SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1997--Siemens Business Communication Systems, in partnership with Siemens Pyramid Information Systems, today introduced a unique multimedia kiosk that uses the latest in high technology to entertain and provide personalized service to consumers, while allowing retailers to improve their bottom lines. Called CAT (Customer Access Terminal), the new kiosk can be customized by retailers to recognize repeat shoppers and offer them discount coupons, products and services based on previous buying habits. The kiosk's unique combination of computer and telephony technology enables retailers to build customer loyalty, reduce demand on in-store staff or reduce overstock of specific products. In a typical application, a customer entering a supermarket encounters a conveniently placed kiosk and inserts a credit card, customer loyalty card or smartcard. The kiosk reads the customer's information, searches a database for pertinent buying habits and compares the information to a second database, which could contain information on in-store specials. The kiosk would then print coupons on specials in which the customer may be interested. Customers who need more information or other services can use another unique kiosk feature, which allows them to place video calls to a centralized call center to access specialized consultants and customer-service representatives. "Siemens offers retailers a diversity of end-to-end solutions that encompass all aspects of retail operations from point-of-sale and information systems to telecommunications and high efficiency lighting systems," said Bharat Dav, vice president, Marketing, Siemens Business Communication Systems. About the CAT Kiosk Available to customers 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, the kiosk eliminates the need for around-the-clock staff support. In addition, the kiosk is also capable of supporting a variety of credit and smart card applications. The server can access a variety of databases, including Informix and Oracle, to provide information to kiosk customers. The kiosk interacts with customers through a touch-screen monitor, dual magnetic strip and smartcard reader, videoconferencing system, phone and printer. "The CAT kiosk combines Siemens communications and data warehousing technology with an advanced shopping kiosk to provide customers with a self-service alternative that is convenient, entertaining and very cost effective for retailers," said Bill Gimple, vice president, Systems Technology, Siemens Pyramid. "Customers benefit from the kiosk's ability to offer consistent delivery of services and product information." Pricing and availability The kiosk is immediately available by contacting Siemens Business Communication Systems at 1-888-333-8081. Pricing begins at $23,995. Due to the highly customizable nature of kiosks, price will vary according to implementation requirements. Siemens Pyramid Information Systems Siemens Pyramid is a leading provider of scaleable enterprise servers, delivering the industry's most complete range of UNIX and NT solutions from the desktop to the data center. Together, Siemens Pyramid and parent company Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme have a presence in 58 countries and more than 130,000 UNIX system installations worldwide. Siemens Pyramid and Siemens Nixdorf's combined mid-range systems operations represent over $1.9 billion in sales worldwide and make the combined company one of the largest providers of systems in the commercial UNIX server market. Siemens Business Communication Systems From switching systems to networks to the internet, Siemens Business Communications provides integrated global communications solutions that turn diverse technologies into practical applications for such major sectors as healthcare, education, utilities, retail, public sector, and finance. The company is part of Siemens Private Communications Systems, the world's largest supplier of private telecommunications systems, with annual sales of approximately $5.8 billion, more than 500,000 customers and a million systems installed. Telecommunications and networking accounted for more than 20 percent of Siemens' sales of $63.6 billion in the fiscal year 1995-96. -0- Note to Editors: All trademarks here in are the property of their respective owners. Additional information is available at Siemens Business Communication Systems' World Wide Web site at http://www.siemenscom.com/retail and Siemens Pyramid's World Wide Web site at http://www.siemens-pyramid.com/ --30--slw/sf* CONTACT: Siemens Anita Giani, 408/777-4546 [email protected] or Karron Esmonde, 408/492-6979 [email protected]