Kingsdown Goes High-Tech With Installation of SMART's Interactive Overlays at Retail Locations
Mattress manufacturer uses touch technology to help customers find the right bed
CALGARY, Alberta – October 11, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the installation of more than 40 of SMART's interactive overlays at various Kingsdown® dealer and retail locations across the U.S. SMART's interactive overlays are mounted on plasma displays and bring touch capability to Kingsdown's patented, in-store DormoDiagnostics® stations, converting them into interactive kiosks that provide customers and retail staff with an eye-catching and easy-to-use information tool.
The kiosks provide immediate access to relevant information and help customers find the appropriate sleep system for them. For retail staff, the touch control capability makes the kiosks simple to use and easy to incorporate into their daily sales activities. The kiosks range in size from 42" to 60" (107–152 cm). Staff use them to show multimedia presentations and run Kingsdown's patented body profiling system, DormoDiagnostics. To activate DormoDiagnostics, staff simply touch the large display. After using the on-screen keyboard to enter a customer's information such as gender, height, age and any pain criteria, the customers lie on a bed that is connected to the kiosk, and the body profiling system selects the best sleep system for them. While the profile is taking place, customers can see a graphical representation of their profile from the bed. After the profile is complete, the sleep system recommendation appears on the display.
"When designing our kiosks, we decided it was important to go big, and SMART's interactive overlays were exactly what we needed in terms of size, functionality and wow factor," says Scott Cecil, assistant vice president of research, Kingsdown. "The retail environment is very competitive and having a high-tech presence in the stores attracts customers, especially in our mall locations where the kiosks are strategically situated near the entrances."
"Engaging customers in the buying process is often the difference between making the sale and not," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "Kingsdown has masterfully integrated SMART's touch technology to engage its customers through its innovative DormoDiagnostics body profiling system."
About SMART's interactive overlays
SMART's interactive overlays attach to a plasma display or LCD and transform it into an interactive display. The custom-sized overlay fastens easily and securely to the display and preserves its crisp, bright image. Simply by touching the large interactive surface, users can access and control any computer application or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. SMART's interactive overlays are ideal for large, interactive digital signage and self-service kiosks at retail stores, hotels, trade shows, airports, museums, lobbies and other public and semi-public indoor venues. SMART offers interactive overlays for over 17 popular brands of flat-panel displays, in screen sizes ranging from 37" to 63" (94–160 cm). For more information, visit www.smarttech.com/kioskinfo.
About Kingsdown
Kingsdown, Inc. believes the better you sleep, the better you will live. Founded in 1904 in Mebane, North Carolina, the company serves retailers across the U.S. and more than twenty countries. Products are made to order using handcrafted techniques combined with state-of-the-art materials and equipment. Long recognized as an industry leader and innovator, Kingsdown developed and introduced DormoDiagnostics, a new generation in sleep technology which uses technology to determine the best sleep system for your body type.
Kingsdown is the only mattress manufacturer to receive the prestigious National Home Furnishings Association Award of Excellence. As the only bedding manufacturer to win a Grand Trillium Award from the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Associations, Kingsdown recently received the award for an unprecedented second time for DormoDiagnostics. For more information, call 1.800.354.5464 or visit www.kingsdown.com.
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For more information, please contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
300, 1207 - 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Phone +1.403.802.3337 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.