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The article highlights the new trends of mobile printing in the self-service space and the push towards energy-efficient printers in the U.S. It notes the lead of healthcare with new microbial-free options for hospitals and physicians looking to intensify their technology while hospitality providers are clamoring for portable printers that can be integrated anywhere. It mentions the role of lower power consumption with paper-saving features in creating greener printers.

The article discusses the growth of self-service kiosks that improves customer ordering, upselling and convenience in the U.S. The idea of food service was developed in 1912 when Horn & Hardart opened the first Automat fast-food restaurant that was considered a brilliant and conventional model. Epson America Inc. has designed, built and deliver customer self-service platforms for the restaurant industry and in response to the trend in EMN8 to instore technologies related to hardware and point-of-sale (POS) applications that include customer support of self-service systems.

The article provides information on the five trends of point of sale (POS) in 2009 as perceived by Value Added Retailers (VARs), integrators, and information services vendors (ISVs). It relates that the pattern of self-service has labeled its trend in the market. It also discusses the prevalence of customer-facing displays that has integrated with the POS systems. The convergence of kiosk hardware and applications and digital signage is perceived to influence consumer purchasing decisions that would lead to immediate return on investment. It also accounts for the development of displays in smaller sizes that cater new products and promotions to consumers. Furthermore, it notes that advanced software applications of kiosks have provided multifunctional services.

The article focuses on the use of self-service solutions from value-added retailers by small- to medium-size businesses (SMBs). Some of the factors that induced this trend include increased merchant acceptance and heightened customer demand for flexibility at the point-of-sale and enhanced access to information that helps drive purchasing decisions. According to Fredrik Carlegren, offering marketing manager for self-checkout at IBM, Self-service, in all its forms, is no longer limited to large chains and big-box firms.

The article presents information on the personal shopping systems integrated by Agilysys Inc. in a Giant Food Store in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The systems can be used by customers in tallying the items they are buying. They can also use applications in ordering products at any of the 17 self-serve kiosks in the store. Agilysys coordinated the work of twenty different solutions providers, such as Frank Mayer & Associates Inc. and IBM Corp. Retailers need to be aware of the risks involved in deploying self-service applications.

The article discusses several applications of self-service kiosks. Kiosks are ideal for selling electronic or virtual products and services. Hot products for purchasing include prepayments for cell phone time, cell phone games and ring tones, gift vouchers, among others. Kiosks are also used for digital photo processing. According to Summit Research, this application is expanding faster than any other and has enormous growth potential. Kiosks can now produce products on demand. There is huge potential for selling digital content such as music and software, and enabling customers to burn CDs to take home right from the kiosk. Common use self-service now enables multiple airlines to share the same kiosk, saving precious footprint space in the terminal and cutting deployment costs for the airlines. Virtual inventory enables retailers to offer an infinitely expandable selection of products to customers, usually via in-store kiosks, for ordering products from their Web sites. Loyalty programs enables customers to tally and cash in points with their loyalty cards at a kiosk. Customers now used to self-service are speeding themselves through the checkouts. Moreover, increased robustness and enhanced technologies have enabled kiosks to move outdoors, braving freezing temperatures and sun, rain, and snow to extend the reach of self-service. Deskless employees benefit from kiosks providing access to the company Web site to track job openings, corporate announcements, benefits, 401K updates, and other related information.

The article focuses on role of several trends including integrated technologies, expanding payment options and cloud computing on growth of self-service. It mentions incorporation of self-services device with integrated solution like video camera and sensors. It also mentions impact of incorporated payment technologies like Near field communication and 2D bar codes on self-service devices.

The article reports on the emergence and popularity of new kiosk technology and applications. ABI Research Inc. says that the kiosk market will grow to more than 2.5 million units worldwide in 2014. The development and implementation of smaller-footprint micro-kiosks is an emerging trend in the kiosk market. Frank Riso from Motorola Solutions USA says that microkiosks can be installed in more numbers for the same investment as most of the larger, permanently-installed models.

The article presents views from technology experts on the growth of the self-service in the market. Barry Wise, senior marketing consultant at Epson America Inc., stress the importance of receipt printer which is to provide reliability and durability of data used by in the hospitality industry. Adam Ortlieb, associate director of marketing at Seiko Instruments, said that customer interaction management is essential in the continued momentum for self-service and mobility solutions for restaurants and hotels. Bill Phelps, business development manager at Zebra Technologies, elaborates that several hotels are planning to integrate to self-service technologies for multiple options and applications.

The article reports on the growth of the self-service market in hospitality, retail and banking. Research shows that many healthcare providers and government agencies are also implementing self-service kiosks. Tamara Mendelsohn of Forrester Research believes one of the main reasons for the greater acceptance of self-service technology is because companies are doing a better job of ensuring that employees are on board implementing the systems. On the other hand, many customers prefer the kiosk to waiting in long lines and more hardware and software companies are developing better machines with robust application. The article also offers ways on how value-added resellers could step up to the self-service market and find growth opportunities.

The article offers information on NCR Corp. in Duluth, Georgia, a leading provider of global technology which is committed in delivering self-service and leading-edge assisted solutions.

In this article the author discusses self-service among consumers. He cites trends towards self-service opportunities for independent software vendors (ISVs) such as the Point-of-Sale (POS), commoditized technologies, multi-channel merchandising, and scanning technologies. He notes trends that develop new self-service applications such as social networking, mobile applications, and availability and portability. He underscores the power of consumer choice as an opportunity in self-service.

The article offers information on NCR Corp. in Duluth, Georgia, a global technology company which is devoted to giving leading-edge assisted and self-service solutions to its clients.

An interview with Kaz Onishi, vice president of Sieko Instruments USA Inc., is presented. When asked about the evolution of self-service thermal printer market, he states that it grows in terms of overall volume, breadth of applications, and scale of deployments. He reflects on the company's position within the self-service market. He suggests that service provider can create additional revenue opportunities by enabling retailer to recover investments.

The article discusses reports published within the issue, including the success of self-service in hospitality, retail and banking and a prediction that health monitoring stations and public information kiosks will become self-service mainstays.