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The ChoiceMaster Product
ChoiceMaster® is a proprietary database plus an accompanying proprietary application. It can be installed in most Windows based computer kiosks. The database provides food and drink recipes, mealtime menus, beer, wine and spirits product descriptions, prices, sale items and wine with food pairings. The application controls the database as well as the video attract loop, printer and scanner. Customers can use the touch screen or scanner to easily get product information.

The ChoiceMaster database addresses over 22,000 alcohol beverage products. They are classified according to 580 geographic regions and 700 beverage types. The wines in the database have been expertly linked to 200 popular food preparation categories and to 1,050 individual recipes. The distilled spirits have been linked to 730 individual drink recipes which are updated frequently.

Each kiosk contains an updateable store specific inventory which can contain thousands of products. The inventories are provided initially by ChoiceMaster using the retailer's point-of-sale system to select the store's products from the ChoiceMaster master database. The initial inventory can be updated by the retailer using the kiosk's control screen or by ChoiceMaster as a fee service, usually on an annual basis.

Where Are We Now?
ChoiceMaster will be available initially to the 700 liquor stores served by the Atlantic Systems, Inc. point-of-sale system. As experience is gained in integrating the ChoiceMaster software and various kiosk alternatives with ASI, other point-of-sale systems will be added and more stores will be able to order ChoiceMaster.

Why ChoiceMaster? Because ChoiceMaster® is linked to the store’s computer system, customers are provided with timely, store-specific information on all the products for sale in that location. ChoiceMaster® therefore becomes the equivalent of a very thorough and knowledgeable sales person. This function is important because wine, beer and spirits typically constitute a confused marketplace with little readily available information. This is especially valuable for grocers and mass merchandisers who carry wine and spirits because it permits them to compete effectively with specialty stores at virtually no additional cost.

For small and independent retailers, ChoiceMaster provides a solution to one of the retailer's biggest problems: finding qualified sales help. With ChoiceMaster in the store, employees, even new ones, can answer customers' questions by taking them to the kiosk and working with them to find answers. In future trips to the store, the customer will go directly to the kiosk for help, thereby freeing up the staff for other customers or tasks. ChoiceMaster enables all staff to be knowledgeable employees right away and provides the retailer a way to increase customer service at a minimal cost.

ChoiceMaster® is a key in-store promotion vehicle. In the federal and state regulatory environment, it is often difficult for producers of beer, wine and spirits to promote their products. ChoiceMaster® provides a unique opportunity for product promotion, since producers have the opportunity to approach each consumer as a buying decision is made.