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e2c Technology (formerly ePOINT) Working Solutions

ePOINT LIMITED

Based in Alloa, Scotland, ePOINT creates smart technology for interactive terminals used by consumers in digital photo, digital music download, leisure, gaming and vending markets. Total integration, fast development and low-cost support make the Universal Device Manager the UK market-leader in device middleware, handling over £10m in transactions every day, across 12,000 machines.

Product innovation is the foundation of our focused business model, with manufacturing and distribution licensed or outsourced to major strategic partners. We work to deliver the innovation our customers need to stay competitive, and are akways looking for new ideas to help deliver outstanding value for the money - and achieve an impressive return on investment.

Founded in 1998, ePOINT and its products have won numerous technology and commercial awards, including a top five spot for the last five years in Deloitte's ''Fast 50 Award'' for Scotland's top 50 fastest growing technology companies.

ePOINT serves somes of the world's largest brand-leading customers. Our Digital Media Processor is widely regarded to be the world’s leading peripheral for flash memory card handling in self-service terminals.   (ePOINT Contacts)

Universal Device Manager  (UDM)
- It's the natural partner

For applications, communicating with interactive devices in gaming machines, vending machines, and interactive kiosks can be complex, difficult and time-consuming. The ePOINT Universal Device Manager cuts through the issues of command sets and communication protocols and presents a consistent Application Programming Interface (API) that employs a simple command syntax.

However, the UDM goes one step further by generating detailed event and diagnostic information, which you can access locally or through network management tools - to deliver real business benefits. Changing or upgrading devices after deployment is also straightforward while the Remote Device Manager module will further reduce maintenance and support costs through central monitoring and remote device testing.

Where can you use UDM?
It is ideal for downloading on Music and Movie Kiosks, Digital Photo Kiosks, Vending Machines, Gaming Machines, and Interactive Kiosks. Try a 30-day evaluation copy of the Universal Device Manager, and transform your approach to interactive machine development.

Fast, simple programming The simple API means your developers can concentrate on business layer functionality, letting UDM take care of low level device protocols. This also makes your applications highly portable across your product range. Wide range of supported devices UDM supports the widest range of devices in the industry, from cash-handling to flash media and low level I/O control. Robust and reliable UDM reliably and securely processes millions of transactions every year, in the gaming and retail markets. It allows you to build on a trusted and proven cash-handling platform. Easy to service With remote logs, remote upgrades and simple on-site swap-outs, UDM is designed to reduce your service and maintenance costs. Easy to test With its powerful scripting and diagnostic utilities, UDM speeds up field service - and is the perfect manufacturing test platform. Plugging the gap in kiosk network management Universal Device Manager benefits don't stop at kiosk device integration and management. Its dynamically generated detailed event and diagnostic information can be accessed through network management tools to deliver real business benefits. Access information over the network, analyse event data on failing units, then swap-out the faulty unit before it fails completely. Save on site visits UDM allows you to do all this remotely, using your network tools to identify the failed part, run tests on its replacement, even update firmware remotely - saving time on site visits.

A universal programming interface brings several benefits to the gaming/vending machine or kiosk developer. As well as reducing the application development phase and speeding time to market, the Universal Device Manager enables developers and manufacturers the widest possible choice of peripherals, as all devices and peripherals communicate with the application through the same interface.

Additional Technical Specifications for the Universal Device Manager:

Working Solutions

Over the last 5 years, Working Solutions has established itself as a prominent company in the multimedia Kiosk Industry, seeking to provide multifunctional touchscreen-controlled units in a variety of retail and public information environments. As our name suggests, we have developed solutions that Work!

Founded in 1997, our years of experience in the interactive multimedia Kiosk and self service industries enables us to tailor self-service solutions to tackle any problem or issue faced by your organization. We offer Kiosk consulting services and support that will follow your project through to its full development and deployment stages, so no matter where you are in your project, from initial thoughts to mid-deployment, we are there working with you, solving any problems and issues faced within your organization.

These solutions have been developed to meet the needs of the particular market and as such represent considerable cost savings to your company. In addition to our standard applications, all our solutions can be fully customised to meet your particlular projects needs and objectives. Our range of products covers numerous industries including, retail, automotive, hospitality, entertainment and financial. Our products a ready to implement and can up be up and running very quickly, saving you both time and money long-term.

We offer the complete solution, or the component that is right for you, including, software, graphics, branding, hardware, housing, project management, installation, monitoring, support, and maintenance. We give you the real insight into making Kiosks and self-service technology deliver for you.

Mr. Neil Farr, owner of Working Solutions is well respected in the industry and has written a number of white papers and articles for various trade associations.   (Working Solutions Contacts)

Kiosk Watchdog

Kiosk Watchdog is vital for kiosk rollouts by allowing complete remote management of your installed database. The purpose of a kiosk is to supply a service without human intervention, so it is not surprising that the biggest problem for sites and suppliers of kiosks and ATM's is breakdown! Kiosk Watchdog allows you to effectively manage any number of remote or local kiosks and respond to problems as they happen - keeping your systems operating 24/7 ALL the time!

Kiosk Watchdog is a solution giving you the ability to monitor site kiosks and minimize physical servicing needs. It comprises:

Plus a unique remote monitoring facility

We have seen many alternative solutions . . . that simply do not work. The Kiosk Watchdog from Working Solutions is developed specifically for kiosk systems. We know this with over a decade of experience providing and servicing kiosks.

This combined system means that the engineering teams are used effectively - reducing both time and cost, while ensuring your sites are always working. The Kiosk keeps itself running by means of an Operating System level monitor and a PC level reboot device.

Everything that happens on the kiosk is trapped, taken care of and logged - enabling rapid discovery and resolution of problems by your team. Immediate notification of kiosk issues are sent directly to the engineers and to the management team.

    Multiple configurations allow you to choose the best solution on a site by site basis
    Communication via any IP based network
    Monitors everything that happens on the kiosk unit
    Instant notification of kiosk issues sent directly to your engineers and management
    Instantly see a list of all of your kiosks and their status
    Connect to any of your kiosks and operate it just as if you were there
    Remotely transfer files to and from any of your kiosks (updates to software, content
        or configuration)
    Unique virus protected multicast facility enabling you to test an update to one machine
        then immediately rollout the update to every machine in the field.
    Reporting facility to provide you with useful statistics from your kiosks (e.g. Uptime,
        Usage stats, Response times, Popularity charts, etc)
    Kiosk Watchdog features no geographical constraints
    Working Solutions manages kiosks 6,000 miles away in Hong Kong and as near as the
        next office building
    Reduce your Service Costs - Less calls and less in the field service skills are needed when
        kiosk management is handled remotely. Too often it is service logistics and costs that limit
        kiosk roll-out numbers and success.
    Unique virus protected multicast facility enabling you to test an update to one machine and
        then immediately rollout to your selection of machines.
    Reporting functionality to manage your rollout

     Kiosk Watchdog - Three Configuration Options:

1. Software configuration provides basic remote monitoring and management functionality without the additional hardware support.
2. Hardware ''watchdog'' card installed inside the kiosk, monitors kiosks and controls physical operations and software errors.
3. Hardware and Software configuration includes ''watchdog'' card and remote monitoring software enabling you to remotely mange your kiosks.
   
   We can also offer:
   • The remote monitoring and reporting, without management functionality
   • A management application fee for you to remotely manage your kiosks
   • A full kiosk management service from Working Solutions managing support and maintenance of your kiosks for you.

     Hardware Specifications:

• Support ATX PC's without a reset switch
• Reset adapter boards available for some Dell computers
• Single 8 bit A/D input
• 8 bytes of non-volatile memory reserved for user data to implement simple software protection
• Watchdog timer that can be set from 5 seconds to 1 hour via DIP switch or 1 second to 18 hours via software control
• 8 I/O ports for enhanced watchdog control and monitoring
• 2 on-board relays (DPDT - 2 form C) can be programmed to generate a 4-5 second pulse or latch on continuously after a watchdog-initiated reset.
• 4 general purpose digital inputs
• 4 general purpose digital outputs
• External watchdog re-trigger digital input
• Relay contacts and digital I/O signals available on standard DB-25 connector
• Non-volatile memory for saving configuration data
• Over temperature circuit monitors the internal temperature of the PC
• 2 temperature trip points
• Trip points can be modified by user software
• Audible alarm and external digit output for the temperature trip point
• Programmable options allow the Watchdog to hold the PC in reset after the upper trip occurs
• Two externally visible LED's show status of the watchdog board. One LED lights after first watchdog-generated reset as a visible indication that a watchdog reset occurred.
• I/O port allows the user to gain exclusive control of one rely of a user system
• Programmable power-on delay to allow the PC to complete its initialization sequence

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For more information on Working Solutions, please contact:

Neil Farr, Director Working Solutions (Creative IT) Ltd. Wyvern Business Centre 111 Ross Walk Leicester LE4 5HH Tel: +44 (0) 0870 745 4141 Mob: +44 (0) 0797 191 4026 Fax: +44 (0) 0870 745 4111 Email: nfarr@working-solutions.co.uk Website: www.working-solutions.co.uk

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