Panel PC used to provide a 24 h multimedia facility in over a thousand locations throughout Taiwan
March 2001
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Customers come to convenience stores for consumer products such as foods, drinks, newspapers etc. Normally, they come and go in a short period of time. In order to attract more people and prolong their visit, the Web Point built a multifunction information terminal - the X-Media - in over 1000 chain stores in Taiwan.
The project is based on the fact that customers in these stores are typically busy people. They are often on a tight schedule, in the middle of running an errand, or on their way to or from some activity. Previously, they had to access information (stock market reports, daily news, transportation or weather reports) somewhere else. This meant spending extra time and money.
Combining Internet communication, visual application and system integration, X-Media covers realtime news, allows people to monitor the stock market, the weather, transportation, new products and new trends. With on-site promotional information, customers are now better able to select items in the convenience store that are just right for them, quickly and easily. Now they have more freedom of choice and can purchase the right product at the right price. In addition, customers can also enjoy regular entertainment at their convenience, including MTV and movie clips.
The Advantech PPC-120T panel PC was selected as an information terminal for its powerful multimedia functions, such as on-board Ethernet, multiple I/O ports, built-in speakers, 24X CD-ROM drive, and a high-resolution 303 mm colour LCD display. It is suspended from the overhead cigarette rack at the cashier's counter, providing 24 h information to customers.
The system architecture consists of a panel PC, a control platform, a PCI TV tuner expansion card, a PCMCIA modem expansion card, and a website server. The system operates under Windows 95 and supports several application programs (APs), including a TV display, a commercial film (CF) CD-ROM and an Internet link. The Internet link AP provides a news display and gives access to, amongst others, an information website owned by the software con-tractor. This website contains a wide variety of information for customers. The TV display AP enables the tuner card in the panel PC to select the desired channel and the CF CD-ROM carries movie clips, MTV and advertisements.
In the average convenience store, there is very little space, especially around the cashier's counter. Only a small unit could be accommodated and yet the unit had to provide an acceptable screen size. Therefore, the compact and light PPC-120T was ideal for usage in convenience stores. The super-slim panel PC fulfilled the demands admirably.
With over 1 000 locations throughout Taiwan, the X-Media effectively reaches people over 30 million times monthly. The PPC-120T has revolutionised what a convenience store can offer to the general public. It is no longer just a shop, it has become a one-stop facility where everybody's immediate need can be served.
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