Monday, February 28, 2005

HoutWatch - Customer Interaction

I just ran across HoutWatch - Customer Interaction, another blog on customer interaction and self-service. Many of the articles are in a foreign language (Dutch, I think), but some are in English.

PayStar Divests Kiosk Division (again)

PayStar Corporation (Other OTC:PYST.PK), one of the nation's growing providers of stored value debit cards, bank loading centers for prepaid ATM debit cards and kiosk marketing and management, announced today the spin-off of its InfoStations kiosk division is progressing on schedule.

They announced this a few months ago. I guess they just wanted their stockholder(s) to know what was going on with it all.

The full release is here.

New Kiosk System from UBTF

Not sure what's so revolutionary about it, but far be it from me to question a company's PR :)

UBTF today introduced its 2way TV video kiosk sales system. The state-of-the-art video conferencing system provides 2way video at 30 frames per second with no delay, full color, no perceptible latency, complete lip sync, and no visual or audio. UBTF sales kiosks will provide large retail stores and original manufacturers worldwide with an economical and compelling solution to connect their customers with trained sales personnel. The sales experience is enhanced by Urban Transfer Systems ability to integrate a variety of sales media, including video, Internet, live video and audio and desktop applications and presentation.

Read the full release here.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Article on The Kiosk Show in the Orlando Sentinel

The Kiosk Show is over, but there is a nice writeup in the Orlando Sentinel, including quotes like this one from Greg Swistak:

"'There are about 300,000 kiosks installed in the U.S., and another 100,000 or so will be added this year.' Sales and other transactions made through kiosks this year are expected to total about $1 trillion"

Read the complete article here (free registration required).

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Cox Communications, Circle K and Info Touch Launch Bill Payment Program

Cox Communications Inc. and Info Touch Technologies Corp. today announced an agreement enabling COX customers to pay their bills at 150 participating Circle K stores in Arizona through the Zaplink self-service bill payment and financial services kiosks powered by Info Touch's TIO Network.

This is an ongoing story. Info Touch has been putting these things everywhere for years.

Read the full press release here.

TheVideoWall.com introduces “Presenter”

Not sure if this falls under the realm of dynamic digital signage or interactive kiosks, so I guess I'll post to both:

TheVideoWall.com introduces “Presenter” to Deliver Lowest Cost Dynamic Digital Signage and Interactive Kiosks on Multiple, Independent, Remote Screens.

Presenter Patented Technology enables one Windows PC to display and manage up to 16 screens, while each screen is running its own unique application, completely independent of the other screens.

Not sure why you'd want to do this in hardware when software like FireCast is available for just this sort of thing, but if you'd like to read it, the full press release is here.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Hyatt to Deploy Self-Service Kiosks

Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced plans to deploy self-service check-in kiosks to 113 Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt hotels combined in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

The deployment, which follows a six-month trial at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, in Chicago, and Grand Hyatt New York, is expected to be completed by year's end.

Read the full press release here.

Transaction-Focused Kiosks Need Extra Security

This seems pretty obvious, but important nonetheless...

Kiosks, as unattended devices, have unique security requirements particularly if credit card or personal details are collated at the machine, and operators need to be aware of the risks involved...

Read the full article here, or at KioskMarketplace.

Digital Signage and Kiosk Provider WireSpring Joins Retail Broadband Alliance

WireSpring Technologies, a developer of software and technology for interactive kiosks and digital signage systems, today announced that it has joined the Retail Broadband Alliance, a forum that makes it easy for retailers migrating to broadband networks to increase revenue, cut expenses, and improve the customer experience.

WireSpring’s offerings help retailers and brands reach customers at the point of decision, where an estimated 70 percent of purchasing decisions are made. These offerings fall into two categories:

* Dynamic POP displays and in-store TV networks, which deliver targeted advertising and informational content on the sales floor. Functioning like a private TV station, these systems allow visual merchandising managers and brand marketers to tailor their messaging based on numerous factors, including time of day and the department in the store where screens are placed.
* Self-service kiosks, which streamline sales processes by providing consumers with on-demand access to the services they need. Popular applications include signing up for loyalty programs, printing coupons, and applying for instant credit accounts.

When integrated into an existing co-op program, digital signage and kiosk systems can serve the threefold purpose of generating incremental revenues for the retailer, driving sales for their brands, and improving customer satisfaction in the purchase decision.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

The Kiosk Show starts today!

Just a friendly reminder that if you're in the Orlando area and interested in the worlds of interactive kiosks, digital signage networks, or digital retailing in general, you might want to stop by The Kiosk Show. It runs today and tomorrow. WireSpring's Michael Smith will be giving a talk on using dynamic POP displays and interactive kiosks to drive retail sales.

Kodak brings low-end photo printing kiosk to market

Eastman Kodak Company today announced a new, lower cost digital printing kiosk product to make it easier for traditional and non-traditional retailers alike to gain entry into the rapidly growing digital printing space. The new KODAK Picture Kiosk is a pedestal-style digital system, which has a significantly smaller footprint and weight than current kiosks, and is ideal for retailers who have not traditionally been able to justify on-site digital printing services.

Read the complete press release here

Monday, February 21, 2005

Digital Signage News: WireSpring to provide digital signage insights at The Kiosk Show

From the PR File:


WireSpring Technologies, a developer of software for interactive kiosks and digital signage systems, today announced it will be speaking at The Kiosk Show on February 23, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. The Kiosk Show is a highly-focused event where kiosk and digital signage providers showcase turnkey solutions to an audience of pre-qualified buyers and end-users.


Read the full press release here.

Pixel Magic’s new kiosk breaks $5,000 price barrier

As KioskMarketplace is reporting:


Pixel Magic Imaging, a leader in digital imaging solutions and photo kiosks, announced its iStation 100, a new addition to Pixel Magic’s line of digital photo kiosks. According to a news release, the iStation 100 retails for less than $5,000 and is being demonstrated at the Photo Marketing Association’s Convention, Feb. 20-23 in Orlando, FL.


Read the full article here.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Why Another Kiosk News Blog?

Despite the fact that I'm still maintaining my primary blog (the Dynamic Digital Signage and Interactive Kiosks Weblog) at WireSpring, I wanted a place to test automatic newsfeed blogging, and I thought I'd try it here. I also have another similar blog over at digitalsignagenews.blogspot.com, which will obviously host content for digital signage.