CHS Global Platform

The initial brief

CHS (Cash Handling Systems) had developed its ticketing machines with text-based user interfaces using door-mounted buttons. However there was an increasing demand for greater complexity in the transaction process and the advent of the Northern Bus Way on the North Shore of Auckland New Zealand in December 2007 encouraged CHS to develop a Touch Screen LCD (TSLCD) machine. CHS wanted to utilise a ‘3M Cleartek II Capacitive Touch’ system that would allow a customer to purchase a bus ticket by interacting with an LCD graphical display. The TSLCD also acts as a user interface/keypad when the user is looking to make a menu selection which can be customised for different environments and to individual customer requirements.

The ticketing machine had to be able to accept coins, notes and credit cards so the customer could conclude the transaction. The resulting design needed to be resistant to harsh weather conditions and work with the existing product design to ensure that there would be minimal impact on production efficiency.

Outcome

Procreate was engaged to design the mechanical solution to install the new Touch Screen LCD into the current product design. Design data from the client and various external sources was brought together to support the seamless integration of new technology into the existing product range. The first prototype was released for production within one month of the project start date with water ingress testing being deployed to verifiy that the design would be suitable for harsh environments.

Next stage brief

Ongoing product improvements by CHS required the introduction of a new EFTPOS terminal and a general review of the product's aesthetic form.

Outcome

Familiarity with CHS’s product range and manufacturing suppliers enabled Procreate to quickly develop a new configuration of the internal components to position the EFTPOS terminal in the terminal door. They also improved the product’s ‘aesthetics’ (look and feel) to better meet the needs of both CHS’s potential customers and the ultimate end-user. The first prototype was displayed at a trade show after just one calendar month of design time. Sales of the machine were generated from this first industry showing with the first installations being made shortly following the event. The rapid delivery of the design and manufacture was testimony to the benefits of establishing and maintaining a relationship with Procreate to capitalise on the savings to be made across multiple projects.