Self-Service Amerigas Propane Exchange Earns Two Major Awards
Sacramento, Calif. – November 1, 2005 – WebRaiser Technologies, Inc., the leader in software for the self-service economy, won two major award categories in the 6th Annual Kiosk Awards competition. The awards, which were announced during the recent Self-Service & Kiosk Show in San Francisco, are given to the most innovative self-service applications for the year. WebRaiser won two of the most coveted awards: Best Retail Kiosk and Best New Kiosk Application. Both awards were earned by WebRaiser’s DekkoMatic-AmeriGas Propane Exchange (PPX®) solution.
WebRaiser teamed up with AmeriGas and Dekko to design the self-service application for propane exchange creates a compelling return on investment for AmeriGas. The self-service system, which the companies call Dekko-matic, delivers these benefits to AmeriGas and its customers:
- 24/7 consumer access eliminating the frantic search for open stores when they have run out of propane for the BBQ.
- Fast transaction time by simplifying the process to the level of a gas pump and reducing the total transaction time is less than filling up a car’s gas tank.
- Safe and compliant by designing in all national, state, and local regulations regarding propane handling. The system is safer than cage systems and actually trains each customer on propane safety during the purchase transaction.
- Controlled inventory and sales data is achieved by networking the PPX® systems giving AmeriGas management access to current sales data in order to schedule deliveries on a priority basis.
"We knew we had created something new and innovative but it is still a pleasant surprise and a great honor to win twice," said Dave Gonsiorowski, WebRaiser's founder and president. "Our challenge was to apply our self-service expertise to help AmeriGas solve a business problem. What we created together provides AmeriGas with a major competitive advantage that is measured in higher revenues, reduced staffing and just-in-time inventory control. The awards are great but the real success is happening everyday with a successful solution that consumers love."
WebRaiser's VendiSoft software development environment and is at the heart of the propane exchange application. The propane solution includes an outdoor touch screen kiosk system with attached secure locker mechanism holding up to 72 tanks of propane gas. Consumers can purchase new tanks or exchange empty propane tanks using a variety of payment methods including credit, debit, gift card, and cash. WebRaiser’s self-service software leads consumers through the process of selecting a product, paying for a tank, selecting accessibility options, watching a mandatory safety video, and exchanging or purchasing a new tank. The entire transaction takes an average of three minutes.
The entire system is driven by a patented non-electric, pneumatic system for opening, closing, and sensing propane tanks in lockers. The pneumatic features of the system provide a safe method for consumers to purchase and exchange propane tanks, unattended.
WebRaiser competed with twenty-six companies that submitted a total of 42 entries. Judging comprised two components: evaluation of the devices based on written answers to questions about them, as well as on-site, hands-on use. The judges for the 2005 Kiosk Awards were included representatives from Forrester Research, Kiosk Magazine, Summit Research Associates, and the Photo Marketing Association.
About WebRaiser
WebRaiser Technologies, Inc. makes self-service business simple. With its award-winning VendiSoft and VendiStore software products along with its cross-industry experience, WebRaiser removes the complexities of self-service with solutions that are innovative, reliable and easy to use. Founded in 1997, WebRaiser has helped more than 200 companies reduce costs and increase revenue. Customers include Amerigas, AT&T, Red Lobster, Sutter Health, Ghirardelli, Sketchers Shoes, and Lockheed Martin. More information about WebRaiser can be found at http://www.webraiser.com.
