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The 2005 Kiosk Awards: Entries for General and Best New Kiosk Application

Find out who has entered what into the Best New Kiosk Application and the General categories of the 2005 Kiosk Awards.

January 19, 2006 by

Best New Kiosk Application

3D Virtual Fit, by FormaLogix Using the 3D Virtual Fit kiosk, customers are able to use three-dimensional scanning technology to scan their feet and then have that scan and measurement stored online at 3dfoot.com. Customers can then shop over 300,000 types of shoes and perform VFits. Each VFit compares the three-dimensional image of their feet to the three-dimensional image of the inside of the shoe. The technology also is able to recommend the appropriate type of supportive shoe. For retailers, the technology improves customer service, reduces the number of returns because of bad fits and solves the problem of odd sizing among manufacturers.

Asteres ScriptCenter Kiosk, by Asteres Inc. Asteres ScriptCenter is the first retail prescription self-checkout kiosk. It provides a convenient way for customers to pick up their prescription refills even when the pharmacy is closed. Once a refill order is called into the pharmacy, the pharmacist fills the prescription and places it in the kiosk for retrieval by customers. Customers must first log in and pay and then the kiosk dispenses the refilled prescription. As part of the retrieval process, the ScriptCenter prints out a receipt using a thermal printer. The printer also can produce coupons or special offers for other store merchandise. The ScriptCenter is the first kiosk of its kind to receive waivers from the State Board of Pharmacy for installation in California.

Cab Kiosks at Citywide Transportation, by Analytical Design Solutions and KioWare, by KioWare Cab Kiosks transform an ordinary cab into a 24-hour visitor center. The e kiosks, which are mounted in the headrests, provide passengers with local area information, such as attractions, maps, restaurants, nightlife and hotels. User-friendly navigation guides the user through business listings, updated via synchronization with Citywide's wireless network. Public service information, severe weather notifications and community events are also displayed. The e mobile terminal is connected to the Internet via wireless modem to allow access to e-mail, stock quotes, airline departures and a wealth of streaming content. Businesses that choose to list more detailed information will be charged a fee, and advertisers will be able to promote their products and services on the attract screen.

DekkoMatic-AmeriGas Propane Exchange at AmeriGas vending locations, by WebRaiser Technologies Inc. The

DekkoMatic-AmeriGas Propane Exchange is the first pneumatic-driven propane vending system available. Designed for outdoor retail use, the touchscreen kiosk system offers 24/7 access to propane with no employee assistance. Purchases or exchanges take approximately 3 minutes, and the system accepts cash, credit, debit and gift cards. The e application was designed to comply with national, state and local regulations and the pneumatic cage system eliminates the use of electronics near the gas. The soft ware offers centralized remote management features, detailed transaction reports and it integrates with existing POS systems for all payment functions.

DukeCard Express Station at Duke University, by Sequoia Retail Systems Inc.

The DukeCard Express Station provides a number of campus services through a single easy-to-use and cost-efficient application. The DukeCard Express Station allows students, faculty, staff , alumni and campus visitors to manage their campus card accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The application can also be used to purchase goods and services on campus and provide access to campus maps, dining services menus and hours of operation. The application replaces labor-intensive and error-prone manual transactions with an easy- to-use interface that has increased throughput and transaction accuracy and improved customer service.

ExpressCheck at Fayetteville Public Library, by SeePoint Technology

Fayetteville Public Library patrons can use ExpressCheck kiosks to perform virtually every function that, in the past, would have required the intervention of library staff . The kiosks are fully integrated with the Polaris automation soft ware system used by the library to order, process and circulate materials. The system utilizes nonproprietary RFID technology, which provides customers with a fast and satisfying self-service experience. ExpressCheck also accommodates barcode scanning and uses an omnidirectional scanner that can read a barcode in almost any orientation. The kiosk is more than 75 percent less expensive than competitive products and, because it utilizes a small footprint, it can be set up virtually anywhere in the library.

Hilton Self-Service Check-in Kiosk Guests who don't want to wait in line to check in or who prefer high-tech, low-contact service can use the Hilton Self-Service Checkin kiosk to gain seamless passage from the hotel lobby to their room. When guests check in using the kiosk, they can

choose room type, smoking preferences, bed size and additional services, such as breakfast, valet parking and attraction tickets. Guests insert a credit card for identification purposes and instructions on a touchscreen walk them through the process, which takes approximately two minutes. The reservation is then displayed, the room type selected and the kiosk dispenses room keys and directions to the room. Guests also can check out using the kiosk.

Human Resource Specialist at Hughes Supply Inc., by D2 Sales LLC

The HR Specialist kiosk provides communication and full human resource services in both English and Spanish to thousands of employees in 500-plus facilities. Employees can print pay stubs, download forms, view training videos and document training videos, update their personnel file, check on account status such as insurance claims and 401k accounts, and gain access to the company intranet. The kiosks eliminate the need to print checks and distribute them from a centralized accounting facility and do away with obsolete forms now that forms are printed on an as-needed basis. The HRS is durable enough for a warehouse environment, but does not have a technical look.

Product Advisor Kiosk at OfficeMax Inc., by Active Decisions Inc.

Product Advisor Kiosks were designed to give consumers the tools they need to make informed purchase decisions based on manufacturing-supplied information, personalized recommendations, side-by-side comparisons and Consumer Reports reviews. The kiosk's interactive guides present questions that assess a customer's underlying needs, then generates recommendations and presents them in an objective, balanced manner. The kiosks also integrate cross-selling to suggest additional products. Sales associates gain increased knowledge and confidence from using the kiosk and receive help when the store is busy.

The Informer Kiosk at Swift Transportation, by Netkey Inc. and Kiosk Information Systems Inc.

The Swift Informer kiosks provide Swift Transportation drivers, mechanics and other employees with online access to payroll, benefit, permit, training and safety information, truck repair manuals and parts availability as well as company news, weather and directions. In addition, all 20,000 drivers have individual e-mail accounts that are accessible through the kiosks Automating services for the geographically dispersed and mobile workforce has lowered HR costs, improved data accuracy, provided quicker dissemination of company information, eased access to timely training, reduced driver turnover and increased employee satisfaction. The kiosks feature a secure application interface that creates a touchscreen overlay on an Internet browser.

VIVO Fitness Portal, by Brunswick Innovation Center

The VIVO Fitness Portal is an end-to- end solution that enhances the gym user's experience. Users log onto the wireless system using an RFID card and can customize their own workout schedule and programs without the assistance of the gym staff . It also helps them monitor their progress during the course of their workout. The system can run data analytics to generate usage reports on equipment, studio classes and programs and has built-in capabilities to communicate and connect the user and a trainer at required intervals to help the user meet fitness goals. The application also reduces paperwork by providing the user with all relevant information about fitness activities in the gym.

Best Kiosk in Categories Not Named (General)

ChamsAccess Service Kiosk, by Chams Nigeria Ltd.

The ChamsAccess Service terminal is a state-of-the-art public access retail billing and collection system with Internet access. The basic system supports such services as transactional card-based services, e-commerce, Web browsing and e-mail. Deployed throughout Sub-Sahara Africa, the terminals allow users to pay bills, conduct online banking, recharge telephone cards, connect to the Internet, purchase airline tickets, use the terminal's digital camera and play computer games. Users can interact with the device via a touchscreen, keyboard or trackball; the device also contains a barcode scanner, telephone handset, card reader, speakers and a receipt printer and outlet. When not in use, the kiosks display advertisements.

DekkoMatic-AmeriGas Propane Exchange at AmeriGas exchange points, by WebRaiser Technologies Inc. The DekkoMatic-AmeriGas Propane Exchange is the first pneumatic-driven propane vending system available. Designed for outdoor retail use, the touchscreen kiosk system offers 24/7 access to propane with no employee assistance. Purchases or exchanges take approximately three minutes, and the system accepts cash, credit, debit and gift cards. The application was designed to comply with national, state and local regulations and the pneumatic cage system eliminates the use of electronics near the gas. The soft ware offers centralized remote management features, detailed transaction reports and it integrates with existing POS systems for all payment functions.

Digital Photo Station 9010 Self Service, by CeroView The Digital Photo Station 9010 Self Service instant print kiosk was developed specifically as an alternative to photo systems offered by Sony, Kodak and Fuji. The objectives were to allow the client the ability to compete in a market as an independent operator and reseller of a photo kiosk that they could customize to their corporate branding. The proprietary jam-free CD dispenser lets consumers burn content from a media card onto a CD. Every component can be replaced in the field in less than 15 minutes. Priced under $10,000, the digital kiosk is 30 percent to 70 percent less than systems from other manufacturers.

DukeCard Express Station at Duke University, by Sequoia Retail Systems, Inc. The DukeCard Express Station provides a number of campus services through a single easy-to-use and cost-efficient application. The DukeCard Express Station allows students, faculty, staff , alumni and campus visitors to manage their campus card accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The application can also be used to purchase goods and services on campus and provide access to campus maps, dining services menus and hours of operation. The application replaces labor-intensive and error-prone manual transactions with an easy- to-use interface that has increased throughput and transaction accuracy and improved customer service.

EasyPoint Xpress Payment at T-Mobile, by NCR

Using an intuitive touchscreen interface, NCR XPress Payment allows customers to quickly pay their bills without staff assistance. The kiosk is easy to use, accepts cash, check, credit cards and debit card and ties directly into T-Mobile's point-of-sale. The units offer multiple languages, so customers can complete transactions in the language of their choice. The kiosk also improves payment accuracy and makes record-keeping more efficient by recording all payments received, including cash denominations, for easy payment reconciliation. XPress Payment also increases staff security and minimizes theft compared to payment drop boxes.

Informational Kiosk at National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, by Nanonation Inc. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's informational kiosk educates, entertains and informs the public about the Sanctuary Program. The outdoor kiosk offers a high-impact visual and auditory showcase of all the treasures the sanctuary has to offer to visitors. Users interact with dynamic content, images and video files on a large format 19- inch touchscreen and are able to view underwater video of local shipwrecks and research projects currently underway in the sanctuary. The kiosks also provide real-time weather information and a section just for children. The design accommodates multiple viewers with a screen that is angled slightly to be comfortable for adults yet positioned low enough to be ADA compliant and allow children to reach the screen.

Informer Kiosk at Swift Transportation, by Netkey Inc. and Kiosk Information Systems Inc. The Swift Informer kiosks provide Swift Transportation drivers, mechanics and other employees with online access to payroll, benefit, permit, training and safety information, truck repair manuals and parts availability as well as company news, weather and directions. In addition, all 20,000 drivers have individual e-mail accounts that are accessible through the kiosks. Automating services for the geographically dispersed and mobile workforce has lowered HR costs, improved data accuracy, provided quicker dissemination of company information, eased access to timely training, reduced driver turnover and increased employee satisfaction. The kiosks feature a secure application interface that creates a touchscreen overlay on an Internet browser.

Other categories in the Kiosk Awards are covered in the articlesThe 2005 Kiosk Awards: Entries for Best Retail Kiosk, Best Financial Kiosk and The 2005 Kiosk Awards: Entries for Best Demonstration of ROI, Best Digital Display Application, Best Entertainment or Gaming Kiosk and Best Travel or Hospitality Kiosk.

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