What is a Kiosk?
Self-Service Kiosk Technology from
Livewire Digital
A self service kiosk is essentially a device that allows a consumer to interact directly with a company, receiving a service at their own convenience. The most common example of this is purchasing tickets for a train or bus stop. You simply approach the self-service kiosk, pay your money and receive a ticket, all without waiting in line or asking for assistance. Self-service kiosks are also widely distributed to quick-pay restaurants where the intended goal is to expedite the process of ordering and waiting for your food. These kiosks don’t just extend to commercial aspects, they also are quite useful for checking in and out of hotels, offices also employ them for checking their vendors in and airports utilize their functions for allowing you to check-in to your flight as a means to save time for both you and the business itself.
What are common self service kiosk functions
The general purpose of a self-service kiosk is to expedite customer interaction, ensuring a quick and easy exchange for both sides. These kiosks generally provide four basic services: payment options, check-in services, branding/promotion and product management. Many self-service kiosks offer NFC and other secure pay options, allowing the purchase of a large number of digital services all through an automated machine. Check-in for hotels and flights are made quite easily with self-service kiosks, saving a large amount of time compared to other forms of check-in. Branding and promotion are easily accomplished without any additional effort from the company as any advertisements can be displayed on the kiosks quite plainly for a great number of people to see. Lastly, with so many individuals and heavy foot traffic to these kiosks, it is important for a product to be delivered quickly, which the kiosks provide, making sure that automation is kept to a high standard.
How much are self service kiosks?
Self-service kiosks vary in price between $500-1500 with some of the larger models costing upwards of around $2,000+. This price is variable as many manufactures will typically extend a discount for bulk orders, so it is advisable to order multiple kiosks to lower the price. A kiosk that was previously around $500 will usually be dropped to around $250 depending on a bulk order. This of course is due to creating the software for each individual kiosk, which will comprise of the bulk of the expense long term. The software itself will need to be routinely updated and maintained, so it is important to keep this in mind when purchasing a self-service kiosk. Some software tends to be more complicated than others, and some require more maintenance than others, so to avoid heavier costs down the road, it is advisable to choose the software that fits your needs most.
Types of Self Service Kiosks
Freestanding: Freestanding kiosks tend to be the most popular, with these acting as wayfinders in public malls, with smaller models populating quick-service restaurants. The advantage of a freestanding kiosk is of course visibility, as these tend to be large and prominent, making them easily recognizable and excellent for branding and promotion. The big drawback to freestanding kiosks is that they tend to be more expensive compared to their counterparts as a result of their size.
Wall Mount: Freestanding kiosks tend to be the most popular, with these acting as wayfinders in public malls, with smaller models populating quick-service restaurants. The advantage of a freestanding kiosk is of course visibility, as these tend to be large and prominent, making them easily recognizable and excellent for branding and promotion. The big drawback to freestanding kiosks is that they tend to be more expensive compared to their counterparts as a result of their size.
USPS/Post Office: The post office employs self-service kiosks for some automated aspects of package delivery. While it can’t handle all package deliveries, the automated process of buying stamps or a shipping label can easily be expedited through a kiosk to ensure no long lines at the post office.
VEIP: With a large volume of customers that come through the VEIP, it is important to automate some steps of the process. While checking the vehicle is still in the hands of a licensed professional, processing customers is done through self-service kiosks, ensuring that the technicians have more time to check a car thoroughly.
DMV: Similar to the VEIP, the DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles sees a great volume of individuals a day. While much of this system itself isn’t automated, the ticket service and other services help to ensure that no man power is wasted on processing individuals, leaving more availability for customers to be serviced by a professional.
Airports: At airports, kiosks are available for two primary reasons-one to act as a general wayfinder as airports tend to be quite large with multiple businesses in their vicinity, and two, to allow self-check in for flights. This means more man power can be spent on catering to passenger needs and security for the building.
Office Buildings – Wayfinding and directory : At airports, kiosks are available for two primary reasons-one to act as a general wayfinder as airports tend to be quite large with multiple businesses in their vicinity, and two, to allow self-check in for flights. This means more man power can be spent on catering to passenger needs and security for the building.
Hospitality – Hotels: At airports, kiosks are available for two primary reasons-one to act as a general wayfinder as airports tend to be quite large with multiple businesses in their vicinity, and two, to allow self-check in for flights. This means more man power can be spent on catering to passenger needs and security for the building.
Fast Food: Wendy’s & Mcdonalds : Quick service restaurants use kiosks to ensure that their lines are not too packed. Simply use the kiosk presented to order your food and it will be delivered to you without having to wait in a particularly busy line, which is helpful in saving you time and ensuring their employees are not flooded with too many orders at once.
Finance: Banks + Check Cashing: With automation, kiosks allow you to cash checks, withdraw and deposit money all without having to wait in a long line. Banks employ multiple teller machines to ensure that you can accomplish many of the tasks you need to do at the bank even in off hours where the bank is not open.
Travel: Airport + Buses (Greyhound) : For bus stations, kiosks allow you to purchase your ticket and keep track of your schedule, ensuring you make it on time. With airports, kiosks are available for two primary reasons-one to act as a general wayfinder as airports tend to be quite large with multiple businesses in their vicinity, and two, to allow self-check in for flights. This means more man power can be spent on catering to passenger needs and security for the building.
Libraries: Libraries employ self-check-in kiosks to allow you to check your books out by yourself without the need for assistance. This means that librarians have more time to assist with other services as checking books out or checking your overdue time can be done now at your own convenience.
Case Studies
Here are just a few of our Case Studies:
Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre is a state of the art hospital that serves.
Espanola Hospital wanted to accomplish this with an automated queuing system so their staff could focus on patient care without being concerned with the order in which patients are attended to. This would allow them to use their staff in a much more efficient manner.
Penn State
Honor, tradition, and pride are synonymous with the Penn State University experience, whether you’re currently enrolled, alumni, staff, or a visitor to one of its 24 campuses. University Park, its main campus, is the location of the Penn State All-Sports Museum which upholds the Penn State Ideals of honor tradition, and pride by paying tribute to 34 current and former varsity sports. Interactive kiosks display searchable information about exhibits within each kiosk’s vicinity.
Michaels needed a way to display more variety within merchandise lines that their customers are seeking. With limited in-store display areas they were looking to provide one area where their customers would have access their product inventory, launch new products and encourage customers to participate in events and classes.
