NCR, Sage partner

NCR and Sage Software Healthcare, a provider of practice management and electronic health records software, will collaborate to provide physician practices with a highly integrated solution that combines the functionality of NCR's MediKiosk with Intergy EHR by Sage, says CRM Today.

As an authorised NCR reseller, Sage will enable users of Intergy EHR to quickly deploy NCR MediKiosk, a self-service solution that empowers patients to check in for office visits, update demographic and insurance information, and electronically sign consent forms.

Integration between the two systems, to be debuted later this year, will enhance a patient-centred approach to practice management that improves patient flow and increases overall efficiency.

IBM has released a self checkout technology that allows consumers to shop for and check out purchases practically anywhere in a store, reports CNN Money.

This solution raises the bar for consumer self-service options, giving retailers built-in flexibility, improved customer service and a new tool for building customer advocacy for their brands.

IBM also announced a new release of software to help speed the self checkout process, a new entry-level kiosk, and an extension of its global self-service alliance programme to reach new markets and industries.

North America's dominance in the self-service market continues, according to the latest Summit Research Associates kiosk state-of-the-industry report, states Self-Service World.

But Europe is starting to make headway, said Francie Mendelsohn, president of Summit Research.

In Summit's previous report released two years ago, the Asia-Pacific region had taken over Europe in terms of the number of kiosks installed. Europe has now regained its second place position and is primed to grow at a steady rate.