7-Eleven tests web-enabled kiosks

7-Eleven, the largest chain of convenience stores in the U.S., is testing web-enable kiosks in 36 stores in Fort Myers and Naples, FL. While the machines will initially perform financial transactions, they may eventually offer online shopping options with fulfillment handled by 7-Eleven’s distribution centers that deliver daily to the stores.

The kiosks will initially offer traditional ATM services, as well as check cashing, money orders and money transfers. In the future, 7-Eleven anticipates that customers will have touch-screen access to services such as bill payment, deposit capability, event ticketing, travel directions and road maps before adding the shopping functions. The kiosks will be equipped with customer service phones. NCR and Mosaic developed the machines which run on a Microsoft NT platform with an Internet browser. Vcom is providing the services.

7-Eleven also is installing machines in Texas and could roll out the program nationwide by the end of the year.