opinion
Get it right first time
As more businesses invest in self-service technology here are five decisions to consider when deploying a self-service kiosk
The first question to consider when investing in kiosk technology is what the function of the kiosk solution will be . Here are a number of common kiosk use case examples :
Wayfinding Wayfinding kiosks guide users to their destination , helping to encourage them to explore new places , departments and also products .
Digital advertising Interactive kiosks provide convenient and engaging access to consumers . Digital advertising offers the ability to load ad content in multiple formats such as video , photo , text and audio .
Order entry Self-order kiosks allow employees to reallocate time previously spent taking orders to provide a more efficient , and accurate service while reducing transaction costs .
Bill pay Kiosks with bill payment capabilities provide customers with a fast and efficient checkout process .
By Meridian Kiosks – www . meridiankiosks . com
Informational Kiosks allow users to learn more and make informed decisions by taking advantage of live information . The interactive self-service solution can provide users with up to date information on weather , news and upcoming events .
Analytics Collecting analytics is a great way to measure ROI and the effectiveness of content . Kiosks can be used to gather data and learn more about users .
Kiosk location Even interactive touchscreens with engaging content can fail to deliver the intended message if content doesn ’ t reach consumers in an effective way . Proper placement is often overlooked by businesses and organisations during a self-service kiosk deployment , but a good placement strategy is necessary to achieve success .
First , find a location where consumers have a natural waiting time ( e . g . checkout lines , subway platforms , ticket booths etc .) or where there is heavy traffic ( eg . elevators , escalators , entrances etc .) Any area where consumers have to wait for a period of time is a good location for a kiosk . Knowing the goals of the kiosk , whether it ’ s increasing foot traffic or promoting a sale on specific products , will also help with the location decision .
In a retail setting , install screens promoting a certain product near that product . When trying to reach people as they come in the door , place the signs about 10-15 feet from the entrance and to the right , inside the front door . People have a tendency to ignore the front door as they ' re focused on their destination . Store and restaurant windows can be a great location for digital signage as they can be used during store hours to draw customers in , and after the business is closed to capture additional attention .
Next , consider lighting to make sure consumers can read the screen under the available lighting . Avoid locations where there ’ s too much ambient light , but if this is the best location , be sure to opt for a high-bright screen , as sunlight can wash out the on-screen image , making the content difficult to see .
A common placement mistake businesses and organisations continue to make is hanging the screen too high or too low . Customers walking through a store are focused on the goods in front of them . They may not look up or down , missing the signage entirely . We recommend placing the signage at eye level , making the content easy to
KIOSK solutions 13