MicroAge Quality Integration Services and the Factura Kiosks division of MicroTouch Systems Inc. will enter into a partnership on Monday that will help Factura grow its business as a maker of kiosks.

The kiosk market, populated by a variety of free-standing, interactive, network-connected devices such as automated ticketing machines, photo finishing booths, and Internet access terminals, is expected to grow from a $370 million industry in 1996 to a $2.9 billion industry by 2003, according to Frost & Sullivan, a consulting company.

The partnership unites not only MicroAge and Factura technology, but personnel as well. Under the terms of the partnership, MicroAge will station members of its integration services team at Factura's site in Rochester, N.Y. Factura will, in turn, use a portion of MicroAge's Tempe, Ariz., facility to conduct demo testing.

"Clients will benefit from the documentation and procedures, including ISO 9001, that MicroAge has developed, along with the skilled manufacturing and assembly techniques developed by Factura," says Bill Nanney, group VP for MicroAge Quality Integration Services, in a prepared statement.

Dick Waters, director of operations for MicroAge Quality Integration Services, adds: "MicroAge is trying to establish one-stop shopping for kiosk buyers."

-- Larry Greenemeier

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