Alamo Rent-A-Car Deploys First Of Its Kind Kiosk
Alamo-Rent-A-Car has debuted its revamped Fort Lauderdale, FL facility offering leisure travelers a wide range of amenities never before seen in the car rental industry, including an innovative information kiosk system using Sun Microsystems and Apunix technology.
“The redesign is about more than just renting a car,” said Michael Going, Alamo President. “It’s about making a commitment to address the unique and specific needs of leisure travelers. We believe these changes will raise the standard of the leisure car rental experience.”
The new Alamo plaza was designed with assistance from San Francisco-based Landor Associates and Chicago-based Doblin Group. Leisure-friendly innovations include: Travel Center - multi-lingual touchscreen kiosks print out directions to area hotels, restaurants, local attractions and entertainment events. Each kiosk also contains a direct connect phone to a live concierge service. Play Area - this two-story play area for kids has a crawl tube, climbing area, punching bags, activity panels, minivan clubhouse and a crazy slide. Retail Center - the Alamo version of a mini-mart with ample supplies of popular name-brand food and travel items. Luggage lockers - travelers can place bags in these free lockers upon arrival, then pull the car around and load up before exiting, thus eliminating the stress of carrying luggage around the plaza. Changing Booths - these booths let customers change clothes.
A host of changes ranging from brighter colors to streamlined process flow add up to a simplified rental experience. By the end of the year, 50% of Alamo’s customers will enjoy this enhanced car rental experience.
Texaco Tests E-Commerce ‘i-TM’ Network
Texaco is testing ATM network Texaco-branded gasoline stations in the U.S. This new generation of PC-based, Internet enabled “i-TMs,” will deliver a range of services. Designed to attract more customers and make more money for retailers, the i-TMs will act as electronic salesmen.
Texaco is putting an e-store on street corners nationwide extending its e-commerce efforts to the ATM channel. The concept was developed for Texaco by Media Designs International, a NY-based digital marketing company.
The sale of licensed merchandise, such as trucks, caps and jackets, is a multimillion business for Texaco. Yet for many retailers, lack of inventory space and the cash it takes to buy the goods stands in the way of stocking these profitable items. Texaco’s i-TM network will provide operators with a virtual inventory of Texaco branded merchandise from an electronic multimedia retail catalog, with the convenience of home and gift delivery without the burden of physical inventory or out-of-pocket expense.
Texaco also gains an ongoing in-store corporate branding opportunity, to showcase its products and services and sponsorships like NASCAR and the Olympics.
Virtual Doll Mall Offers Inventory Of 5,000 Dolls
The Virtual Doll Mall, a kiosk enclosure developed by CreativeKiosk, Norcross, GA, combines software from First Wave, a Scottsdale, AZ-based software development firm, and iTouch touch-on-tube technology from Elo TouchSystems of Fremont, CA.
Through a partnership with iDolls.com, the Virtual Doll Mall places an inventory of 5,000 dolls within a store. Customers simply touch the kiosk to begin their search for the perfect doll and place orders using a credit card.
JCPenney Tests Electronic Displays In Sports Dept.
JCPenney needed to quickly change its in-store signage to meet changing market conditions and competitive moves. JCPenney realized it could use Immedia’s changeable electronic displays, developed by E Ink Corporation of Cambridge, MA, to overcome the limitations of paper signage.
JCPenney could now broadcast messages from its headquarters to signs in stores in a matter of minutes wirelessly. JCPenney chose to test Immedia in its Simply for Sports department. To enhance the visual nature of the product, JCPenney and E Ink developed a graphic that surrounded the Immedia display, a brightly-colored image of a runner that suited the decor of the department. Immedia displays increased traffic by 11% in the Simply for Sports department. 44% of customers who saw the display searched for brands advertised on the display, and 25% of those consumers bought them.
Consumers To Send Video E-Mail Postcards At Times Square Burger King
From the Burger King restaurant at Times Square, visitors will now be able to send video e-mails of themselves to friends and family all over the world via 3Com HomeConnect PC Digital WebCams.
The Times Square Burger King restaurant offers customers who purchase a value meal the opportunity to surf the web and send video e-mails. The two-story restaurant houses 16 PCs, each equipped with a 3Com video camera. Additionally, customers can videoconference with Burger King’s Wall Street location, creating the first-ever online video chat between two quick-service restaurants.
Coca-Cola And America Online Form Global Marketing Alliance
The Coca-Cola Company and America Online have formed a multi-year global strategic alliance to develop innovative online and offline marketing programs. This alliance marks Coca-Cola’s first worldwide interactive marketing initiative and AOL’s first association with Coca-Cola.
Taking full advantage of the companies’ unmatched global brand power and assets, the alliance will focus on several key marketing themes, including music, movies, sports, holidays and community, such as promotions built around the AOL Moviefone brand, The Coca-Cola Company’s sponsorship of the Olympic Games and the Christmas holiday season.
“With this exciting new alliance, we will bring together the unique strengths of America Online’s international family of interactive brands with Coca-Cola’s global distribution network to create innovative and effective consumer marketing campaigns both online and offline around the world,” said Bob Pittman, President and COO of America Online.
Coca-Cola will make America Online’s interactive services and products available to consumers around the world through its extensive distribution channels worldwide, including advertising, merchandising, packaging and in-store promotions. America Online will market The Coca-Cola Company’s brands online across its family of global interactive brands.
Target Enters Strategic Multi-Channel Marketing Alliance With E*TRADE
Target Stores has entered into a strategic multi-channel marketing alliance with E*TRADE Group, Inc., a global leader in online personal financial services.
The agreement calls for piloting an in-store E*TRADE financial service center at a SuperTarget store. The alliance also includes the creation of a co-branded Target/E*TRADE website for Target guests. There will also be cross-promotional arrangements between etrade.com and Target Stores to bring added value to customers and guests for each of the companies. The pilot at the SuperTarget in Roswell, GA, will feature a devoted E*TRADE financial service center at the front of the store, allowing Target guests to conduct on-line banking at E*TRADE terminals or open an E*TRADE account, in addition to having the opportunity to speak with E*TRADE about the range of financial products and services available through E*TRADE. An E*TRADE Bank branded ATM will also be included in the center.
The Outernet Store Provides On-Site Customized CDs
AD&P, a Minneapolis, MN-based conglomerate has created “The Outernet,” a totally new form of retail chain that will provide CDs that can be customized on-site to contain music, games and other forms of digital audio-visual entertainment and educational software.
Targeted at the Echo Generation (0-25), the first 20 Outernet locations will open this summer in New York and Minneapolis. Each entertainment complex (more than 10,000 square feet) will be fully automated and unmanned. Every location will house in excess of 150 wide, interactive media screens, and over 50 CD and DVD burners where customers can “outload” their selections, in less than two minutes.
Two Interactive Entertainment Venues Open In NYC’s Times Square
Bar Code and Galactic Circus, two highly stylized, high-touch interactive environments, are making their U.S. debut in New York City’s Times Square by Australia’s Entertainment Development Group (EDG).
Through a cyber-inspired environment, the latest high-tech virtual, proprietary internet and interactive games, live DJ’s, a state-of-the-art sound system, innovative lighting and video design, and fully licensed bar, Bar Code combines the best elements of a bar, nightclub, and entertainment venue in one modern setting.
Galactic Circus, the “astronomically charged” family venue located just above Bar Code, will also boast a large selection of high-touch interactive games, and classic carnival games of skill and chance, as well as motion simulator rides, festive lighting, live performers, hip graphics and quirky props.
Majors Prints Books In Minutes
J.A. Majors Company, and Sprout, Inc., the first distributor to bring Books-On-Demand into bookstores, have completed installation of the Sprout book production system in the Majors Scientific Bookstore in Houston, TX. This technology provides immediate digital printing of hard to find or limited availability titles. A customer selects a title from the digital inventory, the book is downloaded, printed and bound in the bookstore within 15 to 20 minutes.
“Customer service is the focus at Majors,” said Kris Naylor, V.P. Retail Operations. “The Sprout System combines the latest digital technology with production innovation to provide customers the books they want without waiting for a special order.”
Wolf Camera Opens ‘Vision’ Location
Wolf Camera, the Atlanta, GA-based photo chain, has opened its first ever photography theme superstore in New York City. The 4,200 sq. ft. “Vision” location incorporates many elements of photography into the decor. Lenses are used as lighting fixtures, colored filters are blended into counter tops, and theatrical lighting creates a warm and welcome environment.
The store offers a complete array of traditional photography and digital imaging products and services. An in-store gallery features various rotating artists’ work on display and for sale; a children’s play area is complete with a giant Canon camera and Kodak film slide, and a computer kiosk connects customers to GoStreamIt.com, where they can record video messages and send them via email in seconds.
Borders Plans E-Listening Stations
Borders Books and Music Stores has introduced E-Listening stations, interactive kiosks that enable customers to access and preview virtually any music title in the store’s inventory, simply by scanning the product barcode.
The kiosks, similar in appearance to existing CD preview stations, are equipped with headphones, but do not rely on manually maintained CD players. Instead, weekly updates to the inventory are stored on a database and can be accessed by scanning a specific CD’s barcode at the station. Customers will be able to hear approximately 750 music titles from start to finish. For the remaining inventory, a 45-second preview of up to 12 tracks per CD will be available. In addition, Borders will be testing hand-held, portable, wireless headphones and scanning wands, which allow customers to move about the store sampling music on the go.
Chapters Features Cyber Cafes In Stores
Chapters Features Cyber Cafes In Stores
Info Touch Technologies, Burnaby, B.C., has successfully completed a rollout of customized cyber cafes at Chapters stores in Canada. Info Touch has deployed custom Surfnet software that will be used on each terminal in the bookstores’ cyber cafes.
Chapters, the largest book retailer in Canada, has installed over 500 e-commerce kiosks in its 70 superstores. The e-commerce kiosks provide in-store shoppers with access to a central database of millions of titles. If the product is available in the store, the kiosk will provide details of the item’s location in the store. If the product is not currently available in the store, shoppers can order titles at the kiosks and have their selections shipped to their home, work or as a gift to friends or family members.
Barnes & Noble.com Goes On Tour
Barnes & Noble.com is going on tour with an 80-foot interactive technology center to visit more than 40 cities throughout the U.S. The tour will benefit First Book, a nonprofit literacy program dedicated to providing underprivileged children with their first new books.
Steve Riggio, Vice Chairman, Barnes & Noble.com, said “Barnes & Noble.com is dedicated to educating consumers to be more comfortable with today’s newest technology whether reading from a handheld PC or shopping online.”
Conducted by M3 Marketing, the tour features a truck outfitted with state-of-the-art computers, supplied by IBM. The tour will offer thousands of people the opportunity to step into the truck’s living room setting to experience first hand the impact of technology on reading today and in the future.
NPD Electronic Coupon Study
A recent study of electronic coupon usage conducted by The NPD Group, Inc., revealed new opportunities for coupon distributors. While grocery and health purchasing remains a key usage of electronic coupons (or e-coupons, those coupons obtained on the World Wide Web), other uses indicate additional opportunities for e-coupons.
Online coupon usage by category: Groceries (59%); Books (32%); Health (30%); Music (26%); Beauty (17%); Fast Food (16%); Apparel (14%); Toys (14%); Other Restaurants (13%); and Electronics (13%). Toy e-coupons posted the highest online redemption rate at 87%, followed by books at 83%. Fast food coupons obtained online claimed the highest retail redemption rate at 96%, with groceries close behind at 94%. Apparel and health products were split evenly between online and offline redemption of electronic coupons.
Pamela Smith, NPD V.P., Online Research, said, “Consumers accustomed to using coupons and communicating via the Internet seem to have no trouble integrating the Internet into their searches for savings. The challenge will be to reach those consumers who have not made coupons a regular part of their online or offline shopping experiences.”
Sony PlayStation 2 Plans North America Launch
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced plans for the North America release of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. PlayStation 2 is designed to bring together games, music and movies, and serve as a network platform in the broadband era. “The PlayStation 2 will define computer entertainment the same way that the PlayStation changed the face of the videogame industry,” said Andrew House, V.P., Marketing.
Marketing efforts for PlayStation 2 will include TV, cinema, print and outdoor advertising, consumer sampling and trial opportunities. With a grassroots approach, Sony will create massive trial and awareness through participation at key events including Rockfest, the WARPED tour, Gravity Games and Vans Triple Crown series. A 68-foot “Thrills on Wheels,” truck will be making appearances across the country at major sports and entertainment events featuring PlayStation 2 and PlayStation kiosks.
Cirque Corp., the developer of GlidePoint technology, now offers mounting brackets for its touchpads to simplify pointing device integration for kiosks. Two new mounting bracket options, available for both large and small Cirque touchpads, will attach the modules to a broad range of panel materials. For more information, contact Cirque Corp., 2463 South 3850 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84120; (Tel) 801-467-1100, (Fax) 801-467-0208; www.cirque.com.
Systech Retail Systems has launched three new e-commerce kiosk applications: the MGVKiosk allows retailers to customize Internet access, including limiting access to desired sites and displaying advertising on the screen. The second kiosk tool allows consumers to swipe their frequent buyer card to view and/or print all the incentives they are entitled to through the store’s frequent buyer program. The third product, the MGV Deli-Ordering application, enables consumers to order deli items through a kiosk and print a list of ordered items. The order is forwarded to the counter where it is fulfilled while the consumer shops. For more information, contact Systech/MGV, 900 Ridgefield Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609; (Tel) 919-790-8211.
IST’s family of large area Touch Systems are ideal for a variety of large area applications including Plasma Display Panels (PDPs) and rear projection displays. Using infra-red technology, IST Touch Systems fit attractively around the display and do not interfere with or cloud the picture. IST Touch Systems can be easily attached to an existing display, or installed on new large screen display systems. IST offers Touch Systems ranging in size from 33 inches to 70 inches. For more information, contact Activelight, 19362 Powder Hill Place, Poulsbo, WA 98370; (Tel) 800-730-4774.
The Smart POP Display provides a competitive advantage because it “talks” to customers, keeps track of customer traffic, alerts retailers before it runs out of product, is portable, heavy duty with a 640 lb. load capacity, and has a variable configuration. For more information, contact CRR Div. Smart Displays, P.O. Box 142195, Miami, FL 33114; (Tel) 305-261-6106, (Fax) 305-261-6179.
Omnitech Corp. has developed the iPort interactive kiosk to furnish innovative technology solutions for shopping centers and other high traffic environments. iPort renders information, multimedia images and “wired” capabilities to consumers while generating a stream of revenue for developers and retailers through marketing, sponsorships and sales. Measuring only 13.5 square feet, iPort’s sleek design preserves mall site lines and only requires a standard electrical outlet. For more information about iPort, contact Omnitech Corp., 139 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010; (Tel) 212-420-1431, (Fax) 212-420-1637, (Web) www.omnitech-us.com.
Ray Products, utilizing its pressure forming technology, was selected by North Technologies, Los Angeles, CA, to manufacture the front bezel of North’s new SU100 StandUp Kiosk. The SU100 bezel offers rugged features designed to support peripheral devices, including the receipt printer, laser printer, card reader, PIN pad and integrated audio. The part is molded using a textured tool and color matched material. For more information, contact Ray Products, 1700 Chablis Ave., Ontario, CA 91761; (Tel) 800-423-7859, (Fax) 909-390-9984.
The Shimadzu Mirage combines a computer’s video signal with any existing background creating a unique ability to animate reality. The unit creates an optical virtual image which can move closer or further from the viewer. Viewers look through the transparent combiner glass which allows the images to combine with actual scenery or objects and can create exciting results. For more information, contact Shimadzu Precision Instruments, 20410 Earl Street, Torrance, CA 90503; (Tel) 310-214-4803, (Fax) 310-214-9828.
ColorCorp is introducing Litefast® System, a freestanding, 360-degree transparent three-dimensional display pedestal. ColorCorp has received exclusive distribution and licensing rights to market Litefast® in the Western Hemisphere. Corporate logos, advertising messages, directions and information are all purposes for this new medium. Each unit is equipped with a telephone modem port, making possible remote control updating and scheduling. The LiteFast® System can be operated as a stand-alone unit or it can be integrated into the LitefastDigital Network. For more information, contact ColorCorp, 1235 Marquette Street, Cleveland, OH 44114; (Tel) 216-432-5182.
Data Display Systems has introduced AskVideo, a compact CD Interactive display. A constantly running video draws attention to the personal-sized color LCD monitor. Customers are invited to interact with the display by selecting from a menu of choices (InterActive model) or by pressing an icon to view a particular video (Select-A-Video model). AskVideo can attach to a shelf, kiosk, power wing or stand alone on a countertop. For more information, contact Data Display Systems, 14001 Townsend Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19154; (Tel) 215-698-2600, (Fax) 215-677-2009, (Web Site) www.datadisplay.com.
Info Touch Technologies has introduced the ElantraNet kiosk, an Internet/Intranet kiosk, providing an excellent opportunity for convergence of a company’s Website to the street. The plug n’ play kiosk can URL limit a company’s Website, to drive traffic to a business location or Website. This transportable kiosk comes completely Internet ready with a 15”-17” touch monitor and touch pad mouse. It weighs just over 200 lbs. and measures 23.5” wide. For more information, contact Info Touch Technologies, 4660 Dawson Street, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5C 4C3; (Tel) 604-298-4636; (Fax) 604-298-4216, (Web) www.infotouch.net.
Companion Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT-based supplier of interactive display systems, has appointed Dave Fasano as head of its Interactive Solutions Division. Fasano most recently worked for EMC, with a specialty in integrating total solutions.
Caterpillar Featured In New Disney Theme Park
Caterpillar will present an attraction where guests can have fun learning about agriculture in Disney’s California Adventure, the 55-acre theme park being constructed next to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.
At “Bountiful Valley Farm,” guests can climb aboard a Caterpillar tractor, join in an interactive Farmers Expo and stroll amidst crops. On display will be a Caterpillar skid steer loader, two Caterpillar tractors and an engine. Caterpillar merchandise and toys will be available for purchase.
“We’re proud to be the sponsor of this attraction in Disney’s newest park,” said Glen Barton, Caterpillar’s CEO.
StartSampling Offers Sampling Via Internet
StartSampling, Inc. (www.startsampling.com) offers marketers a product sampling tool that delivers precision demographic targeting combined with a direct feedback loop. StartSampling employs an opt-in model, allowing consumers to choose the product they want to sample.
StartSampling’s in-house fulfillment mails an individually packaged product sample directly to the consumer. Consumers are then encouraged to visit the site to give their feedback about the product.
The direct link with the consumer creates a valuable mechanism to gauge consumer opinion and purchase intent. StartSampling partners can also access online demographic reports.
SUNRISE SYSTEMS, INC.
720 Washington Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
Tel: 781-826-9706
Fax: 781-826-0061
E-mail: hca@tiac.net
Web Site: www.sunrisesystems.com
Sunrise Systems designs and manufactures electronic programmable signage for a wide variety of applications and markets including exhibits, point of purchase and sales promotion. Our client list includes many of America's premier corporations and world-renowned designers and architects.
Our signs use leds (light emitting diodes), the best lighting elements for high reliability, long life, low power consumption and color variety.
Our signage designs allow assembly in a number of configurations including horizontal, circular, serpentine, spirals, square, rectangular, triangular, and a vertical design with a vertical character set.
Sunrise Systems' signs are extendable in length (no limit) and are available in many character heights and a variety of colors.
Please call us with your signage requirements and wish list.
Sprint Internet Kiosks
DISPLAY PRODUCER: MaxImage
P.O. Box 382574, Memphis, TN 38183
InfoXpress is an internet kiosk designed in a Sprint PCS phone. The slim and portable touchscreen phone can hang anywhere to provide quality graphics, sales information, customized internet content and more. InfoXpress is designed for easy access and real time information, the choice for a changing competitive market.
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