A new type of self-service kiosk debuts on the floor of the 2004 Canadian International AutoShow this week. The kiosk is a mobile ticketing unit, complete with modular pieces that can be locked together.

Olea Exhibits built mobile ticketing kiosks for WalkUp Systems, a self-service software vendor. The company engineered and manufactured the kiosks, and integrated the hardware. The kiosks allow consumers to pay for tickets to various entertainment events with a credit or debit card.

TicketMaster Canada serves as the back end for ticket sales. Olea shipped seven ticketing stations to WalkUp late January. Each cart has two ticket-selling kiosks and one 9-foot-tall plasma stand for advertising or signage. WalkUp plans to have the kiosks at all major consumer shows, according to Kevin Faciane, chief operating officer at WalkUp Systems.

Frank Olea, vice president of sales and marketing for Olea Exhibits, said the unit is a design first for his company. Customers can choose which pieces they would like to lock together. They can string along the kiosk as a bank of units or use them as standalone selling stations. Clients could also string together just the plasma screens.

Modular, mobile ticketing kiosks from Olea Exhibits.

Getting attached

"I haven’t seen units that attach to one another. It was an engineering challenge to make sure these units will last, considering that they are being moved around all the time. These kiosks withstand torture," said Olea. He added, "The project shows off our talent, and takes into consideration our tradeshow experience."

The carts have specially built casters to absorb the impact of being dropped in an alleyway and going over bumps and rocks. At the same time, the casters do not pick up rocks that would scratch the marble flooring of a convention center, Olea explained.

There is no exterior cabling on the units. Wiring is built into the links. There is only one network connection, and one power line. The plasma stand has a backside door, through which users can access power for VCRs, DVDs or TVs. The tall stand has a quick-release bracket so the plasma screen can be removed to fit through a standard door.

"These new units eliminate the nightmare of having separate kiosks and video screens to set up and take down," said Faciane. "Every component is designed to offer users complete access - pieces can be swapped out quickly in case repairs are needed."

He explained that this is an important issue in the tradeshow environment, in which consumers are often waiting in long lines for products and services.

The stations use Elo touchmonitors, and Boca Systems printers for printing tickets. Faciane said it costs close to $20,000 for the dual-station kiosk cart, and $10,000 for the video cart.

The new design is built on a wish list that WalkUp developed over years of offering ticketing kiosks.

"This is the result of five years of failed testing," said Faciane. "That’s how long ago we deployed a prototype in the tradeshow environment."

He said Olea and WalkUp are discussing pitching the mobile ticketing kiosks to retail outlets such as grocery stores.