News

NETSHIFT, THE HUB COMMUNICATIONS GROUP AND FUJITSU CREATE THE UK'S MOST ADVANCED IN-STORE INFORMATION NETWORK

Vodafone picture messaging gets big screen debut

November 21, 2002

Vodafone has introduced a network of interactive multi media demo centres across it's UK stores as part of a large investment in Vodafone live!,a service which brings a new world of colour, sound pictures and information to Vodafone's customers. The application was developedby remote management specialists NetShift and content producers The Hub, the new demo centres will deliver tailored demos and new application experiences direct to customers via plasma screens and interactive kiosks designed and built by Fujitsu.

 Customers in store will be able to educate themselves on Vodafone's new and existing services via interactive modules and can request a demonstration if desired.

The new centres will ultimately provide multiple stores with dynamic content, produced by interactive customer engagement specialists The Hub, linking customers to the latest service descriptions, product demonstrations and pricing. Information will be tailored, potentially allowing every networked store to offer localised content based on specificstore data and customer trends.

The alliance between NetShift Software Ltd, The Hub Communications Group and Fujitsu, creates one of the largest and most complex networked deployments in UK retail historyby marrying Netshift's remote reporting and distribution capability to The Hub's content management application. Remote management enables Vodafone to distribute new information to all retail outlets simultaneously or create customised campaigns for individual stores.

NetShift's CEO Nigel Seed says: "In partnership with The Hub and Fujitsu we have created a cutting edge assisted sales solution for which we anticipate growing demand. As new product propositions become increasingly complex, customers will turn to interactive self service to research, learn about and decide on their potential purchases."

From day one, the look and feel of content in one store can differ dramatically in content from one store to another. Already the network has been able to capitalise on Vodafone's partnership with Manchester United to create local content for the Old Trafford store.

Sam Rudder, CEO at The Hub comments: " For smaller retail spaces, touch screen and plasma screen interactivityoffers many benefits. Product density is improved. Branding and product messaging can be varied to suit different types of customer by the time of day or day of the week. All the evidence suggests customers are more engaged with the products and services on offer and more keen to learn, whilst staff find it easier to demonstrate the benefits.  

We believe that this solution finally puts the retail self service centre-stage for innovation and customer interest. People are becoming more familiar with interactivity and respond well to interactivity in the whole retail environment. Even if they do not use the touch screens, they are impressed by the plasma screens and understand the concept."

To date Fujitsu has installed the solution in 335 Vodafone retail stores across the UK and it is expected to rollout into more independent Retail outlets in the coming weeks.  Keith Gornall, Fujitsu's Interactive Solutions Manager says: "With their partners, Vodafone has clearly demonstrated the future for in-store promotion. It lies in interactive devices that use graphics, movement and sound to deliver information which can be tailored for different environments and customers at the touch of a button."

About NetShift

Industrial strength self-service public access solutions.

NetShift is the leading solution provider of public access self-service technology. The NetShift product suite has evolved into a highly robust and resilient platform with the features and capabilities demanded by the extensive and ambitious deployment plans of some of the world's largest organisations. NetShift is the choice of kiosk developers and system integrators, demanding the kind of industrial strength expected when a serious return on investment is at stake.

With an installed base of 50,000 deployments in over 70 countries, NetShift and its global network of resellers are providing solutions and professional services to organisations operating kiosks, ATM's, multimedia payphones, gaming machines and many other self-service devices. NetShift solutions are available for individual kiosks and networks of thousands of remotely managed devices for information (route planning, tourist information, museum guides etc.), communication (Internet, email, video mail, SMS, telephony etc.) and entertainment (gambling terminals, interactive games, online tournaments etc). NetShift solutions can be seen in leading organisations world-wide in markets as diverse as Retail (Vodafone, BP, Halfords, Automobile Association, PepsiCo), Transport & Tourism (Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, Ordnance Survey Mapping, UK National Trust), Hospitality (Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels), Telecoms (British Telecom, France Telecom), eGovernment (State Of Rhode Island, Library Of Congress, UK Post Office, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Kennet District Council, Bristol City Council, Dumfries & Galloway Tourist Board, Glasgow Science Centre). Netshift's technology, people and extensive experience delivers a public access solution with real business benefit. See www.netshift.com for further details.

 VODAFONE UK

In May 2002 Vodafone UK was ranked top for customer satisfaction in the UK's pre-pay mobile phone sector in a survey by JD Power and Associates. Vodafone UK also came top in Oftel's last quarterly residential survey with 98% of mobile customers surveyed using the Vodafone network being satisfied with the overall service provided by the company.

Vodafone UK has 13 million customers, the largest share of the corporate mobile communications market and is part of world's largest mobile community. The Newbury-based company offers mobile voice and data communications including GPRS, which was introduced to the corporate market in April 2001 and consumers in June 2001. The Vodafone UK network covers 99% of the population and transmits over 10 million text messages every day. Vodafone UK was the world's first mobile operator to introduce international roaming, and currently offers its customers roaming on 324 networks in 139 countries.In addition Vodafone offers comprehensive international GPRS coverage with roaming to 15 countries.

About The Hub 

The Hub specialises in Interactive Customer Engagement (ICEÔ)- understanding and motivating interactive customers. The company was founded in 1995 to `bridge the gap' between marketing and digital technology, consulting strategically and creatively to assist our clients in servicing their customers, exploiting new services, products, applications and software tools and to deliver new revenue channels.

We have demonstrable skills in the understanding of customers, given the off-line planning and creative backgrounds of many in the company. These skills have been extended over 7 years, during which we have developed over 145 interactive programmes for more than 70 blue chip clients, exploiting a range of channels: offline as well as online, web, DiTV, mobile, PDA, SMS.

 For further information contact:

neilstoneman@nowcommunications.co.uk or Kenross@nowcommunications.co.uk

Now Communications

+44 (0)700 5938 442

About Fujitsu Services

Fujitsu Services is one of the leading IT services companies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It has an annual turnover of £2.4 billion (€3.9 billion), employs 15,500 people and operates in over 30 countries. It designs, builds and operates IT systems and services for customers in the financial services, telecoms, retail, utilities and government markets. Its core strength is the delivery of IT infrastructure management and outsourcing across desktop, networking and data centre environments, together with a full range of related services, from infrastructure consulting through integration and deployment.

Headquartered in London, Fujitsu Services is the European-centred IT services arm of the Fujitsu Group. The Fujitsu Group is a £31 billion (€50 billion) leader in Internet-based IT systems and services for the global marketplace.

Prior to April 2002 Fujitsu Services operated as ICL.

Website: services.fujitsu.com