After buying new hardware, don't look at another ad for 6 months.

Summit Research


Kiosks & Internet Technology Kiosks and Internet Technology

Updated in December, 1999, the very popular "Kiosks and Internet Technology" profiles new companies, reassesses and reexamines those who were part of the 1998 report, offers new trends -- along with caveats -- to those who are -- or are planning to be -- players in this fast-growing and exciting field. The report is available for immediate delivery in both hard copy and PDF versions. For more information, contact info@summit-res.com.
The Net is hotter than ever and not just in the United States. The number of people flocking to the Web continues to grow exponentially, There will be more than 300 million Internet users by 2000. More than 28 percent of U.S. households are now online according to the Computer Industry Almanac’s 1998 survey. Nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population will be using the Internet by 2000. But the rest of the world is catching on. By 2005, the U.S. will account for less than 30 percent of the Net community. As a result, there are exciting and lucrative opportunities everywhere. At the same time, the introduction and user acceptance of new kiosk projects has proceeded at a rapid pace.
Given these growth statistics and impressive projections, organizations and developers have started to blend the growing popularity of kiosks along with those of the Web. Kiosks and Internet Technology, Summit Research Associates’ third acclaimed kiosk publication, takes a broad and far-reaching look at this booming arena in which kiosks make extensive use of the Internet.

"Congratulations! This publication is terrific and should be required reading for everyone who wants to succeed in the fast-growing kiosk business. The Company Profile section has been a fast and excellent way for me to contact potential customers and teaming partners." Frank H., Kiosk Peripheral Manufacturer

Generically, the units are referred to as Internet Kiosks. However, there are two separate categories of Internet kiosks that the report differentiates as follows:
  • Kiosks in which the information is located and maintained on an Internet-based server; where users conduct transactions or obtain information at that kiosk. The user is not faced with Netscape or Internet Explorer; a proprietary or commercially available front-end "wrapper" is used to hide the complexities of the popular browsers. Appendix C lists the leading commercial software products. They have also been called the "Touchscreen on the Web." These types of kiosks will be referred to as Internet-based kiosks throughout this report.

  • Pay-to-use-the-Internet kiosks are a new and growing presence. They are known by many other names, including public access kiosks, public Internet terminals, Web Booth™, NetBooth™, Cyber Booth™, or Internet payphones. These are systems where customers pay for minutes of high-speed connect time to the Internet – surfing the World Wide Web; retrieving their e-mail; connecting to their AOL, Prodigy, or CompuServe accounts; or accessing the links to travel, entertainment, games, sports, stocks, and news Web sites. In some instances, the access to the Web is supported by advertisers and is free to the user. The type of kiosk is the same in either case and for the sake of consistency, the report will use the term Web Payphones to describe these units.

The report includes statistics and market projections resulting from an extensive survey of more than 60 companies – located in the U.S. and internationally – engaged in the development of Internet kiosks. Dozens of companies are profiled and many photos of units and screen displays are provided. Sections discuss the leading touchscreens, printers, and other peripherals as well as security issues, products to block unsuitable Web sites, pricing schemes, payment acceptors, types of applications, and other issues of critical interest to kiosk designers and integrators.
Many companies are struggling to succeed in this new industry. Some business models have succeeded splendidly; others suffered for a variety of reasons, including: poor planning and implementation, underfunding, an ill-advised selection of hardware and software, external/unavoidable events, or rapidly changing technology. The report provides lessons learned, successes and failures, key development issues and user concerns, the crucial issue of printing, and other tips to assist potential developers and their supporters before they make the significant commitment to enter this exciting -- but sometimes risky -- field.

For a preview of the Table of Contents, please turn here.

For pricing and ordering information, please email us at info@summit-res.com. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Summit Research Associates, Inc.
7728 Warbler Lane, Rockville, MD 20855-1034
Phone: (301) 670-0980 Fax: (301) 670-1006
Email: info@summit-res.com
Copyright © 1998, 1999. All rights reserved.
Report on Kiosks • Our Clients • Our Experience • Funny User Stories • Home