ATLANTA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Global communications giant Sprint has awarded NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) a $5 million contract to install bill payment kiosks in Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS) retail stores nationwide, making it easier for Sprint's customers to pay in person.
"Providing a simple, self-service payment option in our retail stores enhances our ability to meet the needs of our existing customers while freeing up our associates to better assist new customers," said Sprint PCS Vice President of Retail, Ali Zanjani. "The Automated Payment Center based on the NCR Web Kiosk enables us to increase our level of customer service quickly and easily, while focusing our resources on sales and new customer acquisition." The Automated Payment Center, expected to start deployment in the fourth quarter, includes the NCR Web Kiosk, integrated scanner and receipt printer, and accepts cash, check and credit cards for Sprint PCS customers' airtime bill payments.
Sprint's utilization of kiosk technology is part of a growing trend. A report issued this year by market research firm Frost & Sullivan predicts that as the number of applications for kiosks increases and they become more attractive and reliable, worldwide markets for interactive kiosks will grow exponentially. Web-enabled kiosks can be programmed to perform myriad services in addition to bill payment, such as helping consumers locate products, check product availability, access product information and receive relevant promotions.
"Web kiosks make it possible for traditional brick and mortar retailers to bring the Internet in-store and provide that essential 'clicks n bricks' formula we hear so much about," said NCR Vice President of Future Retailing Joanne Walter. "The intuitive touchscreen is easy for people to operate and the small footprint and flexible platform make it just as easy for retailers to deploy."
About Sprint PCS
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas, including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at www.sprintpcs.com . Sprint PCS is a wholly-owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol "PCS."
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a US$6.2 billion leader in providing Relationship Technology(TM) solutions to customers worldwide in the retail, financial, communications, manufacturing, travel and transportation, and insurance markets. NCR's Relationship Technology solutions include privacy- enabled Teradata(R) warehouses and customer relationship management (CRM) applications, store automation and automated teller machines (ATMs). The company's business solutions are built on the foundation of its long- established industry knowledge and consulting expertise, value-adding software, global customer support services, a complete line of consumable and media products, and leading edge hardware technology. NCR employs 32,500 in 130 countries, and is a component stock of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. More information about NCR and its solutions may be found at www.ncr.com .
NCR and Teradata are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. SOURCE NCR Corporation
CONTACT: Caroline Leigh of NCR Corporation, 770-623-7608, or e-mail, caroline.leigh@ncr.com/
