0
We think that self service kiosks are great and can really boost sales in your business. On this blog we find new and exciting ways of telling you about the kiosk world, including success stories, top tips, and general kiosk news so you are clued up and know what it is all about.
As much as we could rave about kiosks all day, we think that you should take the opinion of some other people on the World Wide Web who agree that kiosks are the bees knees too!
We found a fabulous article on Articlebase.com which was a complete list of the advantages of installing a kiosk into your business.
He talks about;
- Round the clock sales and 24-hour service.
- Encourages people to use self service if it is readily available so they have control of their day.
- Allows easy maintentance.
- Limits functionalities, enhances focus.
- Increases market reach.
- Reduces work load.
- Advertises.
And each of his points make perfect sense. Have a look at the article here and see what you think.
Now we are very encouraging and supportive of self service kiosks and how much money they can save your business during the current economic climate, but we understand that many companies are apprehensive to invest in modern technology as they know very little about it.
We recommend that you contact a trust worthy and reliable self service kiosk company who can give you practical advice and support when it comes to self service kiosks.
Protouch is a leading distributor and manufacturer of touchscreen equipment in Europe and takes on a lot of clients to help them increase sales and improve service.
For more information about their products and services visit www.protouch.co.uk today.
Business travel has changed dramatically over the past ten years. New and innovative ways are now being used to maintain brand loyalty as well as streamlining company policy and practice into a competitive global market across all industry sectors.
Airports, hotels, supermarkets etc have all changed the way they conduct business by integrating new forms of self service systems to enhance customer experience.
Self service technology has become the forefront of most business practice. Today, travellers can manage their own check-in, travel insurance, car rental hire, train tickets and hotel reservations by simply using a self service kiosk or web or mobile applications.
As time has gone on, these systems have become more advanced in their services offering more customised applications to suit all customers needs and requirements. From adding additional features and products to the hotel bedroom, to dietary requirements on an aeroplane, travellers can access a whole world of information and bypass the long queues.
While many self service kiosks have the credibility to enhance travellers experiences and trip, there are still many restrictions which limit people’s usage of the innovative systems such as people with a visual or mobile impairment, due to the surface being touch screen.
The self service industry are consistently trying to eliminate this problems so that kiosks are accessible to all members of the public.
Once these barriers have been formally removed, touchscreen manufacturers can:
- Continuously improve traveller experience and differentiate themselves.
- Build brand loyalty in an increasingly competitive global market.
And some businesses are taking that next step with innovative technology, providing new solutions for people with disabilities. In an earlier post we wrote about innovative kiosks, we looked at self service kiosks that had been installed around the world to accommodate for the visually impaired. We found that in New York state, talking travel kiosks had been installed to help the visually impaired find useful information about what to do, where to go, transport and travel information etc. The full article can be found here.
For more information about self service kiosks and how they can help improve your business visit Europe’s number one leading distributor and manufacturer of touchscreen equipment, Protouch.
Earlier this year Cadbury’s Cream Egg launched a fantastic campaign using touchscreen technology to entertain people waiting at the bus stop.
Launched across a number of bus shelters in the UK the touchscreens featured interactive games based on a fairground stall, where players can bash Cadbury’s Cream Eggs.
Travellers waiting at the bus stop can play the game by bashing as many digital falling eggs as possible in 20 seconds, in order to release their goo.
The new interactive advertisement were placed across cities such as Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Sheffield and York.
Interactive technology has become so integral to our lives we often wonder what we did without it before.
With mobile phones, self service checkouts and laptops at the forefront of our daily lives we can begin to see how the rest of our future will pan out.
Well think about the new changes technology has made for visually impaired people, and how interactive technology has changed the way they live and work on a daily basis.
With the help of interactive systems such as touch screen kiosks out and about the town, visually impaired people are able to access a wide range of activities and events with the help of technology.
The launch of this kiosks began in New York City’s Penn Station in July 1999 when the city launched the first permanent way-finding kiosk for Visually Impaired People.
This talking self service kiosk was funded by Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and is situated within the LIRR terminal on the lower level floor.
The Talking Kiosk runs on an internal computer and combines a tactile/talking map with a standard telephone style keypad.
Travellers use one or both to access the cleverly crafted way-finding information service to enhance their freedom and independence in this complicated public space.
Information from the kiosk is delivered simultaneously in clear, human speech and high contrast large print video display.
To ensure that Visually Impaired people know the exact location of the kiosk, a bird song can be heard from 150 feet away even during peak traffic hours.
The user then follows this song and once within 10 feet of the self service kiosk, the voice of the kiosk greets them and invites them to use the system.
At 2 feet the kiosk’s voice welcomes him and begins his session by letting him know what is in front of him, and exactly how to use it. If a user is already familiar with the system, the individual can hit the star key on the keypad and be immediately diverted to the kiosk’s main menu.
Transit users without visual impairments are also able to utilise the Talking Kiosk. Many find it is clear, friendly and easy to use.
Talking Kiosk at Whitehall Ferry Terminal NYC
Another kiosk for the visually impaired sits also within NYC in the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan in 2008.
The Talking Kiosk is from the same family as the kiosk in Penn Station and Karen Gourgey, head of Baruch’s Computer Centre for Visually Impaired People, was at the centre of its development.
Gourney describes the Talking Kiosks as, “basically a talking tactile map with some buttons that give the user access to various menus that allow him or her to glean particular types of information.
“The user explores the map with his hands and when he presses a particular point, the system speaks and announces what has been touched. Information is also available in large print to accommodated people with low vision.
The applications that the self service kiosk offers is beneficial to the visually impaired for many reasons. “It describes how to find various points within the facility where it is located, [...] it can point people to ticket counters restrooms, shops whatever the major amenities are withing any given facility,” says Gourgey.
According to Gourgey, the self service kiosk is great for visually impaired people to navigate space as the descriptions are clear and precise.
“[The descriptions] are crafted in such a way that they are easily understandable to the person who doesn’t necessarily use vision as the primary source of information when travelling.”
Gourgey further explained that it was, “originally conceived as a system to assist with way-finding in transit facilities. The original funding was in the form of a grant from Project ACTION, a federally-funded organisation with the mandate of working to improve access to public transit for individuals with disabilities.
The first kiosk launched at Penn Station was assessed by a group of individual uses who arrived at the terminal and used it to find particular destinations. “Their success at finding these were recorded, as well as the time they spent using the kiosk and their self reports of their experiences.
“Suggestions were incorporated into later version, but to a person, they expressed the hope that such kiosks would soon make their appearance in other large service facilities whether for transit, shopping or other needs.”
A driver-less taxi has been developed which could make traffic jams, petrol fumes and crowded buses a thing of the past.
The futuristic taxi has no driver so no unwanted chatter to accompany you on your journey, just a button in the wall which you press to start the taxi to take you to your final destination.
The four-seated cab was introduced at the Science Museum in London yesterday and will be used next year to take people from car parks to Terminal 5.
Professor Martin Lowson, the man behind the electronic pod, said, “They could have the same effect on transport this century as the rocket had on the 19th.”
Lowson, who has a background in rocket science, added, “We believe that our PRT system can transform cities in the 21st century to provide the optimum form of environmentally friendly urban transport, relieving congestion and reducing emissions.”
Battery powered, the bubble-shaped taxis transport passengers from A to B once they have inputted their information and destination on the touch screen.
The taxi can reach speeds of up to 25mph and would travel along their own narrow road system.
Once the destination has been submitted on the touchscreen a message is sent to the vehicle which then follows an electric pathway.
Throughout the journey passengers can press a button to speak to the controller if necessary.
For more information about touchscreen systems and how you can implement them into your business visit Protouch today.
As we begin to embrace the digital age and and witness new forms of technology enter our world, we have seen some weird and wonderful things happening to hi-tech gadgets.
So many technology companies are reeling out new and innovative products to stand out from the crowd and eventually become a major player on the commercial market.
Well we have found some high-tech gadgets from around the world which stand out from the crowd.
Pyramid Touch Screen
The Trigon Pyramid Touchscreen was first introduced at the CREATEC Japanese Conference and proved a massive hit with technology geeks and visitors alike.
The touchscreen kiosk system is a new and innovative way of interacting with consumers and according to the manufacturer, very little computer processing power is needed to facilitate the panel’s operation.
The technology was on display as an example for computer corporations interested in moving beyond the basic traditional model of touchscreens, ATMs and various game centres.
Video Surface Technology
Software giant, Microsoft built this innovative touchscreen computer-a coffee table that will change the world. Microsoft believe that touchscreens are the way forward for interaction within the consumer world. Titled Microsoft Surface, the new multi touchscreen system could be the new way forward for the consumer market, acting as a menu board, information point, ordering desk, photo up-loader etc.
Microsoft Sphere
The Microsoft Sphere is a fantastic new touchscreen design that people can touch with multiple fingers and hands to manipulate photos, play games, spin a virtual globe or watch 360 degrees videos.
The Sphere is known as the cousin of the Microsoft Surface (shown above) and is already being used in retail and hospitality industries.
Microsoft believes that as we move forward, more surfaces will become touchscreen efficient and used as computers across all industry sectors.
For more information about touchscreen systems and how they can benefit your business visit Protouch today.
To kick start Monday morning with a bit of life we have found the top outdoor self service kiosks from around the globe.
Singing in the rain
Umbrella Kiosk in Aberdeen, Scotland
This cool umbrella kiosk was first introduced in April 2006 along the city centre streets of Aberdeen, Scotland. They are used to provide visitors to the city with transport services and job vacancies as well as What’s On guides and Way-finder units to city landmarks.
Work through the window
Work through the window
This window touchscreen kiosk is used in high traffic locations to grab the attention of passers by and draw them in to learn more.
Users are able to use the touchscreen through the window 24 hours a day.
Outdoor Informative Kiosks
House Kiosk, Virginia State Park
In April 2006, 31 interactive touch screens were installed around Virginia State Park providing visitors with a wide range of information 24 hours a day, all year round.
Celsius Kiosk
This cool kiosk can stand a variety of environments making it the perfect all-rounder all-weather kiosk. It can withstand temperatures of 0F to 110F.
Not the most attractive kiosk we have seen but definitely a clever one.
For more information about touchscreen kiosks and how self service kiosks can help your business visit Protouchtoday. Protouch are Europe’s Number One leading distributor and manufacturer of touch screenequipment and have helped a wide range of businesses improve their sales such as SpecSavers, Kiddicare and Sports World.
Self service hotels maybe coming to a town near you as independent boutiques and major chains embrace the new scheme.
The scenario goes a bit like this:
Upon arrival you go directly to your allocated room and punch in a code at the door to let yourself in.
At happy hour you can pour yourself a glass of wine from bottles laid out in the common area.
Taking a trip or a day out? You can find all information about attractions by using the self service kiosks.
“The whole theme is low-maintenance guests who don’t like to have staff in their face when they are coming and going,” said Michael Farrar, assistant manager of the Inn at St.Botolph in Boston.
“The inn offers an ‘abbreviated services model’ that includes online booking, virtual check-in, keyless entry and elective housekeeping. We will let you be.”
The self service hotel aims to target business and budget travellers. The new system gives independent-minded travellers autonomy and allows the hotel to run with minimal staff, resulting in lower expenditure and in theory, lower rates for guests.
“Hotels are the last holdout in the travel industry when it comes to do-it-yourself,” hotel consultant and author Daniel Edward Craig said in an e-mail.
“Like the airline industry, which responded to demands for low fares from travellers by cutting services to reduce costs, the hotel industry is following suit by automating certain services.
“As long as travellers continue to demand low rates and greater efficiency, this segment will continue to grow.
And it is not just budget hotels that are embracing this trend.
A sleek boutique hotel in the heart of Austin’s trendy SoCo district was one of the first to incorporate what it calls “invisible service” model.
The Kimber Modern, which opened late 2008, has keyless entry to the bedrooms, self service breakfast and a happy hour to amenities such as umbrellas, extra pillows, razors and toothpaste in every room.
The hotel aims to attract the independent urban traveller with its self service approach and rates which start at $225.
“The concept is all about providing every need for our guests so they don’t need us,” said Cavendish, adding that staff is available either on-site or by phone around the clock should a guest encounter a problem.
“We are not trying to be an Omni or a Four Seasons where there’s all the services you could ever need with people there to give them to you. Our goal is to have everything our guests need so they can make themselves at home.”
Major hotel chains are also adopting the self service mentality, like Hyatt and Starwood Hotels.
Over 100 Hyatt Place hotels nationwide allow guests to check in using self service kiosks (they may also check in at a reception desk) and order room service through a cashless touch screen menu.
Starwood Aloft opened in June 2008 and has about 30 locations. Guests swap room service for grab-and-go options and allow guests to check in via a self service kiosk.
“Guests like control,” said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of Starwood Speciality Select Brands. “It is really about giving the customer’s choice.”
Craig said that the main aim for hotels incorporating a self service system should be to keep their quality of service constant.
“Regardless of the state of the economy, the hospitality business is all about providing travellers with comfort, value and convenience,” he said. “As long as do-it-yourself trends advance rather than reduce these objectives, they will grow in popularity.”
Touchscreen manufacturer Protouch will be exhibiting their touchscreen and kiosk systems at KioskCom Europe 2009.
Taking place at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London on September 31st and October 1st, attendees can expect to see a the very best kiosk, touchscreen and digital signage manufacturers showcase their collections across the two-day event.
The exhibition returns to London for the 4th extremely successful year and aims to introduce businesses from all industry sectors to the self service world, demonstrating innovation, education and the best self service companies the industry has to offer.
The two-day exhibition will see 85 exhibitors allow businesses the opportunity to touch and try working examples of the solutions they have offer. Guests will also receive free tailored advice for their company’s size and budget, have the chance to network with their peers as well as receiving a full briefing on the latest technology on offer.
The exhibiton is ideal for people who are in charge of improving customer service, people who ensure their company stays ahead of new technology or people who are key decision makers within a company.
People who work in retail, hospitality and catering, travel and tourism, transport, banking/financial services/insurance, leisure and attractions, Government and Local Authority, Logistics and Transport, Building/Real Estate/Facilities Management, photographic services or health care will gain a wide range of knowledge about self service systems and how they can work for their business.
Throughout the exhibition guests can expect to see, ATM’s, bespoke use kiosks, check in/check out kiosks, digital signage systems, information kiosks, photo kiosks, self service checkouts plus many more technology solutions to benefit their business.
Full details about the event, including details of each exhibitor, how to get to the event as well as self service industry news can be found at the KioskCom Europe website.
To attend the KioskCom 2009 Exhibition click here to register you and your company for FREE!
Protouch are a touchscreen manufacturer and distributor who supply touch screenkiosks, monitors & PCs, EPoS systems and large format digital signage across all industries.
They have already won two EPoS awards for their revolutionary in store kiosk solutions and do everything from in store payment, ordering, product look up, receipt / ticket printing, RFID, Bluetooth and more.
For more information about their products and services visit the Protouch website today.
Kiosks installed in shops, department stores, cinemas, train stations, supermarkets etc need to stand out. They need to say to the customer, ‘Look at me, I am here and I can make your day faster, quicker and more efficient.’
And the look at me is very important. Not only do they need to provide high quality service that is quick and easy to use, they need to initially attract the customers attention else there was really no point in buying one at all.
To help you along the way to choosing the right self service kiosk, we have found some cool kiosks with some fantastic interfaces that stand out to any customer or passer-by.
DVD Rental Kiosk
Large, bold and in your face
On the Protouch blog we have mentioned the Redbox kiosk a few times, but we think it is just so bold and convenient for consumers it deserves another mention.
The great thing about this kiosk is that it is large, has a lot of information and advertising around it and most importantly it is bright red, so you really cannot miss it at all.
The Redbox has seen DVD rentals in the US boom as people find the kiosk convenient, efficient and useful for all their needs and desires.
Another great feature to this kiosk is the DVD picture stand which lists all the top movies and latest releases that people can rent from the Redbox kiosk, keeping customers in the know throughout their interactivity with the kiosk.
Children's Learning Kiosk
Cool, creative and attractive to children
It is hard enough trying to get a child’s attention or to try and get them involved with something that involves learning, but this self service kiosk does the trick.
Not only is the design fun and creative and appealing to children, the touch screen systems allow children to engage with learning in a fun and modern way.
Children love interacting with computers and technology so these types of self service systems are perfect for what children need to help their education and communication with technology and other people.
These types of kiosks would be perfect at a nursery, creche, library, nursery or even a shopping store so parents can happily get on with their shopping and leave their child to play so they don’t get bored.
We love this kiosk and think it cute and cleverly designed to attract the attention of children wherever they maybe.
Choose your hairstyle with Find Your Colour Kiosk
Take them by surprise
This kiosk is fab as it completely takes the customer by surprise.
Placed right in the centre of the store next to the hair products (perfect positioning) customers will be intrigued to see what it is all about and will stop to try it out.
The kiosk allows customers to find the right hair colour to suit them which is perfect as many people struggle to find a colour they think will work for them when they fancy a change of style.
It may be small in size but the positioning of the kiosk is perfect as it instantly appeals to customers who have chosen to visit the isle for hair products, and it is situated in a prime location for customers to have a quick try while they shop.
Downtown Disney Kiosks
Give customers their privacy
One of the things we love about the Downtown Disney kiosk is the fact that if gives visitors to the park a little bit of privacy when choosing and purchasing their products.
The kiosks are positioned so that users are not able to see what the person next to them is doing allowing customers to shop or find information with comfort and ease.
People like their privacy and you should honour that to them by installing kiosk which offer this.
For more information about self service kiosks continue reading this blog for insightful information as well as quirky articles, videos and images about self service kiosks, or alternatively visit the Protouch website today.
Back to top