Pro-Touch

Month: January 2018

Keeping Kiosk Uptime At A Maximum

Posted on by Tom Pryor

It should be a priority to maximise the time your kiosk is up and running so that you’re utilising your investment in the machine. The first step is to organise that they be properly maintained because using a trained service technician to provide a physical fix to your kiosk during failure can be expensive and impractical, especially as it could be avoided by engaging simple preventative steps.

Organisational steps towards maximising uptime:

  • Invest in quality components that will reduce replacement costs long term
  • Specify who will be responsible for maintaining hardware and software – Someone to check the kiosk regularly to provide a weekly on-site preventative maintenance visit
  • Set up kiosks with alert messages when paper, ink or other consumables are low

Getting the fastest fix during kiosk downtime:

  • Agree action and response times with kiosk technicians for both remote and physical fixes
  • Try an initial troubleshoot to find the source of the problem or utilise the help desk numbers
  • Use a company who employ remote diagnostics (such as Protouch) to check your kiosk through the internet, to give the fastest scan and repair possible if troubleshooting is unsuccessful

What are the differences between Remote & Physical Fix?

Remote Fix
Remote fix allows for your kiosk issues to be resolved in real time, without the need for someone to be physically at the kiosk, by using remote management software. If the issue is software related the technician is able to log in, diagnose the fault.

Physical Fix
More serious problems with your kiosk may mean remote fixing is not suitable, and you may need a technician to come on site to find the route of the problem by examining the machine itself.

DDA Kiosks; Why it matters

Posted on by Tom Pryor

Technology has been developed to aid users in self-service, communication and to improve accessibility of modern facilities. Translation and language based kiosks have become hugely popular within many businesses to ensure the support of multilingual users, however now more than ever kiosks have become essential to give anyone, no matter their ability or disability, the support they need. Touch screen kiosks can be used to guide those who have visual, hearing, physical or reading disabilities; whether you deal mainly with the disabled, or you simply understand the importance of every customer receiving the experience they deserve.

Physically disabled
Most companies implement the usual accommodations for the physically impaired; such as disabled access, car parking spaces etc. However, according to the Office for Disability Issues, roughly a third of disabled people still experience difficulties in accessing commercial and leisure goods or public services even with these aids. This is due to the fact that enabling technological access is often ignored. Touch screen kiosks allow those with disabilities to access what they want, without the need for assistance. Easy wheelchair access can be provided with floor standing kiosks, and kiosks are set to the correct height according to the users needs. Overall, they present an opportunity for the physically disabled to be more independent in their use of the facilities provided.

Blind or visually impaired
The challenge with kiosks is in making them user friendly for blind or visually impaired users. The key is to achieve a balance which offers the same level of service for all, therefore complying with the Disability Discrimination Act, but which also appropriately supports users in whichever way is suitable. Kiosks are able to give a full service for the blind or visually impaired through larger monitors, bigger buttons, voice technologies, and braille options. These enhancements mean the touch screens kiosks are capable of providing complete access for the blind or visually impaired, without the need for human assistance.