OKI and 3M Rochford Thompson win CUSS kiosk contract at Narita Airport

9 October 2007

Japan’s leading kiosk terminal vendor OKI has won a contract to provide Japan’s Narita International Airport and Chubu Centrair International Airport with Common Use Self Service (CUSS) kiosks – built around unique scanning technology provided by UK-based 3M Rochford Thompson.

Working in partnership with 3M Rochford Thompson and ARINC, the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering, OKI has installed more than 200 CUSS kiosks in Japan, to read customer documentation accurately and issue boarding cards. The systems reduce queues, are significantly less labour intensive, improve passenger throughput and delays, and provide accurate levels of security.

“Combining 3M Rochford Thompson’s technology and OKI’s kiosk terminal known for its user-friendliness and fast processing speed, the customer feedback from the airlines using this equipment has been superb,” said OKI Electric Industry Sr. Manager of Enterprise Solutions Division, Hajime Maruo.  

“From a technical standpoint, 3M Rochford Thompson scanners work seamlessly with ARINC’s CUSS application to ensure that passenger data is processed quickly and accurately at all times. This is especially critical when a kiosk serves multiple airlines,” said Randy Pizzi, ARINC’s Vice President and Managing Director (Asia/Pacific).

With the airline industry facing issues relating to increased footfall and congestion, the next generation of 3M Rochford Thompson scanning technology, used in CUSS kiosks, may prove to be an effective part of the solution.

The RTE8000 scanner at the heart of the system is compact, so the kiosk design takes up relatively little floor-space. With Active Video technology, even if customers fail to correctly orientate their documents in the scanning window, an accurate ‘read’ will still take place.   

3M Rochford Thompson General Manager Chris Scorey said: “The core scanning technology has been proved by very demanding customers, including the US Department of Homeland Security, who are using it for passport scanning at major border control points.

“The RTE8000 has very clear financial and security benefits for the airlines and provides a cluster of solutions for them at a stroke.  We’re very proud of the application in Japan and we look forward to working with OKI and ARINC on further developing applications of this type.”

Notes to editor:

3M – Practical and ingenious solutions that help customers succeed
3M is a (US)$22.9 billion diversified technology company, creating innovative products that help make the world smarter, faster, healthier and safer. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.

3M has pioneered innovation since 1902 and, today, invests more than $1.5 billion a year in R&D. It has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention and detection solutions; and its digital signage offerings are revolutionising the way businesses communicate with their customers, their employees and the general public.

3M employs 75,000 people worldwide to deliver more than 55,000 products to customers in some 200 countries. Its diverse technologies touch nearly every aspect of modern life, serving markets such as consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and communications, healthcare, industrial and transportation, safety and protection services, and security systems. 

The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing 3,850 people across 17 locations, including 11 manufacturing sites. Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, respirators, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.

3M Centre, Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8HT
Tel: 08705 360036
www.3M.co.uk

3M Rochford Thompson Ltd

In July 2007 Rochford Thompson Equipment Ltd was acquired by 3M.

For more than 30 years, the company has been at the forefront of secure document creation, inspection and scanning.  Using its own continuously developed digital imaging technology, 3M Rochford Thompson delivers scanning solutions for passports, visas, ID cards, airline tickets and credit cards.  Customers include Governments, airlines and travel companies, major global corporations and companies in the finance sector. 

For further press information contact Daviid Bellis on +44 (0)20 8399 1184 / db@garnett-keeler.com