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Innovative vending machine application illustrates Nokia Card Phone's wide ranging utility
June 05, 1998
Nokia today announced the "Dial A Coke" concept - a new application for the Nokia Card Phone designed to extend greater convenience to the consumer. The innovative application displayed at CommunicAsia '98 integrates the wireless data capabilities of a Nokia Card Phone with a Coca-Cola vending machine, and allows consumers to purchase a drink simply by using their mobile phone.
This new application illustrates one of the many ways in which the Nokia Card Phone can be used to enhance the level of user conveniece and efficiency in a wide spectrum of industries including banking, defense, real estate, insurance, retail, security, transportation and logistics, telemetry and traffic control.
To purchase a beverage through "Dial A Coke", customers simply use their mobile phone to dial a phone number indicated on the vending machine. The drink pops out automatically and the purchase is confirmed through a short message to the customer's mobile phone. The cost of the drink is charged to the customer's mobile phone bill. The "Dial A Coke" concept works with all mobile phones.
"The Nokia Card Phone used in this unique vending machine turns an ordinary mobile phone into an e-commerce tool. Consumers will no longer need to carry a pocketful of coins to purchase a drink," said Janne Jormalainen, General Manager, Wireless Data and Technology, Nokia Mobile Phones, Asia Pacific. "Using leading-edge technology to bring greater convenience to consumers is a central part of Nokia's philosophy."
A "Dial A Coke" vending machine has been on display at the Nokia Wireless Showroom at CommunicAsia '98 in Singapore. The Nokia Wireless Showroom is located at Room 207 of the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre at Suntec City. Plans are on the way for commercial trials of the unique vending machine to demonstrate this latest enhancement to customer convenience.
The Nokia Card phone is a GSM phone in a PC Card format. Used in traditional mobile computing applications, this integrated device allows a notebook computer to be converted into a wireless office without the need for a cellular phone, interface adapters or cables. Slotted into the PCMCIA slot of a notebook computer, the Nokia Card Phone enables the user to conveniently send and receive data e-mails and faxes without having to deal with messy cables and different telephone connection points.
When used in more commercial applications, the Nokia Card Phone also provides significant benefits to industry. In vending applications, it allows remote monitoring of the exact number of units remaining in the machine, allowing for efficienct restocking and distribution.
In the transportation and logistics industry, the Nokia Card Phone can be used to dispatch jobs and record job acceptance. Security companies, as well as corporate offices and private homes, can use the Nokia Card Phone for surveillance and alarm monitoring improving real time responsiveness to crisis situations. Utilities companies can adopt the Nokia Card Phone for improved machinery monitoring, office automation and meter reading efficiency.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia employs more than 38,000 people worldwide.
For more information:
Nokia Mobile Phones Asia Pacific
Suguna Madhavan
General Manager, Communications
Tel: +65 380 5267
Vinod Melwani
Communications Manager
Tel: +65 380 5269
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