Pro-Touch

Tag: Touch Screen

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. 

Touch Screen Monitors: A Boost Within Budget

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Despite interactive screens moving towards the ‘bigger the better’, touch screen monitors can offer businesses a boost within budget. They combine both an input and output device, eliminating the need for separate plug-ins, such as a mouse and keyboard.

Types of touch screens

  • Capacative – durable and resistant, commonly used for industrial/ outdoor applications
  • Resistive – the most versatile and accurate 
  • Infared – reacts with heat and light, slower to react 
  • Multi touch- highly durable, registers 3 or more touches at a time

Multi touch monitors bring a unique touch screen experience for consumers, across a variety of applications and industries. Usually seen in busy retail environments or hospitality till points, touch screen monitors are beneficial in many ways. They are deployed to increase efficiency and accelerate services, in the aim to enhance the ‘customer experience’.

Retail
Touch screen monitors are more commonly being implemented in retail environments, predominately at the point of purchase (POP). Deployed at the till points, monitors quicken the payment process, reduce queuing time and in turn, keep customers happy. Managing the flow of customers efficiently can result in maximising sales and boosting business. Installing multiple monitors in demanding retail environments is advantageous for both staff and customers. Even smaller retailers can benefit from these applications, as they are affordable and can be used for both transactions and display purposes.

Hospitality
A plethora of fast food chains and restaurants are now utilising touch screen monitors to improve communication and efficiency. They are used for a number of functions, food ordering, tracking orders and payment. Cash management is another key use of touch screens within restaurants, processing bill payment more efficiently and quickly. Monitors allow for multiple terminals to be installed, used to create a networking system.

Hotels are also making use of touch screen monitors in their receptions and lobbies. Receptionists are able to interact with a user interface to register visitors upon arrival, check availability and process payments. In some cases, visitors use them to inquire about rooms and rates, without needing to talk to someone at a front desk.

Key benefits of touch screen monitors

  • Easy to deploy
  • Accessibility and connectivity
  • Flexible installation
  • Multi-touch experience
  • Cost effective
  • Durable and long shelf life
  • Usable screen sizes

Contact Protouch to see how our commercial grade touch screen monitors could have a positive impact on your business’ operations.

SportsDirect.com Rolls Out More Protouch Touch Screens

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Sportsdirect.com have recently bought 20 JJB stores, which they plan to upgrade by rolling out more Protouch touch screens. With 4000 touch screens already in place from Protouch, Sportsdirect have also acquired a further 400 units of the Geode2 17” touch screens for their new stores.

Sportsdirect.com required an easy-to-use system that manages their large flow of customers and improves their customer's shopping experience. These latest commercial grade touch screens have been put in place to boost the efficiency of the shops’ services, by accelerating processes, reducing queuing times and augmenting customer service. All in all, these improvements help to keep customers happy and in turn, maximise sales.

Protouch aim to meet the company's needs, in supplying reliable touch screen hardware and software, within set time frame and budget. Get in touch if your retail business needs a boost.

How Can Touch Screen Technology Enhance A Retail Environment?

Posted on by Tom Quarry

It is evident that we are heading to a future where the physical and the digital world start to intersect with each other more and more. With the growth in user centered design and technology, the emphasis on the consumer experience is becoming increasingly apparent. It’s this experience, as well as the brand, that builds loyalty and makes them come back.

This example shows the shop Scribber using touch screen dsplays to engage passers by and encourage them to come in. (London, 2010)

Key example 1
Adidas has brought a new meaning to ‘window shopping’ with their live interactive touch screen windows. These are being currently tested for six weeks in Germany. The user can use a one off pin to link the screen with their Smart phone, allowing them to add items to a virtual ‘shopping bag’, which can be saved for later purchase. (digitalsignagetoday.com, 2012)

The Customer-Centric Store 2010, Retail Systems Research found that the No. 1 opportunity in the current market is to ‘refine the customer's in-store experience’. And the No. 1 use of in-store technology, identified by 76 percent of retailers, was to “maintain and/or improve the customer experience.”

Key example 2
A new Marks and Spencer store has opened this year, in Manchester, which has utilized the latest technology to enhance their in-store branding and marketing. The store has incorporated a large digital signage network of 70 inch screens and twelve interactive retail kiosks. Customers can engage with a simple touch screen kiosk system to browse the M&S catalogue and purchase items that can be delivered to their store or home.  Innovatively, the store has deployed kiosks in different departments. For example a ‘virtual makeover counter’ in the beauty department that consumers can use to test a range of make up types. In the home department there is a ‘duvet and pillow selector’ to guide consumers with their buying decisions. This is a significant example of how touch screen kiosks can create an interactive and contemporary retail environment.

How can Protouch help?
Touch screen technology can enhance the consumer’s retail experience to a whole new level, making it more visual, interactive and convenient. Protouch’s touch screen kiosks enable the consumer to engage with a brand and explore your choices. Take a look at our Matalan case study to see an example of how Protouch kiosks can benefit consumers and businesses in the retail sector.