Article
The 2006 software roundup
The 25 best software picks for the new year, from suites to applications. What's on your hard drive?
January 23, 2006
This article originally published in Self-Service World magazine, Jan/Feb 2006.
Picking the right soft ware for your self-service initiative is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make in the entire design and deployment process. Soft ware is both the front and back of your deployment; it determines what kind of experience the customer will have, and it also manages the data that the customer interaction creates.
To help you sift through the massive body of kiosk and self-service soft ware available, we asked several industry insiders to suggest products they felt were the best in their breed. Our panel included Francie Mendelsohn of Summit Research Associates, Tamara Mendelsohn (no relation) of Forrester Research and Lief Larson, research director for Valhalla Worldwide and founder of this magazine (formerly Kiosk magazine). We compiled their votes with input from the Self-Service World staff to come up with 25 of the year's best products.
This list covers every category of kiosk soft ware imaginable, from Internet browser lock-down to suggestive selling to financial services. What they have in common is the admiration of the industry and their users.
Browser lockdown
SiteKiosk 6
Publisher:Provisio
SiteKiosk focuses on doing one thing, and doing it extremely well — securing a public Internet access terminal. A simple and intuitive management interface makes it easy to design the UI, setting permissions for activity. The soft ware allows controlled downloads, and lets managers set up lists of allowed and/or forbidden URLs and domains. Plus, the companion product SiteCash, which works with bill acceptors and card readers, can turn installed games and applications into revenue centers.
SurferQuest Full Throttle
Publisher:Global Appliances LLC
SurferQuest Full Throttle allows the Internet kiosk operator to decide which functionality and peripherals he wants to make available to the public. The soft ware protects against viruses, spyware and inappropriate content, and keeps caches and customer data areas clean. Advanced payment functionality allows for a pay- per-use model, as well as pay-per-page printing to an attached printer.
Digital display
Scala InfoChannel 3
Publisher:Scala Broadcast Multimedia
Packed with cutting-edge effects and graphics, Scala InfoChannel 3 makes it easy to author and deploy multimedia content to a single screen or a widely distributed network of displays. The integrated Designer component can export to CD, HTML or video and allows authoring in conventional 4:3 aspect ratio or 16:9 widescreen. Reporter allows the insertion of local content, Broadcast Server allows for satellite transmission for large deployments and the Player allows for optional interactive components.
WireSpring FireCast OS
Publisher:WireSpring Technologies
The Linux-based FireCast OS is a robust package that can run an entire digital signage network. Built-in drivers support most popular models of touchscreens and printers, making it simple to turn a display network into a kiosk network. A playlist-based scheduler allows mixing and matching of media types and makes it easy to split the screen into regions (using HTML), running different media files in an easy "window" format.
General/suite
Apunix JAVA Platform
Publisher:Apunix Computer Services
Apunix has made a name for itself in the self- service industry through its devotion to the scalability and flexibility of the JAVA language. Apunix's JAVA solutions have been installed in retail, food service, travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors. Its Henry installation has been a success for Home Depot, which deployed the touchscreen units to give customers in-depth product information via video.
Info Touch Surfnet Premier
Publisher:Info Touch Technologies
Surfnet Premier offers a huge array of options for the kiosk deployer, beginning with a robust public Internet system. A recent addition is the Surfnet Prepaid Store, which lets vendors sell and dispense 16 prepaid products from companies like Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and Cingular. Bill payment and money transfer services also are available, as is a module to integrate Microsoft 's MapPoint mapping soft ware, and an integrated ad manager that lets operators remotely manage on-screen advertising.
KINGnet
Publisher:KING Products & Services
KINGnet is a holistic kiosk soft ware suite that lets deployers add products and services quickly and easily. Services include telecom, Internet, loyalty, wayfinding, targeted advertising, video conferencing, hospitality check-in and check-out, e-concierge, games, plus a wealth of options for retail (gift registry, product information and look-up, e- commerce, cross-promotion). KINGnet Server Management makes it easy to manage an entire fleet of kiosks remotely, exporting management data to popular file formats like Excel and CSV.
Kiosk Logix NetStopPro
Publisher:Kiosk Logix
Although its core strength is securing an unattended PC, chiefly for purposes of Internet use and printing, NetStop also can act as a front-end for any number of applications the kiosk deployer wishes to run. Out of the box, the soft ware includes functionality for Internet access, Microsoft Office use, video e-mails and instant messaging; on top of this, users can add up to 20 external applications through the interface.
Nanopoint E3
Publisher:Nanonation
Designed to harness the unique strengths of the Apple Mac mini — a powerhouse machine that can deliver HD video and interactive content, all for about $500 per unit — Nanopoint E3 is a comprehensive and highly customizable suite for retailers. The program is built on Max OSX 10.4 and QuickTime 7, and integrates with CRM, POS and other business databases. Once deployed, a single customer- facing interface ties together separate applications such as Web browsing, multimedia or e-commerce.
Netkey 6.5
Publisher:Netkey
Netkey is one of the industry's longest- running and most well-respected soft ware suites, and version 6.5, announced in May 2005, was warmly received. The package handles all the duties of a self-service deployment from end to end — application and interface development, content scheduling, remote monitoring and central administration and management. New features in version 6.5 include the Agent Framework, a set of small, single-purpose applications that can run on small-footprint devices; and peer-to-peer communication, allowing authorized kiosks to update one another.
NetShift 7
Publisher:NS Systems
NetShift is a secure platform that serves as the framework for a number of off -the-shelf applications, as well as a starting point for custom development. Stock applications include print-on- demand, mobile phone top-up, travel and hospitality, e-gov information, building directory and wayfinding, public Internet access, photo, HR and loyalty, among others. The NetShift platform is in use in more than 2,000 companies and has been a respected industry entry since 1996.
Planar Retail software suite
Publisher:Planar Systems Inc.
Planar, known for its line of LCD and plasma monitors and displays, also offers this comprehensive suite of three components: Content Manager, a desktop application that allows loading, previewing and scheduling of media assets; Display Network Manager, which monitors and runs the system and allows for kiosk control through local access, Internet or scripting; and the Player, which delivers the media assets (in Flash, Shockwave, Windows Media or QuickTime formats) to the customer-facing device.
St. Clair suite
Publisher:St. Clair Interactive
St. Clair's family of products runs the gamut of kiosk applications. Operations and production tools allow management of the kiosk network from the back office, while application templates offer a solid starting point for loyalty programs, couponing, gift registry, multivendor e- commerce, guided selling, photo, prepaid product sales, stored-value cards and digital media distribution.
WebRaiser Vendi family
Publisher:WebRaiser Technologies
WebRaiser's Vendi family is a sprawling line of high-end products tailored to individual markets and verticals: VendiBill handles bill payment, VendiNet offers Internet access, VendiMail dispenses POP3 and Web-based e-mail services, while VendiGames lets patrons play to their heart's content. Other applications include VendiPin (prepaid long distance and cellular sales), VendiPhone (VoIP), and the very interesting VendiStyle, which lets hair salon owners offer high-tech "see it before we cut it" on-screen service.
Gift registry
Marcole GiftRegistryWorks
Publisher:Marcole Interactive Systems
Gift registry systems are not only a boon to shoppers, they mean a great deal to retailers — and making it easy for customers to register their wants and needs can guarantee heavier traffic to the store. Marcole's product comes in two varieties, Enterprise Edition for chain stores and Independent Retailer Edition for smaller outfits. Both products offer easy-to-use consumer interfaces, the ability to integrate hand-held scanning devices, robust reporting and full Internet functionality.
Hospitality
Livewire eConcierge
Publisher:Livewire International
Livewire eConcierge makes it easy to add interactive and revenue-generating functionality to existing hospitality, concierge and info-dispensing kiosks. Features include integrated ticket and gift card activation and dispensing, the ability to let users print coupons and brochures, and an ad manager. For the deployer, the product offers Web-based management and reporting.
Internet
KioWare
Publisher:KioWare
KioWare's browser-lockdown solution comes in two flavors, Lite and standard. Lite includes basic functionality for securing an unattended PC with an Internet connection — OS lockdown, popup blocking, session management, error handling and cookie/cache cleanup. Standard KioWare adds more robust features aimed at the deployer who wants to take a Web-based application and make it work on a kiosk. When paired with KioWare Server, this allows for remote content updating, remote monitoring and server-side statistics analysis.
Multimedia
CeroView 3D Product Configuration
Publisher:CeroView/Cycore
Rotatable, zoomable 3D models make for an impressive shopping experience, and CeroView's soft ware makes it easy to create such models. The technology from Swedish soft ware developer Cycore takes data exported from 3D rendering applications like Maya and 3ds max and allows the user to add interactive elements. A 2003 joint marketing agreement bundles Cycore's technology with CeroView's line of kiosks; Cycore Cult3D Designer also is available as a stand-alone product.
Operating system
Windows Embedded for Point of Service
Publisher:Microsoft
Windows Embedded for POS represents the first time Microsoft has offered a version of its flagship operating system specifically for vertical markets. Its chief strength is perhaps its native ability to interface with a wide variety of POS devices — out of the box, it can communicate with any device bearing the UnifiedPOS specification, and non- UnifiedPOS devices can be used with the OS's generic class. WEPOS's Common Control Library enables plug-and-play support for retail peripherals. The core OS remains compatible with most other versions of Windows, including 9X, NT, 2000 and XP. Built-in multidisplay support makes it easy for POS systems to have separate displays, one for the customer and one for the cashier.
Product info
Active Decisions Active Advisor
Publisher:Active Decisions
Active Advisor poses a series of questions to a user, then begins to offer product suggestions based on user tastes and needs. The soft ware emulates a friendly, knowledgeable sales associate, offering detailed product information where needed and constantly cross-selling and suggesting new products and options. Active Advisor can import
Experticity
Publisher:Experticity
Experticity uses video conferencing technology to handle customer questions remotely. Two-way video terminals allow customers to request help whenever they need it; a connection is made at that time to a call center, routed intelligently based on system load. That means staffers might get a helper in Seattle one time, Saskatchewan the next.
Retail
Intermedia Xpress Ordering System
Publisher:Intermedia Kiosks
Retailers and restaurateurs have had their eyes on product-ordering kiosks this past year, with several high-profile QSR chains deploying ordering units to their frontlines. Intermedia's Xpress Ordering System lets companies offer colorful, inviting ordering screens that send order information directly to the line where the product is made up. Functionality for multiple order points means that, for instance, an ordering kiosk in a grocery store could let customers order from the deli, flower shop or bakery, all from the same screen.
Wincor Nixdorf StoreForward
Publisher:Wincor Nixdorf
Wincor Nixdorf is a worldwide leader in ATMs and POS systems, with the third- largest installed base in each of those segments. StoreForward is its solution for retail, designed to integrate with the BEETLE POS system and iScan self- checkout solution. The two key soft ware components, StoreForward Interactive (marketing, loyalty, product info) and StoreForward POS are built on JAVA, allowing them to run on any operating system.
Retail, QSR, Transactional
Radiant Systems applications
Publisher:Radiant Systems Inc.
Radiant offers a series of soft ware applications aimed at specific tasks and verticals. Entertainment, foodservice, c-store and hospitality products cover POS, loyalty, e-commerce and back-office for each respective industry. Line-busting applications serve entertainment ticketing and concessions as well as quick-serve food ordering; c-store POS includes real-time cash drawer audits and a multichannel architecture that brings together fuel, foodservice and store merchandise; grocery solutions integrate different store departments into a single self-service architecture.
Transactional
Infonox Active Suite
Publisher:Infonox
Infonox's elaborate-yet-simple suite of products runs the gamut of popular kiosk applications, with a goal of making them as simple and as speedy to deploy as possible. ActiveCashier is an all-in-one financial services suite, while ActiveQSR handles foodservice ordering. ActiveTickets, ActiveHotel and ActiveRental handle travel and hospitality solutions, while ActiveBillPay and ActiveTransfer provide specialized financial services. According to the company, all of the products can run on any kiosk hardware; more importantly, they all interface with the Active Payment Platform, automating the back-end with financial service providers.Related Media
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