Article

Commentary: Top 10 kiosk stories in the news

Industry expert Craig Keefner gives his top picks for the most interesting kiosks news.

April 16, 2012

By Craig Keefner, KIOSK Information Systems

One of my "jobs" is to track news and events. I've been pretty good at it over the years. On a side note I have to say that I have really been impressed with the recent news coverage and assets that KMC and others have been pushing out. I get to pick and choose, they have to cover everything.

Anyway here are my Top 10 picks.

1. The Big Wrap up

At No. 1 is the "Big Wrap" on KioskMarketplace by Cherryhon CETW Awards by Kiosk Industry Group. Great writeup along with super videos by her and Joe Grove (new manager elect in Kiosk Industry Group fyi*).

2. OMG Japanese Vending Machine

Very nice video demo of newest vending that integrates AIM from Intel. It allows the machine to ascertain automatically certain demographics of customer. A couple of good natured geeks put it through its paces.

Related-- AvnetShows Off Digital Signage That Interacts with Customers

3. Gore Group buys Elotouch

This is the big news for sure. It should be a boon to Elonot having to pay tribute to TE and invest in itself now and should be good for kiosk self-service since Elo will be more growth oriented and less a slave to accountants

Why does someone sell a company with $450M in revenue for less than $400 is my question.

4. Portlogic offers kiosk banking technology

It's out of Toronto and offers complete standard and customs with its own software framework. It recently launched an automatedloan kiosk.These guys are primarily Mobile though with kiosks as sideline/accessory/channel.

5. Mojave County adds new cash kiosk

Includes picture of unit. Gray Hawk Payment

6. Macy's CEO sees stores borrowing ideas from online

CEO sees a lot for kiosksand showrooming/online ordering and talks about big expansion of online ordering/etc at stores with social recommendations

7. BufferBox is ready to deliver the goods

New automated parcel shipping kiosk

8. Alta Win Bikeshare in Chicago

City deploys 400 stations.

9.Coinstar counting on new kiosk concepts to expand footprint

Coinstar seems to consistently outperform and beat expectations somehow.

10. Francie Mendelsohn on Demise of Self-Service comments

Having just returned from France where we had a wonderful family reunion, I can tell you that self-service is doing great over there but NOT in self-checkout. We were in some large supermarkets and never saw a one. Ticketing is a no-brainer and has been for probably two decades. However, food ordering kiosks are everywhere. Even in tiny St Paul. De Vence, on the narrow streets (you could not possible get a car on them) you ordered at a kiosk at a Mickey D's kiosk on the corner of a small building (with no other signage to indicate that is even WAS a McD's) and picked up your food a few steps away (perhaps 6' tops). Also saw lots of them at rest areas on the turnpikes, etc. And the variety of food offered would blow you away. You would have thought you were in a very fancy pastry/coffee shop.

People in the news:

Janet Webster has taken over as EVP for Self Service & Kiosks for the DSA. She has also been designated new Managing Member of Kiosk Industry Group. Janet's roots are in the postal world as we all know and congratulations on new role I look forward to working with/assisting her in the future on Council

Bob Ventresca, marketing for NCR Netkey, is no longer with NCR Netkey/Netkey/Lexitech after 12+ years. It's been a long ride for Bob, and he is looking for the next opportunity "with a growth oriented" company.

In thinclientnews besides Dell buying Wyse.

Bank of Japan just awarded Wyse 50,000 seat deployment. Happy returns for Dell...

I still wonder if Dell can beat the galaxy-class inertial dampening field apparatus of HP.