According to a recent report, all high street stores will transform into hi-tech, high touch ‘experience’ centres in 2012.

Predicted findings by Manhattan Associates, a global solutions provider for supply chain leaders, reveal that many retailers are set to change to meet the demand of a multichannel world.

The industry experts foretold that more products will be sold online and that items sold in-store will focus on a narrower more personalised range. But the corporation envisages that more retailers will look to make their high street presence more experiential to cater to the evolving needs and tastes of shopper.

The company also believes that self-checkouts and sales assistants armed with mobile devices will renovate the way customers interact with sales staff.

A recent example which confirms the forecast is a store in Paris which opened an interactive lab where consumers could test out the kitchen equipment in-store before ordering online.

But the report states that retailers need to be prepared for customers to buy through a variety of channels and to offer them an array of shopping experiences for them to research, buy and collect wherever they want.

Craig Sears- Black, UK managing director of Manhattan Associates, said that 2012 will be a challenging year for the retail industry but that at the same time, the opportunities for retailers to serve consumers better will be greater than ever because of new technologies.

Protouch touch screen software can help any retail business meet the growing needs of consumers.

Just have a look and see how our touch screen kiosks aided leading clothing and homeware retailer, Matalan.

Kiosks are used across a variety of sectors from education, retail, banking and more and it can be easy to concentrate on a specific category and analyse it individually. But what about the collective deployment of touch screen technology?

According to the Self-Service Future Trends 2011 report, produced by the Digital Screenmedia Association, the industry which will benefit the most from self-service in the next five years is;

- Retail (35.1%)

- Banking/financial (17.6%)

- Restaurant (12.8%)

- Healthcare (9.5%)

- Telecommunications (7.4%)

- Government (5.4%)

- Travel (5.4%)

- Entertainment/gaming (3.4%)

- Hotel/motel (3.4%)

So we have a prediction as to which industry divisions will profit the most from installing touch screen kiosks but what are the expectations as for spending on the self-service technology? More than 96% of respondents said they will spend the same amount or more on the technology in the next 12 months which is great news for businesses like us who manufacture and distribute touch screen units.

More precisely, 67.9% said their spending on self-service technology would increase over the next year, only 3.8% said that it would decrease and 28.2% remained the same. This is a fantastic indicator that despite difficult economic times, businesses are still focused on bettering customer experience and enhancing staff time management.

And the findings further get healthier in that firms believe spending on self-service technology over the course of five years will increase more than 86%. This optimism is enthralling for the future of kiosks, pcs and touch screen monitors.

So we know now that people will be considering self-service units in their businesses but what are the reasons why?

A trend which is becoming more and more popular as of late is the use of smartphones but industry experts argue that its future will complement rather than hinder kiosks.

Almost 70% of those surveyed said the reason they would ponder deploying touch screens is that the devices can increase efficiency and a further 65% said that the customer demand for its convenience was a reason alone.

The top findings also included;

- Just over 60% said customer demand for faster service

- 50% because self-service helps the bottom line

- Just over 40% said for customer demand for complete, accurate information

- Almost 40% as the devices can help brand the company

More answers were customer demand for privacy, courteous service and simply because the competitors are using self-service technologies.

To find out what type of touch screen kiosk would be best for your business, contact the experts at Protouch.

But yet this follows reports by McDonalds that despite deploying hundreds of kiosks across its branches throughout Europe it has no plans to cut employees.

The U.S President sat down in a Today show interview with Ann Curry a couple of weeks ago and slated the touch screen technology by saying how it had contributed to the nation’s unemployment figures.

But yet the restaurant chain has announced that reports predicting its wide deployment of self-service kiosks would replace human jobs- are false.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s Europe said: “Self-order kiosks are not designed to replace front-counter service.

“Front counters remain a focal point of service where we have installed self-order kiosks, and customers can decide whether they wish to place their order at the counter or through kiosks. Staff are on hand in the dining area to assist customers using the kiosks.”

The fast food giant has installed more than 840 kiosks throughout Europe including France and the UK.

The spokesperson continued that deploying the kiosks wasn’t about cutting costs but rather to provide better customer service. McDonald’s explain that the kiosks are no intended to reduce staff numbers and in fact they expect overall staff figures at the restaurants to increase as the business grows.

They added that the restaurant relies on workers to man the machines and help customers unfamiliar with the kiosks on how to operate them as well as prepare food, assemble the order and deliver it to waiting customers.

The spokesman added: that the kiosks “give customers the opportunity to take the time that they need to consider and place their order…based on feedback from some customers that (said) they would appreciate more time during the ordering process.”

For more touch screen industry news click here.

Exhibitions are a brilliant way to get your brand noticed, maximise exposure and get possible sales that you wouldn’t necessarily have done beforehand. This is partially because you can reach a varying range of audiences but what use is hosting a stand if you are not going to shine out from your competition and draw attention?

Protouch is often sponsoring and exhibiting at prestigious and renowned tradeshows up and down the country. As Europe’s number one manufacturer and distributor of touch screen technology, we are often showcasing multifunctional and self-service kiosks in order to help companies find how kiosks can benefit their business and what advantages they can bring for customers.

The Kioskmarketplace.com has put together some top tips on making your kiosk stand pop out at a tradeshow. It is integral that a spectacle of sights and sounds is displayed to draw the crowds to your stand and therefore Protouch feature a vast array of different kiosks from all industry sectors.

- Promote through marketing

It is useless going to so much effort in your stand if no-one knows you are going to be there so use marketing tactics and social media ahead of the big day to let people know where and when you will be located in the show.

Distribute press release, write blogs, utilise social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and increase the traffic to promote your stand.

- Dazzle in lights

They say never read a book by its cover but still people do. Presentation is key so attract audiences in with lights, colours, sounds and movement. You don’t have to host a bright pink stand to get attention but why not use flashing lights, shimmery fabric or a laser projection to give your stand that edge. Make a strong impression with a big banner and grab client’s focus quickly.

- Look professional

If you appear professional then people will assume you are professional and take your service seriously. A full suit is not necessarily needed but a smart top and trousers that are clean and crisp portray expertise.

- Stand up and be noticed

Don’t sit down on the job! It discourages people to visit your stand as it comes across that you’re disinterested and bored. Look lively and energetic and customers will want to talk to you. Be on your feet, interact with them and draw them into your stand; don’t make them do all the hard work. Make sure someone always mans the stand though and wear comfortable shoes.

Come check out Protouch at the Kiosk London Expo 2011 at the Barbican Centre on 19^th-20^th October and see their leading self-service kiosk solutions that are in demand; and find out how they can benefit your business.

Interactive displays surround consumers in supermarkets, hospitals, airports and libraries just to name a few and more sectors are jumping on the band wagon and reaping the benefits of touch screen technology, as well as advancing a customer’s experience.

As consumer need grows, the technology needs to reflect this and enhance to keep up to speed with the demand.

Interactivity can now be found in the form of multi-touch walls, Kiosks, floors, windows and tables.

Normal every day surfaces are becoming exciting digital media solutions that are triggered and activated by touch motion and gestures.

The limits are endless in terms of content, design and applications meaning businesses can create engaging and memorable experiences for their customers. Whether it is located in a restaurant, bar, hotel or museum; multi-touch technology can be deployed in a plethora of venues and benefit a variety of consumers.

So what does the future hold? If tables and walls are becoming touch interfaces who knows, the sky is the limit! One might be able to play games on the dinner table at a restaurant in between courses, or order clothing at the entrance of a store.

With so many surfaces becoming digital, what else is in stow for consumers and companies; Touch screen doors?

A story recently hit the internet that stated automation is causing retail jobs to disappear.

U.S analysts say robots, vending machines and touch screen kiosks are to blame for human job losses as they are increasingly replacing workers.

The Los Angeles Times reported that as shoppers become more accustomed to using self-service units, the loss of retail positions is hampering the nation’s high unemployment rate.

It is estimated one in 10 Americans work in the retail industry but companies are increasingly turning to technology and its benefits to sell more products, improve customer experience and use fewer employees.

In January 2011 there were 14.5 million U.S retail workers, down 1.1 million from three years ago.

Sectors that are taking advantage of touch screen technology include shipping and warehousing jobs that can process packages quicker, virtual assistants are replacing customer service representatives and kiosks are reducing the need for checkout clerks.

Experts say the trend is worrisome and that retail positions could soon disappear altogether.

Here at Protouch we believe it’s less about total human replacement and more a case of better placing staff and giving customers the convenience of being able to opt for a kiosk should they wish.

In many environments automation is no longer a “nice to have” but a necessity, particularly in places where speed is a must; automating the right services brings great benefits to both a business and its customers.

Having said that, no matter how tech-savvy humans become machines cannot deal completely with 100% of situations and therefore a careful balance of staff to kiosks is a must.

A student competition to find new and exciting ideas for a sensational kiosk took place last month at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, United States.

The contest, dubbed Whiteboard Challenge by Coinstar, involved several teams that presented kiosk concepts to a panel of university professors and Coinstar executives.

The winning team DrugBox was crowned the victors as they were judged on the kiosk idea, business case and presentation.

Their drug-dispensing kiosk came top and won the $6,000 prize money. Runner up entrants was awarded $3,000 and $1,000.

Gregg Kaplan, president and chief operating officer of Coinstar, said: “We were delighted with the level of creativity and depth of thinking that the students brought forward.

“We believe there are countless untapped ideas in the automated retail space, and with anticipated self-service retail transactions expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2013, we want to continue fostering new ideas.”

DrugBox, the winning kiosk initiative, was designed by David Schottland, Sheila Schottland, and Raphael Tse which involved a self-service kiosk that would be pre-stocked with non-vital, high-demand, prescription drugs.

Advantages to the unit included;

- Speed, convenience and discretion. Traditional long waiting lines at pharmacies will be a thing of the past as well as embarrassing situations with personal information.

-Help fill scripts and answer drug-interaction questions.

- Speed up the payment process with insurance providers and remind people to refill or pick up prescriptions.

- Substantial revenue opportunity as the US prescription drug market in 2009 was roughly $300 billion.

- Bettering patients would cut the overall cost of health care in the country.

Desired locations the kiosks could be deployed are said to be 24-hour convenience stores, petrol stations and office parks.

The challenge’s runner up ideas consisted of a kiosk that brings together buyers and sellers of used merchandise and an energy-drink kiosk.

Find new and exciting kiosk ideas at Protouch; Europe’s number one manufacturer and distributor of Touch screen technology.

You park your car, start walking up to the plot to think about their memory when on the way you are confronted with no other than a hi-tech, floor standing Touch screen kiosk

.

No it’s not exactly what you would imagine being installed in the grounds surrounded by headstones but as with other sectors, the cemetery industry is going all tech-savvy and modernised to keep up-to-date with the 21^st century.

This is the case in the Bonaventure Cemetery, in the city of Savannah, Georgia, USA.

Newly deployed information kiosks have been installed in the graveyard, by its main entrance.

Visitors will be able to look up names on the self-service kiosk themselves to determine the exact location of the interments with cemetery maps, even when the office is closed or when staff are busy assisting other customers.

The touch screen kiosks contain records and maps from neighbouring cemeteries Colonial Park, Laurel Grove and Greenwich Cemeteries and also enable the visitor to print the information and map for a fee.

The burial records date back to 1750 and are updated daily, as the computer database has been under construction since 1995.

It is hoped the technology will save staff time and money, with the goal being to install the Kiosks in other public cemeteries and that the information will be available to consumers online.

The City of Savannah and the Bonaventure Historical Society are holding an unveiling ceremony and demonstration of the new units. They will now have access to the information for their Visitors Center.

The City, the historical society and the National park Service Preserve America Grant all helped funding the unit.

So another industry sector is jumping on the band wagon and reaping the benefits of Touch screen

technology.

Why not install it in your business too?

A patent has been awarded for a hover sensitive device that accepts input from finger movements above the device’s display.

The patent, by Apple, describes the usage of “real world” gestures to control the device equipped with a touch or hover-sensitive interface.

The finger and hand movements, such as a circle to select or an X to delete, could identify users and restrict access to protected files, information and applications. This could be hugely beneficial in industries including security or banking.

Further simple movements include a knock to inquire and more.

Filed in 2007, the patent requires a computer system with a touch sensor panel that has hover detecting capability and a proximity sensor.

As for what computing system it is, the patent details do not explain.

A similar copyright, for hover-enabled surface on a portable device such as an iPhone, was filed in early 2007 too.

Patents like this could quite easily influence, affect and expand the future of touch screen technology, and therefore has a direct impact on the consumer and business’ services; altering the consumer’s experience and the usage of a kiosk.

Here at Protouch we care about the future of Touch screen. Who knows what is to come, but you can be sure we will be one step-ahead, as Europe’s number one manufacturer and distributor of touch screen technology.

Last year was a fantastic year for us; we won best use of technology in the hospitality and leisure sector in the Retail Systems Awards, Carnival UK deployed our kiosks at sea on their cruise ships, and retail store Matalan launched a concept store featuring our kiosks.

So it is no surprise that we are very excited about the upcoming year and what 2011 will bring!

In terms of the touch screen technology industry, businesses and companies are constantly looking for the next big thing to please the customers and better their experience to keep them coming back for more.

This is especially difficult to overcome, with the challenge of an already weakened economy and falling sales.

However, industry experts have agreed that the goal and top trend for 2011 is to combine kiosks, tablets and mobile technologies to keep the clients and consumers buying and using the technology.

The Touch screen tablet, such as the iPad, is said to rise in the market this year alongside app developers, as a definite trend to watch out for that impacts the kiosk industry.

This is exampled by the news story we previously reported upon, in which kiosks were installed at New York’s John F Kennedy and La Guardia airports where the consumer could order a meal deal on an iPad.

And only last week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office made public Apple’s patent “Social Networking in Shopping Environments” which described how in-store kiosks would allow customers to access an item list and information on their phones and then share.

As stated, it is expected the mobile and kiosk industries will also work together, with the convergence of all technologies helping to engage the customer in its fullest.

Shoppers will be able to log in to their accounts via store kiosks but also online or on their mobile phones; with the kiosk acting as the focal point as it coordinates the overall customer experience.

It seems the public is more accepting now than ever of self-service machines, with them being so user friendly.

Tom Quarry, Managing Director of Protouch, said: “We are very proud of the success we have had over the past year and are more determined than ever to have a fantastic 2011. Touch screen kiosks are having a massive impact on businesses and will only become greater and more influential as the year progresses. To meet with this extremely wide need for self service, our kiosks are continually evolving and utilising the many innovative devices that are in demand across all industry sectors.”

To install a Touch screen kiosk in your business, contact Protouch today.