News

Info Touch adds mapping to public Internet kiosks

March 24, 2004

TORONTO - Info Touch Technologies will be embedding the Microsoft MapPoint 2002 ActiveX application in its Surfnet Premiere kiosk software, thanks to an agreement with Microsoft.

MapPoint enables Info Touch kiosk users to browse and view detailed maps and directions and print, e-mail or receive maps and directions via infrared to a Pocket PC. In addition, kiosk operators can enhance their ROI by selling location-based advertising and by enabling locating services for stores, service depots or dealerships.

Info Touch expects to roll out kiosks with the embedded MapPoint Active X application this fall.

Other kiosk companies have expressed an interest in adding map features to kiosks. This month, Ordnance Survey, Britain's national mapping agency, contracted with Avatar Interactive, an interactive kiosk company, to produce a kiosk application that will allow users to view and print maps. In May, Apunix announced that Alamo Rent A Car had contracted with it to set up Fun Finder kiosks, which include the ability to print maps and directions.

Info Touch, based in Burnaby (British Columbia), creates Internet-based kiosk applications. Established in 1993, Info Touch's clients include Cable and Wireless (Caribbean), MCI WorldCom, Telecom Mexico, Telmex, TELUS, Chapters Bookstore, Future Shop, Staples, Macs/Couchetard, Chase Manhattan Bank, Alamo Rent-a-Car, the Pentagon and the U.S. Army.

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