This article originally published in Self-Service World magazine, Mar/Apr 2006.
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| James Bickers, editor |
In merry old England, pomp and circumstance, musical fanfares and elaborate rituals mark the changing of the guard. Here at Self-Service World magazine, we keep it much more low-key. Allow me to simply say "Hello and welcome" as your new editor. (If you like, you are free to imagine a trumpet voluntary playing in the background.)
For our first spin together, you and I will take a look at one of the most heavily trumpeted technologies of recent years — radio frequency identification, or RFID — and explore why it hasn't caught on with the urgency and speed many anticipated. We'll also look at interesting ways retailers can implement RFID aside from streamlining their supply chain and inventory processes.
In this issue's special section, we focus on travel and hospitality. We take an in-depth look at the ground-breaking self-service initiative underway at Las Vegas' McCarron Airport, where common-use self-service kiosks allow patrons to print boarding passes from anywhere in the terminal, no matter what airline they're using. We talk to Hyatt Hotels about their self-service check-in program and what it means to them. And we go to Aruba, which sounds pretty nice this time of year.
As the ink dries on this page, we've just returned from the semiannual Self-Service & Kiosk Show, and there are several pages of coverage inside for those of you who missed it. I'm convinced that you won't want to make that mistake again.
There's a lot more in this issue, including a "top ten" list on how to maximize your return on investment (always a good thing), plus news about the steady growth of DVD rental kiosks.
If you haven't done so yet, we'd be flattered if you'd bookmark www.selfserviceworld.com, the online companion to the magazine you're holding. The site keeps you updated with daily news and information, plus case studies and success stories from a number of different industries that are using self-service to enhance their business.
