News

UNIVANCE AND NETSHIFT PRODUCE BOOST TECHNOLOGY KNOW-HOW AT SEARS

November 17, 2002

Univance Communications and NetShift have produced an in-store kiosk system that will improve customer service and employee development in Sears stores across the US.

The system provides presentation support for complex cellular technology products, produced at breakneck development speeds, which sales associates must be able to sell the day they hit the market.

The kiosks present the latest complex, product information in its simplest form. Associates use the kiosk to provide data and colour for their sales pitch, while customers find the visual nature of the presentation aids their decision making process. Once through the presentation process customers see that their needs have been understood, their options have been explored, and their final choice has been informed.

Once a cellular phone is chosen, it can be instantly activated by controlled web links to the relevant provider, including AT&T, Sprint, and Cingular, and transaction details can be stored for future marketing campaigns.

Out of customer hours the kiosk transforms itself from a customer support system into an employee portal: time sheets are posted simply by logging on and off, work schedules are viewed and updated, while online information and product training sites can be accessed.

NetShift's Builder 6 application ensures the system is easy to use but almost impossible to crash. The basic interface is navigable through a series of simple menus and ensures associates with limited experience of technology feel the kiosks benefits. The solution runs on Compaq hardware.

"This is a relatively high value purchase decision, and consumers will not buy until they are sure," says Bob Gallner, head of NetShift US. "The simplicity of this application enables associates to quickly move consumers through stages and come to a quick, in-store conclusion. The improvement in customer service directly impacts sales."

The first phase roll-out deployed 113 units with a further 100 units for December 2002 and a final planned deployment of 400 units in total.

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.

For further information, please contact: Julian Haslam, Marketing & Communications Manager, NetShift, Kennet Side, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5PX, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1635 568800 Fax: +44 (0) 1635 568850

e-mail: julian.haslam@netshift.com

Web site: www.netshift.com

US office: NetShift, LLC, 12240 SW 53rd Street, Suite 511, Cooper City, Florida 33330, USA.

Tel: +1 954 689 4406, Fax: +1 954 689 4965.

Press enquiries to: Ken Ross or Neil Stoneman, Now Communications

Tel: +44 (0) 700 5938 442, Fax: +44 (0) 700 5938 443

e-mail:kenross@nowcommunications.co.uk <mailto:kenross@nowcommunications.co.uk> or neilstoneman@nowcommunications.co.uk

Web site: www.nowcommunications.co.uk