News

Netkey and friendlyway donate kiosk

March 24, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO - Netkey Inc. and friendlyway Inc. donated a Web kiosk to EpiCenter, a San Francisco non-profit partnership that promotes the area's technology community, according to a press release issued by Netkey and friendlyway. The kiosk at the organization's Market Street site allows visitors to view EpiCenter's Web site and services as well as browse the Internet. The kiosk went online July 11.

Hilary Sessions, director of EpiCenter, said that Netkey created the software and friendlyway provided by the hardware.

The kiosk, friendlyway's Intelligent Internet Station, uses Netkey's self-service software, the release stated.

EpiCenter is a resource, providing events, programs and resources, Sessions said. It connects businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals with partners, clients and investors. It is a program of the San Francisco Partnership.

Friendlyway Inc., based in San Francisco and Munich, Germany, designs software and hardware that enables users to gain public access to company Web content. Friendlyway's customers include Bertelsmann, BMW, Dresdner Bank, Intel, Microsoft, Nokia, SBC Communications, Texaco and The Industry Standard. The company plans to launch Asian operations in Singapore.

Netkey Inc., based in Bradford, Conn., makes software to allow companies to manage high volumes of customer transactions and increase opportunities for multi-channel sales through kiosks, managed PCs and other self-service devices. In addtion, Netkey makes Netkey Creator software for designing kiosk applications, and Netkey Manager remote management software. Netkey's customers include Yahoo!, J.C. Penney Co., Microsoft, E*Trade, Borders Group. Inc., Fidelity Investments, Ford Motor Co. and Service Merchandise.

In February Netkey completed a $9.5 million second round of funding. Contributing capital to Netkey were New York-based Hudson Ventures Partners, Zero Stage Capital of Cambridge, Mass., Fleet Development Ventures of Boston and Connecticut Innovations of Rocky Hill, Conn.