Self-service kiosks are the future of many businesses, offering efficiency in business operation through automation procedures. They allow customers to tailor their orders specifically to their needs and purchase items at their convenience. However, their offer their challenges, so it is mandatory to understand more about this technology before implementing them into your business operation.
What is a self-service kiosk?
A self-service kiosk is a device that allows a customer to interact directly with a business, purchasing items and services at their convenience. For example, you can see self-service kiosk adaptation in buying tickets for a train or a bus stop. A customer approaches the self-service kiosk, pays the money, and receives a ticket. This procedure is quick with the help of a kiosk automation process, so there is no long queue line and employees to operate the task directly.
Another good example is in restaurants. A kiosk speeds up ordering directly to the kitchen. This implementation also helps customers stay safe and prevent the spreading of Covid-19 thanks to minimal contact with the people.
These kiosks don’t just reach to commercial aspects. They are also helpful for checking in and out of hotels. Offices also utilize them to check their visitors in. And airports use their capacities to enable you to check in to your flight to save time for both you and the company itself.
Self Service Kiosk Functions
The general objective of a self-service kiosk is to facilitate customer interaction, ensuring a quick and easy exchange for both parties. These kiosks commonly provide four essential services: payment options, check-in assistance, branding/advertising, and stock management.
You can apply NFC to a self-service kiosk to secure payment options, enabling many digital services purchasing through an automated device. Check-in for hotels and flights is made quite easily with self-service kiosks, saving much time than other check-in forms. Branding and advertising are efficiently fulfilled without any extra work from the company as any promotions can be displayed on the kiosks quite plainly for many people to see.
Lastly, with so many people and heavy foot traffic to these kiosks, a service needs to be delivered quickly, which the kiosks provide, ensuring that automation is kept to a high standard.
Self-Service Kiosk Implementation
Despite what type of business you run, web-based applications and wireless connectivity have made kiosks an adaptable, cost-effective technology. So, when it’s time to go live finally, don’t let a flawed implementation plan spoil it.
Here are some top pointers for a successful kiosk integration:
Examine the work environment
Choosing the suitable kiosk for your business depends on your industry, setting, and business needs. Define how many stations you will need, how the maintenance is, and what peripherals are required. If the environment is dangerous to electronics, purchase ruggedized enclosures.
It would help if you did some research before implementing this technology for your business. Location and customer’s demography are two main factors in the acceptability of implementing the self-service kiosk.
You will also need to weigh out the investment and potential benefits in the long run.
Determine the peripherals
Make a list of the tasks the kiosk will operate and what interactive applications you will need, like check-in systems and interactive catalogs or menus. Fulfilling these tasks may require additional peripherals such as touch screens, barcode scanners, printers that create take away collateral, and magnetic stripe readers for processing payments.
Many industries, including retail, hospitality, and restaurant, have been implementing self-service kiosks to reduce delay times and improve customer experience to generate higher profits. For example, movie theaters, restaurants, stores, and hotels have successfully implemented self-order technology and reassigned staff to new duties without expanding their payroll. Although kiosks cannot substitute live workers, this popular technology will enhance your business operation. As a result, customers can have the control they need and the positive encounter to return soon.
For more information on this technology and how it can boost your business, contact the experienced professionals and system integrators at WhiteBean today.
Image Credits: Jan Antonin Kolar