Article

Kiosks power up at KioskCom Europe

Companies from the UK, United States joined other world players at inaugural event.

November 26, 2006

More than 40 companies exhibited to more than a thousand attendees at the first KioskCom Europe event. Clickhereandhereto read coverage of the show, held Nov. 8 and 9 in Olympia, London. Here are some of the exhibitors and what they showed:

3M UK brought its Micro Touch ClearTek II capacitive touchscreen technology and the MicroTouch CT150 chassis monitor. Also on hand was reader technology that can be incorporated into kiosks for passenger check-in and border control applications. Ewait, a Norwegian company that is a pioneer in electronic ordering, is using the equipment.

ASTROSYSTEMS LIMITED brought two new products: The GBA ST1 is a compact, lockable note stacker unti, and the Microcoin SP coin validator offers a newly developed reject mechanism to keep foreign objects from jamming inside the device.

CUSTOM launched its new VKP80 II, a restyling of its VKP80 printer series. The company's printers feature a small footprint and come with remote monitoring software.

DATAVAN used KioskCom Europe to preview its Smart Kiosk. Available in 2007, it combines fanless cooling and rugged architecture to form a platform suitable for order and check-out, and can be upgraded to be multi-media.

DICOLL is one of the few companies that design and manufacture entire kiosk solutions. Exhibiting with software partner Maxima, Dicoll showed its DDA-compliant kiosk, the new Atlas, the chip-and-pin kiosk, the point-of-information kiosk and the Interet access kiosk.

DIGIKWIK photo kiosks are in rapid growth mode in the UK, featuring Whitech Solution's Photo.Teller software and remote management capabilities provided by Esprida.

ELECTRONE used KioskCom Europe to make its entry into the European market.

KEY TECHNOLOGY displayed its Expo Kiosk, intended for theme parks, which dispenses specialist wristbands for entry to theme parks and events.

NETKEY demonstrated at KioskCom Europe its software platform used for the development, operation and management of kiosk applications and self-service devices. Company executives were pleased with the level of interest in the Netkey solution from end-user customers and potential business partners, reflecting the European market's need for an enterprise-class kiosk software solution that addresses the self-service requirements of retailers, banks, and other organizations.

NEXGEN RETAIL TECHNOLOGY launched a Skype-based Internet kiosk that will let users to make Web-based phone calls free under five minutes and at significantly reduced prices after that. "The low manufacturing costs enable us to place large numbers of kiosks in airports, hotel lobbies and retail centers at a competitive cost to placement partners," said Kashmir Johal, technical director. "Coupled with Skype's cost of less than .02 Euro per minute to most European countries and North America, we deliver a compelling value proposition."

A major player in the UK photographic market, PHOTO-ME demonstrated its instant photographic digital printing kiosk range. The e-Station and Symphonia II print from all digital media cards and mobile phones, the latter enabled with Bluetooth and infrared technology.

ORIGINAL VIDEO is rolling out its automated DVD and game rental machines in the UK and Ireland. The company demonstrated its latest software, which operates with credit/debit card transactions and requires no staff interaction.

PLANAR SYSTEMS showcased its touchscreen kiosks, monitors and open-frame display hardware and software solutions for value-added resellers and integrators.

PROTOUCHshowcased its Impress and Luminum kiosks. The Impress features a 40" vertically mounted touchscreen in a anodized aluminum stand. The Luminum touchscreen kiosk is suited for customer information purposes, including virtual receptionists, product or service info and wayfinding.

RIVER showed its 4-in-1 kiosk—essentially, a kiosk in the old-fashioned sense of the word which comprises four modern kiosks, allowing deployers to serve more people per square foot than with other, one-to-one kiosks. In addition, plastic panels allow for messages that can be sold for additional revenue.

RITTAL exhibited its Opti-Wall and Opti-Line interactive terminals, and introduced its new multi-line kiosk, which is ideal for point-of-information sites such as banks, airports hotels and retail outlets.

STAR MICRONICS hosted the Tesco digital photo printing kiosk, which was developed by Star Micronics partner Integrex. It has been deployed in more than 20 of the European retailer's locations.

SWECOIN showed its new ticket printer and encoder, the TTPM3. It issues a full three-track encoded and 100-percent verified ticket

ULTIMEDIA representatives walked the show floor, taking turns wearing an Xcargo video monitor with a battery backpack. The units can be used to carry messages through shows, conferences and other such events, and attract attention even when not being worn by attractive blondes. The video players store a minimum of 30gb and read multiple MPEG versions as well as DivX and Xvid. The company, a longtime partner with Ceroview, made its European debut at the show.

WELLPOINT INTERACTIVE HEALTHCARE brought several applications designed to make it easier and more comfortable for people to interface with medical providers. "Self-service in healthcare is in its infancy," said spokesperson Pablo Cuberly. "Going to a doctor is a pretty big deal, and having healthcare kiosks in pharmacies, for example, can make it easier and more private." About 300 Wellpoint kiosks have been deployed in Europe.

Information also provided by ITPR and KioskCom Europe.

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