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Seen and heard at KioskCom 2004

The kiosk industry has so many initiatives under way that it was hard to experience everything during the three-day show. Here's more of what was seen and heard.

June 2, 2004

The kiosk industry has so many initiatives under way that it was hard to experience everything during the three-day show. As I attempted to stop by as many exhibits as possible, I realized just how busy the industry has been. Here's more of what was seen and heard:

Safe cash

James Carrey, national sales manager for Corporate Safe Specialists (CSS) demonstrated a dual-use kiosk that featured bill payment and cash management. According to CSS their easy to use Self Checkout System combined with their Advanced Cash Control System is the most dynamic payment tool in the industry. 

The kiosk King 

Steve Dingman of King Products and Solutions went beyond the normal product demonstration. Dingman open up the kiosk to show off the guts of the Plynth G4. The award-winning Plynth series (the Plynth G4 unit features a camera and VoIP) is known for its narrow profile and lightweight design, which allows for easy relocation and installation, where space is at a premium.

Internet solutions

Provisio displayed their SITEKIOSK browser software, SITEREMOTE remote management application for kiosks and SITECAFE Internet cafe solution. They also introduced two new developments that are part of future SITEKIOSK software release 6.0.

When asked about the show, Provisio's CEO Heinz Horstmann said "KioskCom gives us the opportunity to introduce new developments to the market and to meet many customers in person. Their suggestions help us to improve our products."
 
Ask Henry

At the Apunix booth, Ginger Csizmadi gave a demonstration of the Ask Henry, a self-guided informational kiosk that's been deployed in in approximately 600 Home Depot stores.

Ask Henry is a stand-alone, non-networked shelf kiosk that helps customers select the appropriate roofing options.

Cash accepters

Sean Carlin, retail industry manager for MEI along with Alana Seitel, customer service manager, demonstrated some of MEI's combo bezel card reader and cash acceptors.

MEI also developed a Cash Acceptor Application Program Interface which is a resource for integrating cash acceptors into PC-based kiosks, self-checkout systems, and other unattended points-of-sale.

Servicing the postal employee

The netkey booth featured kiosks and self-service devices from a variety of manufacturers, all being operated using the netkey software platform. netkey's Director of Marketing Robert Ventresca showed off a KIS machine running his company's USPS personnel center.

According to Ventresca, retailers, banks and other businesses that have kiosks and self-service systems can now improve performance and operation by using the netkey software platform.

When asked about the show, Ventresca said "We attend KisokCom because of the opportunity to interact with customers who are looking for ways to enhance their interactions with consumers and employees by using self-service technology. netkey can help these businesses reduce the cost and increase the ROI of their self-service initiatives."

Kiosk printers

Paul Vanacore, national sales manager for Star Micronics displayed the company's line of thermal and dot matrix printers.  According to Vancore, the company's printers meet the widest needs of kiosk applications.

One of the products on display was the TUP900 thermal kiosk solution. This printer brings the ultimate in flexibility and performance to kiosk printing with its modular design that eases integration with many different kiosk configurations.

More printers

Hemisphere West President John Petkus brought the company's full range of bill and coin validators and associated interface products.

Petkus explained that Hemisphere West has been supporting the Kiosk Industry for more than five years. At previous shows his products have won two best of show awards, one editor's choice award and a Kiosk Magazine award.

When asked about the show Petkus said, "We have found that after each Kioskcom event that we have exhibited at our overall business has increased, we have been very pleased with this venue."

The magic of 3D

Amy Tracy of Optical Products Development (OPD) demonstrated one of the company's kiosks that featured a revolving, 3D soft drink can.

OPD 3D technologies offer realistic 3D images that move, change shape, and zoom, floating in space. This creates eye-catching, memorable experiences and invites closer interaction without the need for special 3D glasses.