Netkey Announces Support for the IBM Anyplace Kiosk with Netkey 6.5.

CHICAGO -- Netkey Inc. today announced support for the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Anyplace Kiosk with Netkey 6.5, the latest release of the company's market-leading software platform for the development, deployment and operation of retail applications and store technologies including kiosks, digital signs, handheld devices, POS systems, and employee workstations.

The announcement was made at the Retail Systems 2005 Conference and Exposition in Chicago, where Netkey 6.5 is being launched with demonstrations on IBM kiosks in the Netkey booth #539, the IBM booth #1302, and the Retail Store Systems, Inc. booth, #1511.

The IBM Anyplace Kiosk is a compact, cost-effective kiosk that combines an advanced infra-red touchscreen and optional peripherals in a slim, space-saving design that is easy to place, like signage. Netkey 6.5 is purpose-built for the creation and integration of self service applications and the monitoring and management of networks of kiosks, and is optimized for the IBM Anyplace Kiosk. Netkey helps businesses increase the reliability and performance of self-service systems while significantly reducing the total cost of operation.

"The combination of the IBM Anyplace Kiosk and Netkey 6.5 offers retailers and other customer-focused businesses the most powerful and cost-effective way to extend self-service applications to the store environment, and do so with a solution that minimizes the daily maintenance burden on already-stretched retail IT departments," said V. Miller Newton, chief executive officer of Netkey. "As a result, our joint customers are able to enhance the consumer experience at the store by delivering compelling content and valuable retail applications and services, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of increased ROI, lower costs and faster business processes."

Traditionally, self-service kiosks required large, bulky enclosures that took up valuable retail floor space and made them inflexible for use at the point of purchase. The IBM Anyplace Kiosk - featuring a small form factor housing that can be mounted on a shelf, wall, or pole - is ideal for pervasive installations in the retail environment. Kiosks can be located in the aisle, on the shelf, or end-cap, to deliver a compelling interactive experience virtually anywhere in the store.

Netkey makes it easy for retailers to deploy and operate the IBM Anyplace Kiosk by offering software that is certified by Netkey to work seamlessly with the IBM Anyplace Kiosk hardware and peripherals. Netkey 6.5 provides:

--Application and interface authoring, and peripheral device integration

--Device and application security for network and application protection

--Content scheduling and delivery for simplified application updates

--Device remote monitoring for increased system uptime and reliability

--Reporting and analytics for detailed performance and usage metrics

--Central administration and management for ease of operation

Together, the IBM Anyplace Kiosk and Netkey 6.5 delivers self-service functionality to retail applications including gift registry, job recruitment, employee HR portals, customer loyalty systems, deli and quick serve ordering, product information, and others. Multiple applications can be developed and delivered to customers and employees in the store on IBM Anyplace Kiosks, all centrally controlled and managed from a single desktop using Netkey 6.5, resulting in improved service, greater system uptime and reduced maintenance costs.

Netkey 6.5 is available immediately. Contact Netkey for pricing and additional information.

About Netkey

Netkey provides a comprehensive software platform for authoring, securing, monitoring and managing self-service applications delivered on kiosks, computer terminals, digital signs and other retail technologies. Netkey measurably lowers the cost, and increases the value, of interfacing with customers and employees on unattended devices. Customers include BMW, Borders, JC Penney, Menards, Target and the U.S. Postal Service. Contact Netkey at 1-800-443-7924, via e-mail at [e-mail], or on the Web at www.netkey.com.