Check out this new self-service vision test kiosk, focused on providing people with an insight into their eye health.

Not only can consumers get an accurate screening of their vision in about 3 minutes, but they also can learn about eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. And the doctor locator feature encourages consumers to schedule an appointment with an eye care professional to get a full eye health exam.

Oh – and it’s free to use!

For more self-service kiosk information, head to Protouch.co.uk.

There are more mobile phones than people, in the UK – and that’s a fact. The reason for this lies with people like myself, who upgrade and upgrade and upgrade and are just too plain lazy to do anything with their previous handsets (unless you have younger siblings who see hand-me-downs as Godsends).

My younger sister has now reached a point where she turns her nose up at my discarded Samsung Soul and so I’ve had to think of new ways to flog my old mobile and extract some cash in doing so.

And so it’s great to hear of self-service kiosks that take your old phone off your hands in return for money! A new eCycling Station has been devised that inspects your phone electronically, assigns it an on-the-spot secondary market value, and churns out gift vouchers or cash if the phone is still worth something. If it’s worthless, you can simply consign the device to the recycle bin to be refurbished or disposed of in an eco-friendly fashion.

The machines use a camera-based system to detect the condition of the phone, looking for signs of wear like cracked screens, missing keys, and scuff marks. The cameras then help to weigh-up a value for the phone.

Right now, the self-service kiosk only accepts phones but in future they will be able to accept and recognise other gadgets such as MP3 players, digital cameras, notebooks, printers, and storage devices.

Every local church around the globe want to reach out to people and watch their congregation grow.

To fulfill this dream many are starting to realise that people nowadays require more ways to connect with them. And the route of this growth stems from the integration of technology finding new and innovative ways to greet, inform, entertain, educate and grow the congregation whether new or old.

And digital kiosks have been sign posted as the way forward.

Kiosks are interactive systems available for public use and can be used in a wide range of different ways. Already, churches use kiosks for event registration, children’s check-in, e-giving and as digital information and direction stands, similar to those found in shopping stores.

With the technology being straight forward and running off dedicated hardware, churches do not have to worry about hiring a computer expert to run them. All the information, both to and from the kiosk is sent over a standard network allowing content changes to be made from virtually anywhere, through a password-protected Internet connection.

And the digital kiosks are so easy to use. People are able to interact with the information on the screen, print out name badges, tickets and event information without having to ask for help from staff or volunteers.

However, churches have found that having volunteers nearby is helpful for engaging in conversation once a person has finished using the digital kiosk.

And the kiosks can be outfitted with electronic card readers as an e-giving solution, or barcode readers for quick-scanning check-in or event registration.

One church took the world of kiosks a step further and installed giving kiosks in their lobby, which saw giving double. And every church that followed suit saw a large increase in donations, which many put down to the anonymity provided for people who feel uncomfortable making their donations public.

The bonus of this e-giving service is that it frees the time of staff members and volunteers to work on other jobs within the church.

Kiosks can come at different costs depending on the style, size and software you want, however the amount of facilities and services a kiosk can provide soon makes you realise that they eventually pay for themselves.

For more information about kiosk systems visit Protouch today.

The health care industry has come on leaps and bounds of the past few years with the implementation of kiosks and hi-tech systems to improve the efficiency and quality of service the health system provides.

Doctor’s surgeries have installed touch screen kiosks to reduce the waiting time at the reception desk so staff can concentrate on other tasks in and around the surgery.

And in Boston an electronic ‘doctor kiosk’ is under development at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to improve the way the health care system works in America.

The self service kiosk promises to increase efficiency both inside and outside the physician office setting by gathering basic information from patients, such as the patients medical history, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, and directing that information to a physician prior to an office visit. 

It will also be able to function as a virtual health concierge for managing chronic illness, prompting the patient to answer a series of important health questions such as ‘did you take your meds today.’

The whole process of investing money into health care technology is to increase the efficiency of the health care system and the patient health care process.

Many patients, however fret about the lack of doctor-patient time they will receive if a lot of their time in doctor’s surgeries and hospitals is spent in front of a screen.

One of the consistent problems with the continuity of care is the lack of resources and time that doctors spend with their patients after being diagnosed.

So although kiosks may ease the weight off staff when it comes to the mundane tasks of obtaining information and filing data, the care of patients should not be replaced by kiosk systems unless they receive offer better after care than what they have now.

Kiosks in the healthcare industry must make patients feel more connected to their health information-not less so. If patients feel that the increase of technology replaces their time with their GP rather than supplementing it, they will most likely reject it outright.

Yet these kiosks are designed to reduce the amount of paperwork a GP has to go through allowing them to be more efficient with their patient and spend more time talking than writing notes.

Nurses are there to assist the doctor and many often take up the mundane tasks the doctor does not have the time to fulfill.

However nurses are often overburdened with a whole host of work and their valuable skills are not used enough. They are trained in the medical profession and spend most of their time doing paperwork, which could be easily sorted with the help of a kiosk.

The kiosk can help collect patient data and allow the nurse to assist the doctor in anyway possible so the patient feels fully catered for and looked after while in their local surgery.

For a kiosk to work in the health care industry, it needs to do the job intended and try and not take over the initial job of doctors and nurses, and instead assist them in doing their job with ease and efficiency.

Visit any airport worldwide and you are guaranteed to find self service kiosks situated at entrance, front desk, car parks, terminals, food counters etc.

The deployment of kiosks in the airports has enabled people to have more control of their travelling to save time waiting in long queues to check-in.

Before the installation of the kiosks, the Government and airport staff were keen to ensure that the usage of kiosks would still ensure the safety of passengers and staff travelling around the world.

A lot of time and energy went into making sure that the kiosks were safe to use and equipped with hi-tech security when people were checking in.

And now the airports have gone kiosk mad. 

“You can do everything with ticketing kiosks, from upgrading your seat, changing your flight, checking your bags or adding an infant on your boarding record-all of which you may have done with an (airline) agent in the past,” said Tania Ladic, spokesman for NCR Corp, the manufacturer of ticketing kiosks for 21 airlines, including American United, Delta, Northwest and Continental.

And according to studies led by NCR checking in at the counter with a ticket agent takes an average of four-six minutes for domestic and international flights, respectively and less than one minute for both when using a kiosk.

“The advantage for passengers is the speed at which you can check in, whether from home or at the airport,” Ladic said.

“The airlines are looking for hassle-free experience for customers. The kiosk automates the check-in process and makes it a faster experience because the customer clicks in what they want. The kiosk doesn’t forget to ask you if you want to upgrade your seat.”

And the more they continue to grow, the more companies jump on the bandwagon offering efficient services to travellers.

Rental cars, accommodation booking and insurance companies are implementing kiosks into airports so travellers have a wide range of services at their beck and call.

Many people have worried about the implementation of kiosks and how they will affect people’s jobs now they are no longer required. However Ladic sees this differently and instead a new way of staff adapting to a change in lifestyle.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean fewer agents,” Ladic said. “Agents are assigned to watch the kiosks and provide assistance when needed.”

Lisa Montoya, American Airlines customer service agent at Tulsa International, said that the younger generation are able to use the kiosks with ease as they are so computer savvy.

“About 75 per cent of people require assistance,” Montoya said.

“If you print your boarding pass from home, scan the bar code (at the airport) recapture your itinerary and pay by credit card you are in and out within 15 seconds.”

For more information about how a kiosk solution can improve the efficiency of your business visit Protouch, the leading distributor and manufacturer of touch screen equipment in Europe.

Cineworld touch screen by Protouch

FILM producers spend millions each year to draw audiences to their movies. And ADVERTISERS take advantage of the pre-cinema screening of ads and promos to promote their products. But now advertisers are moving their commercials to the entrances of cinemas as well, introducing kiosks and advertising boards to appeal to customer’s cinema experience.

Over the past two years, cinemas have been installing touch screen kiosks so cinema-goers can book and buy their tickets with ease and efficiency without having to wait in the queue.

However, kiosks are not just about ticket collection anymore. Cinema-goers want a more enhanced and rewarding experience when they visit the cinema and kiosk systems are the new and exciting way to do this.

Cineword, the UK’s second largest multiplex cinema chain, rolled out Protouch’s Xen X5 and Xen X4 kiosks into a number of its UK cinemas. The kiosk systems were installed to allow users to pick up tickets as well as support Cineworld’s Unlimited Film programme.

Cineworld plan to install the X5 kiosk into all of its cinemas selling the Unlimited programme. John Anderson Cineworld’s Marketing Co-ordinator said, “The Unlimited programme is a large and important part of our business and distinguishes us from every other cinema company in the UK and Protouch’s X5 kiosk is helping us to advance this programme.”

And the latest new promo is telecommuncations firm Sprint, is sponsoring the new marketing effort of placing 500 self service kiosks in movie theatres so that customers can scan in a code from their phones and get coupons for snacks.

The coupons will vary in discount and price with some allowing a free upgrade to a bigger popcorn or large drink.

Companies have been expanding their products and services into cinema advertising, as they noticed that cinemas are a good place to reach audiences that don’t have too many distractions.

“People with high mobile phone usage do tend to go to the cinema more than people with lower mobile phone usage,” he said. “Years back, when cinema advertising was just launching, people were a little skeptical on how it would be received.

“It has only been around for a relatively short amount of time, but all the research that came back said, despite initial skepticism, people feel that the advertisements are not intruding-in fact, many ways are complementing-the overall event.”

The coupons being introduced via the self service kiosks will definitely encourage more people to visit the cinema and make use of the deals on offer.

“The first was a reward for their own customers, building that loyalty, and the other was the envy factor,” said Christine Martino, national account director for Screen Vision who suggested the idea to Sprint.

The kiosk works by instructing Sprint customers to text a certain world (like Sprint) to a certain phone number. The cinema-goer then receives a text message that includes a string of letters and numbers. The kiosk features a computer screen next to the scanning device, and people hold up their cellphones, scan that code and can browse through a few offers on the screen.

The customer then selects their chosen offer, to which a receipt will be printed that people can take to the concession stand for a free upgrade, such as a larger drink.

Margaret Clerkin, the head of the invention group at Mindshare, Sprint’s media agency and a unit of WPP, said that offering something to Sprint customers was a necessary element. “There is entertainment value provided by cinema advertising, but there is also an exchange of value-can you enhance their experience?” she said.

In time, ScreenVision would like to see other companies like Burger King offer discounts on a post-show hamburger for instance.

“It is a direct reward for the consumer,” said Andrew L.Blacker, senior vice president for marketing at ScreenVision.

Implementing a self service kiosk into your company can really increase the amount of sales that come into your business…if installed and designed properly.

The whole objective of a self service kiosk system is to free up the time of an employee to interact and liaise with customers as well as general management of your store, so any transactions can be made via the kiosk.

Chris Gilder, CEO of Meridan Kiosks, said, “It is foolish to have a salesperson waste time accepting a payment when they could be working on landing new customers.

“A kiosk is a great way to free up that employee to sell more while giving customers a much better experience of not waiting in line.”

Airport self service kiosk are a prime example of an outstanding system which has changed the way consumers travel. Gilder said it took a concerted effort by the airlines to get people to use the kiosks, but now people seek out the kiosks because they know it means a shorter wait.

The best way to start a kiosk design is to plan it as simple as possible with the end user constantly in mind. However, it still needs to be as reliable as possible in order for it to work.

“There are way too many kiosks out there with blank screens,” Gilder said. “Most of the time it’s the result of poor hardware choices. These things are designed to run 24/7.”

Not only is the hardware very important, the software is just as essential to get it right and working for each individual user. The software needs to meet the needs and requirements of each individual customer and allow them to fulfill their order or transaction so that they go away feeling happy.

And it really isn’t just the hardware and software either, the location of the kiosk as well as its shape and style will play a massive impact as your customer needs to see it to use it.

Think about:

• UL (Underwrites Laboratories) –  This is so that the kiosk meets all the health, safety and fire requirements.
• Ventilation – Proper ventilation will ensure that if the fans fail a back up system is in place so the kiosk doesn’t overheat.
• Accessibility – So that you customers and staff can easily access the machine on a daily basis.
• Environment – Will it be in dusty environment so you need fan filters, or outside so it needs climate control. Make sure you are clued up on these requirements.
• Special Considerations – If it is a medical kiosk you need to may consider a privacy screen so people can’t look over at what the user is doing.

For more information about self service kiosks and how it can improve and benefit your business visit our website today on www.protouch.co.uk

Shoppers are embracing the world of self service kiosks. Many have incorporated the clever systems into their every day lives to make things faster, easier and suited to their needs and requirements.

In recent news, DallasNews.com interviewed several shoppers asking them about their usage of self service kiosks.

One man, Bryon Wiebold, said, “Anything I can automate, I do for the sake of time. It is not that I want people totally eliminated, but I appreciate the option if I am in a hurry or in a bad mood.”

And DIY services are continuing to edge into our every day life, via kiosks, smart-phone applications and the Internet. Already people are doing most of their shopping online or visiting their local supermarket for a sandwich using the touch screen checkouts to process their purchase.

Many hospitals and doctors surgeries have implemented touch screen kiosks to reduce the waiting time for patients when checking in for their appointment.

And taking it that one step further some customers even have machines that give vision exams and scan feet to produce customer insoles.

And the proof is really in the pudding. Kiosk transactions are expected to surpass $775 billions this year, up from $607 billion in 2008. These figures releases by IHL Group, who track the self service industry believe the total could hit $1.6 trillion by 2013.

And businesses are cottoning on to how big this industry is and how it can potential affect sales in their company. The movie rental business are currently in a DVD rental war with Redbox taking the firing line against Blockbuster taking 30 per cent of the US market to continue through to 2010. Blockbuster, on the other hand, are closing 960 of its unprofibable stores and installing 10,000 kiosks in their place.

The turning point for kiosks came in 2001 when Kroger and Home Depot installed self checkouts. Lee Holman, lead retail analyst for IHL Group, said, “After some hand-holding, consumers have embraced it. Now their’s a perception that ‘I can do this quicker.’”

According to an IHL survey, almost 90 per cent of consumers said they used self-checkout ‘even if they didn’t like it,’ Holman said.

And now they are situated across every retail part, supermarket store, airport, train station, in fact any busy place you can think of you will probably find a kiosk or touch screen system.

If you think that a kiosk is the way forward for your business and would like to actively speak to a company that purely deals with kiosks and touch screen systems, then contact Europe’s leading distributor and manufacturer Protouch today.

Many reports and documentaries state that our health system is not moving with the times.

The general public are continuously urging the Government to look into the health service and find where improvements can be made.

One very grey area, which is overlooked by many Government departments, is the use of technologies in coordination with patients’ medical records, and how it can further improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care.

And it’s not just patient medical records that new self service systems can help. If implemented into the health system correctly, health care providers can overcome longstanding hurdles to the successful exchange of health information and meet the challenges of an increasingly complex environment through self service kiosks.

One of the prime examples and problems that the health care industry faces when going digital is determining what to do with all the paper forms that contain vital patient information.

Patient check-in processes creates numerous forms for each patients, including consent and privacy documents which can easily be avoided if kiosks are implemented in their place.

Many medical companies have managed to deluge of paper by scanning or re-entering the data into the medical record, but this practice increases the potential for error and minimises the cost and efficiency that kiosks provide.

If patients are able to register though kiosks and online applications, health care providers are able to capture patient information electronically from the very beginning of an encounter.

This instantly eliminates the need for duplicate data entry and creates a seamless flow of patient information from check-in through treatment and beyond.

In the US alone, more than 200 health care organisations are using self service to eliminate paper forms. One health system estimates that it will save 30 million sheets of paper in 2009 alone though the deployment and use of self service systems and kiosks.

Making the patient registration process automatic can also have a significant impact on efficiency. Self service systems can facilitate the use and exchange of patient information and reduce wait times, which are shown to be 75 per cent shorter when self service technology is in use.

According to a recent survey conducted by Buzzback Research, patients are ready for the change to self service. 72 per cent of US consumers said they are more likely to select a health care provider that offers the ability to interact via online, mobile and kiosk self service channels.

Giving patients the ability to enter and verify their own health information electronically results in fewer errors, improved data quality and ultimately, better care. For example, reviewing and signing consent documents via a kiosk leads to a more comprehensive, consistent informed consent process that better educates patients about procedures and enhances overall safety.

And as the health care industry begins to embrace patients use of IT and self service systems, the more the benefits will start to show for both the health care industry and the patients.

Already, the growth of self service in other industries such as retail, banking and travel further reinforces the productivity and cost gains that self-service delivers and creates a model for how the technology can improve efficiency, lower costs and improve patient experience.

For more information about implementing a kiosk into your business, visit www.protouch.co.uk

We don’t know why this happens but people are naturally drawn to technology gadgets situated in non technology places.

From supermarket self service kiosks to ticket kiosks at the train station, consumers are intrigued as to what is on offer and what information they can find.

A kiosk which has caught the eye of many shoppers is the ‘Shop to Cook’ electronic recipe kiosk. Positioned between the produce and meat departments the kiosk stands out a treat and entices customers to have a sneak peak at what is going on.

Standing at 7ft tall and a couple of feet wide, the kiosk has a large touch screen with “Every Day With Rachael Ray” written across the top. The content for the kiosk is provided by the Reader’s Digest Association, a trusted source by shoppers and owners of the Rachael Ray magazine, as well as Taste of Home and Allrecipes.com.

The kiosks also sells integrated advertising on the kiosks for other companies to advertise their products. That way the kiosk is paying for itself through advertisements.

Another successful recipe kiosk for instore is the Shop to Cook kiosk implemented into hundreds of stores around the USA. Through research conducted by the kiosk manufacturers, they found that 62 per cent of people who used the kiosk for recipe ideas purchased the ingredients on the same day.

The deployment of these kiosks are a prime example of companies having to redefine themselves in order to correspond and adapt to people’s change in lifestyle and the current economical climate.

Electronic publishing is taking over old media traditions as Reader’s Digest filed for bankruptcy protection in August. June saw the publication announce plans to publish just 10 months of the year with its workers forced to take a week of unpaid holiday-those that were not made redundant that is.

Since this dramatic fall Reader’s Digest saw the need to innovate hence starting the Shop to Cook kiosk.

The kiosk offers an array of information for its users. From recipes for produce, meat, seafood, losing weight and a wide range of other categories, visitors simply find a recipe they like, print it off on thermopaper all complete in just a few seconds.

The point of this article is simple. Deploying a kiosk into your business can introduce new and exciting ways for customers to shop. The recipes on this kiosk are also available on the website so visitors can browse from home and then print the recipe in store instead of writing it all down at home.

The move into a kiosk mad world is a slow starter but gradually this is what our life will become. It needs the bigger companies to change their tradtional sales and advertisement mechanisms in order for smaller companies to follow suit.