News & Media From Elliot Maras

Customers adapting to kiosks, but acceptance not uniform in all scenarios

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of experts who have introduced kiosks in various types of settings shared their ideas on how to make sure kiosk deployments are effective for customers…

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ICX Summit: our customer experience collaboration lab

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Interactive Customer Experience Summit in Dallas provided the type of education and networking that benefits people in all segments of the customer…

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Are you ready for AI? Pioneers share their insights

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Artificial intelligence offers many benefits, but businesses first need to understand what they want AI to help them accomplish, then make sure their…

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Taco Bell, Bell Canada Smart City Kiosks grab Elevate Awards

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Interactive Customer Experience Association honored Taco Bell’s All-Access Self-Order Kiosks by Elo Touch Solutions and Bell Canada Smart City Kiosks…

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Kiosk Marketplace editor reviews 39 kiosk companies at National Restaurant Show

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The National Restaurant Show set another record for kiosk introductions. Kiosk manufacturers have heeded the call from restaurants looking to automate the…

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Omnichannel: A big reason for the cloud shift in restaurants

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Cloud software allows operators to take an omnichannel approach to improve the speed of service, noted a panel of foodservice executives who shared their…

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Study: Cashless technology doesn’t cannibalize cash sales in automated retail

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Research confirms that cashless readers do not undermine cash sales in a vending machine. In fact, the cashless technology serves to improve both cashless and…

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AI improves product selection, boosts revenue, efficiency for vending machines

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of vending operators described how AI allowed them to improve sales on an individual machine basis and boost operational efficiency.

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Micro markets, a rising customer convenience, call for new operating practices

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attendees at the recent National Automatic Merchandising Association show at the Las Vegas Convention Center had a chance to hear how two micro market…

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Futurist Mike Walsh urges creative thinking for the 'algorithmic age'

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Author/futurist Mike Walsh urges convenience service operators to prepare for the 'algorithmic age' by understanding how the new reality impacts the decisions…

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Micro markets tap AI, redefine, rejuvenate convenience services

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Micro markets, besides improving the customer experience, give refreshment service operators a way to respond to competition from increasingly technologically…

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Outdoor wayfinding kiosks improve tourism experiences

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Interactive wayfinding kiosks allow people to navigate their sightseeing at tourist attractions. They also give local businesses exposure to tourists.

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Diamond retailer uses augmented reality kiosk to offer endless aisle ring selection

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Helzberg Diamonds' Virtual Ring Experience uses augmented reality to provide a personalized, endless aisle shopping experience.

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Arizona entrepreneur discovers kiosks' marketing prowess

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Donna Collamer discovered a niche providing interactive kiosks for Arizona businesses. After nearly a decade, she recently retired from active duty to spend…

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Thinking about self-order kiosks? What restaurants need to consider to succeed

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Since the self-order movement is still in its early stages, most restaurants have not yet invested in the technology. But those brands that may feel they are…

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Looking to win in 'everywhere commerce'? Watch out for the 'cones'

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

To succeed in "everywhere commerce," brands need to first provide industry-standard technology, with easy and effective local marketing to provide a consistent…

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Forward-thinking restaurant operators hash out self-service technology issues

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

A panel of technology pioneers at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Louisville discussed issues such as kiosk integration with mobile orders…

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Cashless expansion can’t leave cash-only customers behind; kiosks have a role to play

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Kiosk providers must recognize they cannot take the current expansion of self-service technology for granted if the technology fails to serve the needs of all…

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In search of a 'smart' city: Dallas mayor, Microsoft, Mastercard

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Mayor Michael Rawlings offers his own take on what defines a "smart city." Microsoft and Mastercard are also working to bring Rawlings' vision to fruition.

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5G has arrived, promising to revolutionize retail

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

5G technology promises to make it easier for retailers to access cloud technology, and to enable faster development of both business and consumer services.

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