The 2007 NCR Self-Service Universe Executive Conference far surpassed expectations. It was exciting to hear industry leaders sharing their experiences and insight on a variety of subjects relating to self-service. The high caliber speakers and impactful sessions created immense value for the attendees.

Here is a sample of some of the feedback received from conference attendees:

"Very well thought out and executed conference:  excellent speakers and topics, wonderful venue, great technology forum (including business partners) and visionary agenda."

"Excellent experience - very informative, interesting and well organized."

"I'm really glad I came as I have learned a lot and can't wait for next year."

Conference highlights included:

Bill Nuti, NCR chief executive officer, discussed how a new customer-driven self-service movement is taking shape, motivated by the converging developments of  self-service automation, the Internet and mobility technologies and how integration of these three technological developments will be key to reaching customers.

Al Lenza, Northwest Airlines vice president of distribution and e-commerce, shared how the nation’s fifth-largest carrier will make an estimated $102 million in non-ticket revenue this year.  This revenue will be generated from fliers who purchase seat upgrades, one-day airport club passes, and more either by using online services or by using self-service kiosks.  Lenza also discussed Northwest’s plans for offering additional services in the future.

Jack Allison, Commerce Bank vice president of complementary store services, shared his bank’s strategies for delivering superior customer service, resulting in Commerce Bank being awarded the J.D. Powers No. 1 Bank for Customer Service in the New York metropolitan area two years in a row.

Mike Inderrieden, NCR Human Factors Engineering, reported on a joint research project between Wrigley, Coca-Cola, SUPERVALU and NCR.  The project seeks to understand how impulse merchandising can best be incorporated into a self-checkout front end to balance the retailer’s goals with the goals of the consumer.

Heritage Valley Health System and Adventist Health System both described how they are deploying patient self-service applications to reduce cost, increase patient satisfaction and improve safety.

Several new NCR self-service solutions were introduced in the conference technology forum, including Retail Store Wayfinder, Xpress Gift Card, Xpress Shipping, Xpress Car Rental, and MediKiosk™ Patient Check-in and Wayfinder.  Conference attendees enjoyed the convenience of checking in for their return airline flights and printing their boarding passes from an NCR Xpress Hotel kiosk.