Cincinnati Bell has opened several stores, called "store@Cincinnati Bell" to enable customers to experience its new products first-hand.
"With communications technology advancing so quickly, we believe there will be something new to see and learn every time a customer visits the store. We want our stores to become ‘destinations,’ much like hands-on science and museum stores," said Jack Cassidy, President of Cincinnati Bell Wireless.
There are video monitors and interactive displays throughout the stores. Video-enabled kiosks, with the touch of a screen, will connect a customer to a service agent for quick access to information on Cincinnati Bell’s communication services. By touching the screen or picking up the handset of these video-enabled kiosks, the customer is automatically connected to a Cincinnati Bell customer service agent. Each of the kiosks is a front access terminal incorporating touch-screen in a full-height configuration.
The two-way video kiosk solutions were developed for Cincinnati Bell by NCR, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. In order to connect the kiosk solutions to Cincinnati Bell’s customer service center, NCR also provided the technology solution to augment the existing call center into a video call center. This solution includes a video call server that provides the ability to receive, hold, forward or conference a video call, and call center agent workstations equipped with video cameras and headsets.
The stores were designed by FRCH Design Wordwide, a retail design firm with offices in Cincinnati and New York City.
Unionbay, an apparel brand of Seattle Pacific Industries, plans to expand an interactive shop concept for its juniors’ department that is testing at Macy’s flagship store in New York City.
The Unionbay kiosk is an interactive retail environment containing a Web TV terminal, Sony
Playstation and CD listening booths. Images projected on the ceiling and TV monitors show teen-oriented programming as well as Unionbay advertising.
Unionbay is using its interactive shop to build a brand image of cool sophistication amongst trend setting teens.
EMF Corp., has launched the IntegraElite, an integrated pedestal kiosk. The sleek profile, small footprint interactive kiosk is especially desirable in areas where space is at a premium. The IntegraElite supports information and transaction-based applications. It is built with a Pentium computer running Microsoft Windows 95, a bright, wide-view 12” LCD touch display, a stereo sound system, CD player and sound card. EMF can also accommodate custom options. For more information, contact EMF Corp. at 15110 NE 95th Street, Redmond, WA 98052-2591; (Tel) 425-883-0045, 800-285-3630; (Fax) 425-883-7222; (Web) www.emfcorp.com.
ObjectSoft Corp. has introduced SmartSign, a modular line of kiosks with interactive public access terminals. Only 7 1/2 inches deep, SmartSign is a free-standing or wall mounted kiosk that mixes traditional display media with interactive content. Revenue from advertising on display panels and in the interactive content can offset or eliminate costs of installing the SmartSign. Available components of the kiosk include lightboards, LCD Touch Screen, video monitor, printers, and a keyboard. For more information, contact ObjectSoft Corp., 433 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601; (Web) www.objectsoftcorp.com.
Companion Systems creates user-friendly interactive kiosks. Each enclosure is designed with highly refined interfaces for all components and to comply with ADA requirements. The company has over 17 years of experience in designing attractive and attention-getting enclosures. For more information, contact Companion Systems, 645 West 200 North, North Salt Lake, UT 84054; (Tel) 801-298-8082, (Fax) 801-295-1563.
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