The headline sponsor of KioskCom Self Service Expo, Key Technology, is to announce a rebranding, with each of its stable of consumer facing technology groups now coming under the Cammax name.

Set to showcase its range of touch screen and kiosk products at Self Service Expo on 1-2 October, this year’s event is the natural launch platform for this new brand in the kiosk market, as Julian Rooney, managing director at Cammax explains:

“With the imminent arrival in Europe of a number of new retail technology solutions, such as contactless payment and an associated rise in interactive digital marketing, this year’s Self Service Expo looks like paving the way for a strong 2009.  With the eyes of the kiosk world focused on London, the event gives us the perfect environment in which to announce the arrival of Cammax.”

The reorganisation at Cammax follows a successful trading period which has seen a number of high profile roll-outs.  In retail, for example, Orange customers have enjoyed swift service and queue busting through the use of Cammax e-top up kiosks.  Joining these on display at the Cammax stand will be the new remote access kiosks, developed for councils who wish to incorporate ‘old technology’ elements of the telephone helpline with the convenience of a self service document scanning kiosk which emails information in real time – currently in use at a number of local authority customer contact points.

As Julian adds, the name change is a reflection of these successes:

“Over the last twelve months, the three elements of the Cammax group – kiosks and hardware, the software solutions and maintenance division – have all experienced substantial growth.  We hope that this move will enhance our expansion for 2009, with an increased recognition of our comprehensive kiosk design and deployment service.  In terms of new products, our visitors at Self Service Expo will see brand new Cammax technology, such as our retail Chip & PIN units and the unique ‘EQUIP’ system recently introduced to many hospitals, which integrates user friendly triage kiosks with digital signage and queue management.”

The buoyant market in customer-facing technology has led to yet another annual increase in the size of Self Service Expo and, with the added focus for 2008 on digital display provided through its education programme, the event is set to provide a hugely informative look at the latest in self service and marketing technology available.

One worrying impact of the growth of digital signage and digital out-of-home media is the environmental cost from the ever increasing power requirement. Though new technologies are appearing which will reduce power consumption across digital displays - the daylight readable, large format signs being implemented around the globe remain veritable power guzzlers (particularly when compared to the posters they are replacing - Although when one takes into account the energy needed to produce the paper, distribute it and then remove or replace and then recycle, the difference is not as great as sometimes cited.

However for the socially responsible property or shopping mall owner looking to enhance its revenue and consumer experience with digital signage - there is a 'green option'. UK based Display Technology Ltd. Is offering the new Albra and Brilan products that using the latest technology can reduce power significantly to give a much more environmentally product than say a Plasma panel to help also with the Carbon Footprint!  But it is not purely altruistic as Display Technology estimates it can save you up to Euros 481 per year in power consumption per panel per year.  So there is a significant cost saving also, which is sometimes forgotten.

A jury in U.S. Federal District Court in Pennsylvania on Friday concluded that JVL Corporation had willingly infringed multiple patented inventions by Merit Industries, and awarded substantial damages.   After hearing evidence for over two weeks, the jury deliberated for just one afternoon before returning a verdict which included the finding that JVL’s conduct, beginning over a decade ago, demonstrates they intentionally violated the patent laws of the United States by illegally selling products that use Merit’s patented technologies.  The law requires a jury to have “clear and convincing evidence” to find willfulness, which they did.

“Merit is committed to upholding the values of fair competition embodied in the laws of the United States,” said Michael Maas, President & CEO of Merit.  “When others do not respect those laws, Merit will take action to assure justice and require future fair play.”

The jury found that JVL began infringing Merit’s intellectual property in 1998 with the Concord 2 product, and continued utilizing some of Merit’s patented technology until recently with the iTouch product lines.  Among other things, this finding means that JVL cannot legally offer automated tournament sequencing features in the US, as patented by Merit; JVL was forced to eliminate this popular feature from its very recent products and will not be able to reintroduce it in the future.

“I truly thank the 8 jurors and Judge Savage for their extensive time and efforts to resolve this important matter,” Maas added.

UK "Apprentice" TV show winner McQueen to head new digital advertising business

Phil Hunter, event director at KioskCom Self Service Expo Europe and The European Digital Signage Show, predicts that digital display is the future for public space marketing: 

So we learnt last night that Sir Alan’s latest venture, with the sales force headed by the winner of the BBC Apprentice show, is going to be a digital signage and advertising group. 

Cynicism about TV talent shows and CV cheating salesmen aside, if this is the case, we in the industry probably ought to sit up and take notice.  Yes, The Apprentice, on one level, is a cracking piece of marketing for Sugar himself but it’s also more than a simple reality TV show.  After all, the winning contestant is actually fighting it out for a serious corporate role and, if the serial and successful entrepreneur in Sugar is looking to digital signage as the way forward, it suggests that we are set to see a proliferation of digital display usage within marketing and further afield.

As AV experts, we have already seen digital display become a much more pivotal part of a company’s advertising strategy and obviously Sugar has seen the huge potential for growth that digital signage offers across many different levels, recognising that the very nature of a centrally controlled display network means that you can convey a series of focused and relevant messages that are changeable in an instant.  In fact, increasingly we are seeing a rise in the usage of digital signage for a number of communication purposes.  Within a big business organisation, for example, digital displays can keep a large number of people up to date with the latest news and activity.

As well as offering a fantastic way to get products noticed, it’s the wide-ranging benefits and attractions of digital signage and the emergence of interactive display marketing that, I’m certain, will contribute to a huge boost for the industry over the course of the next few years.

This positive outlook is reflected in the interest shown by exhibitors in the European Digital Signage Show (Olympia, 1-2 October).  Running alongside the now established Self Service Expo Europe for the first time, the show will provide a high-profile platform for companies to showcase the latest digital signage innovations, backed by a hugely informative seminar programme.  Who knows, perhaps Lee McQueen might take a slot, tell us all how it’s going and maybe pick up a few handy hints for the new business…that’s what I’m talking about!

KioskCom Europe Self Service Expo and the European Digital Signage Show take place on 1 & 2 October at London’s Olympia.  For further information on exhibiting or even to register for the pre-launch visitor list, visit

The proposal to launch a coin-op exhibition to run during the same week as ATEI brought a robust response from organisers Clarion Gaming. Although not totally surprised by the announcement, chief executive Peter Rusbridge believes that it is being seen by many in the industry as an unwarranted and potentially divisive move. He explained: "Although the purpose of commercial organisations is to pursue profits, some observers have identified a whiff of opportunism surrounding this announcement.

The view is that it is a divisive move which comes at a time when the industry should be working together to readjust to the challenges presented by the current trading environment. "ATEI has unique heritage, for more than 60 years it has provided the coin-op industry with a vital platform for the launch and demonstration of product. Our duty to the industry is to protect and develop that platform and it is a role that we take very seriously. Every member of my team understands their responsibility and we will compete vigorously."