Originally published on LinkedIn by Craig A. Keefner
A self-service kiosk isn’t a “set it and forget it” proposition. Getting customers to use that kiosk takes a bit of effort.
When a company incorporates a self-service kiosk into its operations, one of the key challenges it faces is how to encourage people to use that kiosk.
In a restaurant, the more people use a self-order kiosk, the more time staff will have to deliver personalized service. In a retail operation, merchandise orders placed via an in-store kiosk add to the bottom line without the costs associated with keeping that merchandise in stock.
For bill pay kiosks and similar devices located in grocery stores or other third-party locations, attracting users to conduct their transactions at the kiosk versus the customer service counter leads to higher revenue for the kiosk deployer. In each of these cases, more people using the kiosk means a quicker return on investment, higher transaction averages and ultimately, more satisfied customers.
But self-service success isn’t as simple as setting up a kiosk and waiting for the money to roll in. Here are a few things deployers can do to make customers comfortable with their kiosk project:
Deploy multiple kiosks – One of the best drivers of kiosk usage is placing two units instead of one. Psychologically, it either gives users permission to use the devices or it puts them in an “if they can, I can” position.
Place signage nearby – Even a simple sign by the door saying “try our new self-order kiosks” can help drive traffic. Additional signage near the kiosk with a phrase along the line of “Just touch the screen to begin” will prompt some customers to take the plunge.
Employ a kiosk “concierge”– This can be particularly helpful with a new kiosk deployment. Having an employee near the kiosk ready to walk customers through the transaction process can help them overcome any trepidation they may have. In addition, seeing people make use of the kiosk can lead others to want to get in on the action.
Light it up – A string of LED lights or a digital display mounted above the kiosk can grab attention. Even something as simple as a wall-mounted LCD display will help boost traffic. That can be particularly important in a situation where the kiosk is in a third-party location such as a convenience or grocery store and is in competition with other transaction channels.
Make use of color – Some customers may be apprehensive about using your kiosk. Including instructions on the kiosk enclosure and/or having the touchscreen revert to a screensaver that says something along the lines of “Touch here to begin” when not in use may encourage users to take that first step.
Create an accompanying loyalty program – A loyalty program for kiosk users or kiosk-only promos can reward customers for using the device. A Kiosk Combo in a restaurant or a kiosk-only coupon in a retail store can be a great incentive, helping to increase usage.
Place it front and center – It should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. If you want to achieve all the benefits a self-service kiosk has to offer, make it the centerpiece of your operation. Don’t put it in the corner; place it in such a way that customers can’t help but see it as they walk through the door.
Talk it up – Whether you are using your kiosk for self-ordering in a restaurant, as an endless aisle device or for self-checkout applications, make it a part of your marketing efforts. Mention it on social media and spotlight it in advertising circulars. Getting customers interested in the device will lead them to use it.
As a parting thought, one of the best ways to ensure customers make use of your self-service kiosk is by educating employees about the benefits it will offer and how it will make their jobs easier. Employee-buy-in will go a long way towards making the project a success.
At the end of the day, the best way to ensure the kiosk you choose provides maximum benefits is to work with an experienced kiosk vendor who can recommend the best options. Olea Kiosksstands ready to help.
Originally published on LinkedIn on November 8, 2018
Blaine Hurst
Chief Executive Officer & President
Panera Bread
I had the opportunity to sit down with Lisa Su and Jon Fortt last week for CNBC’s Productivity@Work event to talk about C-level perspectives on technology. So I thought I’d share more broadly some of our key learnings on digital transformation.
In 2011, we began the “Panera 2.0” digital transformation initiative with a single focus – to improve the guest experience – launching nationwide in 2014. With more than $100 million invested in technology and operations, we redesigned how cafes and kitchens operate, created the systems and technology infrastructure to support multiple digital ordering channels including web, catering, mobile apps and in-store kiosks. Digital sales in 2018 are expected to reach $2 billion and account for a third of system-wide sales. What we learned in the process:
#1 Start with what matters.
Seems like common sense, but far too uncommon. We often don’t focus on the real objective of the digital initiative – the customer journey, whether internal or external. It’s not about the technology (unless you are a tech company), but rather the stated or unstated need of the customer. Technology, for technology’s sake, is irrelevant. You must develop a deep understanding of the business need. Far too often, digital transformation becomes about the “gee whiz” factor, not the real mission, not what matters.
#2 Time really matters.
Don’t boil the ocean. Architect the solution, but deliver it in iterative steps. I’ve seen way too initiatives fail because a technologist attempting to drive business change, wants to get the platforms perfect before delivering anything meaningful for the business. Take the time to architect the future, but “chunk up” the work so that the business sees value along the way. Otherwise, major change projects lose business sponsorship, funding, and inertia sets in.
#3 Bring an elevated experience from Day 1.
Every iteration released to the customer must add value for the customer or the target of the technology. And the iteration must add enough value to the customer to be worth their time to learn to use it. Whiz-bang cool stuff won’t matter unless it makes a difference for the customer. But most critically, it must work. Technology availability, speed and performance, functional value – all should be a goal of each and every iteration leading to the final solution.
#4 A focused, unbridled team wins every time.
Committees, working on a strategic initiative, rarely accomplish a difficult mission. Select a full-time team with the requisite skills to accomplish the mission and set them loose. Don’t be overly prescriptive of the process. It you have to tell them how to do things, you have the wrong team. Engage with them in the thinking, challenge them to deliver the ultimate mission, hold high standards, keep the team as small as possible and make sure that every member of the team is focused on delivering the mission, not representing their department. I have rarely seen anything else work.
#5 Expect the unbelievers.
Change is hard. Even the person sponsoring the change will get cold feet and second guess the mission. To deliver transformative change, you must be willing to step out, take a risk, be wrong (and fix it fast). I often say, if you really want to be a leader of transformational change, you must be willing to get fired. If you are afraid to be wrong to or make a mistake, you cannot lead transformation of any scale. Perseverance is an essential characteristic of a transformation leader. Courage is crucial.
Finally, run the race with joy.
Transformational change requires a leader that runs the race with joy. Digital transformation is real work, hard work. Somedays it’s rewarding. But many days it’s just hard. Joy is a choice. Transformational leaders must share the joy of accomplishment along the journey.
Kiosk Manufacturer Association with ADA, NRF, and Emergency Kiosk updates
PRESS RELEASEUPDATED: OCT 8, 2018 05:00 MDT
EASTLAKE, Colo., October 8, 2018 (Newswire.com) – The Kiosk Manufacturer Association (aka KMA) is pleased to announce the appointments of inaugural Chairpersons for the ADA and Accessibility Committee.
Laura Miller of KioWare (https://kioware.com) and Randy Amundson of Frank Mayer, Inc. (https://frankmayer.com) have been named as Co-Chairperson for the ADA and Accessibility Committee. Both Laura and Randy have extensive experience in both software and hardware aspects of self-service technology and how assistive technology best serves the public.
The Kiosk ADA and Accessibility Committee includes:
As of 2015, according to U.S. Census surveys, over 12% of all persons in the United States have some type of disability and that number is growing.
To help address disabilities and the ADA regulations, the KMA has recently released a proposed framework for Voice Recognition and Speech Command. Working with the U.S. Access Board directly, the KMA is hopeful that a proposed Code-of-Practice can be adopted for this type of assistive technology. Public comment and working group participation is encouraged and only requires expertise and experience.
This is intended for global adoption with much of the input by the UK’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
In another related public service, the KMA recently released a white paper describing emergency alert and detection technologies for public terminals for use in education, government, retail, transportation, hospitality and entertainment segments. Smart City and smart transportation are target markets. Mission critical public safety tools are the proposed end solution.
The purpose of the document is to define how Wayfinding Technology, Digital Signage and Kiosks can be networked and used to detect and/or prevent active shooter and mass casualty attacks and expedite the response of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services First Responders to catastrophic events in large public venues. We focus on several of the most respected technology providers in the industry and how they would each play a critical role as foundational partners to bring a combined solution to market.
The KMA has joined as a member of the National Retail Federation in order to help communicate education and issues on self-service kiosk technology. The most public iteration of this technology is in the QSR or Fast Casual segment where companies such as McDonalds and Wendy’s have chosen to adopt in order to serve all of their customers as they wish to be served.
In January 2019 in New York, the KMA will be exhibiting on the main floor of NRF’s Big Show and will be accepting members from providers to deployers. An Advisory Panel of companies deploying self-service which can provide their unique perspective on all of the above issues is the objective. See us in 1725.
Kiosk Hall of Fame – we are now taking nominations for hall of fame candidates. Marsha Mazz of U.S. Access Board, John Glitsos of FirstWave and Dave Heyliger of Rocky Mountain Multimedia are the initial candidates. See https://kioskindustry.org//kiosk-about/kiosk-hall-fame/
For more information on all of these items, visit https://kioskindustry.org/ the communication site for the KMA. You can also contact Craig Keefner the manager at [email protected]
“Satellite” websites include RetailSystems.org, Selfservice.io and ThinClient.org.
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ROSH PINNA, Israel – October 30th, 2018 — On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) (NASDAQ: OTIV), a global provider of near field communication (NFC) and cashless payment solutions, has received a renewed Interbank Network Interac certification, which now allows Canadian businesses to integrate OTI’s secure cashless payment solutions into vending machines, kiosks and other unattended devices throughout Canada.
Interac Corp. operates an economical, world-class debit payments system with broad-based acceptance, reliability, security, and efficiency. The organization is one of Canada’s leading payments brands and is chosen an average of 16 million times daily to pay and exchange money.
“We are pleased to announce that we have received the Interac certification, reaffirming our commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation within the exciting Canadian unattended payment market,” said Shlomi Cohen, CEO of OTI. “Canada has over 59,000 automated teller machines and over 450,000 merchant locations accessible through the Interac network, making this certification essential to doing business in Canada. I look forward to addressing this significant market opportunity by leveraging our continued technological advantage and aggressive new sales efforts nationwide,” concluded Cohen.
About OTI
On Track Innovations (OTI) is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of secure cashless payment solutions using contactless NFC technology. OTI’s field-proven innovations have been deployed around the world to address cashless payment and management requirements for the Internet of Payment Things (IoPT), wearables, automated retail, and petroleum markets. OTI distributes and supports its solutions through a global network of regional offices and alliances. OTI is the proud recipient of the 2017 AI Award for Best Cashless Payment Solutions Provider – Israel. For more information, visit www.otiglobal.com.
Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Whenever we use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss our expectations regarding our growth or profitability, reduction of costs and expenses, expected divestitures, plans for our existing and new products and services, penetration of new markets and securing new customers, contributions of our regions to our growth, resolution of our outstanding patent infringement claims, strengthening of our balance sheet and deliver long-term shareholder value. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on OTI’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of OTI could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. Forward-looking statements could be impacted by the effects of the protracted evaluation and validation periods in the U.S. and other markets for contactless payment cards, or new and existing products and our ability to execute production on orders, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. Except as otherwise required by law, OTI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Packed with functionality and convenience in an appealing design, the Paragon TK-3200 Series is a 32” interactive kiosk that is suited for retail stores, quick service and fast casual restaurants. It serves as a seamless extension of the existing POS terminals, helping store owners to drive sales during peak times, and offers various ways for consumers to order, pay and engage with the brand.
Featuring a 32” PCAP touchscreen for intuitive interactive use, the Paragon TK-3200 Series supports scanning & printing functionality, and a customized bracket for EMV payment devices. Easily adapting to store environments, it offers various mounting options: wall-mounted, single or dual sided operation.
The Stellar TK-2100 Series is a 21.5” modular kiosk that can be configured in countertop or floor-standing style, providing modular deployment options in the same standardized family. The enclosure provides a 21.5” PCAP touchscreen, and can be customized with preferred components common to most self-service transactions from barcode scanner, receipt/ticket printer, bill acceptor, and card dispenser.
The platform accommodates a variety of applications such as self-service POS, loyalty program, gift cards, self-check-in, self-ticketing, online ordering and click & collect in a wide range of environments including retail, hospitality, and entertainment.
Owen Chen, President and CEO at Posiflex Technology, Inc. comments, “The Paragon TK-3200 Series & Stellar TK-2100 Series represent a brand new kiosk product line for Posiflex, which fits perfectly into our growing product portfolio, and will continue our commitment to offer quality, performance, and long-term durability.”
Additionally, the TK Series features an optional tri-color LED indicator light, which provides kiosk operational status at a glance. And all access doors open at the front to provide easy access for simple maintenance and field service. There is no need to move the kiosk away from walls, or dismantle the main body of the kiosk to remove components for servicing.
Showcase at GITEX 2018
Posiflex TK Series interactive kiosks will make its first debut at the GITEX Technology Week from 14-18 October 2018 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, booth B3-10/Hall 3.
About Posiflex:
Founded in 1984, Posiflex Technology, Inc. has designed and manufactured its own-branded and world-class POS solutions. Since 2016, Posiflex has determined to grow beyond the POS business and further expand itself into self-service solutions (KIOSK), and to a few more vertical markets serving B2B IoT platforms empowered by embedded PC. Posiflex’s offices are in the USA, Germany, Netherlands, UK, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea along with the global distribution networks to provide direct and timely support to its customers around the world. For more information:
Contacts
Posiflex Technology, Inc.
Wei-Lun Chang, +886 (0)2 2299-1599 [email protected]
For most, the car buying process is long, tedious, and filled with lots of waiting. Think back to the last time you bought a car. Odds are, you probably started by conducting some online research before you even went to the dealership. If so, you probably looked at a few different brands, models, and years to determine which would be the best fit for your needs. You may have made note of any special features you wanted and considered how much you were willing to spend. Finally, at some point you made your way to the dealership.
By the time you arrived at the dealership you were probably ready to take a test drive, and ultimately prepared to make a purchase. However, upon your arrival, one of two things happened—either you got lucky and someone was ready and willing to help you, or the showroom was full of people waiting to be helped when you arrived, putting you at the back of the line. What if there had been a third option—a self-serve automotive kiosk, perhaps? Rather than sitting around and waiting for a salesperson to finish up with the customer they were helping, the kiosk could have helped you get started on the sales process.
Sound appealing? Whether you’re the customer or the salesperson, the answer is most likely yes. As consumers’ lives have become increasingly busy, the value of convenient time-saving and self-serve solutions has skyrocketed. And it’s no secret that busy customers value efficient service. For this reason, among others, digital automotive kiosks are completely transforming the car buying experience in dealerships across the country.
Automotive kiosks don’t just make the car buying process easier for consumers, though, they simplify the process for car salespeople as well—increasing the number of customers being helped at the same time, speeding up the process, and creating happier customers all make salespeople’s jobs easier. Automotive kiosks are decreasing transaction time, improving customer service, and providing a personalized buying experience.
Decreasing Transaction Time
Prior to embarking on their car shopping journey, most car shoppers accept the fact that the process, from initial research to making their purchase, will be time-consuming. Digital automotive kiosks cut down on transaction time by engaging shoppers from the moment they enter the dealership. If a salesperson is not immediately available to help them, shoppers are redirected to the kiosks where they can begin the process by entering their personal information—license information, phone number, and email address. They may also be given the option to peruse loan information, get approved for loans, and browse the dealership’s inventory. In addition, shoppers are able to complete any necessary paperwork while they wait, reducing the need for the salesperson to complete it, and thus making the purchasing process quicker and more efficient.
Improving Customer Service
As with any industry, one of the main benefits of a digital kiosk in a car dealership setting is that it has the capability to take some of the more menial, automated tasks out of the hands of the salespeople. By shifting some of their responsibilities to the kiosks, salespeople have more time to help and build relationships with customers—joining them on test drives, explaining and demonstrating key features, answering questions, and completing sales. Automotive kiosks can also collect valuable customer information, making it easier for salespeople to follow up and check-in with customers once they depart from the dealership.
Providing a Personalized Buying Experience
Having an interactive digital kiosk in a car dealership puts the shopper in control of their buying experience from beginning to end. All of the inventory, vehicle, and loan information is presented in a way that’s straightforward, transparent, and perfectly catered to each individual customer’s unique needs and budgetary requirements. It also allows customers to navigate the process in a way that best meets their needs. For those who are unable to conduct research prior to visiting the dealership, automotive kiosks afford them the opportunity to still do so before meeting with a salesperson.
Automotive kiosks are also highly adaptable and designed to comply with standards set forth by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding reach and accessibility. Automotive kiosks can also be designed to address visual and hearing impairments through, Voice Over IP (VoIP) and Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) technologies. These additional aspects take personalization to the next level, ensuring that all customers have access to the same information and services through the kiosk.
Though the car buying process will never be a simple one, digital kiosks are transforming the shopper experience—reducing wait times, improving transparency and customer service, and making the process more personalized.
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, an industry leader in food services technology, announced today the launch of its new turnkey kiosk solution that provides restaurant customers an immersive, customized, and faster experience. The new solution will premiere at FSTEC 2018 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando on October 1-3, 2018, in Booth 801.
“Panasonic kiosks have proven that they drive a significantly higher check and that the guests using them experience an overall satisfaction similar to or greater than those placing their orders directly with staff,” said Michael D. Clarke, Owner, Lickety Split Food Services, LLC, a Texas Dairy Queen multi-unit franchisee.
Panasonic’s end-to-end platform is managed at the enterprise level, allowing chain restaurants to deploy large installations easily and efficiently. The enterprise-grade application features full Point-of-Sale and Payment integration, a cloud-based enterprise management portal, flexible screen design, highly responsive user interface, suggestive selling, and order customization throughout the customer ordering journey.
“The highly intuitive, digital user interface promotes customer engagement, increases restaurant sales and profits, and frees up staff to tend to other business needs,” said M. Faisal Pandit, SVP and Chief Digital Officer, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America. “Customers interact with kiosks in myriad venues and have come to expect that same connectivity in restaurants too. And kiosks can have a significant impact on sales and profits with transaction uplifts of 20%-30% versus the traditional counter.”
Restaurant brands can have one strategic partner for a comprehensive menu of hardware choices, software, and consulting, with full deployment and after-installation services that can help scale self-ordering kiosks across an entire enterprise with speed and agility.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and leverages its strengths in Immersive Entertainment, Sustainable Energy, Automated Supply Chains and Connected Solutions to provide secure and resilient integrated solutions for B2B customers. Panasonic was highlighted in Forbes Magazine’s Global 2000 ranking as one of the Top Ten Best Regarded Companies for 2017. The ranking is based on outstanding scores for trustworthiness, honesty with the public and superior performance of products and solutions. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at Panasonic.com.
Scottsdale, AZ (October 2, 2018) – World-class kiosk manufacturer ZIVELO (best known for providing kiosks to McDonald’s across North America) is proud to announce the completion of a Distribution Partnership with BlueStar to streamline the company’s ability to meet increasing demand.
Founded in 1929 with a network of over 12,000 value added resellers, Bluestar is a leading global technology distributor of a variety of solutions, including Point-of-Sale, ADC, RFID, Digital Signage, kiosks, and more.
“We are excited to align with ZIVELO to bring enhanced kiosk technology to our customers within the channel,” says Mark Fraker, VP of marketing with BlueStar. “Through this partnership, BlueStar will be more capable than ever of filling the needs of our resellers in all verticals, providing complete kiosk solutions to fit any demand or situation.”
ZIVELO, a public computing technology company that offers self-service kiosks and digital signage solutions to multiple key industries, is poised to leverage this best-in-class partnership to meet the needs of the Channel.
“With rapidly growing demand for ZIVELO from the Channel, we are pleased to announce our strategic distribution partnership with BlueStar. Channel partners will now be able to leverage BlueStar’s best-in-class distribution capabilities to provide ZIVELO’s full-service turn-key solutions to their clients” says Ryan Lagace, ZIVELO’s VP of Strategic Partnerships.
With BlueStar’s strong purchasing power and global distribution capabilities, ZIVELO looks to improve efficiencies and meet demand in their robust QSR and Retail verticals, while expanding verticals such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, many more with our new Value Added Reseller (VAR) partners.
“This has been a groundbreaking year for ZIVELO” says ZIVELO CEO, Healey Cypher. “ZIVELO has been long-established as a global leader in beautiful world-class kiosk hardware. With this year’s addition of OakOS – the first kiosk-only SDK and operating system – plus new services and financing arms, ZIVELO is truly a full-service kiosk partner for any company looking to join the self-service revolution.”
For more information about ZIVELO, visit www.olea.com.
About ZIVELO
ZIVELO’s mission is to revolutionize the way brands use technology to interact with their consumers on-premise and in the physical world. Founded in 2008, ZIVELO has rapidly grown to become the leading self-service technology brand offering a sleek and sophisticated product design, intuitive user experience, and cutting-edge modular hardware solutions. In 2018, ZIVELO acquired Oak Labs, the creators of OakOS – the world’s first operating system for public computing experiences. Through the acquisition, ZIVELO now provides brands with an end-to-end solution for the roll-out of kiosks and digital signage, including hardware, sortware, services, and financing. ZIVELO is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, with offices in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA. For more information, please visit http://www.olea.com/.
About BlueStar
BlueStar is the leading global distributor of solutions-based Digital Identification, Mobility, Point-of-Sale, RFID, Digital Signage, and Security technology. BlueStar works exclusively with value-added resellers, providing them with complete solutions, business development and marketing support. The company brings unequaled expertise to the market, offers award-winning technical support and is an authorized service center for a growing number of manufacturers. BlueStar is the exclusive distributor for the In-a-Box Solutions Series, delivering hardware, software and critical accessories in one bundle with technology solutions across all verticals. For more information, please contact BlueStar at 1-800-354-9776 or visit www.bluestarinc.com.
The Use of Voice Recognition and Speech Command Technology as an Assistive Interface for ICT in Public Spaces.
A whitepaper published by Peter W Jarvis (Senior Executive VP, Storm Interface) and Nicky Shaw (Operations Manager North America).
September 2018.
Introduction.
The emergence and increasing use of smart speakers (AI) in the home environment has delivered significant benefits for those with mobility, sensory, cognitive or dexterity impairment. For millions of disabled people voice recognition and speech command technology, allied with audible confirmation and presentation of requested information, permits more informed decision making and personal control of their immediate environment.
This improved access to information and control opens a new world of communication, entertainment, education and opportunity for those who are unable to see, read or interact with content presented on a display screen and for those who lack the mobility or dexterity to manipulate tactile system interface devices (such as keyboards, trackballs or touch screens etc.). Speech Command Technology creates significant new opportunities for independent living.
This improved accessibility also creates unique challenges for system designers, legislating authorities and those concerned about privacy and misuse of personal data. As Voice Recognition and Speech Command technology moves beyond the domestic environment into public spaces and the urban infrastructure we will need new guidelines to increase public awareness and new regulation to protect the general population against the misuse of recorded information.
This whitepaper explores the implementation and integration of Speech Command technology within ICT kiosks and self-service applications. It is intended to provide a framework for a proposed Code-of-Practice. This CoP to be drafted for public consultation and possible adoption by the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) as an addendum to its Accessibility Guidelines.
To illustrate certain devices or technologies there are some references in this document to products manufactured by Storm Interface. These are intended as exemplars only. Other brands and products are available.
1. Who’s Listening
1.1 When a private citizen purchases a connected smart speaker device for home use, he/she makes an informed decision to install that device into their home environment. Before connecting their new device to the manufacturer’s cloud-based AI applications new customers are required to agree and accept many terms and conditions of service. By doing so they make a decision to accept a listening device into their home; albeit with an option to mute that device or switch it off at any time. The customer knows where the device is located, what its connected status is and how to switch it off.
1.2 However, to overcome the latency (delay) inherent in delivering cloud-based AI services to a device that has just been switched on, these devices (by default) usually remain in a powered and connected configuration. Amazon have referred to this default configuration as “Always on, always ready”. This configuration is sometimes referred to by more cynical commentators as “Always on, always listening”. The device needs to be configured in this way to operate as an effective ‘hands free’ Voice Recognition and Speech Commanded information system.
2. In a Public Environment.
2.1 Speech Command and Voice Recognition technology will provide an effective and valuable improvement in accessibility to public ICT systems. Applications such as public transport ticketing and airline check-in terminals would be typical examples.
2.2 As part of a multi-modal approach to accessibility, Speech Command will provide an additional option for those with disabilities (and those without) to confirm their biometric identity and to interface with the kiosk’s application software. The kiosk user will be able to choose from a combination of tactile, audible or visual interface devices to best meet their specific accessibility needs.
2.3 However, it will be essential that all kiosk users and those members of the public in proximity to the kiosk be made aware that the terminal includes Voice Recognition and/or Speech Command technology and that the Speech Command facility is “on and listening”. This awareness is essential for two reasons:
2.3.2 To warn members of the public (in proximity) that their conversations may/will be picked up by the Speech Command / Voice Recognition facility and may be transmitted to a remote server for analysis, processing and possible retention.
2.4 This awareness must be provided for members of the public who are sighted, partially sighted, non-sighted or hearing impaired.
3. A Universal Symbol
3.1 It is proposed that a universally recognized symbol for Speech Command functionality be adopted by the Kiosk and Self Service industry.
3.2 The symbol’s purpose is to indicate the presence of Voice Recognition or Speech Command technology.
3.3 Storm Interface have designed a high contrast, highly visible and tactilely discernible symbol that can be easily applied to the kiosk. During the development of this logo, Storm Interface worked closely with the UK’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Feedback received from the RNIB has influenced the logo design. This to aid recognition and ease of use, and to ensure that all contours and edges are rounded to make it comfortable to the touch.
3.4 As with any new logo, but in particular tactile logos, people will need to learn its meaning. This highlights the importance of introducing a standard logo which can be used across all kiosks and sectors to ensure that blind people need only learn one symbol.
3.5 When Voice Recognition or Speech Commanded services are activated the symbol will be illuminated with bright white LEDs.
3.6 The applied symbol should be positioned such that it can be easily seen or tactilely located as a user approaches or addresses the kiosk.
3.7 When the kiosk is in home screen or screen saver mode, with no detected user activity, an audible signal or statement to indicate the presence of an activated Voice Recognition or Speech Command facility should be played periodically. Alternatively, a proximity sensing device could be used to un-mute a VR or SC device only when a kiosk user approaches the kiosk interface zone.
3.7.1 Similar audible indicators of a functioning Voice Recognition or Speech Command technology should also be given when such a facility is activated (switched on or un-muted) after a period of non-functionality.
3.8 A proposed specification for the symbol is reproduced below. Storm Interface and the RNIB propose to make this symbol available as a “free-to-use” graphic device. Storm Interface propose to offer a physical, manufactured version of the graphic device, in the form of an illuminated tile, for sale to and use by kiosk manufacturers, specifiers or operators.
Figure 1: Images courtesy of Keymat Technology Ltd. All rights recognized.
4. Hardware
4.1 Microphones
4.1.1 Kiosks that offer Speech Command or Voice Recognition technology must support and provide the means for voice input.
4.1.2 This should be by provision of a suitable standard connection point for an audio headset or ear piece (equipped with its own microphone) and by provision of a suitable microphone (or microphone array) permanently installed as a fixture of the kiosk.
4.1.3 In many public kiosk locations or applications it will be necessary to employ advanced noise cancelling and beam focusing technology to enable effective operation of the Speech Command or Voice Recognition technology.
4.1.4 Connection of a headset or assistive hearing device (equipped with its own integrated microphone) should be detected by the host kiosk and the functionality of any permanently installed microphone (or microphone array) should be automatically adjusted to accommodate and allow correct functioning of the headset or hearing aid device
4.1.5 To facilitate reliable and continued functionality, provision and installation of audio device connection points and/or permanently installed microphone devices should accommodate requirements for regular sanitation (wash-down) procedures and should resist the hard use and abuse associated with ICT installations in public spaces. As a minimum requirement, water and dust resistance in accordance with IP54 (or equivalent) should be achieved. A minimum impact resistance of 10J should be achieved.
Figure 2. Beam array microphone for outdoor or unsupervised public environments. Other brands and products are available.
4.2 Speakers
4.2.1 Kiosks that offer Speech Command or Voice Recognition technology must support and provide the means for audible reproduction of sound or speech.
4.2.2 This should be by provision of a suitable connection point for an audio headset or earpiece and by provision of a suitable amplified speaker system permanently installed as a fixture of the kiosk.
4.2.3 In many public kiosk locations or applications it will be necessary to employ sound directing or sound focusing technology to prevent noise pollution or irritation to those in the local vicinity of the kiosk.
4.2.4 Connection of a headset or assistive hearing device (equipped with its own integrated speakers) should be detected by the host kiosk and the functionality of any permanently installed amplified speakers should be automatically adjusted to accommodate and allow correct functioning of the headset or hearing aid device.
4.2.5 Tactile discernable sound volume controls must be easily accessible to those using assistive headsets, earpieces or hearing aid devices. Tactile sound volume controls should be accessible and functioning throughout the kiosk user session. Wherever possible tactile discernible controls should be suitably shaped to enable function with headsticks or assistive easy grip styli.
Figure 3. Tactile discernable sound volume controls must be easily accessible to those using assistive headsets, earpieces or hearing aid devices and those using headsticks or easy-grip styli.
4.2.6 To facilitate reliable and continued functionality, provision and installation of audio device connection points and/or permanently installed amplified speakers should accommodate requirements for regular sanitation (wash-down) procedures and should resist the hard use and abuse associated with ICT installations in public spaces. A minimum requirement for water and dust resistance in accordance with IP54 (or equivalent) should be achieved. A minimum impact resistance of 10J should be achieved.
4.3 Wireless Devices
4.3.1 For those kiosk users who prefer to use wireless headsets, earbuds or implants in preference to wired devices with a cable and jack-plug connector, it should be possible to connect a personal wireless transponder (powered by a button cell battery) into the jack-plug socket. These personal devices provide encrypted communication between the transponder and a paired personal headset. The transponder would be removed and retained by the kiosk user when the kiosk session is completed.
Figure 4: Compact wireless transponder. These devices can be paired with a wireless headset or earpiece to provide a private listening capability. The transponder can be plugged directly in to the kiosk’s audio jack socket. Other brands and types of transponder are available.
5. Conclusions:
The emergence of Voice Recognition as a means of biometric confirmation of identity, coinciding with the profound impact of AI on speech commanded ICT, will drive adoption of speech command technology in public spaces and applications. Whereas this presents many challenges and risks to privacy and protection of personal data, it will lead to a new era of equality in access to information, freedom and independence for those with disabilities. It will be necessary for accessibility mandates, regulation and standards to be adapted in support of this revolutionary change in the way humans interface with the digital world. Speech Command Technology creates significant new opportunities for independent living.
HMSHost kiosk ordering in Quick Service Restaurants Roll Out
QikServe kiosk solution deployed in more than 50 highway and airport restaurants
BETHESDA, MD – Meeting the needs of busy travelers, global restaurateur HMSHost continues to innovate the restaurant industry with expanded service format options, offering self-order kiosks in quick service restaurants it operates in airports and highway travel plazas across North America. This modern ordering and payment amenity is now available across a variety of HMSHost quick service restaurants in over 50 airports and travel plazas and will be deployed in approximately 100 locations by the end of 2019. The innovative kiosk solution utilizes the QikServe self-service platform and is seamlessly integrated with HMSHost’s point-of-sale system.
Kiosk ordering in these restaurants serves travelers using QikServe’s enterprise platform, allowing guests to browse the menu and make selections, order, and pay via an intuitive digital interface. The ordering process also includes a range of cross-selling and up-selling options that offer guests more options to add to their meal. The kiosks have already demonstrated a typical increase in average transaction value of around 20%.
“Since deploying the QikServe kiosk solution, we have seen a significant improvement in overall guest satisfaction,” said James Schmitz, Vice President of Innovation at HMSHost. “We are confident that technology solutions like kiosk ordering are transforming the food industry. By introducing these innovations in travel venues, HMSHost is exposing people from all over the world to the technology-driven future of dining out.”
Self-order kiosks improve the guest experience for travelers by helping combat long lines and providing more flexible levels of interaction when placing an order. Guests have more time to browse the menu with kiosk ordering, often leading to the discovery of new favorites and greater sales. The platform also helps during times of high customer volume, common in travel venues.
“We are thrilled to be working with a world leader like HMSHost to revolutionize the ordering process at its restaurants across North America,” said Daniel Rodgers, Founder & CEO, QikServe. “I am delighted that we are delivering value for HMSHost while also bringing convenience to the traveler experience. This is a fantastic demonstration of how our integrated platform provides the flexibility to deliver a wide range of digital self-service experiences across the hospitality industry.”
Exposure to broad audiences will play a role in revolutionizing the restaurant industry as HMSHost continues to launch innovations like the QikServe-powered kiosks in more of its restaurants. The companies are also working together on self-service solutions beyond kiosks. These technology solutions are impacting the restaurant industry, giving guests convenient options to order exactly what they want and giving restaurants improved satisfaction levels and stronger overall results.
HMSHost Leading the Industry
HMSHost is recognized by the industry as the top provider of travel dining with awards such as 2018 Best Overall Food & Beverage Operator (for the eleventh consecutive year) by Airport Revenue News. USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards recognized HMSHost’s Summer House Santa Monica at Chicago O’Hare International Airport as Best Airport Bar / Restaurant Atmosphere. HMSHost is a leader in sustainability practices which include plans to eliminate conventional plastic straw use by 2020. The company also creates original award-winning events like Airport Restaurant Month, Channel Your Inner Chef live culinary contest, and the Adrian Awards Gold winning campaigns, #HMSHostLove and Eat Well. Travel Further.
About HMSHost
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports around the globe and at more than 100 travel plazas in North America. The company has annual sales of nearly $3.3 billion and employs more than 41,000 associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of €4.6 billion in 2017, the group operates in 31 countries and employs over 58,000 people. It manages approximately 4,000 stores in about 1,000 locations worldwide.
Visit HMSHost.com for more information and connect with HMSHost on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About QikServe
QikServe is the enterprise platform for guest self-service in hospitality. Using any channel from kiosks and tablets to web and mobile apps, hospitality operators can provide powerful in-store solutions from ordering to payment, giving guests the convenience to order and pay for their food and drinks whenever and however they want. www.qikserve.com
OTI Brings Diverse Cashless Payment Solutions to Worldwide Merchants
INTRODUCTION TO OTI On Track Innovations LTD, or OTI (NASDAQ: OTIV), is a pioneer and leading global developer of cutting-edge cashless payment solutions including near-field communication (NFC) products and solutions. For over two decades, OTI has provided enterprises worldwide with innovative technology and solutions that forge new business models, grow revenues, streamline processes, and create measurable value for end users. OTI’s field-proven suite of cashless payment solutions is based on an extensive IP portfolio, including registered and patent applications throughout the world.
BUSINESS CHALLENGE – CASHLESS PAYMENTS
As most of the globe moves towards cashless transactions, consumers are looking for options beyond traditional credit and debit cards. Market growth and technology adoption rates for cashless solutions are driven by millennials who prefer to go cashless. Other market factors driving cashless payments include: universal presence of wireless communications, governments’ promotion of cashless transactions to combat “black cash,” and the demand for the miniaturization of technology.
Automated retailers, Internet of Things (IoT) providers, fuel management companies, mass transit ticketing organizations, and many other industries need secure cashless payment systems to deliver their business objectives. Approximately 45% of transactions in the United States are cashless today, and Sweden expects to be completely cashless by 2020. Cashless transactions already exceed cash in Belgium, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.
BUSINESS CHALLENGE – OTI
OTI’s business spans hardware, software, and mobile solutions for cashless payments. OTI has over 700,000 hardware devices installed worldwide, supporting markets such as vending, micro-markets, banking and ATMs, petroleum and fuel hardware, ticketing, IoT, wearable devices, and more.
With around 40% market share in the U.S., OTI needed a U.S.-based payment partner to provide secure processing in combination with OTI’s payment capture solutions.
One example, OTI’s TRIO is a modular payment device which supports up to three cashless payment interfaces in one enclosure. The TRIO is specifically designed for installation in unattended environments such as kiosks and vending machines to enable cashless payments with magnetic payment cards, as well as mobile (NFC payment options such as Apple Pay®, Google Pay, Samsung Pay®), EMV chip and contactless payment cards. To deliver this hardware to the U.S. market, OTI needed a payment partner offering state of the art security with end-to-end encryption, tokenization and EMV capabilities.
In another example, otiKiosk provides kiosk system developers with an easy and affordable way to integrate a pre-certified EMV payment acceptance solution into their system, and additionally provides kiosk operators with remote management of their hardware and software. This OTI hardware solution incorporates EMV secured payment acceptance for quick service restaurants (QSRs) and other businesses, supporting mobile payments, credit cards and debit cards. To deliver this to the U.S. market, OTI needed a payment technology partner who could process mobile,
“The OTI and Apriva cashless payments solution was the perfect choice for us. The flexibility to manage both our EASE and CloudEASE portfolios with the same SDK, combined with the efficiency of an off-the-shelf, pre-certified EMV solution not only gave Parking BOXX a time-to-market advantage,but also saved us the cost of months of integration and certification.” ~Renee Smith, President and CTO, Parking BOXX
CHOOSING APRIVA
OTI selected Apriva among the many options for partnering in the U.S. market. With Apriva’s adaptive payment platform, OTI gained a processing partner with the ability to facilitate the broad range of payments OTI’s customer base required. With a secure end-to-end encryption model, and multiple EMV certifications already completed, Apriva was a strategic fit to OTI’s North American operations.
OTI was impressed with Apriva’s payment APIs for quick integration for the OTI’s TRIO and otiKiosk hardware, and with the superlative technical support that accompanied those integrations. Plus, Apriva’s technology platform allows OTI to expand its U.S. business—leveraging Apriva’s network of more than 1,100 merchant acquirers and independent sales organizations (ISOs).
“Apriva is an excellent fit for our cashless payment solutions, as they offer a world-class gateway with multiple secure options,” said Bill Gostowski, Vice President of Business Development at OTI.
“Our cost-effective hardware and software solution pairs strongly with Apriva’s secure payment capabilities and we are pleased to bring an unattended solution to market built upon our combined technologies, experience and success.”
SOLUTION – OTI & APRIVA
In 2017, OTI and Apriva partnered to bring a new end-to-end EMV solution to the U.S. market supporting unattended payments. This payment solution supports magnetic stripe reader (MSR) transactions, as well as EMV contact and contactless transactions with Elavon as acquiring bank. As a semi-integrated solution, the OTI TRIO reader is securely interfaced with the Apriva gateway, which means a quick integration process for unattended payment environments. Security includes real-time, end-to-end data encryption, using the industry standard derived unique key per transaction (DUKPT) encryption method, with no cardholder or card data stored.
In 2018, OTI combined its otiKiosk solution set with Apriva’s adaptive payment platform to bring vendors, micro market merchants, automated retailers and other unattended businesses unmatched value, flexibility, and ease of integration—saving thousands of dollars, many months in development time and certification costs.
“The addition of pre-certified EMV processing to the OTI/Apriva Kiosk Solutions brings incredible value to both our current and future customers. This timely and relevant EMV solution is easy to install, even for kiosk solution providers with no previous cashless payment experience.”
~Shlomi Cohen, CEO of OTI
The pairing of otiKiosk and Apriva delivers a pre-certified, off-the-shelf EMV solution binding a powerful unattended system with secure payment processing technology. This partnership helps businesses eliminate the cost and complexity of integration and EMV certification for unattended, cashless processing. OTI brings an integrated cloud-based Terminal Management Solution package, responsible for remote terminal management and financial reporting, and Apriva brings payment technology built on a security foundation that has been deployed by the US Intelligence Community, Department of Defense (DoD), and is compliant with the payment industry’s standards body, the PCI Security Standards Council.
MOVING FORWARD
Together, OTI and Apriva continue to focus on the ever-growing unattended market with their integrated payment solutions. OTI’s best-in-class hardware and software solutions, combined with Apriva’s adaptive payment platform, brings OTI customers unmatched value, flexibility, and ease of integration.
The partnership delivers an affordable, EMV solution for automated markets. Unattended retailers, micro-markets, vendors and other self-service merchants can increase their revenues by accepting more forms of cashless payments, easily integrated via Windows or Linux SDK, and potentially reducing PCI scope through Apriva’s secure end-to-end encryption (E2EE) technology.
As unattended payment options expand in the years ahead, OTI’s success with hundreds of thousands of readers in the field worldwide aligns tightly with Apriva’s vision for supporting those payments.
“Secure, customer-focused unattended payments are critical to AR Systems. OTI’s payment hardware and Apriva’s payment gateway are key partners in AR Systems’ application of intelligent computing, cloud-based monitoring and robotic solutions to evolve vending into a robust premium retail solution.” ~ Shannon Illingworth, Chief Innovation Officer at AR Systems
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–International Data Corporation (IDC) today published an IDC Innovators report profiling four providers that are considered key emerging vendors in the Smart City kiosks market. The four companies named as IDC Innovators are CIVIQ Smartscapes, Smart City Media, SmartLINK, and Soofa.
Smart City kiosks are specifically designed units, most of which include (interactive) display panels for local information, Wi-Fi signaling, and emergency call services. Kiosks typically use advertising as a revenue model while providing the public with a variety of information and services. Smart City kiosks also use sensors and digital platforms to collect street-level data and engage local residents, businesses, and tourists throughout the city. IDC believes that Smart City kiosks are important civic engagement tools that enable cities to collect, analyze, and share information as well as offer services such as Wi-Fi and phone charging.
“As cities look for ways to provide ubiquitous public Wi-Fi, market local businesses, generate new revenue opportunities, and provide quick access to services and information for the public, Smart City kiosks are emerging as a one-stop shop for these services,” said Ruthbea Yesner, vice president of IDC’s Government Insights and Smart Cities practice. “The fact that they offer ad-based revenue opportunities makes them an attractive option to extend urban services to the hyper-local level.”
CIVIQ Smartscapes offers several smart kiosk solutions, each of which is designed to address urban needs ranging from improving city mobility and wayfinding to public Wi-Fi offerings, emergency alert systems, smart lighting, and environmental monitoring.
Smart City Media offers a platform for Internet and mobile applications, IoT sensors, and location-based media with the aim of engaging local residents, empowering small business owners, and helping tourists maximize their visits.
SmartLINK kiosks can provide events monitoring, security alerting, Wi-Fi, wayfinding, communications, environmental monitoring, and traffic study solutions that deliver usable data for the city along with several revenue generating options to fit the city’s needs.
Soofa uses a Web-based platform that allows locals to share information with each other and cities to communicate directly with residents about local events, emergencies, and other relevant information with no installation cost to the city.
By Craig Keefner — See Storm’s entire range of Assistive Technology Products (ATP) and find out more about exciting new product launches scheduled for later this year. These ATP devices are ADA compliant and RNIB Accredited, designed to offer menu navigation by means of audible content description. They allow users with impaired vision, reading difficulties or impaired fine motor skills to navigate through menus or directories that would typically be presented on a visual display or touch screen. Designed for use as the tactile/audio interface for any accessible self-service application such as kiosks, ticketing machines etc.
Welcome to Marathon Deployment our latest Premium Member. Marathon Deployment offers a full range of IT services that keep your business running.
Since 2007, Marathon has focused on what really matters, our customers. As a company, we service all of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and have global capabilities. We have project managers available from 8AM – 8PM seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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Marathon Deployment is a proven IT Solution provider in the industry. Our success comes from providing first class service during installations and break-fix requests. We’re all about providing customers with the best options from deciding on the level of service to pricing options for same day or next day service requests. Our service professionals are skilled with the supporting hardware to minimize store downtime.
Our service professionals understand the value of a customer and this is demonstrated on all service requests. We pride ourselves for thinking outside of the box to provide the best service at a competitive price!
We specialize in kiosks, point of sale, and OEM/System Integrators in hospitality and retail market. Our capabilities makes us the IT service company that is right for every business.
We offer our clients with a complete complement of services.
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Reliable – Contact our project managers for service
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our customers’ needs
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Project Management: Team for Customer Success
Experienced – Trained to provide superior service, quality, and value
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Customized Program – Each of our customers is provided with an individual plan that fits their maintenance needs to make their business as successful as possible
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NEW to KioWare for Android – Support Added for Storm Assistive Technology Products
“Accessibility should be a strong consideration for any kiosk deployment. With this release, both KioWare for Windows and KioWare for Android support the heavily tested and well-respected Storm ATP suite of keypads, keyboards & other accessibility products.” ~ Laura Miller of KioWare.
KioWare has released a new version of KioWare for Android kiosk software supporting Storm Assistive Technology Products such as the Nav-Pad, Nav-Bar and AudioNav. KioWare kiosk software products lock down your device into kiosk mode, turning your tablet into a secure kiosk or purposed device for self-service, digital signage, or mobile device management deployments.
Kiosk Accessibility Made Easy
Version 3.16 of KioWare Basic & KioWare Full for Android now includes support for Storm’s ATP devices. These ADA compliant devices allow users with impaired vision, reading difficulties or impaired fine motor skills to navigate through menus or directories that would typically be presented on a visual display or touch screen. They are designed to provide a tactile/audio interface for any accessible self-service application. Devices supported include the Nav-Pad, Nav-Bar and AudioNav. KioWare for Android offers out of the box compatibility for those that want to make their Android self-service or purposed device experience accessible. Prior to this integration, devices running the Android OS were quite limited in their ability to provide an accessible self-service solution.
Additional New Features and Improvements
Improved Provisioning
KioWare for Android 3.16 has also added features to improve the ability to provision Android devices. Android devices may now be provisioned via a USB storage device. Provisioning support has also been added for running shell scripts.
A secure file browser has been added to allow users to open a file browser and select a file to upload. With new security features, users can be restricted to browse only allowed files and folders on the file system. New functionality includes the ability for users to take new photos and videos or browse this file system for existing files.
Multiple Exit Passcodes & Actions
Different exit passcodes can now be used to call different exit actions. This allows for actions to be taken based on the exit passcode entered. Deployers can vary permissions based on user need.
Reboot Schedule Management
Reboot schedules can now be used on devices that are rooted.
View all updates to KioWare for Android version 3.16 here.
A new version of KioWare for Windows (8.15) is now available with support for Chrome 67 and various other improvements.
Licensing KioWare for Android
A license is needed for each deployed kiosk running KioWare for Android. Quantity pricing is available. Annual support and maintenance are recommended, and current support is required in order to upgrade. View a full description of features for this and other versions of the KioWare product line. These products are available as a free trial download. Existing clients have the ability to upgrade. KioWare has been providing OS, desktop, and browser lockdown security for the kiosk and self-service industry since 2001 and Android software since 2012.
Peerless-AV® Introduces LED Video Wall Configurator
A component of the SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV® program, the new online solution streamlines the design of LED Video Walls
AURORA, Ill. – June 28, 2018 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of the highest quality audio and video solutions and accessories, is excited to announce its newest online solution for integrators, the LED Video Wall Configurator. With this solution, users are being given a tool that streamlines the design of LED video walls, where they can obtain specifications, quotes, and support with the simple click of a button.
From stadiums to control rooms, retail, corporate, and more, the LED Video Wall Configurator eases integration planning for any application. This complements the start to finish support provided by Peerless-AV’s LED video wall integration program, SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV. Through this program and the new configurator, customers benefit from a dedicated team of experts along with high-quality custom solutions and the tools to simplify the whole process.
The new LED Video Wall Configurator allows users to simply and easily design an LED video wall and request a quote for a mount. When users are unsure of the video wall size needed, they can input room dimensions and explore different scenarios until they find the solution that meets their needs.
Then, they can continue through to request pricing, and all quotes will be stored for future reference. The configurator will also provide useful information such as mount weight, video wall power consumption, and video wall display resolution.
“With the implementation of LED Video Walls steadily growing across multiple industries, we wanted to simplify the design process and offer a solution that fits the needs of integrators and audiences alike,” said Chad Gebhardt, Senior Product Manager, Peerless-AV. “As the only mount manufacturer to offer a video wall configurator, we are able to provide our customers with the tools needed for both planning and executing video walls, saving time and costs.”
To best meet users’ needs, Peerless-AV’s configurator offers a variety of displays to choose from, not limiting options based on brand. If the display users seek is not listed, they can manually enter their display specifications and begin designing a configuration.
In addition to creating a configuration and requesting a quote, the user will be able to get a closer look at Peerless-AV’s offerings, increasing their education around the tools needed for the most superb installation.
Connect with Peerless-AV via social media on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
About Peerless-AV
Driving Technology Through Innovation
For over 75 years, passion and innovation continue to drive Peerless-AV forward. We proudly design and manufacture the highest quality products, ranging from outdoor displays to complete kiosk solutions, digital signage mounts to wireless systems. Whether a full-scale global deployment or custom project, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service. In partnership with Peerless-AV, you are trusting an award-winning team of experts who will support your business every step of the way. For more information, visit peerless-av.com.
The Present-Day Kiosk and Its Benefit to Today’s Consumer
Kiosks are an effective tool in branding efforts targeting the modern connected consumer. Offering customers everything from convenience to personalization, kiosks maximize the patron’s experience while delivering steady opportunities for a brand or retailer’s return on investment.
Benefits of Kiosks for Today’s Consumers
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, kiosks have emerged as a transformative tool, revolutionizing how consumers interact with businesses across various sectors. From retail and hospitality to healthcare and transportation, self-service kiosks are increasingly becoming an integral part of the modern consumer experience. These interactive terminals offer a myriad of benefits, enhancing convenience, efficiency, and personalization for users. Here, we delve into the key advantages that kiosks provide to today’s consumers.
1. Enhanced Customer Experience
One of the most significant benefits of kiosks is their ability to enhance customer satisfaction. By providing a seamless and user-friendly interface, kiosks allow consumers to access services quickly and conveniently. Whether it’s ordering food at a restaurant, checking in at a hotel, or purchasing products in a retail store, kiosks eliminate long waiting times and offer a hassle-free experience12. This streamlined process not only saves time but also empowers consumers to take control of their interactions, fostering a sense of autonomy and satisfaction.
2. Increased Convenience
Kiosks are always available, operating 24/7 to cater to consumers’ needs at any time. This round-the-clock accessibility is particularly beneficial for businesses like convenience stores, airports, and transportation hubs that function continuously15. Consumers can use kiosks to complete transactions outside regular business hours, ensuring that services are always accessible when needed.
3. Operational Efficiency
By automating routine tasks, kiosks significantly improve operational efficiency. In retail, for instance, self-service kiosks can handle tasks such as price checking, product information, and checkout processes, reducing the workload on staff and speeding up transactions24. This efficiency not only benefits businesses by allowing employees to focus on more critical tasks but also enhances the consumer experience by minimizing wait times.
4. Cost Savings and Reduced Errors
Kiosks help reduce operational costs by minimizing the need for a large workforce. By automating tasks, businesses can lower labor costs and allocate resources more effectively35. Additionally, kiosks minimize human errors, such as incorrect orders or miscommunications, ensuring accuracy and consistency in transactions36. This reliability builds trust and satisfaction among consumers.
5. Data Collection and Personalization
Kiosks are equipped with advanced software that captures valuable consumer data, including purchase history and preferences. This data allows businesses to gain insights into consumer behavior, enabling them to make informed decisions and refine their service offerings16. Moreover, kiosks can provide personalized recommendations based on individual shopping habits, enhancing the consumer experience and increasing upsell opportunities47.
6. Accessibility and Inclusivity
Kiosks cater to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities. Features like touchscreen interfaces, voice commands, and multi-language support make kiosks accessible to everyone, strengthening a business’s reputation and broadening its customer base1. This inclusivity ensures that all consumers can benefit from the convenience and efficiency offered by kiosks.
7. Enhanced Marketing Opportunities
Kiosks serve as powerful marketing tools, offering businesses the opportunity to promote products and services effectively. Through dynamic displays and personalized recommendations, kiosks can influence purchasing decisions and boost sales17. Additionally, kiosks can integrate loyalty programs, encouraging repeat visits and fostering customer loyalty.
8. Privacy and Security
Self-service kiosks provide a sense of anonymity and privacy for consumers. By entering information directly into the system, customers reduce the number of employees handling their data, enhancing security and privacy3. This is particularly important for sensitive transactions or personal information, where maintaining confidentiality is crucial.
9. Scalability and Flexibility
Modern kiosks are highly adaptable, catering to the unique needs of various industries. From healthcare facilities using kiosks for patient check-ins to retail stores deploying them for product information and inventory checks, the flexibility of kiosks ensures businesses can tailor their functionalities to suit specific requirements15. This scalability allows kiosks to be integrated into diverse environments, offering consistent benefits across different sectors.
10. Future Trends and Integration
As technology continues to evolve, kiosks are expected to become even more integrated with other digital platforms. Trends like mobile integration and enhanced personalization promise a seamless and customer-centric experience. Consumers can expect to see kiosks that sync with their smartphones, offering a hybrid shopping model that combines the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of physical stores47. This integration will further enhance the benefits of kiosks, making them an indispensable part of modern consumer interactions.
In conclusion, kiosks offer a wide range of benefits to today’s consumers, from enhanced convenience and operational efficiency to personalized experiences and data-driven insights. As businesses continue to adopt and innovate kiosk technology, consumers can expect even more streamlined, efficient, and satisfying interactions across various industries. Whether it’s reducing wait times, empowering consumers with autonomy, or providing valuable data insights, kiosks are revolutionizing the way consumers engage with businesses, setting a new standard for modern convenience and innovation.
Aberdeen, N.C. – June 12, 2018 – Meridian, an industry leading kiosk manufacturer and software developer, has expanded their self-service solutions to include a lineup of automotive specific kiosks. “Automotive manufacturers and dealers are looking to improve the consumer journey and deliver the dealership experience of the future,” said Todd Marcelle, Director of Automotive Solutions. “Consumers are used to self service technology across many other retailing environments and expect the same from the automotive industry.”
The new automotive solutions are designed to improve and enhance the automotive customer experience by providing an end to end fully integrated DMS and CRM solution comprised of software, hardware and analytics. “Our automotive kiosks help dealerships interact with retail and service customers in a way that leaves them more satisfied and more likely to return,” said Meridian founder and CEO, Chris Gilder. “Our kiosks have proven to reduce transactions times, improve CSI and increase revenue producing a demonstrable ROI for dealerships.” Meridian’s kiosk solutions are currently deployed with major brands at select dealerships including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Ford, KIA, VW, Porsche and Nissan.
Meridian’s automotive solutions are comprised of the Showroom Digital HUB, Virtual Service Advisor and Smart Service Kiosk. The Digital HUB provides a digital shopping experience for customers within a showroom. Mike Nyguen, GM of Jack Taylor Toyota stated: “With the digital HUB, we are now capturing 99% of customers correct contact information into our CRM system and our CSI scores are well over 96%. Our customers recover an average of 1.5 to 2 hours from the car buying process.”
The Virtual Service Advisor (VSA) and Smart Service Kiosk (SSK) streamline automotive service for customers and businesses. “Our goal was to create a complimentary experience for those consumers that prefer self–service similar to the banking, travel and restaurant experiences. The solution mirrors a service advisors workflow providing recall, trade appraisals, upsells and electronic signatures,” said Marcelle. “The most compelling result is that over 95% consumers have said they would use the kiosks again and it made the experience easier.”
Meridian’s automotive solutions are designed and manufactured from their headquarters in North Carolina. “All of our products are built from start to finish by our own team of experts, ensuring the combination of engaging design and reliability,” said Gilder.
To learn more about Meridian’s automotive solutions, visit meridiankiosks.com.
YVR’s Innovative Travel Solutions becomes first in Europe to provide permanent border control kiosks for Entry and Exit border control
Cyprus airports install 74 BORDERXPRESS kiosks to enhance security, speed of service and improve experience for passengers
Big news today for the airport industry with the installation of 74 BorderXpress kiosks at Pafos International Airport and Larnaka International Airport in Cyprus. This is the first implementation of permanent kiosks for Entry and Exit border control in all of Europe. As air traffic continues to grow throughout Europe, so too do border control wait times. This technology has proven success in 39 other airport and seaport locations and allows airports to increase passenger traffic and reduce wait times – all without having to add additional space or staffing resources.
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Richmond, B.C. July 10, 2018: Today, Vancouver International Airport’s (YVR) Innovative Travel Solutions (ITS) announced the installation of 74 BORDERXPRESS kiosks at Pafos International Airport (Pafos) and Larnaka International Airport (Larnaka) in Cyprus. This marks a major milestone for the industry and ITS, as today’s announcement is the first implementation of permanent kiosks for Entry and Exit border control in Europe.
Hermes Airports Ltd, operating Pafos and Larnaka airports, is installing the kiosks to enable passengers to independently complete passport control procedures under the supervision of Hermes personnel and with the approval of Cyprus Police.
“As the demand for air travel continues to increase, airports around the world must embrace and implement innovative technologies to solve critical passenger processing challenges,” says Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “BORDERXPRESS kiosks will increase efficiencies and improve the overall passenger experience at Pafos and Larnaka airports while enhancing safety and security within the European Union.”
BORDERXPRESS uses self-service biometric-enabled kiosks to expedite the border clearance process without compromising security. The Entry and Exit process is the same, in that, at the kiosk, travellers select their language, scan their travel documents and answer a few simple questions. The kiosk also captures an image of each passenger’s face which can be compared with and verified against the photo in their electronic passport, though the kiosks do accept non-ePassports and EU Identity documents as well. Travellers then take their completed kiosk receipt to a border services officer. The Exit kiosks are available for use by all travellers while the Entry kiosks are only available to EU citizens due to government specifications.
“We are dedicated to establishing Pafos and Larnaka as industry leading airports, and our commitment to prioritizing both safety and passenger experience is paramount to this, especially as we seek to increase passenger traffic,” says Eleni Kaloyirou, Chief Executive Officer at Hermes Airports. “Following the success of a pilot project to test the efficiency of BORDERXPRESS for Exit control at Pafos airport, we’re delighted to build on our partnership with YVR’s Innovative Travel Solutions with the implementation of seventy-four kiosks at Larnaka and Pafos airports”.
BORDERXPRESS kiosks provide a modern and efficient experience, and are a smart choice for airports and governments as they help to reduce overall operating costs and allow airports to expand passenger traffic without having to add additional space or staffing resources. The kiosks also free up border security officers to focus more closely on enforcement and intelligence efforts.
This technology was developed by Innovative Travel Solutions, an independent business unit within Vancouver International Airport (YVR), named Best Airport in North America for the ninth consecutive year. The kiosks can be easily configured to meet the needs of governments around the world looking to reduce border line-ups at entrance and exit points and improve the safety and security of borders.
“With today’s announcement, Pafos and Larnaka airports are simplifying and enhancing the border Entry and Exit process for both airport personnel and travellers,” says Chris Gilliland, Director of ITS, Vancouver Airport Authority. “BORDERXPRESS has proven its success and efficiency at airports across Canada and the United States. Today, we are proud to be introducing our solution to the European market. This is a significant accomplishment for Innovative Travel Solutions, Hermes Airports, the Cyprus government and the industry, overall.”
With more than 1,500 kiosks in 41 airport and sea ports, BORDERXPRESS has processed over 181 million passengers in over 35 languages globally, and reduced passenger wait times by more than 50 per cent.
-YVR-
About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada’s second busiest airport, YVR served 24.2 million passengers in 2017. Fifty-six airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 127 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation’s prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the ninth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2018. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2017 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.
Innovative Travel Solutions (ITS) is the innovation team at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), voted North America’s Best Airport for nine straight years by Skytrax World Airport Awards. In 2009, the innovation team implemented BORDERXPRESS at Vancouver International Airport and soon discovered that other airports and governments might also want the ability to reduce wait times and increase their international arrives traffic without having to add additional space or staffing resources. YVR has now sold over 1,500 kiosks to 41 airport and seaport locations worldwide, processing more than 181 million passengers – more than any other automated passport control provider. In May 2018, the team at ITS set their sights on the next innovation in the evolution of the passenger experience with the launch of CHECKITXPRESS, the world’s most accessible, efficient and intuitive self-service bag drop. CHECKITXPRESS improves ease of use for travellers regardless of age, digital fluency, language or mobility, and is the result of a collaboration between YVR and Glidepath, one of the world’s leaders in airport baggage handling.
SEKO MedTec Solutions focuses on providing specialized, turnkey transportation, logistics, warehousing, and installation services for sensitive, high-value and highly visible equipment for our clients around the world.
Our expertise and service structure make us the optimal partner for the interactive kiosk, digital signage, touch screen, and store fixture industry. An overview of our program and services includes:
Dedicated Logistics Coordinators in SEKO Control Towers
Regional distribution warehouses to reduce transportation spend
Specialized, scheduled, “White Glove” pickup and delivery
Customized delivery and installation services
US and Canadian ground transportation via SEKO Air-ride network
Equipment installation, setup, testing, repairs, swaps, and returns
MySEKO, our online portal, provides real-time visibility and control of your orders as well as comprehensive supply-chain reporting
Asset and Event Management system manages device history records, administers equipment maintenance, and gives you the ability to view andtrack all of your assets in the field
Removal and returns management (inspection, testing, cleaning, kitting, packing, recycling, and certified destruction)
Forward stocking locations
Recurrent inventory expertise for Lease/Loaner programs
Complete logistics for trade shows and other short-term events
Custom crate and packaging evaluation, design, and production
The benefits of our service include:
Improving customer satisfaction through timely and professional equipment delivery and installation
Ensuring your equipment consistently arrives in great condition and is functioning properly
Expanding your domestic and international footprint with parts depot storage, logistics, and support services
Minimizing administrative time and expense with one primary point of contact
Utilizing our cutting-edge online technology to minimize transportation expense, collect extensive amounts of data for financial and operational KPI analysis, run customized reports, and view real-time metrics
Increasing customer satisfaction by ensuring equipment is routinely and professionally maintained
Enhancing equipment information with documented maintenance and repair records
Improving knowledge of customer experience with our dedicated questionnaire program
Asset and Event Management
Whether you have complex installations of in-store displays or need to launch new products in hundreds of sites by a definite date, SEKO is there for you around the globe with our Asset and Event Management technology and services. Designed specifically to accommodate rigid deadlines, little or no down time, and irregular pickup and delivery hours, this is the most dependable way to schedule people and products and ensure they arrive on time to reduce costs and significantly enhance client service. Our technology gives you real-time visibility into your assets out in the field, while we manage the transportation and all the related logistics.
Case Study
One of our customers, Sphere 3D Corp., delivers virtualization technology and data management products that enable workload-optimized solutions. Read what they have to say about the service and performance provided by the SEKO.
Please Contact Us
Pat Sheehan
Director of Business Development
SEKO MedTec Solutions
3006 Research Drive, Suite A-2
State College, PA 16801
Office: +1 814-231-1331
Mobile: +1-814-380-0676/
Web: https://sekologistics.com/us
SEKO MedTec Solutions is a proud part of SEKO Logistics:
Founded in 1976, HQ in Chicago
Regional Headquarters: London and Hong Kong
120+ Offices in more than 40 Countries, $750M Revenue
Provides creative, customized Supply Chain Solutions, specializing in transportation, logistics, forwarding, warehousing, and IT
Global implementation experience and expertise across all industry sectors
Version 8.14 of KioWare for Windows is now available with a brand new Guided Setup allowing customers to quickly and easily set up KioWare for Windows to display interactive and non-interactive digital signage, videos, and KioCall video conferencing. With this new Guided Setup, KioWare can be configured to secure a Windows device into a kiosk with only a few clicks. New supported devices have also been added.
June 5, 2018 York, PA – Analytical Design Solutions Inc. (ADSI) has released a new version of KioWare for Windows kiosk software with an all new Guided Setup wizard to help first time users configure KioWare for Windows.
In addition to the new Guided Setup tool, version 8.14 of KioWare for Windows (Lite, Basic, & Full with Kiosk Management) has added support for Chrome 65. KioWare Basic & KioWare Full for Windows now support devices such as the Stimare printer (supporting printing to RFID bracelets), Star printers, Telequip (coin dispensers), Epson receipt printers, and support for ccTalk for bill/coin acceptors. View all supported devices here.
The new Guided Setup provides users with the option to easily configure KioWare for Windows to show interactive content (browser-based), non-interactive digital signage, and as a video conferencing kiosk using the KioCall Videoconferencing app. Additional settings can also be configured by answering questions and progressing through the Guided Setup. As always, users can opt to exit the Guided Setup and configure KioWare directly through the configuration tool at any time.
Support must be current to upgrade to the latest version.
Additional features are also included in this release. View a full description of features added to this and other versions of the KioWare product line.
Maybe you’re a routine user of the grocery store’s self-checkout line, or perhaps you just admire from afar as you wait your turn behind a long line of coupon clippers. Either way, the traditional self-checkout kiosks found at countless grocers and box stores across the nation have become a mainstay at those big name merchants, making shorter work of our daily errands.
So, it comes as no surprise that, after years of witnessing the convenience these self-checkouts serve, many retailers are using the concept as a launching pad for even better and more innovative programs to enhance the consumer experience.
The following examples showcase the best of nontraditional self-checkout processes that have been introduced to consumers in the recent year. Kroger’s Scan, Bag, Go
According to Progressive Grocer’s recent “85th Annual Report of the Grocery Industry,” 24.3 percent of grocers are now offering in-store mobile product scanning compared to 8.5 percent from last year’s report. This double-digit increase highlights the quick adoption of scan and pay systems in the grocery industry, with Kroger being a popular example because of its objective to roll out its Scan, Bag, Go program to 400 stores in 2018.
The program allows customers to use a handheld scanning device or a mobile app on their phone to scan and bag items as they grocery shop. Participants can easily pay at the store’s self-checkout area or, in the future, directly through the app. Extra perks include keeping a running order total, access to weekly sales ads and receiving digital coupons.
The obvious benefit of this program falls in line with the big trend in retail over the last couple years: convenience to the customer. With e-commerce providing the ultimate in frictionless shopping experiences, consumers want the same simple and speedy checkout to which they’ve grown accustomed.
Not only does scan and go technology provide this, but it also offers many other advantages to both the customer and retailer. Digital receipts and coupons save consumers the hassle and retailers the money, while a post entitled “The rise of scan and go technology and how it works” on Rambus.com also states a benefit as “[p]roximity-based in-store advertising, pushed out as notifications to shoppers’ phones, can adapt displays and offers to customers’ individual preferences as they approach different beacons in the store.”
Since Kroger’s Scan, Bag, Go pilot program started last year, feedback has been positive, and the grocery retailer has continued with its plans to roll out the program across the country.
In a recent press release, Walmart announced it’s testing a new program called Check Out With Me at more than 350 of the store’s Lawn & Garden Centers across the nation.
The goal behind the service is to ease a pain point often associated with purchasing items from the lawn and garden area of a big box store – the time expended to transport awkward or messy items such as plants, mulch or dirt, through the physical store to checkout.
To address this checkout friction point, Walmart associates at the select Lawn & Garden Centers are equipped with devices and Bluetooth printers to ring up a customer, accept payment, and provide a receipt on the spot.
The simplicity of the process not only saves patrons time, but allows them to carry bulky items straight to their cars instead of waiting in a traditional checkout.
There’d be no way to write an article about nontraditional checkouts without citing the most apparent example of all. In January of this year, Amazon unveiled a shopping experience like no other with the opening of its first Amazon Go store in Seattle.
If you think scan and pay makes checking out easy, you haven’t experienced Amazon Go’s automatic checkout. As commonly reported, Amazon has been discreet about the details, but the overall system works with an array of miniature cameras and special technology that recognize items being taken from the shelves. When customers enter the store, they walk through gates that confirm they have the mobile app. Once they select their purchases, they simply walk back out and their mobile app is charged for the items taken.
Aside from the novelty of a checkout experience that hasn’t been done before, the store has garnered quite a bit of attention because of the future impact this technology could have on the retail experience.
With Amazon’s reach, many wonder if we’ll see a program like this at Amazon-owned Whole Foods (so far, reps have denied this) or offered as a service to other businesses looking to integrate a new level of convenience to retail customers. Time will tell, of course, but recent reports show the company is planning to expand to the San Francisco and Chicago markets, which likely indicates the initial metrics must be favorable at the inaugural store.
We’re seeing once novel options like self-checkout aisles become the more traditional predecessor to innovative programs from Kroger, Walmart and Amazon that offer convenience to customers at the point of sale. And as the technology constantly evolves and inspires, all grocers and big box retailers will need to take note as they invest to improve their own customers’ experiences.
Is your company looking to expand its nontraditional checkout system? Take a more detailed look at our work on Kroger’s Scan, Bag, Go program, and read up on our partnership with Amazon on its college campus kiosks. Then, contact us for a professional consultation.
Photo Credits
Kroger’s Scan, Bag, Go program, designed by Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc.
A Walmart employee utilizes the Check Out With Me program to ring up a customer. Photo courtesy of Walmart.
ZIVELO Wins 2 Awards at ICX Summit for Achievement in Interactive Customer Experiences.
The #1 QSR mobile kiosk company receives two awards
Dallas, TX – June 13, 2018 – ZIVELO, the leader in interactive self-service kiosk and digital signage solutions in the QSR arena, has been appointed to receive two prestigious awards at the ICX Summit in Dallas on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. The Elevate Awards honor the individuals and organizations that are pacesetters in using technology to elevate customer experience.
ZIVELO will receive Best ICX Deployment: Restaurant and Best ICX Deployment: Financial Services at this year’s ICX Association Elevate Awards for providing nearly 10,000 kiosks to one of the top three QSR’s in North America, and for their groundbreaking virtual banking expert kiosks deployed at a top US-based financial institution.
ZIVELO produces award-winning, self-service kiosk and digital signage solutions for a portfolio of global companies. This includes the top three fast food chains in the nation, as well as top brands across the retail, banking, healthcare, restaurant, and hospitality industries. Their newly launched software product, OakOS, allows ZIVELO’s customers and third-party developers to rapidly build and deploy applications with the only developer kit designed for kiosks. Clients can now develop fully-functional applications within days, by using OakOS’ comprehensive web-based frameworks and SDK. Backed by ZIVELO’s network of support technicians, this comprehensive offering removes previous common barriers in the industry.
About ZIVELO
ZIVELO’s mission is to revolutionize the way brands use technology to interact with their consumers on-premise and in the physical world. Founded in 2008, ZIVELO has rapidly grown to become the leading self-service technology brand offering a sleek and sophisticated product design, intuitive user experience, and cutting-edge modular hardware solutions. In 2018, ZIVELO acquired Oak Labs, the creators of OakOS – the world’s first operating system for public computing experiences. Through the acquisition, ZIVELO now provides brands with an end-to-end solution for the roll-out of kiosks and digital signage. For more information, please visit http://www.olea.com/.
Driving Technology Through Innovation: Peerless-AV’s InfoComm 2018 Showcase
AV solutions designer and manufacturer exhibits new Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Displays, SEAMLESS LED Solutions, Smart City and Outdoor Kiosks, Mounting Systems, and more at Booth C2947
LAS VEGAS – June 6, 2018 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of innovative audio and video solutions and accessories, is pleased to announce its showcase at InfoComm 2018, June 6-8, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Peerless-AV’s Booth (C2947) will highlight its new high bright outdoor displays, LED Program, kiosks, carts, custom mounting solutions, and more.With over 75 years of audiovisual experience, Peerless-AV’s commitment to the creation of cutting-edge technology has elevated the company to the status of an innovative industry leader. Peerless-AV proudly designs and manufactures the highest quality products, which solve even the most complex design and technology integration challenges to create an ideal solution for any unique application.At InfoComm 2018, attendees visiting Peerless-AV’s booth will have the opportunity to meet with Peerless-AV industry experts to discuss their upcoming integration needs. Further, they will have the opportunity to see the following products on display:
Outdoor Displays
Peerless-AV’s newest addition to its line of performance displays, the Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Displays (XHB Models), offer 2500 nits of light output and full HD 1080p resolution for a bright, crisp picture and color accuracy at viewing angles up to 178°. Featuring a fully sealed IP68-rated design and an operating temperature range of -31°F to 140°F, there is no need to change filters or service the display, creating a maintenance-free solution for year-round digital signage use. Available in 43″, 49″, 55″, and 65″, the Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Displays include IK10-rated cover glass for the ultimate screen protection.InfoComm attendees will have the opportunity to witness numerous live demos in Peerless-AV’s booth, showcasing the unmatched capabilities of the new Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Displays.LED Video Wall Mounting Solutions
With a modular design developed to fit the specifications of any LED display, Peerless-AV’s LED mounting systems offer unlimited video wall configurations. The systems provide height and depth adjustments to overcome any installation irregularities, ensuring pixel alignment and a flat plane. In addition, a lightweight aluminum design and predetermined adaptor rail locations speed and ease installation while minimizing errors. Peerless-AV’s mounting systems also include tight tolerances and wall plate spacers, assuring all cabinets are properly positioned.The new systems are part of SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV, a one-of-a-kind all-inclusive or bespoke program for LED video wall integration. With SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV, integrators can expect start to finish support for all of Peerless-AV’s LED mounting solutions.
Projector Mounts
Peerless-AV’s Large Venue Projector Mount (PJR250) is designed to be installed and removed quickly, making it the ideal solution for the rental and staging market. It is built to safely support large ceiling structure venue projectors and provides tilt, roll, lateral, and swivel adjustments to obtain perfect image alignment. The mount is also equipped with dedicated adaptor plates to perfectly balance the projector’s center of gravity, making it more sturdy and safe, and preventing the likelihood of projector sag over time.
Kiosks
Part of Peerless-AV’s range of indoor and outdoor kiosks showcase is the All-in-One Kiosk Powered by BrightSign® (KIPICT555). This award-winning kiosk features a well-built, sleek design with an integrated 55″ commercial LCD display that offers six points of IR touch. The All-in-One Kiosk features full HD 1080p60 video decoding, HTML support, networked content playback, and more.
For outdoor use, Peerless-AV’s showcase will also feature the new Smart City Kiosk. An all-weather rated solution, this kiosk includes an Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display with full HD1080p resolution, easy display access, and a seamless installation. With the ability to withstand up to 150 mph winds, the Smart City Kiosk is ideal for any outdoor setting.
Carts
Making its debut at InfoComm 2018, the ADA-compliant Motorized Collaboration Cart (SR598ML3) integrates the use of actuators, making it easy for users to raise and lower touch-enabled displays up to 25.6″ with the touch of a button. It is also UL962 listed and features a safety limit function, which automatically reverses direction when a collision is detected in an upward, downward or lateral force.
The Motorized Collaboration Cart touts a six outlet, 2160 joule-rated surge suppressor and a 15-foot pre-installed cord in the rear of the cart, as well as a large enclosure with plenty of space for small PCs, additional cables, and keyboards, and an opening for an external Wi-Fi antenna. Its base includes bumpers to prevent damage, though it is designed to fit easily through doorways. Further, the cart features 4″ casters for rigidity and stability, as well as a pre-assembled design with no wiring required – providing the fastest cart assembly on the market.
To see Peerless-AV’s full showcase of outdoor displays, kiosks, mounts, carts, and more, visit InfoComm Booth #C2947.
About Peerless-AV
Driving Technology Through Innovation
For over 75 years, passion and innovation continue to drive Peerless-AV forward. We proudly design and manufacture the highest quality products, ranging from outdoor displays to complete kiosk solutions, digital signage mounts to wireless systems. Whether a full-scale global deployment or custom project, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service. In partnership with Peerless-AV, you are trusting an award-winning team of experts who will support your business every step of the way. For more information, visit peerless-av.com.
Further, today Peerless-AV announced two additional items. Here are all three Press Releases from Peerless-AV :
EMV deadlines have arrived, but many choose to skip the upgrade. EMV is still split into two big camps. One that is compliant and the other which will be, but not yet. Our prime supporting sponsor for this update is KioWare. Thanks!
Ingenico is the largest provider of self-service EMV for unattended and contributed to this resource article.
Richard Slawsky is an Educator and freelance writer, specializing in the digital signage and kiosk industries.Louisville, Kentucky Area
Which costs more, complying with new regulations or not complying and hoping for the best?
The question is particularly relevant when it comes to kiosk deployers complying with Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) regulations. Invest in upgrading equipment, or run the risk of being hit with chargebacks and fines in the event of fraud?
Although the lack of clear incentives or financial impacts have prompted some to skip those upgrades, it may be wiser to begin the planning process now. When the inevitable kiosk fraud case makes headlines, it will likely set off a compliance rush that may leave some deployers waiting months or years to get their devices upgraded and certified.
Meeting EMV deadlines
The Wikipedia entry for EMV defines it as “a payment method based upon a technical standard for smart payment cards and for payment terminals and automated teller machines that can accept them.” EMV “smart cards” store their data on integrated circuits in addition to the traditional magnetic stripes.
The Path to EMV
CC readers as keyboard wedge. They take input & then act like a keyboard echoing out the numbers thru port.
Credit companies keep data on unprotected and unencrypted servers.
Europe sees better way & requires solid encryption paired with a PIN (aka Chip and Pin).
The US defers requiring that for time being and does not follow Europe’s lead.
Growth of Internet and rise of credit cards Mastercard and VISA in US agree that encryption is a good thing. Maybe even a PIN…
EMV liability timetable put in motion. ATMs hugely affected (in US only) as are retailers.
CC readers add encryption in advance. Magtek and IDTech good examples. Instead of open Keyboard Wedges we now have encryption capabilities. No chip, though, and no PIN.
Deadline nears – everybody knows it is time to use chips, assuming liability for not doing so is above profit threshold. Somebody that does relatively small transactions will never be a target for stolen credit cards (Redbox e.g.). Does liability outweigh cost of upgrading, and affecting bottom line and potentially share price?
Signature used or zip code as presumed id token.
Data systems becoming more secure with better firewalls, less physical access, and encryption but most are not.
Big incidents (Target) increases pressure to upgrade all systems. Target’s backend was entry point via a vendor with free malware.
Nowadays EMV means getting a chip reader. It means securing the back end (ask Equifax…).
It used to mean signature too but no more.
Does not mean a PIN. With some consumers carrying multiple cards, it is impossible for them to use a secure PIN for each card because they’ll never remember.
Card data remains relatively safe on the front end (with CHIP) though there are many who still swipe (40%?) and IT Departments pay more attention to security on back end. One could argue penalties for breaches be increased as money is best motivator. See HIPAA privacy.
Because the chips are supposedly impossible to clone, smart cards offer vastly improved security compared with magstripe-only cards. But while smart cards include a magstripe along with the integrated circuit for backwards compatibility, the improved security only applies when used with an EMV-compliant card reader.
Although EMV compliance is an ongoing process in the United States, EMV technology has been standard in Europe for years with chip-and-PIN standard and contactless payment cards exploding.
“The card I use for business is probably 60% chip and pin 40% contactless by number of transactions, and I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to confirm a contactless payment by providing my pin,” said Nigel Seed, who runs KioWare Europe now. “A lot of people simply mistrust contactless and refuse to ever use it, in fact some people contact their bank and tell then to send them a replacement card without that facility, but busy metro type professionals typically do use it more than the average.”
To incentivize businesses to upgrade their card readers to EMV-compliant devices, the four major U.S. credit card issuers – Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover – established Oct. 1, 2015 as the deadline when credit card fraud liability will shift to merchants or processors if they do not have an EMV payment system ready.
If fraudulent card use occurs at a merchant that has not upgraded their equipment to EMV technology, the merchant eats the cost of the chargeback along with any fines or fees that may be levied. If that merchant’s processor has not made an EMV-compliant solution to the merchant, or if the card issuer has not issued EMV-compliant cards to its cardholders, the processor or card issuer assumes the liability.
Despite that deadline, though, deployers of self-service devices have been slow to bring those devices into compliance with EMV, in part due to the complexity and cost of upgrading. Making a kiosk or other self-service device EMV-compliant isn’t simply a matter of swapping out a card reader. Along with upgrading the payment terminal and software, other infrastructure involved in the transaction, such as data storage devices, must be upgraded as well.
EMV compliance affects all systems involved in the payment process, not just the payment terminal. Data warehouses are likely the biggest target of all and the eventual destination of data provided at a public terminal. If a retailer takes that highly encrypted data and then stores it as plain text on some in-house data warehouse that thru the vagaries of Microsoft networking is accessible via a simple vendor logging into a portal, they are vulnerable to EMV compliance issues.
In addition to upgrading hardware, compliance also involves the processor and the card issuers certifying that transactions are originating from an EMV-certified device, and that all software and middleware is PCI-DSS complaint as well as being compliant with international operability standards established by EMVCo, the consortium that manages EMV standards. That process could take several months.
What About A Pin Pad?
When do I need a PIN pad? Here are the basics:
The United States has historically had two kinds of Cardholder Verification Methods (CVM); PIN for debit transactions and signature for credit transactions at attended terminals. A signature was not valid for unattended scenarios under the logic that a kiosk can’t check an ID or signature.
In recent weeks card brands declared Signature to be obsolete and optional in the United States. This really had no impact on unattended as the standard for unattended credit purchases was No CVM.
The vast majority of debit cards issued in the US are called “dual application,” meaning they also carry one of the card brand logos and as such can be used on both debit networks (with PIN) and credit networks (optional signature). Think of the phrase ”Visa check card.” The transaction is performed on the credit network, but the money really comes out of your checking account as opposed to a line of credit.
Acceptance of PIN debit at a kiosk is optional, although there are cases where acceptance of debit is beneficial, such as bill pay kiosks where transactions could be potentially very large. This would be advantageous to a bill pay kiosk businesses when you consider a debit transaction has a fixed cost, while a credit transaction has a percentage of the sale amount fee.
From the perspective of fraud protection it is sort of a non-factor because crooks don’t go around paying their bills with stolen cards. In the case of a kiosk in the mall selling $200 headphones, though, it would be advantageous from a cost of transaction perspective as well as the prevention of card fraud and product loss.
Deciding if having a PIN pad on the kiosk is right for you really comes down to a few factors:
What is the average sale amount, and considering that amount does the potential savings of the fixed cost of a debit transaction vs the % cost of a credit transactions justify the increased hardware cost of adding a PIN pad for debit acceptance? Essentially, what is the ROI of the PIN pad and ability to accept debit?
What is the risk and true cost of loss of product at my kiosk, and does that warrant the cost of a PIN pad?
As an example, let’s say a photo kiosk sale amount maxes out at $50, and using an estimated credit transactional cost of 3.5% as a baseline, transactions will cost $1.75 to run as credit. Given debit transactions typically hover around $1.25/$1.50, the outcome of the financial decision tree says maybe the increased solution cost of the kiosk with PIN pad isn’t showing a strong ROI, or at least one that cannot be realized in the short term.
Furthermore, the risk and cost of lost product is low, and it will take selling a lot of prints to make up for the cost of the PIN pad. In this example it would make sense to forgo PIN debit acceptance at the kiosk and instead process debit cards over the credit network.
“Each payment processor generally drives their own certifications, so timing varies pretty dramatically between payment processing certification teams,” said George Hudock, who handles business development with Datacap Systems, a developer of integrated payment systems.
“Most kiosk providers will use a third-party payments solution to avoid the on-going EMV certifications and maintenance, so most are able to avoid the EMV certifications directly,” Hudock said. “However, EMV certifications for unattended devices generally take 3-5 months once queued.”
Although it’s difficult to tell how many non-EMV-compliant kiosks are out in the field, experts say 50-60 percent of point-of-sale terminals aren’t EMV compliant. It’s likely that the percentage of non-EMV-compliant kiosks is similar. Still, experts say it could be several years before the vast majority of self-service devices in the marketplace are brought in line with EMV regulations.
Overall, the EMV migration in the United States is proceeding as well and as speedily as anyone could reasonably expect considering the somewhat tortured circumstances in which it was launched and the technical complexity and costs of its implementation, said Leland Englebardt, Practice Leader, Financial Services at New York-based UpshotAdvisors.
“Remember, it was not long after Dodd-Frank was enacted, which required many significant changes in payment card infrastructure, economics and rules,” Englebardt said.
“We are beginning to see the results in less counterfeit card fraud, which is good for everybody,” he said. “However, the security of EMV is materially enhanced by adding point-to-point tokenization and encryption. As cyber-crime is now the most active and challenging area of payments fraud, it’s possible that in the near future we will see more mandates and/or liability shifts for those technologies.”
EMV confusion still reigns
Part of what seems to be hampering EMV compliance is a lack of clarity on the part of deployers over where kiosks fall under EMV regulations. Is there a difference between attended and unattended devices? What about those that accept or dispense cash?
According to Visa’s Transaction Acceptance Device Guide Version 3.1, the term Unattended Cardholder Activated Terminal (UCAT) refers to an acceptance device managed by a merchant that dispenses goods or services, at which the card and cardholder are present, but the functions and services are provided without the assistance of an attendant to complete the transaction. These devices include cardholder activated fuel pumps, self-service vending units, and self-service payment devices in parking garages or at parking meters.
Devices that support cash dispensing and provide goods and services must comply with the Visa rules and regulations appropriate to the transaction:
• When dispensing cash, the device is considered an ATM and, therefore, must adhere to the Visa rules and regulations for ATMs.
• When dispensing goods or services, the device is considered a UCAT and must adhere to the Visa rules and regulations for unattended purchases.
Although unattended devices (e.g., ATMs, UCATs) may dispense goods and services as well as cash, transactions involving a purchase with cash back are not allowed. In other words, an unattended device may dispense either cash or goods and services in a single transaction but not both. In addition, UCATs that dispense scrip are not addressed because the Visa rules and regulations prohibit Visa card products from being used for scrip transactions. (Scrip is a two-part paper receipt redeemable for goods, services or cash.)
Attended Cardholder Activated Terminals, such as self-checkout terminals in supermarkets, are not considered UCATs and therefore are not required to meet UCAT requirements.
The guide also mentions a third category, “semi-attended,” to describe Semi-Attended Cardholder Activated Terminals in the Europe Region.
Semi-Attended Tips
If you want to benefit from low cost EFT like Verifone VX820 series (<200USD) and you want to install in Semi-Attended environment you should cover unneeded and unwanted functions by a plastic form.
Pyramid did it for instance in the McD Europe case. The customer can benefit from the low cost EFT and the “white” form embeds the EFT in an elegant and ergonomic way and in same time it covers the magnetic card function on the side of VX820 which would be not needed and would only make customers unsecure which way to use the device. With our embedded form, that ensures that the customer uses or NFC or Chip Card function.
Click for full size
“This has resulted in self-service manufacturers creating a third optional semi-attended solution, in conjunction with VISA, for those situations,” said Frieder Hansen, co-CEO of Germany’s Pyramid Computer. “Instead, for example, a plain IPP350 or 820 being used (attended), or for purposes of a UCAT using Ingenico 250 series, the third solution would be using an inspectable key-lockable option with a terminal like a 350.”
There is a perception that kiosks are always considered unattended from an EMV perspective, said Allen Friedman, VP of Payment Solutions at Ingenico Group
“This is not always true,” Friedman said. “Some self-service implementations in attended environments where employee assistance is available, like at the grocery store, can be considered attended devices. If there is any time period where no assistance is available, then it is considered an unattended solution.”
There is also a card brand requirement for unattended devices to make a printed receipt available to cardholders for transactions above $15, Friedman said.
Although kiosk deployers are still asking for non-EMV compliant solutions, kiosk manufacturers seem to be coming down firm on needing EMV-compliant payment solutions for any custom deployment. New projects are likely to take EMV into account throughout the process.
On the other hand, some deployers are likely to stick with non-EMV compliant kiosks to the end of their lifespan.
“Deployers aren’t as educated on this as they need to be,” Laura Miller with KioWare said. “They think it doesn’t apply to them, aren’t aware of the risk or think that the risk isn’t high enough to warrant the additional cost.”
EMV-certified options are also still relatively limited, so kiosk providers’ preferred payments providers may not yet have an EMV-certified option for unattended applications.
“Kiosks are also expensive to upgrade to EMV due to a required change in casework to accommodate the updated EMV device,” Hudock said.
EMV & Cloud Services
EMV credit transactions thru the cloud makes things easier. Keyboard wedge changed to HID changed to USB and now changes to Ethernet. A hospital environment with a copay for example in old days would require direct integration between the check-in device and the credit terminal. Which payment processor becomes an issue along with who writes the code.Nowadays you can offload the credit portion via cloud services and all that is required on the check-in or check-out terminal is simple HTTP and JSON call for authorization. The credit device takes over, conducts the transaction (thru preferred provider) via EMV certified kernel and then notifies the check-in/check-out that the transaction is complete.
You eliminate the development cost, and the credit devices can be leased monthly to reduce the upfront cost of going EMV.
You do need an ethernet connection though.
“The kiosk industry is more fragmented than retail/restaurant,” Hudock said. “This means that there are often multiple constituents involved in delivering the kiosk that need to be involved in the upgrade process, including hardware OEMs, software developers, payments middleware providers, payment processors and installers. Kiosk upgrades tend to take a little more time and planning than retail/restaurant due to the number of involved parties.”
Some of the reluctance for kiosk deployers to adopt EMV is understandable. If the kiosk is near the end of its life cycle, a deployer may choose to ride it out until it’s time to replace the entire device. In addition, the relatively low transaction averaged for many kiosks translates to less overall chargeback risk, which in turn means less incentive to upgrade.
Should a deployer choose to skip making their units EMV compliant, though, at the very least they should place additional attention on security to minimize the possibility of fraud. Those steps could include data clearing technology and secure browsers, end session on a particular page, session timeouts and so forth. In addition, point-to-point encryption and tokens are valuable security measures. P2PE ensures that card data is encrypted at the time of card insertion and maintains that encryption until it’s routed offsite. Tokens ensure that card data is not stored locally for voids or recurring transactions.
“There is less risk of internal compromise of data for a kiosk due to the hardened nature of the casework, but the largest card data security problem facing kiosks is likely card skimmers,” Hudock said. “Because these are generally placed on top of an existing reader, the card is skimmed before security measures like encryption or EMV would have any impact. Merchants need to periodically check their kiosks to confirm that they haven’t been tampered with.”
And as EMV cards and terminals become ubiquitous, banks’ authorization parameters may evolve to limit fallback approvals.
“A kiosk operator who doesn’t upgrade to EMV may find it harder and harder to get a positive mag stripe authorization,” Englebardt said.
“Notwithstanding the liability shift, banks seek to avoid the risk of counterfeit card chargebacks that trigger replacement/reissuance costs and cardholder attrition,” he said. “So revenue erosion is an additional long term business risk for kiosk operators not adopting EMV.”
Other Problems with EMV
So you reside in U.S. and all your cards (for the last year) are the sturdier Chip cards right? And no problems since right?Well, not exactly. The process of manufacture still has kinks. Personally two of my cards have failed just due to electronic failure (both of them from Chase). So malfunctioning cards are a problem.
My Chip cards have needed to be replaced due to fraud instances twice (rarely did before). I am a low volume very restricted credit card user (except for online accounts). Why the increase of breaches?
At the end of the day, though, what’s likely to motivate deployers to upgrade their devices will be the news of a major chargeback and fine associated with a device that wasn’t EMV-compliant.
“There are beginning to be some fines but not publicized and none that would be considered punitive by any measure,” said Geoff Leopold, division manager with Heartland Payment Systems. Still, it’s likely just a matter of time before a major incident occurs.
In addition, some payment processors have begun charging their customers EMV non-compliance fees. Those fees can vary, coming as a flat monthly or annual charge or a percentage of the deployer’s processing volume.
“The bottom line is that processors and banks want you to move to EMV equipment because it’s more secure for everyone,” write Ellen Cunningham in an article on the website CardFellow.com. “If you’ve been holding off on EMV-capable equipment you may want to think about upgrading before more processors begin imposing expensive fees.”
EMV Resources
How EMV works.
EMVCo manages EMV specifications and related testing processes. This includes, but is not limited to, card and terminal evaluation, security evaluation, and management of interoperability issues. EMVCo is a consortium with control split equally among Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, China UnionPay, and Discover.
US Payments Forum — The U.S. Payments Forum (the “Forum”) is a cross-industry body focused on addressing issues that require broad cooperation and coordination across many constituents in the payments industry. Part of Secure Technology Alliance (see below).
The EMV Connection website provides up-to-date EMV migration information and educational resources. One of those is Chip Cards Facts-at-a-Glance. It is now US Payments Forum.
EMV Resources page of the Card Acquiring Service (CAS). Offers information and links to helpful EMV information, including the federal government’s move to EMV chip and PIN-enabled card acceptance.
Secure Technology Alliance — The Alliance brings together leading providers and adopters of end-to-end security solutions designed to protect privacy and digital assets in a variety of vertical markets.
Interactive retail kiosks are the largest segment of deployed kiosks. Analysts estimate that retail kiosks comprise at least 30% of the entire self-service kiosk market. Locations include Department Stores, Grocery Stores, Big Box Specialty Retailers and Convenience Stores.
Retail kiosks provide convenient services to customers such as bridal and gift registry, non-stock product ordering, wayfinding directories, employment, product lookup, company information and targeted offers. These services increase consumer awareness and offer new channels for retailers to grow their business.
EMV adoption in the self-service industry – Q&A With John Menzel of Ingenico
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in ATM Marketplace back in 2018. EMV has come a long way since then and particularly in thanks somewhat to the pandemic which is driving contactless readers. Still it is good for a historical perspective. For more information on EMV options we suggest you visit the Ingenico Unattended Self Service website.
Industry observers agree the unattended sector has lagged attended retail in adopting EMV. Payment equipment manufacturers have introduced a number of EMV-compliant devices, but many terminals have yet to implement them.
John Menzel, senior self service solutions manager at Ingenico Group, a leading payment equipment manufacturer, recently offered his insights on progress in the self service sector toward EMV compliance.
Q: What is the current state of EMV adoption in self-service?
A: EMV adoption in the self-service industry is still in the beginning stages of adoption. However, there are steps being taken from both a hardware and software perspective to increase the security of the payment devices deployed in self-service.
This includes PCI-certified devices running in a point-to-point-encrypted environment with secure read encrypted device capability, known as SRED. In this manner, all card data is encrypted at the time of the transaction to ensure security. This is an interim step before full EMV compliance.
Q: How do EMV compliance regulations affect kiosk operators?
A: Gaining EMV compliance is a process which needs to be completed any time a new combination of payment device, software and gateway/processor is created. The steps taken include utilizing PCI-certified devices, working with qualified security assessor auditors, working with certified payment gateway providers and changing the flow of the software applications to support EMV tags, etc.
So it is a step-by-step process that is a different motion and requires different partners than operating in a nonsecure world. Couple this with the fact that many operators don’t feel the need to upgrade, since they are not currently liable for fraudulent transactions under $20.
Q: What are the benefits of EMV technology?A: There are many benefits of utilizing a PCI-certified EMV solution, including insuring not only end-to-end security of the payment transaction, but insuring rogue devices and skimmers can’t be inserted or card readers removed without anti-tamper switches going off.From a consumer perspective, it gives them confidence to utilize their payment cards when making a purchase at an EMV-enabled self-service kiosk, which provides a similar experience to that which they are used to at a brick-and-mortar retailer.
From an operator perspective, it gives them the future protection of being EMV compliant, especially as higher ticket items are being offered from unattended solutions, like Best Buy’s kiosks.
Q: How does EMV acceptance improve the customer experience?
A: The more the self-service industry can emulate the brick-and-mortar experience, the better. Consumers are now used to inserting their chip cards into EMV readers at supermarkets, retail stores, quick-serve restaurants and more. Consumers understand EMV use — dipping their chip card into a reader — is supposed to be more secure. Implementing EMV at self-service gives them that security and confidence.
Q: How can kiosk operators seamlessly make the switch to EMV?
A: I wouldn’t call it a seamless experience to upgrade from non-PCI compliant, non-EMV solutions. It is more an evolution with incremental steps being taken.
This includes utilizing PCI-certified payment devices, upgrading the software applications to be EMV compliant, utilizing payment gateways that can operate in P2PE manner and undergoing quality security assessor audits of the end-to-end solution.
The future state of self-service is turning the kiosk into a stand-alone store, and secure payment is one of the services that needs to be offered and integrated into the solution for it to be effective.
DHS Kiosk Report – A Discouraging State of Affairs – what has happened to the Global Entry Kiosks aka DHS Kiosk?
Francie Mendelsohn is President of Summit Research Associates, Inc.
I have previously written about the impressive Global Entry kiosks, more than 500 having been deployed by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These units, built by Kiosk Information Systems with software developed by the US Government, are installed at 43 US airports, seven Canadian airports and the following international airports: Abu Dhabi, Aruba, Dublin, Guam, Nassau, Saipan and Shannon. They allow passengers who have enrolled in the Global Entry program–an expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon their arrival in the United States—quick access through the Customs area through automatic kiosks. The program frees these passengers from filing out a paper Customs entry form; all required information is produced at the kiosks, theoretically a significant time-saving system.
At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt, complete with the passenger’s passport photo, and directs the traveler to a CBP agent and then on to baggage claim and the exit.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. Called the Trusted Traveler program, all applicants must undergo a rigorous background check, followed by an in-person interview before they are permitted to enroll. The cost is $100.00 for a five-year pass.
At least that the way they were supposed to work. Previously, when I accessed the kiosks at airports including Washington Dulles, LAX, Philadelphia and Miami, the system was a pleasure to use. Although there were some minor glitches (the software did not show passengers how to insert their passport to initiate the process) that required a few attempts to get it right, it was fast and easy to operate.
Dulles International Airport was one of the first airports to test the kiosks; it is the jumping-off point for dozens of international flights. Like highways, airports have rush hours.
At Dulles they are from 7:00-9:00 am (for California flights) and again from 3:00-6:00 for California flights as well as for the dozens of Europe-bound flights. When we arrived after a flight from Munich, it was 3:15pm and the International Arrivals Hall was packed. There are signs directing Global Entry passengers to a special line in order to use the kiosks.
This is a welcome diversion from the hoards of non-registered passengers who have to encounter extremely long lines to go through Customs, especially during that 3-6pm rush hour window.
We quickly saw that almost all of the 30+ kiosks were in use. When one became available, I went to use it. I then saw that the previous user had abandoned the session midway through; the error message on the screen revealed that fact.
There was no way to start over so I waited for another kiosk to become free. It became apparent that many of the kiosks had suddenly become available. (This was because so many of my fellow-passengers were experiencing the same performance issues as I was.) I tried a kiosk and followed the instructions to insert my passport to begin the session. The kiosk was unable to read my passport so I tried again. No luck.
At this point, I moved over to a second kiosk to start the process again. But again the software could not read my passport. On to a third kiosk. This time it appeared to read the passport page with the barcode. Quite a bit of time elapsed before I received a screen message saying that I was not a registered Global Entry user and therefore could not use the kiosk. This clearly was in error. (I had registered for Global Entry two years ago)
Growing more annoyed by the minute, I then moved on to a fourth kiosk. At long last, success! The passport was read and accessed the database where my Trusted Traveler information was stored. The system also recognized the flight on which I had just flown back to the U.S. At this point, the system asks the same questions that one encounters on the paper Customs form. These include: Are you carrying more than $10,000 in cash? Are you bringing fruits and vegetables into the country? One nice touch is that it allows you to select the “No” button if all of the answers to the questions are No. When the form is filed out, it appears on the screen with the user’s passport photo on top. If all of the information is correct, you touch the Print button and the paper customs declaration slides out of a slot in the kiosk.
I then took the form to a customs official who stamped and then retained it. I asked him if my experience with the many unreliable kiosks was normal or an aberration. He assured me that my frustrating experience was par for the course. Note: the majority of users who had experienced similar problems had given up and moved over to the long line to fill out a paper declaration and have the CBP official examine and stamp it.
Attempts to reach personnel at the US Customs and Border Patrol have so far proven unsuccessful. Without proper maintenance on these units, the future does not bode well.
The numbers of passengers who quickly gave up trying to use the kiosk and went directly to the regular customs line was disheartening. It’s a sad commentary on a once-impressive (and easy to use) kiosk deployment that had really provided Service to the Citizen.
Self Order Solutions Take Center Stage at Restaurant Show
Kiosks are quickly becoming an integral part of the QSR and fast-casual space. Here are some factors to consider when planning for a self-order solution by Olea Kiosks, Inc.
Craig is longtime writer of technical stories and documentation for many companies. He has 25 years of experience in the industry
The 99th annual National Restaurant Association trade show wrapped up its four-day run May 22, but one of the hottest topics of the event wasn’t food. It was technology.
Still, it’s not enough for a restaurant operator to just install a kiosk near the counter and wait for the orders to roll in. The design of the kiosk itself goes a long way toward encouraging customers to use the devices. In conjunction though the restaurant needs to ensure kitchen output matches up with kitchen input. Bakery café chain Panera Bread updated their kitchens first and then added kiosks and multi-channel ordering. The objective is more orders taken and fulfilled, faster.
There’s little doubt that self-order kiosks will be an central component of the QSR and fast-casual restaurant landscape going forward. McDonald’s expects to have self-order kiosks in most of its 14,000 restaurants by 2020, while Wendy’s currently has them in many of its 6,500-plus locations. Other fast-food operations are following suit, creating their own variations best-suited for their restaurant environments. More compact and less costly designs that are cost-effective to deploy are starting to become commonplace.
On the fast-casual side, Panera made self-order kiosks an integral part of its “Panera 2.0” effort, which it began rolling out in 2014. Before the company was taken private last year, officials indicated that sales increases at restaurants outfitted with the initiative were outpacing sales at those without the technology.
It’s evident that these companies and others wouldn’t be investing millions of dollars in self-order technology unless it had been proven to offer tangible benefits. To maximize those benefits, though, deployers should take a few critical factors into consideration when planning to incorporate self-order kiosks into their operations.
The user interface
Key to encouraging customers to use self-order kiosks on a regular basis is a clean, simple user interface. The order flow must be intuitive and easy to navigate. Choices should be presented logically, with similar items on the same page and accompanied by professionally shot images. Add-ons should be suggested where appropriate. Also, it should be easy for the customer to go back and make changes if they decide on a different selection.
Enclosure & mounting
It’s likely that some customers will need some degree of education to encourage them to use a self-order kiosk. For freestanding kiosks, the enclosure and attractor screen should include messaging that illustrates the kiosk’s purpose. Tablet-based kiosks should consist of nearby signage along with the attractor screen inviting users to bypass the line.
More importantly, self-order kiosks need to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Are the devices usable by someone in a wheelchair? What about a blind or visually impaired customer? Accessible by all should be ensured.
The last thing a restaurant deploying self-order kiosks wants is to be branded with the reputation that they don’t care about the disabled. On the flip side, the disabled will likely be a growing customer base if you support ADA. When it comes to self-order kiosks, ADA compliance is a minefield best navigated with the assistance of an experienced kiosk vendor, and possibly your legal department.
A kiosk is a collection of electronic components and as with any such device it will eventually need service, whether that be a simple cleaning or the replacement of a part. Can the unit be serviced easily and with a minimum of effort? Can parts be swapped out quickly, keeping downtime to a minimum?
One of the main reasons a restaurant operator will consider deploying a self-order kiosk is to alleviate congestion at the counter and increase order throughput. The misconception that self-order kiosks will help cut labor is just that: a misconception. Many restaurants that have deployed self-order kiosks reported an increase in sales, requiring more, not fewer employees to accommodate this influx.
However, increasing the rate at which orders arrive at the kitchen creates another problem. If the kitchen can’t keep up, the result will be long ticket times, crowding by the food pickup area, and ultimately, dissatisfied customers. People tend to order more when they order from the computer as well (25% more).
Consider, for example, the experience encountered by Starbucks when it released a mobile ordering app in 2015. The app led to a flood of orders, which in turn led to congestion at the drink hand-off area. Furthermore, many customers came in, saw the long lines, and naturally turned around and left.
To solve the issue, Starbuck’s added employees and implemented new systems that enabled stores to handle the additional orders. When Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants faced similar problems, they began implementing a second make line devoted solely to digital orders.
Much like anything else, a best practice is to train employees on how to utilize the kiosks. This is made much easier by deploying a kiosk that utilizes the same components used in the restaurants already. Still, training is important.
Think of it this way: If a restaurant installed a new point-of-sale system, they would train each employee on how to use it. Kiosks are no different. Employees should know how to direct traffic to the kiosks during rush hour properly, and how to service the units in a timely manner.
If employees recognize kiosks as a tool for them to use, rather than their competition, it is likely the devices will produce a much faster return on investment. Employees will be more willing to push customers to the kiosks, generating more usage and increasing average ticket size.
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At the end of the day the best way to provide a self-order solution that improves the guest experience, simplifies the restaurant operation, and increases sales is to work with a kiosk vendor who is experienced in the deployment of self-order kiosks and has a track record of success. Olea Kiosks stands ready to help.
Click for full size – courtesy Olea Kiosk, Inc.
The Austin Kiosk from Olea Kiosks, for example, is a versatile solution available in multiple form factors so deployers can choose the one that best suits their needs. The kiosk is available in countertop, wall mount, and freestanding versions – all utilizing the exact same components to ensure that customers are always greeted with the same technology.
The Austin uses familiar POS components such as Elo Touch Solutions, Epson and STAR Micronics-brand printers, and industry-favorite Ingenico and Verifone EMV payment terminals.
For more information call 800.927.8063 or send an email to [email protected]
“Our take on it is that we’re all different,” Bite CPO Steven Truong has said. “Our recognition and learning algorithm allows us to give each guest a different experience — and cater to their personal needs.”
Bite is far from alone in its quest to capitalize on the demand for kiosks. Overall, the kiosk market is booming and is projected to reach $1 billion by 2021.
And, between 2013 and 2016, the size of the U.S. interactive kiosk industry market grew at an average of 10.36 percent from $533.37 million to $716.97 million, according to the PYMNTS Kiosk & Retail Report. Here are five segments for the kiosk market — and how they help businesses function more efficiently.
— Food self-service kiosks made up 16 percent of the percentage participation in relation to the total market. For instance, McDonald’s is on its way to making “wait time zero” a reality, with kiosks playing a big role. Early statistics have shown a 20 percent higher average ticket being placed at the self-service kiosk versus the counter. And Panera made news when it decided to start using touchscreen order kiosks to solve crippling bottlenecks in its stores. The bakery chain is rolling out the technology along with simplified kitchen displays. Subway, too, is hoping that new technology, including touchscreen kiosks, can save it from a three-year sales slump before it has to close more stores.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act recently signed into law includes multiple provisions which encourage businesses to invest in kiosk financing, self-service and automated technology equipment in the 2018 tax year. These include:
Immediate Expensing
100% immediate expensing (bonus depreciation) is available for certain business expenses including machinery and equipment and qualified improvement property acquired and placed in service after
September 27, 2017. The provision applies to both new and used property. The 100% expensing is available through 2022, after which it begins phasing out by 20% per year. Bonus Depreciation is useful to very large businesses spending more than the Section 179 Spending Cap (currently $2,500,000) on new capital equipment.
Enhanced Section 179 Deduction and Depreciation
The popular Section 179 deduction has been increased from
$500,000 to $1 million with the phase-out limitation increasing from $2 million to $2.5 million for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. These amounts are indexed for inflation for years beginning after 2018. All businesses that purchase, finance, and/or lease less than $2,500,000 in new or used business equipment during tax year 2018 qualify for the Section 179 Deduction.
What this means for buyers of kiosks and other self-service technology equipment: There has never been a better time to invest in kiosks and self-service technology.
Buyers can write off 100% of the solution’s cost in the tax year of purchase. Additionally, if they elect to finance the purchase, they can pay for it over multiple years.
For more information, you may consult the following sources:
Peerless-AV Joins Kiosk Manufacturer Association Board of Directors
AURORA, Ill. – February 28, 2018 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of the highest quality audio and video solutions and accessories, is pleased to announce it has joined the Self-Service Kiosk Association’s Board of Directors for 2018. Peerless-AV joins 16 companies in serving to lead efforts to promote best practices and regulatory compliance.
The Kiosk Industry Association was established in 1995 for the benefit of kiosk manufacturers, developers, resources, and client companies who are involved in self-service transaction machines (SSTM).
The association’s goal is to make self-service easier, faster, safer, more reliable, and more useful. The group encompasses a multitude of industry experts who serve as resources to enhance all areas of the market—whether it be engineering a solution, manufacturing, software, and application development, remote monitoring, logistics, or services for warranty, financing, usability, and analytics.
In addition, the Kiosk Industry Association is heavily involved in ADA and Section 508 policies, having establishing the ADA Committee and ADA Working Committee this year to assist in formulating agreed-upon industry guidelines and understandings, and to communicate these guidelines.
“When we learned about the ADA Committee and what they were looking to accomplish on Capitol Hill, we instantly knew we wanted to become a part of the Access Board,” said Robert Meiner, Kiosk Business Unit Manager at Peerless-AV. “By becoming a sponsor and an advisory board member, I plan to work diligently with key industry leaders to increase awareness and to help develop and legislate ADA guidelines for kiosks in self-service applications. The Kiosk Industry Association has made great strides for the industry and we are pleased to be a part of enhancing its success in the coming year.”
Peerless-AV will continue to update its blog and newsroom at www.peerless-av.comwith key updates on the brand’s 2018 initiatives.
About Peerless-AV
Driving Technology Through Innovation
For over 75 years, passion and innovation continue to drive Peerless-AV forward. We proudly design and manufacture the highest quality products, ranging from outdoor displays to complete kiosk solutions, digital signage mounts to wireless systems. Whether a full-scale global deployment or custom project, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service. In partnership with Peerless-AV, you are trusting an award-winning team of experts who will support your business every step of the way. For more information, visitpeerless-av.com.
Three industry front-runners, American Portwell Technology, KIOSK Information Systems, and Posiflex Business Machines, merge products and services across category lines
NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Taiwanese Global Point-of-Sale Terminal Brand Leader, Posiflex Technology, Inc., announced today the launch of a North American Corporate Office (NACO), implemented to drive strategic solution synergy and enrich product and service offerings in the market. Having acquired North America’s top kiosk solution provider, KIOSK Information Systems in late 2016, and more recently Embedded Computing Leader Portwell in 2017, Posiflex has now established a unique and powerful industry position with strongholds in point of sale, self-service, embedded/industrial computing platform, and field and managed services. CEO Owen Chen states, “The vision in this very specific acquisition strategy was to bring three best-in-class companies together to provide the most complete and sophisticated computing solutions from on-line to off-line (O2O) applications in this high-growth Service IoT era. The NACO Leadership Team is now in place and will be very actively guiding the cross-implementation of our collective development, product, and service assets to provide the market with an enhanced product-family portfolio, paired with industry-leading deployment support.”
Allen Lee, CEO of American Portwell Technology, has been appointed Managing Director of the North American Corporate Office. Being instrumental to the impressive growth of American Portwell for over 20 years, Mr. Lee adds, “With NACO established, I’m confident Portwell’s state-of-the-art computing platforms will become an integral element of converged solutions that will truly benefit our customers and partners. The NACO platform will infuse longevity, reliability, and serviceability while empowering the convergence of online and offline commerce in mainstream applications such as smart retail and hospitality, IoT, healthcare, and cloud services, thus enabling new synergies across manufacturers, field operators, and end customers.”
NACO has named Tom Weaver as Chief Strategy Officer to lead the Solutions and Sales implementation for the organization. Tom was the CEO of KIOSK Information Systems for over five years, and is a 15-year career veteran in the Self-Service Industry. He will be leading in-depth value cross-selling efforts for each company’s products and services across the entire customer base. Mr. Weaver states, “This effort will accelerate the introduction of very logical, high-value product and service extensions from all three companies. Ultimately, it enables us to meet literally every product and service requirement necessary for a successful self-service, POS, or embedded computing platform deployment; and that’s exactly the value proposition our Sales Teams will be presenting to our valued clients and channel partners.” Among others, Doyle Ledford, VP of Posiflex Business Machines, has been named Regional Channel Director of NACO. His extensive knowledge and success building channel sales and partners will be an integral part of NACO’s overall growth strategy.
The product and service technology offerings built out by NACO will be a continually evolving effort. First in line will be a focused product initiative in the fast-growing Digital Signage and HMI/Panel PC market segments. The three companies each hold respected market leadership positions in key vertical markets including hospitality, retail, government, fintech, industrial automation, medical/healthcare, and network/communication. NACO is in place to facilitate the widest and highest value customer solution offerings within these verticals, while simultaneously penetrating new strategic growth segments.
About Posiflex:
Founded in 1984, Posiflex Technology, Inc. has designed and manufactured its own-branded and world-class POS solutions. Recognized as a pioneer and leader in the POS industry, Posiflex has been awarded more than 30 patents for innovative design. Since 2016, Posiflex has determined to grow beyond POS business and further expand itself into self-service solutions (KIOSK), and to a few more vertical markets serving B2B IoT platform empowered by embedded PC. The company’s products are manufactured in ISO 9001/9002/14001 facilities in Taiwan and sold worldwide through retail, hospitality, banking, healthcare, kiosks and many other vertical markets. Core products include POS Terminals & peripherals, kiosk hardware (self-service system), kiosk remote monitoring software & platform, kiosk maintenance & deployment services, digital signage, panel PC, AIO (All-in-one) PC, embedded PC, single board PC and systems. Posiflex’s offices are in the USA, Germany, Netherlands, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Dubai along with the global distribution networks to provide direct and timely support to its customers around the world. For more information: www.posiflex.com.
Contacts
KIOSK Information Systems
North America Corporate Office:
Cheryl Madeson, 303-661-1648 [email protected]
or Posiflex
Global Corporate Office:
George Chen [email protected]
One sector of the retail industry that has taken a beating the past few years has been brick-and-mortar stores. And it’s no wonder; online spending continues to climb. Store closures across the country are happening in record numbers, with 8,600 stores closing in 2017. Predictions of retail’s demise make headlines. However, these calls are overblown, as savvy retailers are working to increase same-store sales by learning to blend the best of both worlds by creating in-store interactive digital experiences.
eMarketer forecasts e-commerce spending will account for almost 10 percent of U.S. retail sales by 2019. That means 90 percent of purchases are still made in physical stores. For many consumers, the convenience of online shopping is no substitute for seeing and interacting with products in person. Even the largest e-tailers recognize this, as evidenced by Amazon.com’s recent acquisition of Whole Foods. To better service this new breed of consumer, retailers are quickly adapting by investing in interactive technologies to enhance in-store convenience and create meaningful experiences.
Here are three areas where digital experiences are set to take off in 2018:
Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS)
BOPIS is a perfect example of the link between online and in-store experiences. By encouraging customers to visit a physical location to pick up their online purchases, retailers are discovering new ways in which sales associates can interact with customers. Not only are wait times reduced, but by knowing orders ahead of time, sales associates are better informed to make recommendations and suggestions for upsell opportunities.
For example, when a customer picks up a TV that was purchased online, the sales associate can suggest a specific brand of sound bar to accompany it. Choosing the right artificial intelligence-driven software can also streamline the ability to add in warranties or rewards, strengthening customer loyalty.
Self-Service
Self-service will mature in 2018, as retailers discover some surprising benefits. The self-service kiosk trend initially began as a convenience for shoppers, but they can also be useful for employee training and help stores and restaurants run more efficiently. For customers, this reduces the likelihood of order mistakes. Self-service kiosks with interactive touchscreens also enable customers to pull up past orders and preferences to assist with purchasing decisions.
Employees can also use this information to their benefit when interacting with customers, as they can make more well-informed and strategic upsell and cross-sell recommendations. Operations are streamlined by reducing waste from orders that needed to be remade, thereby cutting costs.
Interactive Fitting Rooms
One of the more promising examples of in-store technology is happening in the fitting room. By installing digital touchscreens, retailers instantly enhance the shopping experience while also expanding the store’s inventory. For example, when trying on clothes, shoppers can receive intelligent pairings and suggestions. Feeling fabulous in that shirt? Check out this great pair of earrings available to go with it. Pants too large but it’s the only size left? No worries, the store’s entire range of sizes (and colors) online is now literally right at your fingertips.
The convenience of online shopping has had a profound impact on retail in a relatively short period of time. But the fact remains that there will always be a place for physical stores. Despite the rash of store closures, retailers are adapting. Those that embrace this digital transformation by bringing new interactive technologies in-store will be the ones to thrive, while those that don’t will only make room for a new breed of experience-driven retailers.
First posted by TotalRetail on January 31st – http://www.mytotalretail.com/article/the-2018-retail-landscape-will-be-driven-by-digital-experiences
Luke Wilwerding is director of retail solutions at Elo, a company that makes touchscreen displays, monitors, computers and touch screen components.
Some years ago digital signage and kiosk software would’ve been completely different applications with different scopes. Back then it was all quite easy,the world of slideshows and that of user applications were well defined and existed side by side nearly without overlap. This is quite interesting as a lot of features and conditions for the operation of both types of software running the hardware are similar. The reason for the two individual types is simply historical.
These days, digital signage software and Kiosk applications are more or less two sides of the same coin. And a new type of software has now conquered the market: interactive digital signage, which merges features of both classic digital signage software and Kiosk systems. This allows a very flexible usage of one piece of software under different circumstances – you don’t have to use more than one product to cover the whole spectrum of applications for customer or employee information andinteractive communication.
Large retailers have recently started to implement new types of Kiosk systems in their stores to support omnichannel marketing. Kiosks like this need the full range of information and interactive functionality. They do not only extend the offline stores to the online store, they give additional information to locally 38 KIOSK solutions offered goods at the same time. So what are the most important features of the software that will support this type of omnichannel usage?
Security
Old school digital signage software didn’t need to take care of security on their player hardware. Without any kind of interaction, and no chance of physical access this point was out of scope. It was the domain of Kiosk software to do the lockdown of terminals and take care of limiting access to predefined software and web resources. Interactive digital signage, of course, needs these kinds of security features to allow secure access to online shops and databases.
Mixed content management
As a result of this convergence, a new kind of content management system is needed to combine information and interactive software within one user interface for terminal users. It’s not only a question of timetables to schedule digital signage content anymore, you have to take care of different kinds of navigation and time-dependent display conditions. In addition to this, integrated browser controls open up a flexible way to access content from web sources as part of the displayed content. Allowing interaction between browser content and traditional digital signage content is one of the main goals of interactive digital signage.
Local Trigger
Touch interaction or other human interface devices are common local triggers to navigate digital signage content. And additional triggers are becoming commonplace: face recognition, weather condition, NFC or QR code readers, proximity sensors – can all be used to initiate navigation on interactive digital signage systems. With this you can extend the usage of digital signage to a completely new range of use cases.
Remote Management
Systems like this are usually spread all over the country without local IT specialists to maintain and monitor them. So, to provide a positive user experience it’s necessary to ensure high availability and quick support in the case of errors. A powerful remote monitoring and administration system is needed to allow this at an affordable price, and if a solution like this is part of the interactive solution, there’s no gap between monitoring hardware, software and content for the highest benefit.
A new approach
As we see kiosk and digital signage software converging into a new class of software the sum of all these features, in a single software suite, offers the best tools to start new interactive projects to engage with staff and customers. If you plan employee self-service terminals, customer information screens, multimedia education systems or whatever it might be, it’s worth having a look at this new kind of software first.
PROVISIO is a charter member of Kiosk Industry Association and provides all types of kiosk software, secure desktop and remote content management & monitoring alerts.
Version 8.14 of KioWare for Windows is now available with a brand new Guided Setup allowing customers to quickly and easily set up KioWare for Windows to display interactive and non-interactive digital signage, videos, and KioCall video conferencing. With this new Guided Setup, KioWare can be configured to secure a Windows device into a kiosk with only a few clicks. New supported devices have also been added.
