NEXTEP SYSTEMS has developed new partnerships with a plethora of companies spanning several industries, including travel, retail, casinos and restaurants.

"Many of those markets were underserved in the past," said Tommy Woycik, the company's president.

One of NEXTEP's newest partners is in the grocery/deli industry. It's now providing Nevada-based Glazier's with iPad, Kiosk and OSM solutions.

Another grocer, Nino Salvaggio, also expanded its relationship with NEXTEP by adding smartphone ordering and scale integration, as well as updating its self-order Deli 1-2-3 Kiosks. The system greets customers, remembers their previous orders, suggests new and complementary items, and takes orders. It can also text the customer when an order is complete, reducing congestion at the deli counter.

Implementing digital menu displays is another way grocers are using self-service. Pyramid Foods in Springfield, Mo., recently deployed the displays to allow operators to customize content instantaneously and to engage the customers' attention, elevating sales and profits, Woycik said.

Features Include:

• Shared administration with automated ordering
• Integration of rich media (images, audio, video, animations)
• Advertisement and promotional video frames
• Immediate and zero-cost menu/media updates
• Remote administration
• Extensive screen layout templates

Woycik said NEXTEP is always open to working with new industries.

"Our criteria for analyzing these opportunities is rather simple," he said.

First, the company performs a gap analysis between its existing solution and the requirements of the new prospect.

"The less development required, the more likely we are to enter the new market," he said.

Second, NEXTEP performs an informal market analysis, looking at the industry trends, competitive landscape, barriers to entry and other factors specific to that industry.

"If we are convinced that we can take and maintain a leadership position in the new vertical market, we are likely to cooperate with a retailer in that industry to develop a new solution," Woycik said.

That's what happened with the airport restaurant industry. Tastes on the Fly, an LLC that runs several airport restaurants, recently deployed NEXTEP's digital menu displays at Dine Boston inside Boston Logan International Airport and in Napa Farms Market in San Francisco International Airport.

¡Que Bueno! of the Mission Restaurant Group at the Denver International Airport also recently implemented the digital menu boards.

NEXTEP not only provides the customer-facing solution, but also allows airport staff to control dayparting, pricing and graphics remotely via mynextep.net.

Other new NEXTEP partners inlcude the Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Uncasville, Conn., and Cherokee Casino and Resort in West Siloam Springs, Okla. Both gaming venues have deployed kiosks to allow gamblers to order food and drinks.

One of the company's most recent restaurant partner is Boloco, a chain specializing in burritos. It's using NEXTEP's self-order kiosks, its NETPOS interface and Paytronix loyalty rewards interface in two of its restaurants. And Zoup! Fresh Soup Company deployed NEXTEP digital menu displays in five of its locations.

Lastly, Shaka's convenience stores in Idaho are using self-ordering kiosks with a custom user interface for their new sandwich concept. The gas stations now offer made-to-order sandwiches along with gasoline and the typical grab-and-go fare. And like the airport restaurants, Shaka's manages and monitors the touchscreen kiosks via mynextep.net.