Mobile Vending Machine Wins Innovation Award for Vodafone

Europe UK: Quickphone, the UK's first mobile phone vending machine, has garnered a 'Partnering for Innovation' award for two of the companies responsible for its development: Vodafone UK and Fujitsu Services.

The accolade, announced at the 8th annual UK Technology Innovation & Growth Awards, recognised a winning partnership alliance between two technology companies that has met and exceeded the joint objectives of both parties profitably'.

Since its introduction in October 2005, Quickphone has broken new ground by encouraging customers to purchase Pay As You Talk phones and Sim packs from a totally automated vending machine. The machines are the first to use Chip and PIN, and also use 3G technology to inform Vodafone of stock levels.

Stuart Farrell, retail development manager, Vodafone UK commented: "Many people know what they want from a phone and want to buy it when it suits them. We believe Quickphone will revolutionise the industry by allowing self-service in almost any location."

Yatin Mahandru, head of the telecommunications business unit, Fujitsu Services, said: "This is a fantastic example of two companies working with one purpose to deliver the most effective revenue-generator of all: a service that delivers exactly what the customer wants, where they want it."

Vodafone UK and Fujitsu beat off competition from partnerships that included BT and Cambridge University; Cisco Systems and Dimension Data; and Easynet and Onetel.

The award was given to Vodafone and Fujitsu for best fulfilling the following criteria:

A strong culture of partnering with excellent communications and partner-sensitive objectives Excellent partnering behaviours Sustained success

A clear commitment to bringing the partnership to life through joint business planning and joint account planning

Judging was conducted by a panel of experienced industry figures, analysts, journalists and technologists.

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