Consumers around the world are being given more power in terms of checking themselves into hotels, ordering their own food at takeaways and printing off tickets for the train.

And now the concept of interactivity and control has been enhanced.

A kiosk has been introduced that can be deployed in a doctor’s surgery, hospital or retail pharmacy, that allows patients to give feedback on their experience.

Now touch screen kiosks are already being used in a vast array of health care environments to let patient’s check-in.

However this touch screen technology, called ‘Wellby’, is an ATM-like machine with a touchscreen that allows patients to answer survey questions and give their views after having an examination.

ENHANCE CUSTOMER CARE

Before they leave the office, the patient can get involved and input information into the touch screen kiosk which the physician can use to help treat the patient and improve services. Options available are simply ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Not sure’ and the data provided with offer insight into communication, compliance with standards of care, and reveal overall satisfaction.

The technology, by CarePartners Plus and IBM, means that by engaging with the consumer, the healthcare industry can provide a higher quality of care. For years doctors have been attempting to develop new ways to gather information that will aid them to improve clinical outcomes.

An advantage is that often a patient might be afraid to say what they really feel in the room to the doctor’s face but by stating it all privately on a touch screen they can express their true evaluation.

PRIVACY

Kiosks such as these have attracted negative criticism though in terms of privacy, as some patients, particularly the elderly will be concerned that their personal health information in an electronic form can be obtained by non-authoritative personnel.

But touch screen monitors can be designed to ensure that no-one looking at the side of the screen can see the information clearly and software can have passwords encrypted to ensure that files are locked away safely.

Selfserviceworld.com has recently been publishing some blog posts by guest expert Michael Ionescu and the latest post caught the attention of the team here at Protouch.

The article stated a basic checklist for businesses that deploy touch screen kiosks outdoors on recommendations for protection. The blog reviewed some of the most important precautions with regards to weathering and shielding sensitive equipment.

As a specialist provider of kiosk solutions and touch screen technology, Protouch UK has installed many units in an outside environment and this is why we understand that outdoor kiosks require a different approach to indoor kiosks and therefore need to be designed specifically for outdoor deployment.

Only recently we were selected by Parkeon, who supply ticketing machines to the rail networks, to help issue tickets more quickly and efficiently to the millions of customers who pass through UK train stations every year.

Fundamentally, it needs to be suitable for operation in any urban setting and be fully weather proof, highly robust, readable and sturdy.

Mr Ionescu has three key points to alfresco deployment; warranty, electrical protection and kiosk canopies.

- Protection is important to cover yourself in case it rusts or reacts badly to the environmental conditions. Protouch can guarantee against manufacturer defects and we offer warranty policies.

- Protect the electrical cords. A space at the bottom of a kiosk for the wires to enter ensures that there is virtually no exposure of the wires to the public, or alternatively one can case the wires with steel mesh. Protecting the electrics is reportedly vital in cities in which rats can chew through the wires.

- The checklist argues that no matter how fortified an outdoor kiosk is one should build some sort of canopy or overhead protection. This is not only for the technology but also to improve customer experience, because consumers will not want to stand in the rain or snow using it.

Protouch believe that for true outdoor kiosk success, the key points are;

• Display screen
• Material
• Applications

There has been an economic boom in bill payment self-service technology in certain countries around the world, according to a recent report.

GWD Media, a supplier of Genkiosk kiosk software, has stated that there is a new drive in regions such as Indonesia, the Philippines and the Pacific Islands, for bill payment units.

According to the report, there is an increasing need by citizens in Southeast Asia, Oceania and the Pacific for Kiosks that provides services like bill payment, Internet access and money transfer.

This concurs with consumer trends from around the globe, including the UK, where there is a thriving must for flexible and easy-to-use facilities without the need for credit cards and bank accounts.

Statistical analysis worldwide and local market research suggests that in the Middle East, bill payment kiosks have seen a huge success, especially for potions of the population that is under banked because they can pay cash straight into a kiosk without standing in line.

So why are bill payment kiosks so beneficial?

A bill payment kiosk can help consumers in many countries and the touch screen technology is used across a wide array of industry sectors. Whether it is to aid the retail industry and replace over the counter transactions to free up staff’s time, or help the transport sector in taxis and airports, payment systems are very useful.

The featured kiosks are becoming so popular that units have even been deployed in some American prisons to enable the jailed inmates to process their own bail charges. What is more, they can help outdoor and indoor car parks to improve customer experience.

So if the latest report is anything to go by, 2012 will see a rising trend of bill payment kiosks and your business can get involved with the help of Protouch UK!

The firm behind the deployment of DVD-rental kiosks has been sued by an advocate group that claims that they discriminate against blind customers.

Redbox has been taken to court by a San Francisco group that is campaigning on behalf of the visually impaired, who allege that the rental touch screen kiosks make it impossible or difficult for visually impaired customers to use the technology.

The activists, “Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired”, say that the advancement of technology is limiting for the visually impaired. One legally blind supporter argues that she enjoys sharing movies with her sighted husband and their son but that she is left feeling embarrassed and helpless when trying to use the units.

Kiosk technology has been installed across industry sectors in airports, retail, and hospitality, but the design needs to consider accessibility for everyone.

Protouch kiosk manufacturers offer guidance on the placement of touch screen technology in order to enable all users use the kiosk. By featuring internet access on the machines, help instructions can also be offered to those few people who find it difficult to use, not just the disabled. Further advice is to provide audio features to help instruct consumers use the technology.

The advocates reported that they sued Redbox in the hope it will encourage other companies to include accessible software.

Here at Protouch, we believe that it is vital that all units tend to a customer’s needs and are designed appropriately to ensure the person can access it with ease and without effort.

Whether someone has difficulties reading and needs a specially designed kiosk that increases their confidence and ability; or a wheelchair user cannot reach the interface display, it is important that the touch screen technology is accessible for all and does not discriminate.

Here at Protouch, we are continually writing about different industries in the UK that are benefiting from touch screen technology.

We have previously mentioned in a blog post about how kiosks are helping the brewery sector where interactive touch screen devices guide consumers through all the different beer options that are available at a bar; but what about drinks in general?

There are examples of kiosk maintained cafés, which similar to Internet cafes, enable consumers to browse the internet at leisure whilst eating. However, these are unmanned and customers can order their drinks at the table via a touch screen unit such as Protouch touch screen PCs.

One doesn’t have to wait to be served by a waitress; decide what you are drinking and input the order yourself with an installed self-service kiosk. Fast food restaurants and cafes are always looking for ways to streamline their business to increase staff efficiency without compromising customer service and touch screen technology does just so.

A computerised system is already deployed in many fast food companies to allow a consumer to order food and drink electronically by themselves but a unit can also be installed next to some computers in a café for the users to order without having to look away from the screen.

The kiosk display is a great platform to advertise on to promote new special offers or incentive schemes and money doesn’t even have to transfer between hands as payment can be taken at the kiosk too with a ticketing dispenser feature that offers a receipt.

With fewer staff needed to take drinks orders, the employees can focus their time and efforts on more important tasks like enhancing customer experience. Nowadays Britons demand fast paced and speedy service, especially if they have a limited dinner break or are in a rush running errands.

Let your business’s customers order their own drinks and deploy some Protouch touch screen software this year.

The New Year has arrived and with it comes optimism for the upcoming year for the self-service industry.

Technology is constantly advancing and sectors undergo trends which can be easily predicted based on the latest gadgets and gizmos.

Here at Protouch kiosk manufacturers, we strive to be up-to-date with the latest industry news.

The KioskMarketplace.com has scoured the industry to talk to experts on what the major trends for 2012 might be and the findings reveal that;

- The retail sector is to embrace the technology the most

- Mobile technology will rise

- The health care industry will cut costs by deploying technology

- Vending machines

RETAIL;

Touch screen kiosks are extremely beneficial for many areas but the retail and consumer good division is particularly helpful. According to the new verdicts, retailers will clinch kiosk solutions and tablets more than ever before and invest in the technology to increase growth.

An in-store kiosk can display information on products that are only available online and by being deployed on the floor; consumers can interact and look through transactions easily and quickly. They are also a great alternative due to low cost maintenance.

MOBILE;

The trend of mobile is already present but this is set to grow in the upcoming year with smartphone technology being the instrument that transcends all platforms for convenience and allows the shopper the greatest experience at home and on the move.

HEALTH CARE;

The UK government has cut a lot of public spending in order to tackle the country’s deficit and in a bid to reduce costs; the health care sector will reap self-service technology.

Only last year did we save around £80,000 at The Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust after it deployed check-in and information kiosks from Protouch.

VENDING MACHINES;

There have been multiple examples of touch screen vending kiosks such as wine dispensing kiosks, ice cream dispensing technology, bread distributing and rail ticketing. Industry experts forecast that more vending kiosks will arise over 2012.

Self-service kiosks can benefit a business’s carbon footprint immensely.

The deployment of a touch screen can have far more benefits as being eco-friendly as opposed to traditional methods.

One example consists of a boy from Arizona who spent two years writing messages of thanks and creating hand-decorated cards to send to US troops. The 11-year-old made more than 180,000 personalised cards for American service members overseas. But imagine how much paper him and your business could save by displaying information and text via a touch screen?

The printed cards are a fantastic gesture of goodwill and support to the hardworking service men and women of U.S but the messages of thank-you can easily be offered with a kiosk. Instead of wasting valuable resources by sending out a monthly newsletter, all the info can be displayed via the welcome kiosk for all staff to read. And because it is displayed electronically, all the data can be kept up-to-date and new.

There are many other ways that kiosks are environmentally friendly. Kiosks can also offer advice to Britons on how to be ‘green’. A unit can display top tips and teach society on how to focus on sustainability and be environmentally conscious. And it can also offer guidance on the unit’s power and energy consumption.

There are also many kiosks on the market that are made out of recycled and renewal materials and ones that recycle products like glass bottles.

So there are many ways in which the technology can be ecological but fundamentally, kiosks help by displaying information via an interface and saving trees by cutting the amount of paper usage.

Contact us today to enquire about Protouch touch screen software and cutting your business carbon footprint.

A deployed touch screen kiosk can help a business throughout the year and it can also reap huge benefits at Christmas time.

The technology can be used to offer information, printing services and way-finding signage and all these features are extremely helpful in the festive season.

Fundamentally, the industry which can profit the most from the technology at this time of year is the retail and hospitality sector.

WAY-FINDING

A kiosk that offers way-finding services is very useful in shopping centres, especially during the mad shopping rush to purchase Christmas presents. Many shoppers may not know where stores are located, so to ease the strain a unit can help by providing a map of the mall.

TICKETING

The ticketing features enable customers to print out vouchers and discounts on offer at retailers or eating establishments. Improve consumer interaction by encouraging them to go online in-store and print out coupons to get fantastic bargains.

INFORMATION

An information kiosk ultimately provides a customer an advanced array of products to buy in-store. If there is a gift idea that a person really wants to buy but it is sold out in-store, the touch screen allows the shopper to still purchase the item and see an extensive collection of other products available to buy.

PHOTOS

And kiosks can also be valuable during the festive period for photographs. Photo kiosks that offer photo gifts including photo books, calendars and holiday cards can be personalised using the touch screen technology.

So if you want to put a picture of the family on all the Christmas cards that go out to relatives, or if you have purchased a pretty picture frame and want to put a nice festive picture inside, the kiosks come in handy.

It may be too late to install the technology in your business for Christmas this year but why not contact us today and discuss deploying some Protouch Touch Screen PCs in-store for the festive season next year.

Xen X5

There are many arguments for and against a touch screen kiosk being installed in an establishment as a virtual receptionist.

Fundamentally, one needs to establish whether or not it is right for the business in the first place because the technology can reap tons of benefits for one industry but be detrimental to another.

Examples where virtual receptionists work well include;

- A deployed kiosk reception in care homes can be very beneficial for the reason that they ease staff of administration duties and therefore give them more time to care for patients.

- In the hospitality sector, an electronic unit is helpful especially in hotels when business people need to check themselves in and out of the accommodation 24/7.

- A kiosk in the sport and leisure industry is valuable so customers can check themselves into fitness classes and sessions without the assistance of a staff member.

Advantages of virtual receptionists

- If the business is growing and you need an extra pair of hands to deal with the workload, ease the strain with a touch screen unit that can take care of all the menial tasks like paperwork, ‘signing in’ and ticketing/payments.

- The growing need of consumers is independence and the technology gives them the power to fulfil tasks without any assistance.

- Long-term it is cost-effective to deploy a unit rather than hire more staff on a full-time basis.

- The interface software and internet connection can display a person’s face for a ‘human touch’. And a proximity sensor can alert the kiosk when a person is approaching so a welcome message could be read.

- By deploying a touch screen, it can be said that you are enhancing the brand and transmitting the notion that your business is up-to-date, ahead of competitors and ‘with it’ with regards to latest technology.

Disadvantages of virtual receptionists

- The traditional concept of a receptionist is a smiling, happy employee sitting at the entrance of a building who greets visitors and clients. But is this really a disadvantage because it is going against the norm?

- The modern look of a standing kiosk may be off putting to some clients if it is the first thing they see to be welcomed. But the majority of business people nowadays are open to advanced technologies.

If you would like to speak to an expert about installing a kiosk as a simulated receptionist in your business, get in touch today and enquire about Protouch touch screen software.