When installing a kiosk system there are many things that you need to do to ensure that you get a return on investment. However, there are still many people who fail to follow basic rules when planning their kiosk project which leaves them out of pocket and with an unwanted and useful kiosk stuck in the storage cupboard.

To give you a few pin pointers here are five helpful tips to take you in the right direction

Offer customer a valuable experience

Think of why your customer would invest their time and effort into learning how to use a kiosk? Will the services you provide boost their overall customer experience and will they be able to access more information and services about the products and services you offer?

A kiosk is about improving a customer’s experience in your business. Airline check-in kiosks have been a massive success because they accommodate to the customers needs and reduce queueing time, which is what customers want. Even people who don’t use them appreciate that they reduce queue time so they are a winner all round.

Make the process fast

You may have a good looking kiosk and offer lots of advice and information for your customers but making the process long winded can be a problem and a bit of a bore for your customer. They may lose interest in what they set out to do and they won’t come back to use your kiosk again. Make sure you keep the transaction process simple. Just a few steps and a few touches of a button for them to get the answer or information they want.

Help customers out

Some customers will be slightly nervous about using kiosk systems and won’t know where to start. It is a good idea to keep staff handy to help customers who are struggling to use the kiosk. Kiosks are there to also free your staff time but it is important that you don’t desert the kiosk leaving customers to struggle.

Deploy it in the right place

The location of the kiosk has a lot to do with its success. Make sure it is seen as soon as your customers enter the store and put it in an accessible location so people can get to it as and when they please. Stuffed in a corner will do no one any favours.

Test out your kiosk

Don’t just assume that deploying the kiosk will bring you business straight away. You have to test it, trial it, improve it and make sure that your customers are happy with the kiosk system. Because you have worked on it for so long you will know it inside and out and where everything is, but your customers will not. Get a fresh approach on the kiosk system to see what your customers think of it and whether it will benefit your business and what grey areas you need to improve.

The iPad is the latest technology to hit our world and everyone wants a piece of it. The smart and sophisticated new device has been installed with a variety of applications which are applicable to a variety of markets, from food to travel.

And not only that, self service kiosks can no be integrated with the device and many businesses are jumping on the bandwagon.

However there are some sceptics when it comes to the iPad, with people commenting on its durability etc, so we at Protouch thought we would have a look at this mad craze to see if the introduction between the two devices goes down well.

Applications

It is clear why the iPad is appealing to the kiosk industry. Touch screen technology, customisable application software, and a multi touch user interface. The only main difference is that the iPad is portable and delicately designed.

With the iPad craze, kiosk manufacturers are trying to find new ways in how they can integrate this modern technology into their offerings and services.

Brian Ardinger, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President at Nanonation said that his company has a long history of Apple-related product development and has expanded these efforts to include iOS projects for the iPhone and iPad.

“We recently showcased an application designed for sales associates in a retail enviroment at the KioskCom show in Vegas in April of this year,” Ardinger said.

Furniture company Room and Board, contacted Nanonation to feature an application which would allow users to browse inventory and provide customers with a sign up form to receive special offers.

The first iPad ticket kiosk was rolled out at the Malaysian Kuala Lumpur Airline. The SITA Lab developed the MNkiosk, which allows users to book and purchase flights, search for flight schedules and flight status and check-in, as well as choosing their preferred seat.

And retail giant Gap has also jumped on the iPad bandwagon. Its application software, developed by AKQA, is described as a ’social shopping experience.’ Users are able to customise their outfits within the Gap brand and ask for advice from sales assistants.

Versatility

Founder of iPad-kiosks.com, Blain Warkentine, is iPad business enthusiast working to get products to market. Warkentine said that service industries need to be more efficient, however the iPad may not always be an answer for them.

A prime example would be the food-service industry which demands a quick and efficient service than the iPad can currently provide if used improperly, however if used correctly it can still deliver some benefits. During rush hour lunches the iPad could be integrated into restaurants with the option to remove the iPad from its kiosk mounting offering a mobile menu for customers. This can virtually eliminate wait times. Then once the rush hour is over, the iPad can be restored back on its stand for customers to use as a kiosk to order meals.

“Every technology platform offers positives and negatives. Traditional kiosk platforms have excelled at issues such as peripheral support, remote management and enterprise integration,” Ardinger said. “The iPad doesn’t pose an immediate threat for some of the kiosks developed specifically for retail environments like the IBM Anyplace Kiosk and others. These solutions have been retail hardened, offer a variety of peripheral support options and have a longer legacy of application development.”

Some people think the iPad is a fun and cool accessory however it just isn’t robust enough for public developments.

“While these kinds of consumer-grade products are powerful and fun devices, right now they simply cannot stand up to the daily wear and tear a kiosk is subjected to,” said Bob Ventresca, vice president of marking for NCR Netkey.

Cost

Expect to be paying between $3,500-$8,000 for the touch screen kiosk, printer enclosure and software. Applications and customised materials cost within the region of $1,000 -$10,000. Extra software from$2,500-$20,000.

“Many retailers have already created apps on the App Store: Walgreen, Target, etc./” Warkentine added. “The investment was made for customers’ devices, but the need for that customer to have the app and the device is no longer required with iPad-kiosks.

“In the end though, it will come down to what experience the retailer wants to create and matching it with the technology that enables them to best develop, deploy and support it.”

Wine kiosk at Pennsylvania grocery store

So, in December 2009 the Government body who issue the alcohol licenses decided to pilot two wine kiosks across grocery stores in the state.  And the launch last week did not receive a warm welcome for many local citizens or opposing Government and Union bodies.

Implemented by The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) two of the wine kiosks began operating at local grocery stores in Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

Over the next 30-45 days the beta test machines will be closely monitored and if all goes well, PLCB Chairman P.J Stapleton said they will start the rollout of 98 more machines statewide, giving wine drinkers in Pittburgh the chance to buy a bottle or two from a vending machine by autumn 2010.

The 40-square-foot machines will operate from 9am to 9pm, Monday through to Saturday. More than 53 types of wine stored at 62 degrees will be available to purchase from the kiosk system. Prices will range from $10-$20 a bottle.

Users are asked to swipe their drivers license and then look at a high definition camera to allow a worker at a call centre to verify identity of the purchaser. Once approved, the customer has to blow on a screen housing a Breathalyzer. If a breath of alcohol level of .02 or higher is detected, the consumer will be unable to make the purchase.

The kiosks touch screen also guides shoppers through the wine selection process and offers food pairing tips.

Wine kiosk vending machine

All the machines are to be placed in grocery stores but the final list of locations has not been confirmed.

Stapleton said, “Consumers are yearning for additional consumer convenience. Customers are going to local supermarkets to pick up a couple of great steaks and bring them home for dinner and now they can bring home a cabernet to have with them.”

At present, Pennsylvania is the only state using such kiosk systems.

Their are many people who have been outraged by the kiosk, including the union that represents the state store employees. The Independent State Store Union spokesperson, Ed Cloonan, said, “Cigarettes are banned from being sold in vending machines in Pennsylvania supermarkets and yet Americans’ number one drug of choice will now be vended only in Pennsylvania by the PLCB.”

Cloonan has coined the wine kiosks ‘Rube Goldbery-like contraptions.’ In retaliation to the kiosks, The Independent State Store Union has filed suit in Commonwealth Court to stop the placement of wine vending machines in grocery stores. “Alcohol is not a Red Box DVD – it is the most abused drug in every town, city and state in the USA,” says David Wanamaker, Vice President of ISSU.

And it’s not just the Union that are unhappy.

At the blog The Wine Culture Project, the kiosk has been singled out as the ‘worst wine idea of the year.’ Writer John Kafarski laments what it will do to the wine buying experience, turning the product into ‘nothing more than soda in a vending machine.’ Shoppers will be unable to look at a bottle, hold it in their hands and read the labels before committing to the purchase.

One person had a major issue with the breathalyser function, not only that you are putting your mouth up close to something that other people are also breathing into, and it’s not being cleaned between uses, but the fact that there is need for this function for the kiosk to work within regulations in the first place.

“I think that it is incredibly restrictive,” said Neal Ward, sommelier at The English Grill in Louisville, Ky, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant with a wine cellar that is considered to be one of the best in the Midwest. “You have to prove that you are not drinking in order to buy a bottle of wine? Come on, that smacks of Big Brother. I don’t see where forcing a person to take a breathalyser test serves any purpose other than to frustrate the consumer.”

According to the PLC press release, the breathalyser is set to the state’s zero tolerance level of .02 blood alcohol – so in other words, if a shopper has had a beer with dinner, he would be unable to complete the purchase.

Transition Optical kiosk system

A global lens manufacturer is piloting 10 educational interactive kiosks at partner retail locations to educate eye wear shoppers about its adaptive lenses and illustrate how photochromic technology works.

The Transitions Optical interactive kiosk offers more than 100 lens options and believes consumer education is a key aspect to advancing its product portfolio and partner sales efforts.

The free-standing touch screen kiosk uses 72 UV-LED light bulbs to simulate outdoor UV rays to demonstrate how fast a transition lens responds when exposed to daylight.

A kiosk user simply places a demonstration card under the bulbs and within 12 seconds can see the lens react.

“The kiosk helps consumers actually ’see’ the transformation of the lenses turning a different colour right before their eyes,” said Sandy Berman, account executive of Frank Mayer & Associates, manufacturers of the kiosk.

The interactive kiosk works by demonstrating to consumers how transition lenses react to different simulated lighting situations.

“It is unique because it gives a convincing demonstration and backs up the demonstration with actual facts and benefits of the product,” Berman said.

The kiosk aims to educate shoppers and provide a self assessment aspect so consumers can determine which lens fits their lifestyle as well as providing in-store information about the products on sale.

The retailer and manufacturers main goal is to drive sales of eye wear featuring the Transition lens technology.

Renee Himel, retail marketing specialists at Transitions Optical, said, “The biggest challenge was balancing consumer, partner and our own needs and wanting to deliver an educational and engaging interactive experience. The key for us was to include our retail partners early on as they provided input that drove the content use and footprint of the units.”

Another unique aspect in deploying self service technology in the optical field is understanding the relationship consumers have eye care professionals, Himel explained.

“Consumers expect to have a conversation with their eye care professional and we took that insight into consideration

Viewing the lenses

 when developing our kiosk,” she said. “We made sure that the eye care professional could use the kiosk as an education and sales aid and walk their patients through the lens buying experience.”

These types of interactive kiosk systems have proven to be a huge success over recent years, particularly within consumer related industries where the customer requires a product or service and the kiosk becomes an accessible tool for their needs and requirements.

Not only do kiosks work for the retailer, they can also have a massive impact on the way a company is run. A similar project to the Transition Optical kiosk is the installation of touch screen equipment across UK Specsavers stores by Protouch.

The high street superbrand came to Protouch to find a solution to making their services more efficient and Protouch had the solution they were looking for – Geode 12.1″ touch screen monitors.

Around 3,000 were installed across 700 of Specsaver’s stores, on sales counters and within their in-store laboratories for order processing.

As a result customer service became more efficinet and staff had much less paperwork to fill out on a daily basis.

The touch screen technology provided an essential role optimising sales and services in this major retail environment, and since its success Specsaver has come to Protouch ever since for all its touch screen monitors.

Recently an additional 2,000+ Protouch Aspect 15″ LCD touch screen monitors were put straight into the eye-test rooms throughout all its branches.

Having been to the Grand Designs Expo this year and having browsed the High Street I have been considering the demand for touch screens and the advancing and changing requirements for this type of technology within our homes.

There is a bubbling market for home automation systems and as touch screens solutions offer both functionality and aesthetically pleasing design they could be an ideal fit within this industry. 

The integration of touch screen hardware into our homes would be relatively simple with a demand for touch screens to fit at key convenient ‘stations’ within the home, such as, by the front door, next to the bed, within reach of the sofa.  Size and design of the units would most likely be influenced by the location and the functions they provide.  At the ‘touch’ of a button we could have systems in place that allow us to turn on/off  lighting, control heating and water, activate music, or pre-set ‘moods’ for rooms from any point within our homes.  For example: a hallway may lend itself to a simple touch screen unit used as a central ‘hub’ with general running of household controls, such as security and lights. Whereas a lounge may support the use of a more complex all-in-one touch PC offering entertainment value and allowing users to access the Internet, watch films, set-up music (sound and visuals) all in one.

I foresee touch screen based home automation systems revolutionizing our homes and leading us towards an easier and more indulgent lifestyle.  Home automation systems have the ability to be as complex or as simple in functionality as we demand; the level of software, size and design are all open to individual taste and needs as with most modern day technology.  What’s more, the touch screen concept not only presents beneficial solutions for everyday living, but it also offers solutions that could greatly enhance the lifestyles of the disabled, handy-capped and elderly people with regards to greater independence and freedom within their own homes.  

As touch screens allow for both multifunction and customisation each unit can be adjusted according to the individual taking their physical disabilities such as arthritis, mobility, eye sight, etc, in to account. As a result one unit could operate several household items and also adjust font sizes, key sizes and sound levels according to the individual’s needs.

Obviously, cost is a consideration. However, touch screen systems are now appearing on the domestic market and are far more accessible to the general population at affordable prices. So, what else is holding us back? Fear of the unknown and lack of understanding are certainly playing a part, but as the general public continues to embrace the technology the potential for touch screens in the home is huge and could lead to a dramatic change in how we are able to run and live in our lives.

The latest high-tech gadget, the iPad, is putting consumers into the ever-changing position of  ‘buy or don’t buy.’ Is it worth to pay the extortionate prices for the latest gadget on the market?

While consumers sit and wonder how to spend their cash, developers of the self service industry are finding ways to integrate the iPad into their systems to keep up-to-date with the advanced technology, and whether the move to do it will actually be worth it.

The Apple iPad launched in April 2010 sent the tech insiders, gadget lovers and hungry media into a spin. Coined as the crossover of all technologies the iPad acts as a laptop, mobile device, television, radio and iPod.

And while the iPad is still young and its full implications are still being defined, the self service industry are investigating ways to incorporate it into their products and services.

“There is a lot of hype about the iPad, but very few people have actually touched one,” said Brian Ardinger, CMO for software developer Nanonation. “There are a lot of things that aren’t known about how it will work in the long term.”

However these thoughts haven’t crossed the mind of some technology driven customers who wanted the iPad before it had even been made.

“As soon as it was announced, our phones were ringing with clients wanting to apply it,” said Ardinger.

In April 14-15th Nanonation unveiled a suite of iPad applications at KioskCom in Las Vegas. The apps were designed to leverage the iPad’s perceived strengths for both customer – and employee – facing applications.

This could feature a variety of programmes including employee-carried iPads with readily available customer service information, or iPad-based employee training materials that can easily be updated and deployed during the workday.

The iPad’s 9.7 inch (diagonal) screen,  touchscreen interface, ability to communicate via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connections, and its assisted GPS capabilities could make it very well-suited to applications requiring high mobility, frequent updates and an easy-to-use interface.

“We are looking at what engagement our clients are trying to create-that helps determine what platform is best suited to make that happen,” he said.

Ardinger said that the company’s experience developing applications for Apple’s iPhone helped smooth the transition into this new technology.

However, the iPad isn’t bringing smiles all round for everyone.

One of the biggest affects the Apple iPad could have is on the DVD kiosk rental world, with the introduction of the movies and television programmes installed onto the iPad.

Users will be able to install an application which allows them to watch movies and tv shows streamed to the mobile device instantly.

“The innovation and consumer appeal of the iPad make it a perfect device for instantly watching TV episodes and movies streamed from Netflix,” Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings said in a company press release.

This may see DVD -rental kiosks such as NCR’s Blockbuster Express industry giant redbox depend on the success of the iPad.

And the success of the iPad is set to grow as Apple projects sales of more than seven million units in 2010. as well as being seen as the highest competitor for the DVD rental market share.

With any new technology device comes questions, glitches and scares of new competitors etc. But it is still early days for the iPad and its tech savvy applications may not meet the eye of some consumers. However Apple have always produced high quality devices such as the iPod and iPhone which have been massive hits with consumers over the years, it will be hard not to see this work.

Kiosk manufacturers such as the DVD rental kiosk world may have a scare on their hands but with the iPad being a costly device it will be a long while before the whole world jumps on the bandwagon. So we can’t see the DVD kiosk world falling any time soon.

For information about kiosk solutions and how to integrate them into your business, visit Protouch today.

Every now and again we stumble across a kiosk system which we think deserves a bit of recognition; and we have found one today.

This super creative use of a kiosk system shows how versatile and wacky you sometimes need to be to make your interactive technology stand out.

Combining this augmented reality and digital signage opens the door to a wide range of creative opportunities. Whether you are a child or an adult, it would be pretty hard to drag yourself away from this kiosk.

Customers simply hold a Lego box upto the screen to see the pieces inside rendered as an interactive 3D image! How cool is that?

For this to happen a camera and display screen has been built into the interactive kiosk to allow  Lego packaging to reveal its contents fully assembled within live 3 animated scenes. This new age technology is an unforgettable experience for store visitors and acts as a powerful assisted selling tool that makes the image on the side of the box come to life.

It simply gets the customer excited about the product – that is composed of individual pieces – then giving him the ability to hold the potential purchase in his hands and examine it from every angle.

The kiosk can be found in LEGO stores around the world.

For more information about interactive kiosk systems and how they can work for you, visit Protouch today.

<<< Back to Part One

6. Misa Digital Guitar

This linux-based digital guitar proves once and for all that nerds can rock. The cool device can be connected to a MIDI controller – a keyboard, control unit, or PC for example – and assigned a wide range of different sounds and playback options. Want your guitar to sound like a grand piano? Plug the Misa Digital into a MIDI rig and select the best option for it – complete with distortion, reverb, and delay effects.

While we can’t quite visualize Iron Maiden rocking out on stage with Misas, we can see Daft Punk, Justice, or Deadmau5 picking these up on their next tour.

7. Microsoft Zune HD

While Apple’s seemingly endless line of  iPods may control the MP3 player market, Microsoft’s Zune has endured the competition and survived quite respectively. Given the device’s relatively limited research and development budget, lukewarm press reception, and limited fan base, the Zune HD has done surprisingly well on technology front.

Despite the device’s ‘HD’ name tag, the Zune is only capable of playing HD content when connected to a display or TV screen. The touchscreen interface and cool subscription options, however, make this a worthwhile competitor to the iPod.

8. Peter Green’s Custom Touch Mac Mini

When Peter Green first showed off his custom Mac Mini, nerds and Apple fans across the world salivated and asked when they could own one. Unfortunately, for those without electrical skills, the possibility of ever owning one of these slick devices seems relatively slim – Green doesn’t plan to produce them professional, and certainly isn’t interested in approaching Apple for support.

If you’re slightly let down by the iPad’s limited power, a custom touch device could be a worthwhile investment. Wading through technical documents, testing different pieces of kit, and suffering endless annoyances seem to be commonplace in the custom technology world, so we think this one is best left admired from afar.

9. Nikon Coolpix S60

When Nikon showcased their new Coolpix models – complete with an Ashton Kutcher marketing campaign – photography enthusiasts rolled their eyes and shrugged their shoulders. The Coolpix S60 doesn’t offer a particularly impressive level of photo quality, nor does it feature the sharpest, clearest lens in the business.

However, it does provide the best possible experience for party photographers and those in need of a casual camera. From the cool touchscreen interface to the useful redeye removal features, this piece of kit is more than just a piece of flashy technology – it’s a truly useful device.

10. Apple iPhone 3GS

“A widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and an internet communications device.” When Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, few could foresee the immense amount of change it would bring to the mobile phone world. Three years later and in its third revision, the iPhone 3GS remains one of the most popular mobile handsets on the market.

While this hot piece of technology remains sold out across the world, many of those looking to buy could be best off waiting for a couple of months. Apple plans to release the phone’s replacement – the iPhone 4 – at some point in 2010, making this revolutionary piece of tech slightly less desirable.

A decade ago, touch screens were a cool addition to sci-fi films and a dream for geeks across the world. Who could have imagined that just seven years later – with the release of the iPhone in 2007 – they’d become a commonplace feature in just about every piece of technology released since?

From touchscreen kiosks to touch-driven mobile phones, we’ve scanned the entire commercial world for the most desirable, interesting, and pure cool touchscreen accessories on the market. If you’re after a slick new car, a cool new mobile phone, or an interesting new gaming device, read on and choose from our ten coolest touchscreen gadgets.

1. Apple iPad

Apple’s iPad is the ultra-popular touchscreen device of the moment – a content reader, web browsing tool, and portable computer all at once. Designed to offer an alternative for netbook and laptop users, the remarkable tool has truly taken off, selling out its entire shipment in less than a week’s worth of pre-orders.

Despite early criticism from the technology press, the iPad appears to be sticking. From 90-year-old grandmothers to young children, the device’s demographic is much wider than that of traditional PCs, making this flashy piece of technology a must-have for people all around the world.

2. Nintendo DSi

When released in 2004, the DS quickly became Nintendo’s hottest gaming console. The ultra-portable touchscreen device drew praise from the hardcore gaming press and the casual gaming crowd, giving it lasting appeal that its competitors just couldn’t match. With over 125 million units shipped, is appears Nintendo have conquered touchscreen gaming – blocking out competitors and inspiring their users at the same time.

The DSi – and DSi XL, a larger version of the device – are the latest on offer from Nintendo. Both include a range of features aiming to increase their appeal, including a high resolution camera, web browser, and remote chat interface.

3. Sony Dash

The Sony Dash may not be an iPad-killer, but it is a very cool device on its own. Designed to offer touchscreen technology around the house, the Dash requires a wall socket to function and a relatively static location in order to perform best. Perfect for the kitchen counter, coffee table, or bedside desk, Dash users can quickly configure home video, movie rentals, or web browsing using the device’s touchscreen interface.

4. The Tesla Model S Dashboard

It’s difficult to top American carmaker Tesla when it comes to innovation. The well-known Silicon Valley company has designed and built the world’s first electric sports car – the Tesla Roadster – and more recently the Model S sedan. Designed as a piece of technology first and a luxury sedan second, the car boasts a range of impressive features.

At the center of the Model S’s dashboard is its full-featured touchscreen options menu. Designed to simplify operation of the radio, vehicle controls, and heating options, the screen can adapt to different input menus or display modes with a quick press of the driver’s fingers.

5. Attigo TT Touchscreen Turntables

Who said turntables were strictly analog? Dundee University graduate designed the Attigo TT – a full-featured touchscreen turntable system – as a final year project for his product design degree. The device attracted attention in the DJ world, and eventually moved into limited production for a small number of very lucky DJs.

Users can mix music by scratching simulated records, by manipulating sound waves, or by creating preset buttons on the device’s adaptable displays. While the Attigo TT currently operates alongside a standard mixer, it seems inevitable that DJ technology will turn entirely touch-based – competitors appear to be working on multi-channel touchscreen mixers and control units at the moment.

Head to Part Two >>>

Excuse us for name-dropping but it’s always nice to get a bit of national TV exposure, and it doesn’t come much better than a slot on BBC’s Working Lunch! 

The popular business, consumer and personal finance show that airs every lunchtime decided to feature our very own kiosks, focussing on how they are being used to help people get online. There are currently40 kiosks in Lisburn, N.Ireland, in public places such as colleges and supermarkets with plans to roll-out another 100 kiosks.