Pic Credit: PublicPropertyUK.com

No-one likes being unwell and whether you mind doctors and needles or hate them, staying in hospital for a lengthy amount of time can be a huge bore for everyone.

Stuck inside a ward and confined to a bed can be energy exhausting and lonesome, and if a patient is in care for a considerable number of days or weeks passing the time can be hard.

Touch screen technology can help entertain people who are residing overnight. Television is already on offer at bedsides for a set price in most health care institutions but a kiosk can provide so much more.

With high-end images and video quality in full HD resolution, a Touch screen can give a patient the same excellence of amusement as they would experience in their very own house; so despite the fact that they are staying in a hospital they can still feel at home.

Kiosks designed for patient-bedside entertainment and patient-flow management that present video and voice communications, TV, games, movies, the radio and the Internet are brilliant to make one feel at ease and distract from the fact that they are poorly. And they are perfect for young adults and children to keep them amused when they may be scared and frightened!

The technology enables patients to still interact with the outside world and stay up-to-date and in touch with family and friends by email and instant messaging, so they are not really alone. It makes the whole experience more like staying in a hotel away from home rather than amongst sick people.

What is more, the units can aid the hospital staff too as well as the sufferer. Doctors and nurses can recover medical records and access databases from the bed to help with diagnosing the patient’s illness as opposed to waiting for paper copies to be transferred.

Software needed for the entertainment and communication purposes include;

- Barcode scanner

- Wi-Fi

- Multi touch interface

- Receipt printer

- Card reader, to make payments

- Remote control and handset

A postcard is most often found in holiday destinations to allow tourists and holidaymakers to send a message home to their family and loved-ones to let them know how the vacation is going.

For people who are unaware, postcards are rectangular pieces of paper or cardboard purposely intended to write upon and mail without the need for an envelope.

However, they have become rather old-fashioned and out-of-date as of late due to the fact that by the time the card is delivered to the receiver, you have in fact returned from your holiday and already filled them in on the whole trip.

However, as with many industries across the world Touch screen technology is aiding consumer’s encounters and experiences and the travel and tourism sector is also one to jump on board and reap its advantages.

Sightseers and vacationers can now send postcards virtually via a Touch screen kiosk. Hotels and sunny destination spots in the world are deploying the units so families and single travellers can stay in touch with their relatives at home in a quick and easy instance.

The technology allow a user to create and send the virtual postcard using their own photos, so snaps from the holiday already can be transmitted making the receiver envy of how much fun you’re having.

Postcards can be custom-designed from the machines and sent via email and text message or posted directly onto social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. Imagine how much that would save in stamps!

The kiosks, dubbed Send A Message, were created by Kristen Tsitoukis and Send A Message Inc designed the kiosks. She said: “It takes vacation photos to a whole new level, providing guests the unique opportunity to create photo postcards with their own personal media in just minutes.”

The technology works by inserting a memory card or stick from a camera into the unit and via the touch screen interface choosing from your photos. There are also photos stored on the kiosk based on the locale, such as local popular attractions and tourist venues.

The SAM kiosks are already installed in certain locations and resorts in Florida and Pennsylvania, America and she is also working with the United Kingdom Trade & Investment to place them in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Protouch can enhance a holiday experience with their Kiosks that speed up check-in times.

We have written a blog post previously regarding how touch screen technology has transformed the hotel industry.

Gone are the days when you are welcomed at the customer desk by a smiling fresh-faced human being to check you in or out and allocate you a hotel room number. Instead, nowadays guests and business people can expect to find a floor-standing kiosk that can do all the necessary tasks 24/7, at a cheaper rate.

Of course an employee is still needed to man the machine but this new technology speeds up the processes in the hotel and leisure industry and after all; time is money. So no longer do travellers have to wait in queues to be served which will ultimately increase their customer loyalty but business people can be on time to their meetings and appointments by using self-service units.

But as well as the conventional hotel tasks like checking-in, the sector also realises how important it is for guests to communicate with their loved-ones whilst on the road.

Social media has a huge part to play in everybody’s lives in the present times; over 250 million people use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis.

As a result, it is no surprise to hear that hotels are adding electronic and Internet kiosk to help guests’ access social media during their trips.

Hardly anyone still phones home using a telephone to connect to their families and friends when away and hotels understand this. To keep up-to-date with their consumer needs’, hotels are creating comfortable, central electronic hubs within the building for the guests to hang out in and reach out.

The travellers will be able to use Skype to message home, Facebook to update their status, and Twitter to tweet their feelings; and business people will be able to use social media to inform their bosses back at the office or research part of their work.

In such a competitive market, it is key for such businesses to stay bang on trend with technology and consumer’s requirements to be successful.

Install a Touch screen kiosk in your hotel with Protouch; Europe’s number one manufacturer and distributor of touch screen technology.

It might sound like a bizarre concept but picture the scenario: you are visiting your loved-one who has sadly passed away, at your local cemetery or crematorium.

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?

The Lincoln Lawyer movie stream

Xen X4 19"

The 21^st century is faster paced than ever. Everything and everyone are always in a rush and are moving so quick in what seems to be a hectic, chaotic lifestyle.

Time is money and when it comes to service, only the most efficient, convenient delivery is demanded.

This is why kiosks can speed up processes in the hotel and leisure industry; aiding travelling businessmen who have meetings to attend and appointments to be on time for.

To them time is of essence and is extremely important when it comes to their job; so touch screen technology which enables them to beat the queues and to check-in quickly is very valuable.

Nowadays, customer service does not depend upon a human greeting you at the front desk. People would rather use a machine; get their stuff and go; as opposed to waiting in line to be served.

A latest study has revealed that the best-in-class hospitality organisations are twice as likely to use self-service solutions.

The 2010 research, by the business research firm The Aberdeen Group, showed that the hotel industry is embracing kiosks to save money, offer better customer service; and because consumers are increasingly becoming more comfortable with the technology as if it was the norm.

Benefits of Touch screen kiosks being deployed in your leisure company are;

- Improve and speed up guest experience, which increases customer loyalty.

- A rise in customer loyalty in turn will increase revenues, ROI and reap in the profits.

- Shows the consumer you are keeping with the times, tech-savvy wise; developing your innovative brand image.

- Offers much more services for the customer; from mobile to internet.

- Reduces operational costs, as fewer staff needed to employ.

Self-service kiosks provide more than check-in facilities, consumers can also confirm reservations, select rooms, upgrade their existing rooms, as well as print maps out of the local areas including information of restaurants or tourist attractions.

Obviously, a person needs to be available to man the machine should it not work as well as giving that feeling of security, should help be needed.

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

We have already talked about the advantages of installing a self-service touch screen kiosk in previous posts, but what are the differences between touch screens PC, monitor and kiosk and how do you know which to use for your business?

Fundamentally, there are three main types of touch screen unit. These are;

• Touch screen digital signage.
• Touch screen monitors and PCs.
• Touch screen kiosks.

But what are the differences between them?

They are all an interactive touch screen but the unit itself will differ. Kiosks tend to be larger and floor standing whereas monitors and PCs are usually smaller, a desktop, and would be mounted to say a wall or table.

Monitors require an external PC, whereas a PC is the whole package and is housed within the touch screen, not needing any external wiring.

Kiosks too have PCs inbuilt and have a complete solution.

The best locations and uses of each unit are as follows…

Digital signage

This is best used to display public, non-personal information; for example in the corporate, educational or exhibition sector. They are ideal for presentations, meetings, events, advertising and timetables where a level of interaction is required. In addition, as many people also learn best visually interactive digital signage can be more stimulating and aid in the learning process.

Monitors and PCs

These are suited to be used personally by staff in sectors like retail, corporate, hospitality for transactions, ordering and reception duties. They can incorporate or be linked up to barcode scanners, card readers, customer display screen and printers.

Whether serving a customer or entering back office data, members of staff are able to quickly and conveniently capture and process information via the touch screen. The small footprint and lack of need for keyboard and mouse or even pen and paper means a monitor or PC is particularly beneficial in compact areas.

Kiosks

These are ideal for customer facing applications such as payment kiosks, ticketing kiosks and information kiosks and can be used across all industries. You can find them in airports, restaurants, health clinics, leisure parks and cinemas etc. They are hugely in-demand due to the fact that they offer multiple services in a really easy and accessible form.

If you want to purchase a touch screen kiosk for your business, visit Protouch today.

Touch screen kiosks have had a superb impact on the leisure industry; by installing ‘virtual receptionists’ they automate bookings, ticketing and payment systems. Customers can check in by themselves for activities such as a Badminton sessions or to book a football pitch, make on screen payments, print off their receipt and book future appointments. This has quickly and efficiently eliminated the need to queue.

Example;

- The Xen X4 Fast Track was installed at The Aberdeen Sports Village.

It propelled the leisure centre to the forefront of the technological, self-service arena within the industry, with 80 per cent of its members now using it as opposed to the reception desk. 

This has allowed the reception staff to focus more on customer service, giving them more quality time with their customers and therefore enhancing the customer experience greatly by increasing the speed of transactions and efficiency.

Cinema

The film industry has benefitted from kiosks so much so, ensuring its profitability. Ticket kiosks in the theatre lobbies can be installed, with self-service ticket points and payment kiosks.

These kiosks;

-          lower the overall operating costs

-          increase the profit margins for the company

-          lower the ticket prices for the cinemagoer

-          decrease the waiting times for the customer

-          increase customer satisfaction and see them return to use the services. 

Example;

-The Xen X4 Ticketing kiosk at Cineworld

Cineworld, one of the UK’s largest cinema chains, has experienced this impact in cinemagoers spending first hand. Since installing touch screen kiosks the margin the customer spends has greatly increased, alongside high levels of customer satisfaction and a much more efficient movie experience. And, its staff have been able to focus on major customer concerns more immediately.

For ways in which you can adopt a self-service kiosk into your leisure business visit Protouch today, the leading distributor and manufacturer of touch screen equipment in Europe.

We’ve been shortlisted in the Retail Systems 2010 Awards for the category ‘Best Use Of Technology In The Hospitality And Leisure Sector.’

The Protouch, Xn Leisure and Aberdeen Sports Village leisure centre joint entry is shortlisted for its innovative ‘Virtual Receptionist’ kiosk solution that has provided Aberdeen Sports Village with an automated booking, ticketing and payment system.

The ‘Virtual Receptionist’ has propelled Aberdeen Sports Village to the forefront of the technological, self service arena within the Leisure industry with 80 per cent of Aberdeen Sports Village members now using it as opposed to the reception desk. 

Protouch Xn Leisure Kiosk

Not only has it leveraged Aberdeen Sports Village resources by turning receptionist staff into Customer Service Ambassadors, it has allowed staff to offer more quality time with their customers as well as greatly enhancing customer experience by increasing the speed of transactions and efficiency. Customers can now check in for activities, collect tickets and make future booking enquiries quickly and efficiently, eliminating the need to queue. 

The Xen X4 wall mounted kiosk offers a 19″ touch screen, RFID smart Card Reader, receipt and ticket printer and branding while running a booking and on screen payment application that provides fast track entry and a secure monitoring system using membership cards linked to turnstiles, barriers or doors.

We look forward to the awards ceremony due to take place at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel London on 28 October 2010 where the winners will be announced.

About Xn Leisure

The leader in Leisure Management Solutions for over 28 years, Xn Leisure serves over 5,000 users and is the technology partner of choice for the Leisure Industry. Offering a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise Xn Leisure is engaged in a programme of continuous strategic investment in people, systems and processes.