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 Kioskmarketplace.com has published a white paper regarding self-service in health care.

Touch screen kiosks, monitors and PCs are used in many industries to better customer experience and improve business efficiency. But it seems that the healthcare industry will benefit 9.5% from self-service in the next five years according to the report.

10% of the survey respondents thought there would be an increase in the works which is a surge from 7% in the 2007 survey.

So, more and more health care organisations are seeking out touch screen technology to slash costs, especially because of current government financial cuts. Kiosks can save costs in the long-run by reducing staff numbers and give employees the chance to better their time doing more important tasks such as tending to patients rather than burdensome paperwork.

So what features are there of a kiosk in health care;

- Way finding

According to the report, 13% of American hospitals use a kiosk for way finding purposes.

- Patient Check-in

The check-in process is the most consuming time spent for patients. Time consumed on filling in forms and making appointments is longer than actual time spent seeing the doctor.

- Educate

Health information can be displayed to better patient’s knowledge.

- Visitor Check-in

As well as checking-in patients, kiosks can also check-in salespeople, vendors and business associates.

- Payment

The survey findings show that 4% of Americans use a kiosk to pay medical bills.

Just in one health care organisation in America, the Adventist Health Systems, 55,000 people are employed to operate 44 hospitals with 7,700 beds. Care is provided for four million patients each year and that is just in the US alone in one company; so imagine how helpful touch screens can be for health care across the world?

Benefits include;

- Reducing paper work and postage costs

- Improved labour costs as staff can see to more patients in a given time

- Increased return on investment

- Reduce waiting times for patients therefore bettering their experience

- Faster payments from patients because it is easier to pay as it is right there and available

- Provide access to more audiences as multiple languages can be displayed which is great for communities that have multiple ethnicities and backgrounds.

So reap the welfares too by deploying a touch screen kiosk in your local hospital and health care organisation with Protouch.

From Left: Hayley Meenan-Wilkin, Head of Web Operations, Tesco.com Centre: Mike Woods, Sales Director, Protouch Right: Darrel Boxall, Managing Director, XN Leisure

We have won the Retail Systems Award for the third consecutive year. 

We previously scooped awards in both 2008 and 2009 for best use of technology and EPoS innovation of the year, and this year we were awarded best use of technology in the hospitality and leisure sector.   

Tom Quarry, Managing Director of Protouch is delighted by the achievement. He said: “We are very proud to have won a kiosk technology award three years in a row. This is fantastic recognition of our capability across the self service industry”.   

We received the award in partnership with XN Leisure and Aberdeen Sports Village Leisure Centre for their ‘Virtual Receptionist’ kiosk solution during the awards ceremony held at Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane on 28 October 2010.   

“The award went to a project that is helping a company to control costs, increase profitability and efficiency while at the same time increasing the standard and quality of service,” announced the Retail Systems judges.   

The 2010 judging panel included: Luke Phillips, Head of Information Systems, Kurt Geiger; Sharon Peters, Programme Manager at Retail Systems, Marks & Spencer; Hayley Meenan-Wilkin, Head of Web Operations, Tesco.com; and Scott Thompson, Editor for Retail Systems.   

Now into its fifth year, the Awards look to recognise excellence and innovation in the field of information technology within the UK retail sector.   

The ‘Virtual Receptionist’ automated the whole booking, ticketing and payment process for Aberdeen Sports Village and is now used by 80 per cent of its members.   

It has leveraged Aberdeen Sports Village resources by turning receptionist staff into Customer Service Ambassadors and has greatly enhanced customer experience by increasing the speed of transactions and efficiency with which customers can now check in and make bookings.   

For more information on our touch screen kiosks, visit us today.

You may not know much about self service kiosks, but you probably use them more than you think.

From cash machines to Internet booths at airports we have all had a kiosk experience. and may have found they are move convenient and time efficient.

Many businessess have installed self srvice kiosk systems into their stores and offices, specifically customising them to suit the needs and requirements of their customers.

Using the right software and touch screen company for your business, you can find the best uses for a self service kiosk to suit your needs in whatever your industry you are in.

Self service kiosks are more than a computer in a box and can offer a wide range of services, such as an automated point of information to relieve the use of staff in-store, or a payment system to allow customers to take charge of their visit and purchases in store.

More importantly, kiosks are easy to use. Users simple use the touch screen to find information, services, or merchandise they are looking for.

Another bonus is that they work around the clock, so you don’t need staff on duty to fulfill simple tasks that a self service kiosk can fill.

Another great use of a self service kiosk is that information can easily be added, edited and deleted, as well as full maintenance and software upgrades were necessary.

We have compiled together a few examples of self service kiosks and their involvment within private and public sectors.

Cash Machines - Retailers can offer customers to get quick cash while they shop. Businesses can also put ATM’s into their offices, providing better convenience for their members of staff.

Digital Photos -

Installing a digital photo machine in your store allows customers to bring their memory cards and USB’s to your store and browse through the photographs they want to print at their leisure.

Directions - A perfect way to help customers know where to find certain departments or sections in your store is to install a self service kiosk with a layout of your store giving customers directions of where to go and how to get there.

Industrial Use - Factory or Warehouse workers can use extra durable kiosks in harsh environments to pull up planning, inventory information or get shipping data in real-time, cutting the amount of paper printed and generally lost in the workplace.

Advertising -

Self service kiosks can display a wide variety of interative advertising specific to your customers likes and interests. These types of self service kiosks are perfect for heavy footed traffic such as department stores or hotel receptions.

Security - Kiosks can also be used for video surveillance and high level methods to prove identity, such as fingerprint variation. These types of kiosks are ideal for airports and police stations.

WiFi Services - Charge your customers a small fee and allow them full access to the Internet so they can check their email. Hoteliers should use WiFI services in their main receptions and allow guests to access it for free, providing excellent customers service throughout.

Medical Facilities -

A great way for doctors or nurses to pull up data information of their patients or supply medical inventory. Doctors surgeries will benefit from using self service kiosks to check patients in.

Hospitality - Welcome your guests to a wide range of services and deals on offer currently in your store or hotel. Self service kiosks are great at trade shows to show what your company does and what services/products you have to offer.

Don’t waste a second longer in thinking about self service technology and its benefits to you. Visit www.protouch.co.uk for more information about their services and products.