AntiBacterial, Antimicrobial, Member, picks, Technology

Antibacterial Kiosk Touchscreen Wipes Coatings

Sticky

Overview AntiBacterial Touch Screen Kiosk

April 2020 Coronvirus Update:

By now we have all seen and read countless articles on how best to protect ourselves and others from bacterial infection. Before we begin we want to list some recommended resources right off the bat that can help educate your point of view on antibacterial, antimicrobial and of course, the coronavirus.

Our current recommendations:

  1. Clean surfaces with warm soapy water. That breaks down the viruses and removes it.
  2. Another option — wipe down with bleach wipes and after several passes of that wipe down with Easy Screen.
  3. Bleach – figure 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water for mix ratio
  4. Avoid highly concentrated solutions of alcohol based.
  5. If you want to “double-clean” then consider getting handheld UVC product like the Blade below for localized and safe UVC cleaning (after surfaces have been wiped down).  Oily fingers are one of the complicating factors to consider.

Recommended Resources

Some recommended sources of internet resources include:

PDI Update

PDI has been monitoring the COVID-19 epidemic (SARS-CoV-2 virus), previously identified as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), to provide you the most current information to help manage this outbreak. The CDC has recently issued additional recommendations for surface disinfection, including recommendations for the use of an EPA-approved disinfectant with emerging viral pathogens claims. This letter supersedes previous letter issued on January 30, 2020.

Super Sani-Cloth ® Wipes, Sani-Cloth ® AF3 Wipes, and Sani-Cloth ® Bleach Wipes meet the criteria for the EPA emerging viral pathogens claim. PDI has submitted the addition of the required language for this claim on these master labels to the EPA and is awaiting expedited approval. Recently launched products, including Sani-Cloth ® Prime Wipes, Sani-Prime ® Spray, Sani-24 ® Spray, and Sani-HyPerCideTM Spray already have the EPA emerging viral pathogens claim on their master labels.

Recommended Wipe

Super Sani-Cloth is what we would recommend. It is the most equipment friendly wipe that is on the list.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus still has not been made readily available by the CDC for testing. The CDC states: “If there are no available EPA-registered products that have an approved emerging viral pathogens claim for COVID-19, products with label claims against human coronaviruses should be used according to label instructions.” The following PDI products have label claims against human coronaviruses:

Click for full size

Handheld cleaning would include after-hours with handheld UV device (example here is Blade). $500

Don’t Believe It

Bad Data Tabloids

A year or so ago an article on “dirty” McDonalds touchscreens came out in London tabloid and while proved inaccurate there are those that have used it to create a certain fear factor. The intent of the article was essentially “clickbait” for sensational traffic.

We have articles here on the site from legitimate sources which disproved and countered. Companies will also use this article as “fear factor” for buying their products. If this article is their primary credential then that tells you something.

While some fantastical things like your Marketing people making decisions at midnight in the company parking lot via chicken bones and marbles  can be considered possibly true, we like to think they utilize factual analytic data.

Employees

  • Training employees to clean their hands and then to clean the public surfaces on regular basis is best practice
  • Do employees get paid sick time or do they have to come into work and potentially infect people?
  • You’ve opted not to use the cleaned kiosk and go to the counter. How close is that McDonalds person to you talking to you and how many people have been talking in that zone? Drive Thru’s get a lot busier.

But what about your cellphone?

Because phones get so dirty, they’re as important to keep clean as your hands. But you can’t lather, rinse, repeat your phone with soap and water — so that’s where alternative cleaning methods come into play, such as UV lights that disinfect your device.

A new study conducted by PhoneSoap, a company that sells UV sanitizing devices for your phones, has found that the surface of the average device is 18 times dirtier than a public restroom. In an interview with Mashable, co-founder Dan Barnes says PhoneSoap calls phones “the third hand you never wash.”

Difference between Antimicrobial and AntiBacterial

Antimicrobial and antibacterial solutions for touchscreens and kiosks have been around a long time and there has been improvements over the years.  Important in the self-service terminal that the treatment does not affect the touchscreen

The primary difference between antibacterial and antimicrobial substances is the types of microorganisms they act upon. While antibacterial products prevent the development of bacteria, antimicrobial agents such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. This is a much broader scope of protection than the protection found in antibacterial products.

Cleansing wipes are one type of product that is available as both an antibacterial product and an antimicrobial product. Antibacterial hand wipes kill bacteria, while antimicrobial wipes kill bacteria plus other microorganisms that can cause human illness. Both antibacterial and antimicrobial wipes can be a component of effective hand hygiene.

Antibacterial Kiosk Solutions

Wipes – PDI Easy Screen

Compatible touchscreen cleaner that works.

• Features the power of 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
• Fast-drying, No residue, Anti-fogging, Anti-streaking
• Rapidly cleans dirt, grime, fingerprints, and smudges
• Compatible with touchscreen healthcare equipment, including Corning® Gorilla® Glass (3 and 4)1, Sapphire glass, Aluminum silicate, Acrylic Glass, Etched glass, Stainless steel, and more!  MSDS Sheet.

Spray & Coating – Sanitech Information

SurfaceClean is a hospital-grade cleaner disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria on hard, non-porous surfaces.

SurfaceClean- enhances the effectiveness of our antimicrobial coatings by properly preparing surfaces for antimicrobial treatment

SurfaceClean is designed for use prior to the application of long lasting antimicrobial products. It is also recommended for regular maintenance cleaning.

SurfaceClean is a cost effective and easy to use solution. SurfaceClean is available in 32 ounce spray bottles and 1 or 5 gallon containers.

 SurfaceClean Disinfects and Eliminates:

      • 99% of Germs and Bacteria
      • Healthcare associated MRSA
      • Community associated MRSA
      • H1N1 Flu Virus
      • SARS
      • Avian Influenza
      • Hepatitis
      • Mumps
      • Rhinovirus
      • Rotovirus

For how long?

SurfaceAide XL delivers durability, safety and affordability to protect vital surfaces from the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi 24/7 for up to 90 days.

SurfaceAide XL

  • Generates an environmentally friendly, non-leaching antimicrobial barrier on surfaces that is non-toxic and non-sensitizing
  • Promotes long-term reduction of harmful bacteria, mold and fungi on surfaces
  • Minimizes the presence of microbes on touch points that can serve as transfer routes for bacteria from surface-to-skin
  • One application effectively fights the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi, non-stop on surfaces for up to 90 days
  • Proactively and continually prevents odor, staining and deterioration caused by bacteria, fungi, mold and mildew
  • Can be safely and easily applied without affecting day to day  operations
  • Invisible, odorless and will not affect the appearance or performance of treated surfaces
  • Since SurfaceAide XL does not leach, the organism cannot emerge as a new resistant microbe or “super bug”
  • Essentially dimethyl ammonium chlorides

Clorox Professional

– Link – competes with PDI.  Using “Quat Alcohol”.

Here is the Clorox info.  Same as PDI but percentages are not revealed.  Price is different I am guessing.

clorox-info

 

 

AEGIS INFO

Treated vs. Untreated Surface — The unique AEGIS Microbe Shield is a fabric enhancement that gives the treated surface active antibacterial action. The germ-killing action is the result of a micro polymer coating, which mechanically destroys bacteria, mold, fungus and their allergens on contact. AEGIS contains no chemicals, is not consumed by microorganisms, and remains effective for the life of the product.

COPPER AND ALLOYS

copper-surfaces

Copper alloys have the advantages of not only killing “bad bacteria” but they continue to kill it.  Chart compares copper, brass and stainless.

 

antimicrobial-copper2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes copper has an ROI model based on cost savings.

antimicrobial-copper-3

 

 

UV-C Antibacterial Light

Another antibacterial  tool is UV-C light. It however has many cautions.

What Are Germicidal Lamps?

Germicidal lamps emit radiation in the UV-C portion of the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, which includes wavelengths between 100 and 280 nanometers (nm). The lamps are used in a variety of applications where disinfection is the primary concern, including air and water purification, food and beverage protection, and sterilization of sensitive tools such as medical instruments. Germicidal light destroys the ability of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens to multiply by deactivating their reproductive capabilities. The average bacteria may be killed in 10 seconds at a

Blade UV-C cleaner
The handheld, portable UVC Blade deactivates bacteria, viruses and fungi in hard to reach places and in environments that only need occasional exposure to UVC light. It is also an effective solution for mold remediation.
The Blade features an on/off safety switch, and a comfortable handle that minimizes grip discomfort.
Hazard and Risks from Germicidal Lamp UV Radiation

UV radiation (UVR) used in most germicidal bulbs is harmful to both skin and eyes, and germicidal bulbs should not be used in any fixture or application that was not designed specifically to prevent exposure to humans or animals. UVR is not felt immediately; in fact, the user may not realize the danger until after the exposure has caused damage. Symptoms typically occur 4 to 24 hours after exposure. The effects on skin are of two types: acute and chronic. Acute effects appear within a few hours of exposure, while chronic effects are long-lasting and cumulative and may not appear for years. An acute effect of UVR is redness of the skin called erythema (similar to sunburn). Chronic effects include accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. UVR is absorbed in the outer layers of the eye – the cornea and conjunctiva. Acute overexposure leads to a painful temporary inflammation, mainly of the cornea, known as photokeratitis. Subsequent overexposure to the UV is unlikely because of the pain involved. Chronic exposure leads to an increased risk of certain types of ocular cataracts. Working unprotected for even a few minutes can cause injury. It is possible to calculate the threshold for acute effects and to set exposure limits. It is not possible, however, to calculate threshold for chronic effects; therefore, because no exposure level is safe, exposure should be reduced as much as possible.

UV-C Handheld Blade FAQ
  1. How does one use it?

With the Blade unit, all you need to do is get it as close to the surface as possible and pass it over the surface. Being one inch away, a few seconds exposure kills all bacteria and virus.

  1. How long does it take?

Some take a little longer than normal but a few seconds is plenty if 1 inch away

  1. What is the wrong way to use them?

You don’t shine the light up or at anyone and the operator should wear safety glasses which we include with every unit

  1. How does it handle oily fingerprints and smudges?

The surface should be wiped down for the best application

  1. These should be used in off-hours when no customers or patients around?  Example: the front lobby of VA where check-in’s are taking place.

They can be used 24 hours a day, you just need to have people stand back while you run the unit over the surface

UV-C Resources

For more information and assistance contact KMA

More reference and useful links

Craig is a  senior staff writer for Kiosk Industry Group Association. He has 25 years of experience in the industry. He contributed to this article and even accepted an award for UV-C. Craig is also a senior manager for Olea Kiosks Inc.
Member, picks, Printer, Printing

Wide Format Kiosk Printers

See the full landing page.  Microcom completes its line of kiosk printers with the 814M. This 8.5 inch wide thermal kiosk printer comes standard with 300 dpi resolution for high-quality A4 and Letter size print outs. The built-in presenter/ retractor feature helps prevent jams which is especially important in unattended kiosk applications. Some applications the printer compliments well include:

  • Weigh Scale
  • Retail
  • Healthcare
  • Government and Public Utilities
  • Bill of Lading
  • Transportation

In addition to our large printer selection, we have a wide array of media including 8.5” wide thermal rolls. Please contact the Microcom sales team at sales@microcomcorp.com or give us a call at (740) 548-6262 (option 2) to set up a free consultation for a custom design.

Member, Outdoor Displays, Outdoor Kiosk, picks

Outdoor Displays – Mimi New High Bright 21

Outdoor Kiosk Displays by Mimo Launched

MAR 31, 2020 POSTED BY: DAVID ANDERSON

We’re thrilled to officially launch our 21.5” Outdoor Display, the first Mimo Monitors screen to be designed for optimum outdoor performance. Durable, reliable, and vibrant, this screen can handle almost any temperature (ranging from -20 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit), any lighting, and is IP65 rated making it fit to ward off any elements ranging from sand to dust and moisture. Watch this video to learn about our new outdoor display:

 

Gaming Kiosk

Gaming News – Despite Coronavirus Shutdown Skill Games Still Open

From GGB News Apr 2020 Skill Games Still Active

By  Wed, Apr 1, 2020 — In several states, unregulated “skill games” are still up and running, despite the nationwide coronavirus shutdown.

On Monday, March 16, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ordered all casinos in the state to shut down, part of the larger nationwide effort to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The following day, gaming boards in Missouri and Kansas followed suit, and eventually, the entire legal gaming industry was at a standstill.

Many in the industry initially thought social distancing—shutting down two or three slot machines between each active game—would allow casinos to remain open. Then the Centers for Disease Control revealed that the Covid-19 virus can survive up to two or three days on stainless steel, plastic and other nonporous surfaces—like gaming machines. An industry shutdown was unavoidable.

But as recently as last weekend, convenience stores, pizza parlors, gas stations and other retail locations in Pennsylvania, Missouri and elsewhere still had live gaming machines operating. These are the so-called “skill games” that had been cropping up in several states prior to the crisis, the subject of an effort launched in February to battle them by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the American Gaming Association (AGA).

Read full article — From GGB News Apr 2020 Skill Games Still Active

Member, picks

Peerless-AV® Launch of New SmartSpace Kiosk

Newest product is built to withstand life in other galaxies and inform intergalactic locals

AURORA, Ill. – April 1, 2020 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of the highest quality audio and video solutions and accessories, is pleased to announce the introduction of the new SmartSpace product line with the launch of the New SmartSpace Kiosk.

The new customized SmartSpace Kiosk (SPC2556) can withstand any weather conditions, making it perfect for the drastic weather shifts on the moon. With interactive displays to disseminate important information about current gravity conditions, important NASA launch news, as well as to direct residents to the nearest lifeform.

“While this may be one small step for Peerless-AV as well as the digital signage and AV community, this is one giant leap for our lunar locals. We are thrilled to partner with Peerless-AV to enhance our community – especially as we have been envious of Earth’s many digital signage offerings,” said Ed Extraterrestrial, Moon Mayor. “These new displays are an innovative and dependable solution to keep our residents informed about the latest lifeforms to visit our planet, galactic black hole advisories, crater wayfinding, and more .”

The AV designing and manufacturing company plans to expand its Space collection at the end of 2020 with the addition of a SmartSpace Flat Panel Cart (SP560MN) and a SPACELESS Program to help the locals with their installation needs.  With the addition of the SmartSpace Kiosk and upcoming full SmartSpace product line, Peerless-AV is setting sights on brand expansion in the milky way and beyond with an ultimate goal to become the official digital signage and kiosk provider for outer space.

Unfortunately, these space-rated solutions will never be available through Peerless-AV’s direct sales representatives and authorized distribution network because….

April Fool’s!!!

While we don’t have immediate plans to expand into space, we do offer our fellow earthlings many other innovative, outdoor solutions, such as the award-winning Smart City Kiosks, UltraViewTM UHD Outdoor TVs, XtremeTM High Bright Outdoor Displays, and more.

For more information about Peerless-AV’s current indoor and outdoor solutions for earth applications, please visit: www.peerless-av.com

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.

Accessibility, ADA, Member, picks

Kiosk Accessibility Patient Kiosks

Read full article at Paciello Group March 2020

Healthcare kiosks are, now more than ever, a valuable tool for serving more patients without the need for up close staff interaction. They can be used for checking in patients and gathering symptom information for efficient triage purposes. They can also be used to measure patient blood pressure or heart rate, temperature, and other diagnostic information. Moreover, healthcare kiosks are also helpful for educating patients, collecting health insurance information, and scheduling future services.

Making a healthcare kiosk accessible not only improves patient care, but is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities regarding public accommodations and the court has defined public accommodation to include (in title III) service establishments including healthcare facilities.

Creating an accessible healthcare kiosk

Disabilities, according to the ADA, can be physical (motor skills), cognitive (intellectual), low to no vision, low to no hearing, and more. But before addressing software accessibility, the first step to creating an accessible healthcare kiosk should be to make the kiosk physically accessible. The ability to access the kiosk by users in a wheelchair is required by the ADA.  It outlines specific compliance guidelines like the height of operable parts, the viewing angle, and the approach area for accessing the kiosk — which must also be accessible via a wheelchair. The approach area requires a clear path without stairs, uneven flooring, or objects to obstruct access.

Once physical accessibility has been established, turn your attention to another an equally important component: software. The kiosk application must also be accessible for use by someone who is blind or has low vision. The kiosk needs to have a screen reader, such as JAWS® for kiosk to turn text to speech. Some examples of accessible kiosks can be found in this video.

Touchscreens may be difficult for people with disabilities, so an external input/navigation device is also useful to allow users to engage with a kiosk without using a touchscreen.  The kiosk application must be developed to ensure it can be easily navigated and understood when read through a screen reader. WCAG 2.1 AA standards are application and website guidelines for accessibility. Following those guidelines with a healthcare check-in app, for instance, will make it easier for a blind or low vision user to understand and navigate the kiosk app. Learn more about selecting the right input device for your accessible kiosk.

Some things to consider when planning your accessible healthcare kiosk

  1. What application will you be using? Is it already accessible? If yes, can you improve usability for kiosk users?
  2. Is the kiosk hardware ADA compliant for height and reach specifications?
  3. Does the kiosk include an input device that has an audio jack? Oftentimes, there is no effect on audio jacks built in audio jacks when headphones are inserted. Using an input device that includes an audio jack will allow JAWS to turn off and on based on the presence of the headphones.
  4. Are you providing all information in a way that is accessible to all users, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those who are blind or who have low vision? That includes any PDFs that are being read on the screen, videos in need of captioning, and document signing for HIPAA compliance.
  5. Are you protecting user privacy at every turn?

Read full article at Paciello Group March 2020

EMV PCI, Member, picks

Free Ecommerce with NETePay Hosted

In response to COVID-19 related business shifts, Datacap is offering free eCommerce functionality with every NETePay Hosted install for the next 6 months to make transitioning to takeout and delivery-only easier for you and your merchants.

During this unprecedented time, it’s more important than ever to be able to offer your merchants the ability to pair card-present payments in brick-and-mortar locations with card-not-present payments, so you can help them through this tough time by providing a new avenue for payments and a means to help keep them afloat.

Why Datacap For Ecommerce

datacap ecommerce
Click for full size

– Cross-platform tokens – Initiate transactions via cross-platform tokens that originated online to use in store or vice versa. Tokens remain independent of specific payment processing platforms, so they are maintained as merchants change processing relationships.

– App-based Payments – Seamlessly add payments to any iOS or Android app with Datacap’s eCommerce libraries.

– WooCommerce WordPress plugin – Easily add online checkout to your wordpress site with Datacap’s WooCommerce plugin.

LEARN MORE

Getting Started With Pay API

datacap api

Contact our integration support team or check out our
Developer Portal (Click on Pay API) to get started.

DEV PORTAL

Covid-19 Specific Resources

How Businesses Shut Down by Coronavirus Can Handle Online Order Management

RSPA COVID-19 Crisis Resources

RSPA Trusted Advisor Ep. 13: Retail IT Community Roundtable on COVID-19

Get Started Today!

NETePay Hosted is a comprehensive payments platform that consolidates payments and tokens across brick-and-mortar, eCommerce, mobile and unattended environments, all managed via Datacap‘s portal.

LET’S TALK

Connect with us for payments industry news & updates
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube
Call us: 215.997.8989
EMV PCI, Member, picks

EMV Payment Solutions by TEAMSable POS

TEAMSable Partners With Worldnet Payments To Provide EMV Payment Solutions to Merchants

San Jose, California – March 30, 2020 – TEAMSable, premiere hardware manufacturer of complete Point-Of-Sale (POS) systems, and Worldnet Payments, a trusted leader in electronic payments and security technology, announced today that they have joined forces to provide a one-stop shop for businesses looking for EMV certified frictionless payments solutions. This partnership will enable EMV payment processing on TEAMSable point-of-sale systems for retail, restaurants, hospitality, health care, and more.

Worldnet Payment’s gateway is certified to industry-leading processors and will integrate with TEAMSable’s POS hardware. This will allow transaction data to transfer seamlessly from the POS to the payment terminal, delivering a frictionless payment experience to customers, while saving merchants time and resources. Worldnet EMV certified with major processors and also provides Contactless and eCommerce solutions which means you would be able to accept any payment anywhere with all major credit and debit cards.

“Commerce is changing faster than ever before and merchants require versatile payment solutions to meet those demands,” said Conn Byrne, Worldnet Payments’ Senior Vice President of Sales. “By partnering with TEAMSable, we can deliver an integrated solution that will help merchants advance and grow their business.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Worldnet Payments because they have a dedicated team and the latest payments technology and security,” said Michael Hsieh, General Manager at TEAMSable. “We are proud to be partnering with them to enable merchants to accept EMV and mobile payments securely from anywhere.”

TEAMSable is continuously making strides to quickly and efficiently bring versatile point-of-sale solutions to the market. For businesses today to thrive, they must be able to accept a wide range of payments and provide security for card data. This partnership ensures that business owners have what is needed to run a successful operation for years to come.

About TEAMSable POS, Inc.

Founded in 2006, TEAMSable POS started as a division of Team Research Inc., a public company in Taiwan and doing business based in San Jose, California for over 25 years. TEAMSable POS offers a complete line of POS Hardware and mPOS solutions including all-in-one touch systems, mobile devices, peripherals, and payment terminals. Their team has a proven track record of delivering quality products and first-class customer service, always ensuring that products are delivered in a timely fashion and within budget. To learn more visit: www.teamsable.com

About Worldnet Payments

Worldnet Payments delivers frictionless payment solutions to Software Vendors and Integrators. We were founded in 2007 and our technology has been designed from the ground up to deliver seamlessly integrated omnichannel payments. We deliver end to end solutions, from advice on architecture, to support in rollout and merchant migration, helping to ensure a truly frictionless integration experience for our customers. The company operates from Atlanta GA, with a European base in Dublin, Ireland. To learn more visit: www.worldnetpayments.com

Media Contact:

Worldnet Payments
Cassandra Buckley
Sales & Marketing Operations Manager
(470) 372-1601
cassandra.buckley@worldnettps.com

TEAMSable POS, Inc.
Michael Hsieh
General Manager
(408) 775-8384
michael.hsieh@teamsable.com

Kiosk Newsbits

Kiosk Coronavirus Impact – CTS Furloughs 95%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 30, 2020
Kandice Sanders
Connected Technology Solutions (CTS)
262-437-8096, ksanders@connectedts.com

Connected Technology Solutions Temporarily Furloughs Staff Due to Coronavirus

CTS Healthcare Kiosk Menomonee Falls, WI: Connected Technology Solutions (CTS), the local kiosk manufacturer, closed their facilities and furloughed 95% of their staff starting Monday March 23rd due to concerns of the Coronavirus. With only current crisis-level staffing, the company intends to re-open operations in accordance with state and local directives.

Sandra Nix, President & CEO, stated “For the health and safety of not only our team members but our families and our communities as well, CTS is enacting a temporary furlough of most non-sales related staff. While we aren’t alone in enacting a temporary furlough, we are at the forefront of small to medium-sized manufacturers to do so. We’ve built an amazing team here and we need to look out for each other.

This is an opportunity for us to step up and be leaders while protecting each other, our families and our community.”

Overall, the crisis level staffing will be available to perform basic business functions and technical helpdesk support will continue to be available to CTS customers during the furlough. No production, research, development, 3D printing nor deliveries will be made during this time.

About Connected Technology Solutions:

Connected Technology Solutions (CTS) is the thought leader in branded user experiences including point of purchase kiosks, digital signage, interactive displays and retail fixtures, with an extensive roster of clients in the healthcare, retail, hospitality, transportation industries and more. Recognized for its outstanding creative talent and innovative engineering, the Wisconsin-based company has won numerous prestigious awards for its customized software and hardware design, implementation, and customer service and support since its founding in 2002. CTS is the parent company of CTS Healthcare Services and Mighty Touch. For more information, visit connectedts.com.

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Drive-Thru Kiosk, Member, picks

Self-Order Drive Thru Technology Overview

In February 2020, we helped create a presentation on current drive thru technology as used in self-order. As an information service to readers here is the presentation.

To Request More Information

  • For information specific to Olea Kiosks please email info@olea.com and mention KMA Drive Thru info
  • For general information on technology and application you can also contact Craig at craig@kma.global

Actual Presentation in PDF form

Drive-Thru-Intel Olea Overview-Outdoor-Rev4-compressed

Related Information

Food order kiosk, picks

Presto Offers Tabletop Kiosk For Free

Noted on Presto.com March 2020 –the Learn More link provides PDF with following information. Not sure if it is standalone kiosks or it is tabletop. Worth noting that most restaurants for next 6-10 weeks are likely closed to in-store traffic. Another site checked with Presto and was told — The free kiosks will be available for the duration of the coronavirus related restriction. Once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, restaurants will return the kiosks to the company or make arrangements to keep them. 

At this time of national emergency, we would like to offer our Presto Kiosk product to you absolutely free. This product is designed to help you take To-Go orders while offering customers complete peace of mind by minimizing human contact.

By placing a few Presto Kiosks separated by a safe distance from each other, you can ensure that guests will not congregate in close proximity. Wipes or hand sanitizer can be placed nearby with placards encouraging guests to use them before and after interacting with the device.

Full To-Go functionality in a minimum contact environment.

Integrating seamlessly with your POS system, Presto Kiosk enables full To-Go ordering in a minimum contact environment. The product enables guests to order and pay safely without requiring any interaction with the restaurant staff–protecting the health of both. Guests can use Presto Kiosk in either of the following scenarios:

  • Order: Guests use Presto Kiosk to browse through the full menu, place orders, and make payments with no human contact. The device supports your complete To-Go menu with all modifiers, deletions, and local menus–and can be updated in real time.
  • Pay: For orders placed online or via phone, guests can use Presto Kiosk to make secure payments before picking up their orders.

Highest level of security & future-readiness.

Presto Kiosk has the highest level of payment security in the restaurant industry with EMV and P2P encryption. It supports chip & signature, chip & PIN, PIN-debit, contactless payments, mobile pay (such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay), QR code, encrypted magnetic stripe, and gift cards. It also has a “store & forward” capability, allowing guests to pay even if the restaurant loses internet connectivity. The device can be integrated with your loyalty program, enabling guests to sign in (or enroll), earn points, and redeem rewards.

Free, rapid deployment.

We know that time is of the essence. So we are waiving all integration and deployment costs, and providing these devices to you without any contractual obligations. Our implementation teams are ready to get the Presto Kiosks up and running at your restaurants within just a few days.

If you have already deployed Presto Pay At Table devices, we can work with you to repurpose them as Presto Kiosks through an easy software update.

Interested in this offer?

If you are interested in this offer, please contact your Presto representative or email info@presto.com at your earliest convenience.

Presto Global HQ, 810 Hamilton Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 | +1.650.817.9012 | info@presto.com | www.presto.com

Minimize Human Contact. Get Free Presto To-Go Kiosks.

FREE

Coronavirus, Food order kiosk, picks

How Do Kiosks Help Restaurants Get Thru Coronavirus?

Nice writeup by QSR Magazine March 2020 — Synopsis is getting away from cashier is the biggest thing.   Sam Zietz is the CEO of Grubbrr, a leader in self-ordering kiosks. Grubbrr’s platform allows for rapid deployment of self-ordering technologies to restaurants of all sizes.  He was a prior EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner and his companies have appeared 8 times on the INC 500 list.  Zietz sits on the board of the Palm Beach chapter of YPO, Florida Council of 100 and the Orange Bowl Committee. szietz@grubbrr.com

Excerpt:

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has demanded dramatic changes in industries worldwide. With “social distancing” now the rallying cry of coronavirus prevention, consumers are now spending exclusively with preference for outlets that offer specific mediums for them to order without having to engage in potentially dangerous face-to-face contact.  A reflection of germ prevention efforts, customers increasingly prefer to order their food via kiosks, rather than from the cashier.

In times of panic, consumers are consistently put at ease when they are able to retain their sense of control. With kiosks, making sanitation wipes available for patrons to use is an obvious avenue of delivering said comfort, as customers are able to clean the kiosk before use to their own level of satisfaction. It’s just as easy for a restaurant to clean a kiosk with alcohol between customers themselves to simultaneously do their part to help stop the spread of the virus, as well as garner support from local patrons and even press outlets.

Full column on QSR Magazine

Cleaning, Member, picks

Cleaning Keyboards and Accessibility Devices From Storm Interface

News release on Storm Interface website March 2020 — Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, Storm is actively encouraging deployers of its data entry products to perform regular sanitization procedures.

All products in the Storm range are designed to withstand heavy use in unattended public or industrial applications. The metals and polymers used in their construction are impervious to the chemicals frequently found in cleaning products such as alcohol or bleach.

Once installed into the host machine, the devices are sealed to achieve an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of at least IP54 or IP65. Both of these ratings mean that the products can be cleaned using a hand-held spray bottle of cleaning fluid, without causing damage to the product or affecting its performance. This also applies to Storm’s Assistive Technology Products which include an audio jack.

The frequency of cleaning/sanitization will depend on the environment or application in which the device is used. Storm recommend following the procedure explained below:

1. Mix a solution of water with mild detergent and anti-bacterial agents, for example products designed for cleaning kitchen surfaces (do not use a solution which contains a limescale remover).
2. Use a hand-operated spray bottle to spray solution onto the Storm keypad.
3. With a soft-bristled brush (such as a paint brush), work the solution into crevices and recesses to dislodge dirt, residue etc.
4. Use a hand-operated spray bottle to rinse the keypad with water.
5. A soft cloth lint-free can be used to dry the keypad after rinsing.

Background Information:

About Storm Interface
For more than 30 years Storm Interface have designed and manufactured secure, rugged and reliable keypads, keyboards and interface devices. Storm products are built to withstand rough use and abuse in unattended public-use and industrial applications. Storm Assistive Technology Products are recognized by the Royal National Institute for Blind People under their ‘RNIB Tried and Tested’ program.  www.storm-interface.com

Download Document:

200320_Cleaning_Instructions.docx

 

AntiBacterial, Antimicrobial, Member, picks

Kiosk Manufacturer Association Statement on Coronavirus Healthcare Crisis

Press release on BusinessWire March 2020

WESTMINSTER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Kiosk Manufacturer Association is aggressively working with our customers and suppliers to ensure that clear and accurate information is available. Whether Healthcare, Retail or Transportation we are assisting.

Identifying all of the potential sources of infection that customers and employees face in everyday interaction is a challenge. Whether it is mobile phones, credit card reader buttons, signature styli, credit cards, cash, coin, checks, ink pens, keyboards, accessibility devices, touchscreens and more, all come into play as things we touch.

On a recent call with a Healthcare provider talking about Kiosks it was decided that the preference would be for patients to interact with the Kiosk vs. staff. This would limit the potential to transmit a disease to staff at a reception desk. The good news here is the machine is easily cleaned after each use if needed. Most person to person interactions are in close proximity and entail talking, passing back and forth of cash or credit cards and a receipt. All of which both people touch.

This is just one example of the advantages of human-to-machine interface versus human-to-human.

Cleaning is the highest priority at this time. Fortunately simple soap and water is the most effective elimination method as it essentially dissolves a virus. Bleach based cleaning agents are highly effective as are some of the rated industrial wipes (PDI for example which serves the majority of healthcare).

At this time our recommendations are:

  • clean surfaces with warm soapy water. That breaks down the viruses and removes them.
  • Another option — wipe down with bleach wipes and after several passes of that wipe down with medical grade wipe such as Easy Screen

The KMA maintains a solutions page on the Kiosk Industry website which lists additional tools which can be used against bacteria and also microbes. That includes retrofittable solutions for touchscreens including film and coatings. Ultimately it comes down to regular cleaning.

The Kiosk Manufacturer Association will continue to provide all and any solutions for the particular situation.

For more information visit our summary page.

If your company, organization, association, local, city, state or federal agency would like to participate at some level with the KMA either with ADA or with EMV, please contact craig@kma.global or call 720-324-1837

Thanks for the generous financial support of our GOLD sponsors Olea Kiosks | KioWare | Nanonation | Pyramid | Frank Mayer | Vispero | Zebra | ZIVELO

Contacts

Craig Keefner
craig@kma.global
720-324-1837

AntiBacterial, Antimicrobial, Member, picks

Touchscreen Safe Antimicrobial Sprays and Wipes

Disinfectant Wipes for Touch Screen

By now we have all seen and read countless articles on how best to protect ourselves and others from bacterial infection. Before we begin we want to list some recommended resources right off the bat that can help educate your point of view on antibacterial, antimicrobial and of course, the coronavirus. See our full portal page on AntiBacterial for more information.

Our current recommendations:

  1. Clean surfaces with warm soapy water. That breaks down the viruses and removes it.
  2. Another option — wipe down with bleach wipes and after several passes of that wipe down with Easy Screen.
  3. Bleach – figure 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water for mix ratio
  4. Avoid highly concentrated solutions of alcohol based.
  5. If you want to “double-clean” then consider getting handheld UVC product like the Blade below for localized and safe UVC cleaning (after surfaces have been wiped down). Oily fingers are one of the complicating factors to consider.

Disinfectant Wipes For Touch Screen

 

 

PDI Update

PDI has been monitoring the COVID-19 epidemic (SARS-CoV-2 virus), previously identified as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), to provide you the most current information to help manage this outbreak. The CDC has recently issued additional recommendations for surface disinfection, including recommendations for the use of an EPA-approved disinfectant with emerging viral pathogens claims. This letter supersedes previous letter issued on January 30, 2020.

Super Sani-Cloth ® Wipes, Sani-Cloth ® AF3 Wipes, and Sani-Cloth ® Bleach Wipes meet the criteria for the EPA emerging viral pathogens claim. PDI has submitted the addition of the required language for this claim on these master labels to the EPA and is awaiting expedited approval. Recently launched products, including Sani-Cloth ® Prime Wipes, Sani-Prime ® Spray, Sani-24 ® Spray, and Sani-HyPerCideTM Spray already have the EPA emerging viral pathogens claim on their master labels.

Recommended Wipe

Super Sani-Cloth is what we would recommend. It is the most equipment friendly wipe that is on the list.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus still has not been made readily available by the CDC for testing. The CDC states: “If there are no available EPA-registered products that have an approved emerging viral pathogens claim for COVID-19, products with label claims against human coronaviruses should be used according to label instructions.” The following PDI products have label claims against human coronaviruses:

Click for full size

Handheld cleaning would include after-hours with handheld UV device (example here is Blade). $700

UV-C Handheld Blade FAQ
  1. How does one use it?

With the Blade unit, all you need to do is get it as close to the surface as possible and pass it over the surface. Being one inch away, a few seconds exposure kills all bacteria and virus.

  1. How long does it take?

Some take a little longer than normal but a few seconds is plenty if 1 inch away

  1. What is the wrong way to use them?

You don’t shine the light up or at anyone and the operator should wear safety glasses which we include with every unit

  1. How does it handle oily fingerprints and smudges?

The surface should be wiped down for the best application

  1. These should be used in off-hours when no customers or patients around? Example: the front lobby of VA where check-in’s are taking place.

They can be used 24 hours a day, you just need to have people stand back while you run the unit over the surface

See our full portal page on AntiBacterial for more information.

To request more information and assistance contact KMA

Accessibility, ADA, Member, picks

JAWS Kiosk Video and Selecting Correct Input Device for Accessibility

From the THEPACIELLOGROUP website and Matt Ater  — March 2020

Kiosk Accessibility: Selecting the Correct Input Device

Posted on Thursday, 5 March 2020 by Matt Ater of Vispero
Extended Functionality AudioNav
Extended Functionality AudioNav, 9 Keys, USB 1409-34013, https://www.storm-interface.com

One of the key things to consider when striving to make your kiosk accessible is selecting the appropriate input device. Unsurprisingly, a touch screen may not be the right input for people with disabilities. While someone may be able to use an iPhone touch screen, it doesn’t mean they can navigate a self-service kiosk with touch screen navigation. Instead, other methods of input must be identified in order to allow someone to successfully interact with the kiosk.

We know that many ATMs use touch screens today. Additionally, they have also incorporated a (numeric) telephone keypad. Some even have additional buttons located on the sides of the screens. When using an ATM, a person who is blind would initiate the use of the keypad by inserting headphones. This turns on the text to speech mode and allows for interaction to occur through the numeric keypad instead of the touch screen. The customer will be given options like “press 1 for withdraw” and “would you like a receipt? Press 1 for Yes and 2 for No”.

In this scenario, it makes sense in an ATM to use a numeric keypad. If the user needs to type in numbers, they are at their fingertips.

Let’s look at something more complex. If a user were to utilize a self-service kiosk to check-in at the airport, it may be more useful to include arrow keys and a select key. The user would still need a headphone jack for the text to speech. There are several commonly used input devices by Storm Interface used at airports today.

I recently used one of these airline kiosks to check-in to my flight and check a bag. I won’t discuss the overall experience of the check-in process and some of the accessibility issues in this post, rather maintaining my focus on the input device available. One of the screens had a “select your destination airport” input. As a low vision user, this required me to use right or left arrows to navigate through the alphabet and press select on the three letters of my airport code. This input option was suitable, though it did take some time to complete. In this scenario, with limited input needs, it is not practical to provide a QWERTY keyboard for data input.

Next, let’s discuss quick serve restaurant (QSR) kiosk experiences. In this example, you have a kiosk which displays menus that change throughout the day, depending on the meal being served. Let’s imagine a user wants to select a breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee. The screen has 10 choices on the left. One of the choices is breakfast. In this case a user who is blind or has low vision could use something like the AudioNav or AudioNav EF for data input. Both have small footprints and include a headphone jack. They have Arrow keys with a Select key in the middle. The user could press the Right Arrow to move forward until they hear “Breakfast”. Once they press the Select button, they would have 25 different items to choose from. The Right Arrow could be used again until they hear the filter for breakfast sandwiches. Again, the Right Arrow is pressed until they hear “Sandwich” and press the Select key again. If the customer uses headphones and the kiosk is enabled with text to speech, they should hear “one breakfast sandwich added to your cart”. This example shows how using something with Arrow keys and a Select key will allow the user to move through a self-service application such as a QSR app.

What other types of input could you encounter?

Storm Interface Audio-Enabled Nav-Pad
NAV-PAD™, 8 KEYS, USB INTERFACE, AUDIO PROCESSOR Product code: EZ08-23001, https://www.storm-interface.com

Let’s consider a healthcare clinic. If a patient were to check into a healthcare clinic via a self-service kiosk, it is likely they would be entering a significant amount of personal data. In this case they may be required to their name, birth date, medical number, and more. A touchscreen with onscreen keyboard would not be a good option for this type of entry. Instead, the kiosk should include a QWERTY keyboard and headphone jack for audio.

Kiosk deployers will want to do proper testing with end-users on the selection of an appropriate QWERTY keyboard. Important features for the keyboard to include may be proper markings on home row keys. Additionally, arrow keys should have proper spacing around them.

Where might you use a numeric or telephone keypad on a kiosk?

A numeric keypad may be useful in ticket or theater kiosks. Many theaters today require patrons to select a seat when purchasing a ticket. In this case it may make sense to explore alternative input devices, such as a numeric or telephone keypad with a headphone jack. This input option would be similar to the one found at an ATM, where pressing numbers on the keypad allows the user to make a selection.

The primary thing to consider when selecting an input device for self-service kiosk use is to understand the kiosk application workflow and what type of user interaction and input will be required. Ensure that testing includes people with disabilities. In addition, it is important that the application is tested for functional accessibility and all input and selection items should meet WCAG AA.

Take a look at JAWS Kiosk and what it offers.
Read more about kiosk accessibility from the JAWS Kiosk team.

Need help with your specific accessibility needs? Contact Us

Maintenance, Member, picks

Self-Service Kiosks — Reducing Risk of Virus Transmission

Excerpt from Olea Kiosks website March 2020

Since the onset of COVID-19, there have been many questions posed about how to help mitigate the spread of the virus. How much worse the situation gets depends on our ability to contain and mitigate risk as it relates to the people and places we visit.

That being said, we’re all being encouraged to limit our exposure to large venues with vast numbers of people.  Public health officials are advising we limit our person-to-person interaction to reduce the probability of contact between persons with the virus, and the spread of airborne particles to minimize transmission from one individual to another.

As we limit human to human interaction to reduce the risk of transmission, we, as an industry, can talk about the value of continuing many day-to-day tasks by moving that interaction to a more preferable human to machine interface like kiosks.

Limit Person-to-Person Interaction

Self-service kiosks, in any environment, can help to limit person-to-person interaction, in turn, reducing the risk of transmission of disease or virus between staff and patients or guests. Because most person-to-person interactions occur within close proximity, and often entails talking, the passing back and forth of credit cards or some other form of payment, and a receipt, it escalates the chances of exposure.  The preference is for patients or guests to interact with a Kiosk rather than with staff at the reception desk.

At a reception desk, the risk escalates because lines are more likely, there is interaction between the staff and guest, and viruses can linger in the air and on the desk. While the desk can be cleaned between guests, it’s challenging to wipe the surface and maintain guest flow at the same time. However, this can be easily done with a kiosk.

Kiosks, used in any situation, can limit the contact between staff and guests.  This is true for Healthcare providers with check-in kiosks, ticketing kiosks at movie cinemas or amusement parks, food ordering kiosks, transportation, parking and just about any application you can think of.

Antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning and disinfecting for self-service kiosks
o Place anti-bacterial wipes at the kiosks for users to perform a cleaning before/after their use.
o Having hand sanitizer to use before and after kiosk use will also help to mitigate the transfer of microbes from person to person via the kiosk glass touchscreen.
o Consider having a staff person come in periodically during the day/peak times to perform some of the activities listed below to instill additional confidence in users.

 

Read full article at Olea Kiosks website

AntiBacterial, picks

The science of soap – here’s how it kills the coronavirus

Excerpt from TheGuardian March 2020 — Pall Thordarson – professor of chemistry at the University of New South Wales, Sydney

Note: Along with soap, diluting some water with some bleach is highly effective though after repeated applications you may need to clean some of the residue.

Viruses can be active outside the body for hours, even days. Disinfectants, liquids, wipes, gels and creams containing alcohol are all useful at getting rid of them – but they are not quite as good as normal soap.

So why does soap work so well on the Sars-CoV-2, the coronavirus and indeed most viruses? The short story: because the virus is a self-assembled nanoparticle in which the weakest link is the lipid (fatty) bilayer. Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the virus falls apart like a house of cards and dies – or rather, we should say it becomes inactive as viruses aren’t really alive.

The slightly longer story is that most viruses consist of three key building blocks: ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins and lipids. A virus-infected cell makes lots of these building blocks, which then spontaneously self-assemble to form the virus. Critically, there are no strong covalent bonds holding these units together, which means you do not necessarily need harsh chemicals to split those units apart. When an infected cell dies, all these new viruses escape and go on to infect other cells. Some end up also in the airways of lungs.

Soap contains fat-like substances known as amphiphiles, some of which are structurally very similar to the lipids in the virus membrane. The soap molecules “compete” with the lipids in the virus membrane. This is more or less how soap also removes normal dirt from the skin.

The soap not only loosens the “glue” between the virus and the skin but also the Velcro-like interactions that hold the proteins, lipids and RNA in the virus together.

Read complete article at TheGuardian March 2020

Biometric kiosk, picks

NYPD HQ Ceases Use of Fingerprint Authentication to Slow Coronavirus

From FindBiometrics March 2020

The impact of the coronavirus goes well beyond healthcare and canceled industry events. The New York Post is reporting that the New York Police Department has ditched fingerprint security procedures at NYPD Headquarters at One Police Plaza in Manhattan.

The decision was made by the NYPD security unit in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Before the edict, officers needed to scan their ID badge and their fingerprint to gain access to the building, but forcing officers to make physical contact with (and share) a limited number of scanners was not in keeping with sanitary best practices as the outbreak continues to accelerate. As it stands, New York already has 46 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

For the time being, the NYPD will station officers at all points of entry to carry out manual checks of people’s photo IDs. The precaution will ensure a high level of security while the fingerprint scanners are out of commission, though a police spokesperson indicated that the department might explore other options if the fingerprint scanners need to be taken offline for an extended period of time.

Read full article at FindBiometrics March 2020

More information

Contactless fingerprint reader 

ATM Machine, picks

ATMIA Statement on Coronavirus- ATM Effect

Statement by Mike Lee, CEO of ATMIA, issues statement regarding ATMs and recent coronavirus. Marc 13, 2020

New Coronavirus Health Crisis – Separating Fact from Fiction

A Statement by the ATM Industry Association for Immediate Global Release

ATMIA Logo Panic reactions are happening across the world as the new corona virus, for which there isn’t yet human immunity, spreads. We are seeing emptier supermarket shelves, an extremely volatile stock market, cancelled events and flights and many other signs of fear spreading even faster than the virus itself.

The medical consensus is that this virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, primarily when infected persons sneeze, or cough, and the viral droplets then hook onto mucous or saliva of another person to gain a foothold in their cells so the virus can reproduce in that new host body.

The best advice is to regularly sanitise hands and disinfect surfaces, which may have been contaminated by viral droplets, while avoiding, as far as possible, touching one’s nose, eyes or mouth. We know that in close contact with an infected person, such as when shaking hands, or when we touch a doorknob, tabletop or surface previously touched by an infected person, we run a risk of catching the virus.

Since people don’t usually sneeze or cough into their banknotes, and since we all touch dozens of surfaces every day, it is disingenuous to single out cash as a medium of transmission of the virus. Handling cards, mobile devices and touching keypads in public places, not to mention countless other surfaces, can carry an equal risk. What is important is frequent hand sanitising to kill off any viral droplets, given that the virus has a fragile envelope surrounding it which can be readily destroyed through disinfectants.

Professor Raina MacIntyre, the head of the biosecurity programme at the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, supporting the idea that airborne respiratory droplets would the most common means of transmission for the new corona virus, highlights the fact that the range of objects which can cause an infection when they have a residue of the viral droplets on them would be so broad that to remove all potential sources of infection is simply impossible.

“Like every other object in the universe, physical money has its surfaces,” said Mike Lee, CEO of ATMIA and President of the ATM Security Association. “The scapegoating of cash by some agencies and media is an irresponsible piece of pseudo-science, or bias, because it can distract citizens from the risks of infection on all other surfaces of their daily lives. Let’s all grow up and not arbitrarily insert into this health crisis the phoney old war on cash. It’s not exactly an edifying spectacle to see an epidemic being exploited in this manner.”

ATMIA urges all members and all companies in the industry to take the necessary precautions, especially in terms of regular hand and surface disinfection, but to continue life and business as normal as far as humanly possible. “This epidemic will surely peak at some time, and then recede, and panic serves no rational purpose,” Lee concluded. “Cash is a vital social service for billions in everyday life, but it’s even more important when there’s a crisis.”

About ATMIA www.atmia.com

ATMIA is a global not-for-profit trade association for the ATM and cash industries, which was founded in 1997 and now has over 11,000 members in about 70 countries. ATMIA runs the ATM Security Association and the Consortium for Next Gen ATMs. Contact Mike Lee at mike@atmia.com

ADA, Member, picks

Press Release – Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) Announces New Accessibility Committee Chairpersons

From PRNewswire March 2020

WESTMINSTER, Colo., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Kiosk Manufacturer Association aka KMA announces our new ADA and Accessibility Chairpersons.  Serving as co-chairpersons for our committee is Randy Amundson of Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. and Mr. Peter Jarvis of Storm Interface.  Randy is one of our founding chairpersons and is continuing in his support of KMA and ADA. Peter is a charter sponsor of the Accessibility Committee and now helps lead the way for the KMA.

From Randy Amundson, “Peter Jarvis and I continue to work closely in finalizing the Kiosk Accessibility Code of Practice (CoP). We feel that the CoP will be a useful tool that kiosk manufacturers and their clients can use to ensure that their kiosks are accessible to the widest population of people with some form of disability possible. Peter and I are also working on developing an independent standard that can be used by nationally recognized testing labs in order to certify a kiosk as being ADA compliant”.

Peter Jarvis adds, “First, let me thank the committee’s previous Co-Chair Laura Miller for her work in raising awareness of accessibility issues within the kiosk industry. Laura continues to make an outstanding contribution to the work of the KMA Accessibility Committee but has now stepped into a role dedicated to kiosk accessibility at Vispero. Her commitment, to ensure equality in access to information, services and products, continues to influence the committee’s objectives. As the new Co-Chair (serving the KMA’s European members) I hope to continue the initiatives of the committee and look forward to working with the committee’s US resident Chairperson Randy Amundson.”

We very much thank Laura Boniello Miller with Vispero our founding co-chairperson for her contributions, support and effort over the last two years.

Visit with the KMA at the upcoming CSUN conference as well as at MURTEC. In May we will be exhibiting at the National Restaurant Show.

Current KMA News

KMA member news

If your company, organization, association, local, city, state or federal agency would like to participate at some level with the KMA either with ADA or with EMV, please contact craig@kma.global or call 720-324-1837

Thanks for the generous financial support of our GOLD sponsors Olea Kiosks | KioWare | Nanonation | Pyramid | Frank Mayer | Vispero | Zebra  | ZIVELO

SOURCE Kiosk Manufacturer Association

Related Links

kma.global

picks, Smart City

Smart City News LinkNYC – CityBridge Slammed by NY Officials

From SmartCity Dive

NYC tech official slams LinkNYC group for contract negligence: ‘CityBridge is delinquent’

LinkNYC Kiosks

All is not well in New York City and the LinkNYC people. NYC officials claim they have not been paid appropriately.  LinkNYC has failed to install and activate promised kiosks, and to remove old payphones. CityBridge, a consortium of tech companies including Intersection, Qualcomm and CIVIQ Smartscapes, denied the “fictional narrative” that Tisch detailed.

Currently over 1700 kiosks (mostly in Manhattan). LinkNYC won “Infrastructure Advancement of the Year” in the 2017 Smart Cities Dive Awards. At the time, sources said more than 7,500 Links were planned to be installed by 2022.

Excerpt:

During testimony in front of the New York City Council on Tuesday, Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned CityBridge for its failure to meet the terms of a franchise agreement regarding the installation and service of LinkNYC kiosks.

In her testimony, Tisch said CityBridge is “delinquent” and only paid the city $2.6 million of the $32.3 million owed in FY19 under the terms of its agreement. Consequently, the city was short $30 million from projected revenues in that fiscal year. She also said CityBridge has failed to install and activate promised LinkNYC kiosks, and to remove old payphones as detailed in the agreement.

Furthermore, in FY20, CityBridge has not paid any of the $43.7 million owed per its agreement, despite collecting revenues of $105 million from advertising, according to Tisch.

Member, picks, Printer, Ticket kiosk

Kiosk Printers – Microcom Touchscreen Thermal Kiosk Ticket Printers

Touchscreen Thermal Ticket Printer by Microcom Announced

Kiosk Ticket Printer
Click for full size image

Microcom Corporation announces the official inclusion of a 3-inch, full-color touchscreen display for 485 series ticket printers. The touchscreen gives the user capabilities to change printer settings “on the fly” and provides real time status monitoring.

PRESS RELEASE

Microcom Corporation standardizes touchscreen display for line of thermal ticket printers.

Lewis Center, OH, March 3, 2020 – Microcom Corporation announces the official inclusion of a 3-inch, full color touchscreen display for 485 series kiosk ticket printers. The touchscreen is now a standard feature which will be included on all 485T and 485TC printers at no additional cost.

The touchscreen presents an easy-to-navigate menu that can be used to adjust various printer settings such as print intensity and registration distance. Users can replace certain configuration utilities, such as IP configuration, with the on-board controls. Once the settings have been appropriately configured, the screen has a locking feature to prevent tampering of settings.

“Box offices tell me they love the feature of being able to switch between FGL and Windows functionality” said Mark Turner, Sales Manager “Being able to print tickets in FGL then switch to a Windows mode for promotional and voucher printing on one machine can save our clients time and money.”

Customer service is a top priority for Microcom and the touchscreen improves the ability to provide a printer that is easy to use with top tier support. From the touchscreen, users can access internal printer information needed for troubleshooting. Users can also access settings that may have required a separate utility prior to the touchscreen.

Visit Microcom for more information

Kiosk Newsbits, Member, picks, QSRs

MURTEC 2020 Preview

MURTEC QSR Conference March 2020

In 2020, restaurant technology is coming in hot.

Unprecedented consumer empowerment is redefining food service: delivery, privacy, personalization, alternative payments, artificial intelligence; stir in new ways to streamline the back of the house, and it’s a full-on innovation inferno.

That’s why at MURTEC 2020 we’re giving restaurants an innovation heatmap. The agenda is packed with subject matter experts, and the show floor features 75+ of the hottest technologies. We’re helping restaurants find the solutions they need to feed time-starved, convenience-hungry consumers with a hankering for exceptional experiences.

“The ever-changing landscape of technology and its impact on consumer-facing brands makes MURTEC a must-attend event – a perfect combination of content, networking and learning to enable and drive real solutions back into our organizations.”

–Chief Experience Officer, TGI Fridays

Exhibitors

starmicronics murtec booth Star is excited to see you! Star is proud to offer a variety of restaurant solutions for both the front-of-house and the back-of-house, from online ordering solutions to kitchen ticket printing. Stop by booth #21 to learn about it all. To schedule a meeting, please click here.

MURTEC is only one week away! If you’re headed out to Vegas, make sure to swing by the Appetize Restaurant of the Future in booth #51 to see why multi-unit restaurants need an Enterprise Cloud Point of Sale platform to increase revenue and scale the business effectively. Our team will be exhibiting our self-service solutions, quick service terminals, handheld POS devices, multi-unit management tools, and more key features your POS needs to deliver a frictionless guest experience. Schedule a meeting with us here: https://lnkd.in/gKQrJKk

MURTEC KMA Related:

Accessibility, ADA, Member, picks

Disabled Access – How Self-Service Kiosks Can Help Hotels, Restaurants Better Serve the Disabled

Self-Service Kiosks for Hotels, Restaurants

Article on Hospitality Tech by Vispero Feb 2020

By Laura Boniello Miller, Corporate Business Development Manager for the JAWS Kiosk program at Vispero, parent company of The Paciello Group – 02/26/2020

People with disabilities travel and dine out just like everyone else. Research conducted by the Open Doors Organization in 2015 found that “more than 26 million adults with disabilities traveled for pleasure and/or business, taking 73 million trips.” This spending has a significant impact on the travel industry, but sometimes the technology employed by hotels and restaurants is not accommodating to people with disabilities. This offers hospitality an excellent opportunity to employ self-service technology that will improve their disabled guest’s experience and capture more of their spending power with accommodations and services that support this group.

Read full article

Jaws Kiosk – Vispero Storm Collaborate on Accessible Kiosk Solution

 

Gold Sponsor – Vispero – ADA Accessibility Software Consultant

Automotive Kiosks, picks

Auto Dealership Kiosks – GoMoto Bought

GoMoto Bought

In a not-surprising development, GoMoto is purchased and folded into Reynolds & Reynolds who does dealer management and custom relationships. Worth noting that DealerSocket announced its purchase of Auto/Mate a few days prior. These are DMS or dealer management systems not unlike hotel PMS system like MICROS.  Generally these units are indoor and are a touchscreen check-in with upselling. There is no outdoor kiosk as a rule and no key drop off or pickup after hours.

In a statement, GoMoto CEO Todd Marcelle said the product has a “substantial footprint” with dealers.

“As consumers, we’re used to self-service technology across a lot of different retail environments,” Marcelle said. “Why wouldn’t we expect the same from automotive retailers?”

DAYTON, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Reynolds and Reynolds, a leading provider of automotive dealership software, documents, and professional services, today announced the acquisition of GoMoto, a leader in kiosk technology for the service lane that provides streamlined, self-led customer check-in and check-out.

“When I speak with dealers, I consistently hear them note the importance of the Service department in their overall business, but also the need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Service operations and improve the way consumers experience the Service department,” said Robert Burnett, senior vice president for Business Development and Acquisitions at Reynolds.  “GoMoto is a proven retailing tool that will enable dealerships to increase efficiencies and better serve customers the way the customer chooses to be served.”

GoMoto benefits:

  • Streamlines the Service check-in process – in as little as two minutes or less – and collects the necessary information with 95% accuracy.
  • Boosts higher throughput in Service.
  • Displays Service recommendations tailored to the customer’s vehicle and helps improve the upsell rate at the dealership by as much as 20%.
  • Displays other upsell opportunities, including trade-in appraisals, which have increased vehicle trade-in appraisal rate by as much as 11%.
  • Provides a consumer-friendly reminder for recall alerts.

About Reynolds
Reynolds and Reynolds is a leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships deliver better business results and transform the customer experience. The company is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and Celina, Ohio.
(www.reyrey.com)

About GoMoto
GoMoto was started by seasoned automotive and technology entrepreneurs with a simple passion to develop and deploy the dealership experience of the future.  GoMoto creates comprehensive dealer-focused solutions that drive sales and provide customers captivating interactive technology in-store.  The GoMoto Virtual Service Advisor is an is indoor and outdoor Kiosk technology that streamlines service check-in and check-out and increases profitability by intelligently offering customers vehicle-specific product, service, and trade equity offers.  (www.gomoto.com)

Airport kiosk, Biometric kiosk, Member, picks

Biometric Security Screening Kiosks by CLEAR

CLEAR Biometric Kiosks St. Louis
This is not the full image. Click on it to go to the original article — Anthony Sansone Jr., from St. Louis, gets instructions from Breanna Evans on the new scanners at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. The new scanners from the Clear company scan either a person’s fingers or iris to make a positive identification. Airport travelers have to sign up for the service that will let them avoid showing any other identification. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

From St. Louis Dispatch Feb 2020 — ST. LOUIS COUNTY — St. Louis Lambert International Airport on Monday launched its new biometric security screening alternative in Terminal 2 — the one housing Southwest Airlines’ operations.

The new CLEAR biometric system, which identifies people via fingerprints and the iris of their eyes, is available to passengers who pay up to $179 a year for the privilege. Those using it get through security lines a bit faster.

Editors Note: CLEAR works with Olea Kiosks on these kiosks.

More CLEAR related news

CLEAR Makes Cincinnati Its 30th Airport Location

Biometric Kiosks Come to Car Rental Check-In and Check-Out Using Facial Recognition

Biometric Kiosk Deployed by NY Mets with CLEAR, Aramark and Mashgin

Member, picks, Touchscreen Technology

Mimo Monitors Feb Newsletter

Mimo Monitors Newsletter Feb 2020

Editor Notes: Mimo Monitors specializes in small touch screen monitors and displays that simplify your life and maximize your potential at work. Ranging from 7-21 inches, we pride ourselves on innovative, high quality, and cutting-edge touchscreen technology designed to be inherently flexible to suit your needs, and bring your vision to life.  Visit Mimo Website for more information.

Mimo Monitors: February 2020
2020 is off to a wonderful start. With ISE behind us and DSE just around the corner, we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got in store.
Catch Up With Mimo Monitors
Make An Appointment to Stop by Our Booth (#3022) At the Digital Signage Expo (DSE) 

This year at DSE check out the launch of our brand new, first-ever outdoor digital signage. You can also check out our new shelf edge displays, and feel the revolutionary Mimo Vue with TanvasTouch®. We’ll have all this and so much more at the booth, so make an appointment to check it out.

Schedule an DSE Booth Appointment Here
Learn About the Culture at Mimo Monitors

We’ve worked to cultivate a culture at Mimo Monitors that allows for individual growth and strong teamwork. We encourage our employees to think outside the box to best serve our customers, while also focusing on collaboration in and outside the office. Check out this video to learn more about our culture at Mimo Monitors and some of our great team members.

Watch the Video About Our Company Culture
Watch our rAVe booth tours from ISE

Our friends at rAVe stopped by our booth at ISE to chat and check out some of our latest products. Watch Partner Channel Manager, Tyler Wells, from our team walk through some of the products we featured at the show.

Watch rAVe booth videos from ISE
Hear Our CEO, David Anderson, Speak at DSE on “Game Changing Innovations in Small Digital Signage”

On Wednesday, April 1st in the Best Practices Theatre at 12:15 PM come hear our President & CEO David Anderson Speak about recent game-changing innovations in small format digital signage. We’ll cover relevant and engaging topics such as AV-over-IP solutions, surface haptics, and conference room-in-a-box solutions and provide tangible insights you can use to help you reach your goals.

Check Us Out at ISE
Introducing Our Shelf Edge Displays, The Ideal Retail Digital Signage Solution

We know shelf edge displays can be an incredibly valuable in-store marketing tool. We’re pleased to launch our 23×2″ shelf edge displays, available with and without Android Media Player. Sleek, flexible, and durable, these displays are fuss-free and seamless to install. Check out this video to learn all about them.

Watch The Video About Our New Shelf Edge Displays
Learn About Our Charitable Giving Program with TechSoup, A Global Non-Profit That Supports Non-Profit Organizations With Mission-Critical Resources

We’re proud to collaborate with TechSoup to provide our products to some of the organizations who need it most. We’ve helped out organizations such as The Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee, The New York Academy of Sciences, DC Scores, Paws for Life and hundreds more.

Learn More About Our Work With TechSoup
Read Mimo Monitors’ Case Studies & White Papers

If you’re interested in learning about how we’ve benefitted some of our customers, you can check out the new white paper and case studies section of our website for an in-depth look.

Read Case Studies & White Paper
Are You Media/Press Interested In Covering Mimo Monitors?

We’ve got a brand new press kit on our website. If you’re a member of the media we invite you to check it out, and contact us if you’re interested in collaborating on a story, or stop by our booth at upcoming trade shows. We’d love to work with you.

Check Out Our Press Kit
Are You Following Mimo Monitors on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook?

We’re posting ongoing and valuable content over on our social media pages regularly. We’re sharing some of our favorite tips, tricks, and information pertaining to company and industry news. You can find and follow us here:

Twitter: @MimoDisplay
Facebook: Mimo Monitors
LinkedIn: Mimo Monitors

Follow Us On Twitter
Copyright © 2020 Mimo Monitors, All rights reserved.
Member, picks, Printer

StarMicronics Kiosks – 3 Keys For Successful Implementation

3 Ways to Set Up a Successful Kiosk Implementation in 2020

by |Published 

Editors Note: good advice from StarMicronics. Too often poor components and inexperienced provider kill a perfectly reasonable kiosk project. And location is definitely important. We would add making it easy for employees to do routine servicing and paper replenishments.

So, you’re looking to take advantage of self-service kiosk technology. You know that self-service solutions can boost profits, increase order accuracy, and improve the customer experience. But how do you ensure a successful kiosk implementation?

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that understanding the environment in which the self-service kiosk will operate is crucial to its success. If the kiosk will remain unattended for the most part of its operational cycle and if attending it for any reason (being it technical or merely operational) is costly due to distances or any other logistic aspect, then focusing on the kiosk’s autonomy is key.

Explore Star’s self-service kiosk solutions.

Your best chance for an autonomous kiosk boils down to three important factors:

  • A powerful and effective set of components
  • A strategic location, and
  • A high-quality supplier.

Read on to learn more about each factor.

Kiosk Implementation Rule #1: A Kiosk is as Powerful and Effective as the Sum of its Components

For any kiosk integrator, selecting the proper components when putting together a kiosk solution is one of the most important aspects of their kiosk design. Three things to look for when selecting kiosk components are ruggedness, a large paper roll holder, and user-proof features.

  • Ruggedness: A good rule of thumb is to make sure the kiosk printer that you select is durable and includes components that are long-lasting. In terms of a kiosk printer, that includes consumables such as the print head, automatic cutter, and more.
  • Large Paper Roll Holder: One easy way to instantly cut down on maintenance time (and associated fees) is by selecting a large paper roll holder for your kiosk. Considering a larger paper roll diameter (length) allows the kiosk to operate for a longer period of time without attention since it can accommodate many more printed receipts without any additional paper roll changes.
  • User–Proof Features: Designing a kiosk to be user-proof is very important. What exactly does user-proof mean? It means creating a self-service solution which process is inherently straightforward and easy-to-adopt for end-users. One way to do that is by considering the use of an optional presenter to allow all the printing and cutting to happen inside the kiosk unit prior to making it available to the user. With a presenter, there’s no question about whether or not the receipt is ready.

Choosing the right technology in your self-service solution allows your kiosk to be remotely monitored, so that operators can more effectively and efficiently plan maintenance visits regarding paper replenishing, technical service, replacement of consumable components, etc. At the end of the day, this efficiency means less downtime, more profit, and happier customers!

Kiosk Implementation Rule #2: Location, Location, Location

You know what they say: location is key! That same rule applies to self-service kiosks.

Selecting the right place for your self-service kiosk solution not only can increase sales, but may also affect its reliability, durability, and customers’ perceptions of quality of service provided.

A couple of tips for choosing a location include:

  • Consider an easy-to-access, well-illuminated, and high-traffic area to give your kiosk the greatest chance for success in terms of adoption and sales.
  • Make sure that when you select the kiosk’s location, you are considering how the location will benefit or affect both the end-user and the kiosk’s success. For example, if your kiosk is serving as a parking self-service payment station, it should be placed in a natural path towards the parking garage to allow end-users to access it without having to go to a different area or being unsure of where to pay.

Kiosk Implementation Rule #3: Your Supplier Matters

Last but not least, your supplier matters … a lot. In order to choose a supplier that will be able to assist you in the long run no matter what your use case, be sure to go with one that acts as a trusted adviser, offers a wide range of kiosk printers, and provides top-notch support.

  • A Trusted Adviser: Choosing a supplier that doesn’t just sell, but consults, is just as important as selecting your kiosk’s components and location. To do this, look for a manufacturer with a healthy amount of industry experience who can act as a trusted adviser. Working with companies specialized in the vertical being attended, in this case the self-service kiosk vertical, is critical. Absorbing decades of experience and having access to the most innovative technologies and options will benefit your final solution, and in some cases will open the door to create solutions previously inconceivable.
  • A Wide Range of Kiosk Printers: Kiosks are not “one size fits all.” Choose a supplier that offers a range of kiosk printers, including open-frame and closed-frame, with a variety of possible positions, connectivity options, and accessories.
  • Superb Support: Your self-service journey doesn’t end when the kiosk implementation is complete. Your long-term success depends on choosing a supplier that offers a robust level of support, such as easy-to-find drivers, manuals, warranty information, and FAQs/troubleshooting, as well as on-site technical support staff.

We hope that these kiosk implementation tips were helpful, and will guide you as you select kiosk components, locations and use cases, and suppliers.

Contact Star with a kiosk-related question.

Member, picks

BigList of Kiosk Companies – Be listed for free

Feb 2020 – We maintain a free “self-service” list out on Listly. Anyone can submit their company for inclusion as kiosk resource. It’s a pretty busy list.

Here is the official description:

Kiosk Industry Group association maintains this free list of resources for the self-service and kiosk industry. Included are manufacturers of hardware, software, devices such as touchscreens and printers, remote monitoring and management. Even financial services which can assist in financing your project. Kiosk Industry is a global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better self-service for customers and employees through kiosks and information technology (IT). Kiosk Industry Association leads efforts to optimize self-service engagements and engagement outcomes using information technology such as kiosks.

Examples

1

Olea Kiosks

Nov 24, 2013 – olea.com – 533
Olea Kiosks

Award-Winning Interactive Kiosks – Olea Kiosks has been building award-winning kiosks for over 40 years. Contact Olea today learn more!

2

KioWare – Secure Kiosk Browser

Nov 24, 2013 – m.kioware.com – 485
KioWare - Secure Kiosk Browser

Originally developed to secure devices running the Windows operating system, KioWare has established a robust Windows following and a long list of supported external devices for use on the Windows Platform. The popularization of the tablet and the rise of the Android operating system led to the 2012 release of the KioWare for Android product line. KioWare comes with built-in EMV support.

3

Nanonation

Dec 26, 2013 – nanonation.net – 592
Nanonation

Nanonation – Offering world-class solutions in interactive, digital signage, and transactional kiosks. Nanonation leverages 18 years of experience and an award-winning creative team to produce reliable and compelling public space solutions for multi-national corporations and small businesses alike.

4

Pyramid QSR

Jan 05, 2018 – pyramid-computer.com – 25
Pyramid QSR

polytouch ® is the ultimate interactive kiosk solution for various industries and application areas for product presentation, independent processing of purchase processes and as an information terminal. Its individual and flexible application possibilities make the system a competitive advantage thanks to its first-class touch technology. Also, the ultrasound-based localization system PLS. With a precision of 15 cm, it is 10 times better than systems based on WLAN, Bluetooth or RFID technologies. In addition, PLS works with any standard smartphone. For users without a smartphone, low-cost mobile ultrasound transmitters – so-called pucks – are available as an alternative.

5

Frank Mayer

Nov 24, 2013 – frankmayer.com – 604
Frank Mayer

Frank Mayer specializes in creating in-store merchandising solutions including point of purchase displays, custom fixtures, interactive kiosks, retail ready displays.

6

Vispero

Jul 28, 2019 – vispero.com – 5
Vispero

Vispero is the world’s largest assistive technology provider for the visually impaired. Although officially formed in 2016, our brands Freedom Scientific, Enhanced Vision, Optelec, and The Paciello Group, share a long, rich history as industry leaders dating back to 1975.

7

Zebra Technologies

Oct 27, 2019 – zebra.com – 4
Zebra Technologies

Zebra OEM scan engines and private label scanners, imagers, mobile computers and other technology offer flexible integration and rapid product development.

8

ZIVELO

Dec 24, 2013 – zivelo.com – 527
ZIVELO

ZIVELO is a Kiosk Manufacturer specializing in custom design, turn-key software solutions, and self-service touch screen kiosks for any industry.

9

KIOSK Information Systems

Dec 24, 2013 – kiosk.com – 572
KIOSK Information Systems

KIOSK leads the self-service industry in a full complement of vertical markets, providing niche expertise in both hardware and software platform creation, volume deployment support, and complete field / managed services. OEM and end customer projects range from traditional applications in retail, bill payment, lockers, and government to border security and gaming solutions. With over 200,000 units successfully deployed and 25+ years entirely dedicated to the art of self-service, KIOSK has the passion, expertise, and resources to greatly simplify your path to market.

Cash Acceptor, Cash Automation, Cash Recyclers, Member, picks

Cash Kiosks — Innovative Technology Americas, Inc. joins KMA

KMA is a global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better self-service for customers and employees through kiosks and information technology (IT). The kiosk industry association leads efforts to optimize self-service engagements using information technology. Membership is made up of representatives from the self-service industry who are interested in establishing and following common guidelines on accessibility.

Rebecca White, VP Sales & Business Development for Innovative Technology Americas said, “2020 is set to be an exciting year for us in the US and surrounding territories with lots of opportunities in the pipeline especially in the retail market. I am delighted to announce that we have become a premium member of the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) which will help us capitalize on these opportunities within the self-service and kiosk industry.”

Innovative Technology The US arm of Innovative Technology has joined the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) as a premium member.

Rebecca continued, “KMA Membership opportunities include networking with kiosk manufacturers and software providers as well as access to; member resources such as market research and trends, regulatory guidelines as published by the government and technology solutions such as AI and biometrics.

Most importantly, together with other members, we will support an industry-led association which promotes the industry on an objective basis.”

Concluding Rebecca commented, “Our retail, kiosk and self-service offering is continually expanding, and we have developed many new products with our Spectral Technology designed specifically for this market. Our core business is all about automating transactions in the most business efficient and cost-effective way.

Our suite of highly secure cash validation, recycling and smart safe products offer numerous advantages such as, fast bulk note processing speeds, multi-denomination recycling and reduction in overall operation costs. We are particularly excited about our new ICU Age Verification and Facial Recognition device which can helps users manage the sale of age restricted goods to ensure compliance, plus intelligent AI algorithms can identify faces to control access. ICU does not require pre-registration or human intervention and quickly and accurately predicts age and identifies faces so is ideal for automated self-service and kiosk markets.

Joining the KMA will give us the opportunity to network with key organizations within the industry and therefore introduce our new retail and kiosk portfolio to this growing hi-tech market. “

About Innovative Technology

Rebecca Brierley​
Marketing Assistant
Innovative Technology Limited
Innovative Business Park
Derker Street
Oldham
OL1 4EQ
England
T: +44 161 626 9999
W: https://www.innovative-technology.com

 

About KMA

For more information about the KMA visit their website: https://kma.global/

Digital Sign, Digital Signage, Member, picks

Digital Signage Awards – Peerless-AV Wins Forbes Award

Peerless-AV® Named 2020 Forbes Travel Guide Brand Official for Second Year in a Row AV manufacturer honored as the Official TV Wall Mount & Outdoor TV Provider for the Luxury Hospitality Industry

AURORA, Ill. – February 26, 2020 – Peerless-AV®, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of the highest quality audio and video solutions and accessories, is delighted to announce that it has been appointed a Brand Official by Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the creators of the original Five-Star rating system. As the Official TV Wall Mount & Outdoor TV Provider, Peerless-AV® joins a stellar list of FTG Brand Officials, all handpicked for excellence within their sector.

Forbes Travel Guide is renowned for its prestigious annual Star Ratings of hotels, restaurants, and spas worldwide. It takes an equally considered approach to each Brand Official, ensuring the brand aligns with its high standards and perfectly complements its Star-Rated properties. The Brand Official program connects Star-Rated properties with exceptional brands that are equally dedicated to serving discerning clientele.

With a wide range of award-winning AV solutions, including LED and LCD video wall mounting systems, fully-sealed outdoor TVs, TV wall mounts, and kiosks, Peerless-AV’s products seamlessly align with the aesthetic and customer-centric features expected of luxury hospitality settings.

“Peerless-AV is a fantastic addition to our 2020 Brand Officials lineup, which has been carefully curated to provide the best products, services, and experiences for guests,” said Filip Boyen, CEO, Forbes Travel Guide. “Peerless-AV raises the bar as the Official TV Wall Mount & Outdoor TV Provider for the hospitality industry with a focus on providing seasoned travelers with seamless luxury, just like our Star-Rated properties.”

Among its many solutions, Peerless-AV’s UltraViewTM UHD Outdoor TV and XtremeTM High Bright Outdoor Displays are two of the brand’s most commonly employed products for the hospitality industry. The UltraViewTM UHD Outdoor TV is an all-weather solution that makes the ultimate outdoor entertainment experiences a reality. The XtremeTM High Bright Outdoor Displays offer outdoor daylight readability for advertising, wayfinding, and more. Both displays are fully sealed to protect against the elements, and provide an anti-reflective, high-definition screen for optimal viewing.

Alongside multiple product solutions for the hospitality industry, Peerless-AV’s SEAMLESS LED Wall Integration Program offers support and installation needs for complex hospitality designs and integrations. Custom project managers and engineers
from the SEAMLESS LED Solutions team plan and create custom LED configurations to meet the unique needs of the luxury hospitality industry, from eye-catching LED installations in hotel convention centers to large-scale outdoor signage.

Peerless-AV also offers a variety of innovative mounting solutions, including its line of TV and video wall mounts, integrated kiosks, desktop mounts, carts, and stands, offering the flexibility and adjustability required in a hospitality setting. Peerless-AV remains the brand standard for leading hotel chains and the most trusted mounting solution in the hotel industry.

“We are proud to be recognized by Forbes Travel Guide as the Official TV Wall Mount & Outdoor TV Provider for the second year in a row,” said Megan Zeller, Business Development Director, Peerless-AV. “Providing high-quality AV solutions for luxury hospitality venues is a key focus for our team at Peerless-AV.

Whether implementing an interactive kiosk in a hotel lobby, an outdoor display in the pool and bar area, or a sleek TV wall mount in every guest room, Peerless-AV is able to truly enhance the guest experience across an entire property.”

For more information about Peerless-AV’s indoor and outdoor solutions for hospitality applications, please visit:

https://www.peerless-av.com/en-us/professional/applications/hospitality

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, including outdoor displays and TVs, complete integrated kiosks, video wall mounting systems, professional carts and stands, and more. 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.

About Forbes Travel Guide

Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Our anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on up to 900 objective standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best luxury experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our independent inspection process. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, please visit forbestravelguide.com.

Media Contacts
Peerless-AV Alyssa Morrello alyssam@lotus823.com (732) 212-0823

Forbes Travel Guide Pegi Amarteifio pegi@forbestravelguide.com

Accessibility, Member, picks

Encoded Tags – Wayfinding technology at Union Station

From The Source — thanks to Ross of Qwick Media for pointing this out!  Great post on assistive navigation for the blind using their mobile phones as intelligent cameras basically.

This post was written by Doreen Morrissey of Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation and Armando Roman of Metro’s Office of Civil Rights.

Navigating through Union Station can prove challenging to even the most resourceful traveler, let alone somebody who is blind or visually impaired. While sighted travelers rely on signage and visual cues, blind and partially sighted people often seek tactile pathways to guide them. Given that installing tactile pathways at Union Station’s is challenging due to the historic landmark status of the station, Metro was open to alternative wayfinding solutions.

Last year, NaviLens submitted an unsolicited proposal to test an innovative, audio wayfinding technology—via Metro’s Unsolicited Proposal (UP) process. The UP process unlocks innovation by allowing outside parties to submit concepts to Metro. Review teams from across the agency evaluate the proposal, and if they determine there is financial and/or technical merit, the proposal moves forward. The UP process often leads to small scale pilots or proofs of concept so Metro can test concepts and emerging technologies. In this case, OEI and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) reviewed the NaviLens technology and decided the proposal merited a proof of concept.

NaviLens was developed through a partnership between Mobile Vision Research Lab at the University of Alicante in Spain and the Spanish startup Neosistic. The technology consists of a set of colored pixelated tags (similar to QR codes) and an accompanying smartphone app. A user’s smartphone camera scans the surroundings for tags while the app recites the tag’s stored information. Each tag is strategically placed and individually programmed with wayfinding information including distance and direction to platforms, transit arrival and departure information, and ticket kiosks and restroom locations. The technology is powerful—a five-inch tag can be read from up to 39 feet away, in a 30th of a second, while the camera is in motion, and without even focusing.

This past October, Metro began testing NaviLens in Union Station. Tags were placed throughout Union Station, creating audio pathways to the B (Red), D (Purple), and L (Gold) Line platforms, Amtrak and Metrolink platforms, and Patsaouras Bus Plaza, and identifying ticket vending machines, fare gates, elevators, and emergency telephones. The pilot team included multiple Metro departments and other partners-  OEI, OCR, Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Metro’s General Services, Morlin Property Management, Amalgamated Transit Union and the British Royal National Institute of Blind People. Throughout the pilot, NaviLens has been praised by blind and visually impaired test users. “I would feel more comfortable traveling by myself if this was available everywhere” and “This feels similar to what sighted people can do, being able to see signage” were some of the comments Metro received from the test group.

The NaviLens technology is gaining traction. It is currently deployed at bus stops and metro stations of the Barcelona and Madrid transit systems, has been endorsed by the Britain’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and was recently studied as part of NYCMTA Accessible Station Lab pilot.

This isn’t the first wayfinding technology for blind and visually impaired people that Metro has piloted. Last spring, OCR conducted a pilot with Wayfindr, an audio navigation technology which pairs Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons with a smartphone app. As assistive technologies continue to evolve, Metro welcomes the development of aids that improve the autonomy of blind and visually impaired travelers in Union Station.

Want to explore yourself? Download the free NaviLens app and give it a try. We’d love to hear what you think.

MORE ABOUT NAVILENS

Where is NaviLens

Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(New York Metro)

NaviLens code marker at Jay St platform NaviLens code marker at Jay St platform

In this station, over 100 NaviLens codes:
(1) Help the visually-impaired users to be more independent in unknow spaces,

(2) Guide all users indoors through virtual arrows in a very innovative Augmented Reality (AR) experience, without GPS or Bluetooth,

(3) Offer real-time train arrivals information scanning any NaviLens code,

(4) And all of these features in 24 languages, breaking language barriers of all subway users.

It’s a revolution for indoor navigation where it’s not possible to use GPS or other computer-vision methods.

NaviLens code at Jay St MetroTech Station entrance. NaviLens code at Jay St MetroTech Station entrance.
Audible information for visually-impaired users scanning the code far away. Audible information for visually-impaired users scanning the code far away.
Augmented reality technology based on proprietary computer vision technology. Augmented reality technology based on proprietary computer vision technology.
A 10 inches NaviLens code can be read up to 60 feet away in 0.03 seconds, covering 160° degrees. A 10 inches NaviLens code can be read up to 60 feet away in 0.03 seconds, covering 160° degrees.

Two Apps Available to interact with this new technology:

The NaviLens App helps visually-impaired users, who can scan the codes without needing to know exactly where they are, offering the same information as the signage very accurately.

The NaviLens GO App provides in-station navigation, trip planning information, train arrivals and service status information to help sighted users navigate the station and the system.

You can check by yourself how well the technology works, pointing your phone towards the photos of this email using any NaviLens Apps.

Real-time information scanning the code far away.

Real-time information scanning the code far away.

The code can be printed in any material, like vinyl and can be placed very high. The code can be scanned by a mobile phone up 80° degrees (Vertically & horizontally). The code can be printed in any material, like vinyl and can be placed very high. The code can be scanned by a mobile phone up 80° degrees (Vertically & horizontally).
EThe code is very easy to implement at any space: As easy as emplacement the code over current signage. The code is very easy to implement at any space: As easy as emplacement the code over current signage.
picks, Retail Kiosk

Mixed Drink Retail – Nordstroms

Alcohol in Retail – Under The Influence

We like that title. WP article covers Nordstroms and how they are adding martinis to the mix for shoppers.  With all the analytics describing how doing this or doing that is going to increase sales per customer and provide an uplift, why not just do the obvious?  Sell them a martini, triple their dwell time and double their sales slip. And let’s not forget cannabis-based alcohol is coming.

“Chardonnay in the shoe department: Retailers are increasingly serving alcohol to woo shoppers, vying to create an experience they can’t get online”

Excerpt:

NEW YORK — Walk past the $2,500 studded Saint Laurent boots and $995 Versace sneakers at Nordstrom’s newly minted flagship store, and you’ll end up at its most buzzed-about attraction: the full bar.

Shoe Bar, as it’s aptly called, specializes in $17 cocktails with names like Billionaire and Husband Daycare. It sells wine by the glass, half a dozen craft beers, and plates of chicken wings and meatballs. And by 4 p.m. most days, it’s packed.

Amazon, Food order kiosk, picks

Cashierless Grocery Store Opens in Seattle – Amazon Store #1

amazon face detection Feb 2020 – Very complete article by CNBC including videos of new cashierless store Amazon has just opened. Amazon has been working on this since 2015. Includes produce section. You can get yourself a cup of coffee (and get charged for it).

Key Points

  • Five years in the making, the first Amazon Go Grocery store is opening Tuesday in Seattle.
  • It’s Amazon’s first full-size, cashierless grocery store, expanding the technology in its Amazon Go shops, which are more like convenience stores.
  • The store is about 10,400 square feet and stocks roughly 5,000 items, including fresh produce, meats and alcohol.
  • “We’re not trying to be Whole Foods,” Amazon’s Cameron Janes said. “We’re not trying to replace them.”

Excerpt

The online behemoth on Tuesday is opening its first, full-size, cashierless grocery store. Five years in the making, the Amazon Go Grocery is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, in the Amazon corporate headquarters’ backyard.

Amazon has been working on the space since 2015. At 10,400 square feet, the store at 610 E. Pike St. incorporates the same technology found in the two dozen or so Amazon Go locations. Shoppers can walk in, scan a QR code from their Amazon mobile app at a turnstile, carry or add whatever they want to their baskets throughout the store, and walk out when they are finished. Zero human interaction is required, though the store will staff a couple dozen people to help stock shelves and answer shoppers’ questions.

 

“You’re seeing a lot of big strides in [this] store,” Cameron Janes, vice president of Amazon’s physical retail division, told CNBC during a tour of the grocery store on Monday. “Produce is a big example of that.”

Read and view the complete article by CNBC including videos

Kiosk Manufacturer