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Web Point X-Media
Location: Taiwan
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Customers come to convenience stores for getting consumer products, such as foods, drinks, newspapers, etc. Normally, they come and go in a short period of time. In order to attract more people and prolong their visit, the Web Point built a multi-function information terminal - the X-Media - in over 1,000 chain stores in Taiwan.
The project is based on the fact that customers in these stores are typically busy people. They are often on a tight schedule, in the middle of running an errand or on their way to or from some activities. Previously, they had to access information (stock market reports, daily news, transportation or weather reports) somewhere else. This meant spending extra time and money.
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 Combining Internet communication, visual application and system integration, X-Media covers real-time news, allows people to monitor the stock market, the weather, transportation, new products, and new trends. With on-site promotional information, customers are now better able to select items in the convenience store that are just right for them, quickly and easily. Now they have more freedom of choice and can purchase the right product at the right price. In addition, customers can also enjoy regular entertainment at their convenience, including MTV and clips from movies.
The Advantech PPC-120T
was selected as information terminal for its powerful multimedia functions, such as on-board Ethernet, multiple I/O ports, built-in speakers, the 24X CD-ROM drive, and a high-resolution 12.1" color LCD display. It is suspended from the overhead cigarette rack at the cashier's counter, providing 24-hour information to customers.
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The system architecture consists of a panel PC, a control platform, a PCI TV tuner expansion card, a PCMCIA modem expansion card, and a website server. The system operates under Windows 95 and supports several application programs (APs), including a TV display, a commercial film (CF) CD-ROM, and an Internet link. The Internet link AP provides a news display and gives access to, amongst others, an information website owned by the software contractor. This website contains a wide variety of information for customers. The TV display AP enables the tuner card in the panel PC to select the desired channel and the CF CD-ROM carries movie clips, MTV and advertisements. 
In the average convenience store, there is very little space - especially around the cashier's counter. Only a small unit could be accommodated and yet the unit had to provide an acceptable screen size. Therefore, the compact and light PPC-120T
was ideal for usage in convenience stores. The super-slim panel PC fulfilled the demands admirably.
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With over 1,000 locations throughout Taiwan, the X-Media effectively reaches people over 30 million times monthly. The PPC-120T
has revolutionized what a convenience store can offer to the general public in Taiwan. It is no longer just a shop, it has become a one-stop facility where everybody's immediate need can be served.
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- The panel PC is required to operate 24 hours a day. Initially, the fuse for the display inverter was prone to blow, but now the specification for the fuse has been upgraded.
- In the past, the panel PC's built-in speakers and the store's own public address speakers were configured to operate separately. Now they are reconfigured so that simultaneous operation of all speakers is possible.
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The system hardware needs further customized service and also the sound quality of the speakers needs to be further improved. In addition, system security should be upgraded to prevent damage by misuse or abuse.
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