."
Franchises are preparing to deploy in several areas including Philadelphia, Miami, southern California and Chicago. Dobbs expects the booths to available by late March. He expects the product eventually to be available across the country and in Europe, South America and Asia.
Dobbs said he looks forward to bringing the concept to local markets after being limited to major theme parks for so long. While operating the theme park studios, Fotozines received almost 60,000 requests to purchase a franchise. However, the labor-intensive process was too expensive to work as a franchise.
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