Pro-Touch

Tag: Kiosks

Choosing The Right Hardware Components

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Selecting higher quality components will maximise the lifespan of your kiosk. The peripherals are imperative in considering the function and purpose of the application. They should work together in harmony and be chosen parallel to each other.

Deciding factors for selecting components

  • Speed
  • Efficiency
  • High quality
  • Low cost
  • Support
  • High volume
  • Easily replaceable
  • Reliability

Cost vs quality
When it comes to choosing the right components, quality should be at the forefront of any decisions. Paying the extra for quality can be the difference between an unsuccessful kiosk and one that provides a positive user experience.

Printer
The printer is a vital aspect of most kiosks, with an estimated 9 out of 10 utilising one. It is the component that should be thought about first. Whether printing receipts, tickets or coupons, the quality of the printer can determine the efficiency of the kiosk in action. The main aspects to consider are the size of the printer and its motor, the power supply and the function. For example, for receipts a thermal printer is best due to the speed, reliability and cost.


Card reader
Integrating a quality magnetic card reader are useful for a range of applications that require a payment transaction, for example, in ticketing kiosks.

Telephone handset
A built in telephone handset can maximise communication in locations such as receptions and healthcare environments. They can also be a useful component in providing an outlet for user support.

Other components to consider are:

  • Scanner
  • Keyboard
  • Chip and pin
  • Coin acceptor/ dispenser
  • Webcam
  • Microphone
  • Headphones
  • Proximity sensors
  • Wi-Fi

Selecting the right quality kiosk components could contribute to saving maintenance and repair costs in the future. Perfecting the peripherals is key to the overall success of your kiosk deployment.

Contact Protouch to discuss which hardware components would be right for your kiosk.

Venturing Outdoors With Self-Service Kiosks

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Outdoor kiosks are being used more and more in high traffic locations such as car parks for payment, tourist areas for way finding and transport stations for ticketing. They differ from the typical indoor kiosks as the display screen and material has to be suited for an outdoor public environment, and therefore must withstand all weather conditions.

Uses

  • Ticketing
  • Payment
  • Information
  • Wayfinding
  • Events

Outdoor applications can offer many benefits for both users and businesses, offering an alternative platform for an interactive touch screen in a public space.

Benefits

  • Convenience
  • Time saving
  • Self- guided
  • Ideal for high traffic public areas
  • Targeted information delivery
  • Increased revenue
  • Advertising

An outdoor kiosk must be designed to be industrial, sturdy and suited for harsh conditions. This means that all the peripherals involved should be individually tailored too. For example, wires and cables need to be in casing and keyboards are ideally made from a resistant material. An outdoor screen must be readable in sunlight

Considerations for deployment

  • Function
  • Location
  • Reliability
  • Vandalism
  • Temperature control
  • Weather
  • Sun light

The need to be robust does not counteract the need to be aesthetically pleasing. With all the right materials in place, an outdoor kiosk can still be attractive and visually inviting for users, with branding in place.

Example
Groupon have deployed 30 outdoor kiosks in tourist hot spots, to promote and sells their latest deals. The kiosks are being utilized to invite passers by to interact and purchase deals specifically targeted at tourists. With the Groupon branding and colour scheme, the industrial kiosk stands out in an outdoor environment.

Take a look at our latest Xen X4 outdoor kiosk fit for all outdoor purposes and weather conditions, with its robust steel body and anti-vandal high brightness screen.

Interactive Kiosks: The Key To Customer Loyalty

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Advances in technology has made customer loyalty more effective and appealing to consumers. As a result, customer loyalty has become a lot more competitive across the major retailers. Multi channel retailing strategies are more effective in enhancing customer satisfaction and gaining customer loyalty.

Customer engagement

According to the loyalty guide, 90% of consumers in the US are part of a retail loyalty scheme. Customer loyalty is something that gradually builds up with time, usually stemming from the initial relationship with a brand. It then grows from the consumer being offered a reward, which drives behaviour. Tools like self-service kiosks are used to create another platform to help drive customer loyalty.

Loyalty cards are one of the most profitable aspects for retailers. The majority of shoppers hold some kind of store card, which they present at the point of payment to collect or use points. Effective in its own right, points cards are given another dimension through the use of a kiosk. 

Key example

Boots stores invested in the Extra Offers Kiosk to build customer loyalty. With 15 million members signed up to the Advantage Card loyalty scheme, Boots also aims to gain a better understanding of its customers, by collecting data with the use of the kiosks. In store shoppers are able to use the touch screen kiosks to access extra exclusive offers and get the most out of their Advantage Cards. Whilst boosting customer loyalty, the kiosks also improve the customers’ in store experience.

Loyalty

One of the reasons customers reject becoming a part of a loyalty scheme is because they assume the signing up process will be timely and inconvenient. Kiosks are put in place to offer shoppers a point to sign up in-store with ease and speed, without use of staff assistance. They become a member with the promise they will benefit from it, be treated well and receive special offers before others.  As well as offering additional benefits, self-service kiosks also improve the overall in-store experience. Customers remain loyal and keep coming back if they have had a positive in-store experience and are satisfied with the level of customer service.

Take a look at Protouch’s Ikea case study, where we introduced our Xen X5 kiosks to recruit Ikea Family members. They have increased efficiency of signing up to the loyalty scheme and in turn, enhanced the in-store experience.

 

Examples Of Kiosks Utilised In Diverse Environments

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Touch screens are being utilised more and more in a wide variety of environments. Here are a few examples to show some the latest uses across different sectors.

Retail
Marks and Spencer has jumped on the ‘multi channel retailing’ bandwagon, by introducing multiple touch screens within its stores. Their main function is to provide customers with an outlet to order online, but in store. The screens acts as a virtual ‘stylist’ that allows users to combine clothing garments to create their own outfits, guided by catwalk videos and physical displays. With the applications in place, loyal customers have full access to the M&S range. The question is; how will these touch screens take off with Marks and Spencer’s older clientele?

Public
New York City has recently launched 250 multi-function public screens to replace pay phones. Subverting the concept of a phone booth, these live touch screens offer many advantages and services for the public. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the screens aim to improve communication in emergencies. The public can either dial an emergency number or receive safety instructions. They serve to display information, emergency alerts and local business deals. Implemented in high traffic locations, such as outside main subways, the screens also provide users, especially tourists, with useful way finding information. Eventually, the public interactive screens will be also be utilised as platforms for advertising.

Fast Food
In the US, Subway has implemented touch screen kiosks into their food ordering system. Positioned in the Drive Thru, customers are able to select their order and make a payment, which accelerates the overall process. With light sensors and a resilient touch screen, the system is designed for all weather conditions, time of day and anti-vandal. It can also move up and down to accommodate for different vehicles passing through the Drive Tru. The kiosks have been described as “faster, more accurate and more profitable”.

Museums
Museums have shifted from showing collections of objects, to creating interactive spaces in which audiences can engage. They are utilizing kiosks as information points and multi-touch screens to invite visitors to interact with the exhibition. For example, a recent exhibition space in Birmingham installed large multi-touch tables so visitors could interact and explore the Birmingham skyline. As another example, The British Museum uses touch screen kiosks to manage ticketing and control queues for the paid entry exhibitions. Touch screen technology is encouraging people of all ages to interact and learn within museum environments.

Take a look at Protouch's case studies to see how our kiosks have been implemented in a range of different domains.