Pro-Touch

Keeping Kiosk Uptime At A Maximum

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

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.

Main Kiosk Events of 2014

A new year brings new developments within the kiosk industry, and keeping up with them is imperative. What better way to be on top of things than to attend an event or trade show? Experiencing the latest technology first hand, interacting with software and people, means you gain further insight into the world of kiosks. Here we have listed a few of the major events of 2014.

Kiosk Europe Expo

The Kiosk Europe Expo 2014, running since 2007, takes place in The Station, Berlin, between the 21st and 22nd of May 2014. The show brings some of the largest suppliers in the kiosk world to its doors, as well as smaller kiosk providers. Run by the same people as Kiosk London Expo.

Kiosk London Expo

Taking place in The Barbican between the 15th-16th October 2014, Kiosk London Expo is the UK’s only conference and exhibition for the Self Service industry. In its fourth year, it has grown in popularity within the industry since its first event, and now is widely attended by some of the biggest UK providers. Co-located with Digital Signage London, it is a key event in the kiosk calendar. Visit the Kiosk London Expo website to learn more about the event. We’ll see you there!

Integrated Systems Europe

The Integrated Systems Europe 2014 event is set to be a success, with an estimation of over 45,000 attendees. It is now the best-attended AV show in the world, with over 900 exhibitors showcasing a variety of different sytems.

The Risks of Deploying a Tablet Kiosk

While familiarity and reliance on consumer devices grows, so does the desire for more digital touch points in the areas where people work, shop, travel and socialise. This current trend has lead to some business owners choosing tablets and iPads as retail self-serve solutions, over the more traditional stand alone kiosks. However, as they are now finding, consumer devices do not necessarily thrive in commercial environments and companies may be doing themselves a disservice by deploying them. When taken into the commercial domain consumer devices have several limitations which we must consider.

Usability

It is becoming increasingly transparent that tablet devices aren't designed to meet commercial needs and, quite simply, stand alone kiosks have the upper advantage. Consumers choose tablet devices because they are small, lightweight and easy to navigate. All favourable factors when you're using the tablet whilst lounging at home, or as a portable device to perform menial tasks such as checking emails. However, tablet devices designed for commercial environments limit consumers considerably; for the reason that tablet devices are too small. The units that we install are 19″, which is approximately 4 times the screen size of an iPad or tablet. This means that when the units are mounted on a counter at a 45 degree angle, the user can easily read the text whilst standing.

The size of tablets limits usability in a commercial environment, whereas with a stand alone kiosk the screen real estate allows for more content to be displayed and for easier navigation for the user. Unlike tablets, stand alone kiosks also cater for important peripherals required in commercial sectors such as retail scanners, payment modules and printers.

Durability

Tablets are intended for personal use so durability is limited to few people operating the device, intermittently. After extended periods of use tablets can overheat, become unresponsive and often shut down. For this reason tablet devices are not robust enough to withstand the demands of 24/7 operation in the public domain. Commercial devices are built to industrial grade with this very purpose in mind and so are much more durable; designed to cope with intense, all-day, every day use.

Depending on the requirements, and when executed correctly, tablet kiosks can prove to be useful tools for enhancing the consumers experience. However, whilst it is tempting to chase the latest trends and keep acquisition costs to a minimum it is important to choose the right solution for your business. As we are now finding, retailers looking to showcase their extended stock in intuitive, easy-to-use ways require a kiosk solution which is more robust and built for purpose.