Information Kiosk Systems (IKS) has stitched up a deal with a vitamin manufacturer in the UK to build and install information kiosks in pharmacy stores over five years.
IKS has been building kiosks from the ground up for nearly 10 years and is in the throws of final negotiations for the sale of 1000 kiosks estimated to be worth $15 million. Unconfirmed reports suggest a number of the information kiosks - which contain a HP-based PC, an LCD touch screen and a laser printer - will be installed in the popular UK pharmacy chain Boots.
The deal is IKS's single largest to date and roughly equals the total number of installed units in Australia for the Brisbane-based company, founded by pharmacist Max Crofts in 1989.
Each kiosk is connected to the Internet and covers over 3000 topics of health information including ailments, diets, cosmetics, travel, dental, eye care, pregnancy, child care topics, coughs and colds, diabetes, health foods, herbs, vitamins, supplements, seniors, sports, sports nutrition, teenage health, wound management and more. The kiosks run a multimedia software program with audio and video functionality.
The announcement comes after IKS was bought out by ASX-listed solar panel manufacturer Sustainable Technologies Australia (STA) in February of this year and, according to IKS IT manager Ben Uljarevic, provided the much needed capital to expand IKS's operations in the UK, Canada and the US.
Currently in the UK, IKS has a number of kiosks on a trial basis with pharmacy groups Lloyds and Superdrug. Rollouts are expected shortly, claims Uljarevic.
The company has also secured an ongoing agreement with supermarket giant Woolworths to install two kiosks into every store that it opens under the Woolworths/Superdrug banner.
As well as building the information kiosks, IKS are a manufacturer and supplier of touch screens, and a distributor for LG Electronics.