LONDON, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- BP, one of the world's largest energy groups, today announced a deal to roll out Web Kiosks from NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) in 37 of its redesigned BP Connect stores across the UK. Branded as eKiosk and Giftstop in BP Connect stores, the kiosks will provide local on- line services enabling customers to send e-mail, source information or buy a gift in a hurry.
"NCR's technology is central to BP's move to increase customer convenience in its stores," said Drew Davy, BP e-business Manager. "NCR Web Kiosks will provide BP with an innovative way to offer new time-saving relevant services to customers."
By inserting one pound into eKiosk, customers will receive 10 minutes worth of Internet access to browse, retrieve and send electronic and video mails. An integrated video camera allows customers to film and send video mails with players. Prepaid cards can also be used on the kiosks, and BP is planning to give away 50,000 cards that will give half an hour of Internet access time free of charge.
To test the effectiveness of third-party advertising, the kiosks will also provide free access to up to 30 companies' Web sites, including BP Connect's top selling brands like Coca-Cola and information service providers such as Townpages. NCR and NetNearU, NCR's software partner, will supply BP with TRACKOS(TM) and ADTRACKOS(TM), a Web-based management system that reports on click-throughs, Web site hits and viewing statistics for all Internet usage through the kiosk.
NCR provided the hardware for the Giftstop kiosk, developed jointly by BYG and BP. The touchscreen technology allows customers to select from three typical on-route gift choices -- alcohol, chocolate and flowers. For a more adventurous gift idea, customers can select to find out more on a local balloon trip. If the customer decides to buy the product or service, the kiosk will ask for address details and the chosen date of delivery. This information can be typed in using the on-screen keyboard. Payment can be paid by swiping a credit or debit card on the free-standing kiosk.
Each new BP Connect store will typically have two eKiosks and one Giftstop kiosk. The first units have been installed at BP's Southgate and Hammersmith sites. "NCR's kiosk technology enables BP to deliver a host of new services, tailored to the needs of the convenience market. This solution significantly enhances customer service and relationships, while providing an attractive revenue generating model," said Alberto Camuri, vice president of NCR's Retail Solution Division for Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Pacific. "New revenue streams, through paid Internet access and third party advertising, will enable kiosks to pay for themselves over a short period of time."
About BP
BP is a global energy company with operations in 100 countries on six continents, with 1500 retail service stations in the UK, and over 28,000 worldwide, reaching 10 million customers each day. It is the global corporate brand formed by the combination of the former BP, Amoco, ARCO and Castrol. At the heart of BP Connect is the concept of "innovative mobility" -- providing customers with time-saving, cost-effective and integrated services for today's digital economy. More information about BP Connect and photography of the eKiosk and Giftstop kiosk can be found at www.bp.com/pressoffice/bpconnect .
About NeTNearU
NetNearU, founded in 1997, is a leading distributor of public Internet access terminals that make Internet access available outside the home or office to anyone who needs it, anytime, anywhere. NetNearU installs and operates company-owned terminals in locations provided by property owners, sells terminals to companies that install and operate them independently, provides monitoring and billing services to all terminal purchasers, and sells on-screen and on-enclosure advertising. NetNearU also markets TRACKOS(TM), ADTRACKOS(TM), SystemHealth(TM) and custom-developed software for remote monitoring, management and maintenance of Internet-based terminal networks. The company is headquartered in College Station, Texas. More information about NetNearU may be found at www.nnu.com .
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a 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 31,900 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: Richard Maton of NCR, +44 0 20 7725 8248, or richard.maton@ncr.com; or Joel Morris, joelm@harvard.co.uk, or Simon Rothwell, simon@harvard.co.uk, of Harvard Centro, +44 0 20 7494 6100/
