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KIS on a roll since capturing KioskCom category

After winning two KioskCom awards, KIS isn't resting on its laurels. Clients are still deploying Shibby and Nationwide CyberSystems kiosks.

October 21, 2004

Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series of profiles on winners of the Interactive Kiosk Excellence Awards from KioskCom 2003 in Las Vegas. The awards recognize the best kiosk implementations during the past year.

Months after walking away with the whole "best public information kiosk application" category at KioskCom, Kiosk Information Systems (KIS) isn't resting on its laurels. Customers are continuing to deploy and expand the applications on first-place winner Shibby Internet access kiosk, and runner-up Nationwide CyberSystems kiosks.

The KIS products beat out Data Asia Technology Ltd.'s Webkiosks at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Shibby was developed by KIS to test market its Internet terminal business. By mid-August 2003, it will have 32 units in the field. Shibby is operated in one location: Denver International Airport. The units are in the concourses, and there are plans to eventually place them in terminals.

Shibby is powered by NetShift software. The kiosk offers e-mail, Web browsing, video games, and ROI functions like employee programs, said Rick Malone, president of KIS.

He said the name "Shibby" came from his 13-year-old son. "We were trying to name the thing and didn't want `Web this' or `Web that.' `Shibby' just fit."

And as for the success of the kiosk, Malone said the proof is in the financials. He said each terminal generates $30 per day, or about $900 per month in revenue. It is strictly a pay-for-use business model; there is no advertising on the units.

RMES, a concessionaire that provides telecom services to airports, is KIS' operating partner on the Shibby deal. "KIS is not in the business of operating kiosks. We manufacture hardware. We've done Shibby to prove some things to ourselves," said Malone. KIS performs the maintenance on the kiosks.

Herman Malone, president of RMES Communications (and no relation to Rick Malone), said travelers' familiarity with Shibby will increase as more units are installed at the airport.

"Our strategy is to get them near gates, so business people waiting for connecting flights will see them and be able to schedule some time online," said Malone.

Shibby users are mostly male, ages 30-45. The most-used apps include e-mail and checking stocks. Users average about 10 minutes online, Malone said.

He said the units cost about $5,000 each, and have been in the airport for about eight months.

The runner-up KioskCom award winner is produced for Nationwide CyberSystems, KIS' largest customer. Malone said it is among the largest kiosk deployments in the United States; with 2,000 units in the field. The units started shipping in October 2002.

The kiosks are powered by Info Touch Technologies' SurfNet software. The complete hardware, software, service and location-finder package costs $15,000.

"It provides a variety of functions," said Malone. These include e-mail, video e-mail and Web browser. He said the companies will add bill payment and downloading ringtones for cell phones in the future, but did not specify a timeframe. The kiosk has integrated advertising.

Hamed Shahbazi, chairman and chief executive officer of Info Touch, said his company has been involved in the project since day one.

"The strength of our software is in secure transactions via cash or credit card, and also in strong back-end management," said Shahbazi. "SurfNet was created for hundreds or thousands of units."

Shahbazi is impressed with National CyberSystems business. He said, "From the very beginning, we weren't aware of National CyberSystems incredible ability to acquire customers."

The more difficult part is acquiring locations. Said Malone, "In an effort to increase ROI, it's all about location. Whether you're talking about a payphone or a candy machine. There's a landgrab going on." Malone said people believe Internet-access kiosks will proliferate like ATMs.

"That's a lot of the motivation to get prime locations." But he cautioned that the machines have to be maintained professionally.

"The reality is that this is where the industry is going. And Nationwide is the biggest. KIS is best of breed. Frankly, I'm not sure who makes more public-access devices than KIS," said Malone.

About the Kioskcom honors, Malone said, "I'm thrilled to win. We are happy to get the recognition."

See related stories, "Marconi snags first U.S. customer for award-winning Web phone," "TouchPoint's award-winner expands definition of 'kiosk,'" "Two times a charm for KioskCom winner Apunix," "Fleet-Netkey deployment earns KioskCom award," "Award-winning, self-serve ski kiosk a real 'Livewire.'"

[Editor's note: Info Touch Technologies became Tio Networks in April 2006.]

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