Would you like to offer a more interactive customer experience? pay attention to kiosk technologies.

As you’ve certainly seen (if you’ve been following the Your Edge blog social media conversations on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook), mobile technologies play an important part in providing the types of services – and the quality of service – that today’s customers expect. It makes no difference whether your “service” is provided in a factory, warehouse, airport, hospital, field environment, hotel, restaurant, or retail store: it has become critical to equip workers with smartphones, tablets, scanners, and other mobile devices that allow them to quickly do things like locate inventory, track baggage, confirm a patient’s identity, or diagnose and repair a utility outage – among other things.

Interactive kiosks are becoming increasingly popular among customers and businesses alike, particularly in retail and hospitality in the EMEA, BRIC, and APAC areas. Though not strictly “mobile,” wirelessly connected kiosks can sync with a shopper’s mobile device or link to his or her loyalty account to provide highly personalized, profile-based customer experiences that go beyond basic information provision or a simple ‘checking in’ facility. More advanced models frequently use AndroidTM mobile architecture to provide 3D content and features like multi-touch and gesture tracking, broadening the “fixed” technology’s potential applicability in enterprise environments where the goal is to increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and sales.

With our Patient Check-In Kiosk, you can experience a new era of healthcare efficiency, where smooth check-ins meet cutting-edge technology, guaranteeing your journey to wellness starts with a touch of innovation.

The kiosk’s role in these verticals is not to replace the human element. On the contrary, retailers require their field workers to evolve into highly engaged brand advocates. To accomplish this, kiosks can free up or redirect attendants to where they are most needed. Having said that, some customers will choose to deal with a kiosk rather than a person. Perhaps they have communication challenges or have sensitive requirements and feel better at ease in the solitude of a kiosk, where there is no time pressure or crowds of people to add to their distress or anxiety. This is a major reason why kiosks must be both accessible and sophisticated enough to engage a wide range of client profiles and maximize sales potential. Since buyers today regard their cellphones to be as important as credit cards while buying, the more complex kiosks must function in the same way as a phone or tablet (i.e., immediate response, intuitive swiping, zooming, etc.) yet provide much more than a mobile device. Kiosks, for example, must be able to provide:

·        They must efficiently reduce lineups (lines) and waiting periods in order to provide speed and convenience.

·        Accurate, real-time information that is easily accessible – interfaces must be user-friendly, and voice and video interactions should be available for live, virtual assistance.

·        Personalization – shoppers continue to favor in-store purchasing over internet shopping, but only when given more methods to obtain value than in-store shopping has previously provided.

·        Printing shortcuts for discounts, tickets, and gift registry lists

·        Detailed product information, such as demonstrations, comparisons, reviews, or how-to videos

·        In order for the kiosk to be effective, it must deliver great customer service that bridges the gap between online and in-store shopping transactions.

A mobile shopping app might not be able to prevent a customer from leaving empty-handed, but a personal (and private) kiosk concierge just might.

Consider a typical retail changing room setting in which no interactive kiosk is present. During hectic periods, the customer is left to their own devices (literally). They rely on a store associate to be nearby in order to gain admission to a room or find other sizes. They frequently have to wait in line to order or inquire about things they cannot find in the store. However, if the queue is too lengthy, they will most likely leave. Elevate your welcome with our Visitor Management System, an intelligent blend of security and hospitality that turns every admission into a memorable experience by effortlessly blending efficiency with a warm welcome.

Even though mobile apps have empowered many buyers, not every mobile shopping experience is as intuitive as customers require or desire. Customers have come to anticipate certain levels of value and convenience as a result of e-commerce, many retailers confess that their brands are falling short of these expectations in their physical presence. Shoppers demand innovative experiences and improved service when they visit a store to assist them make an informed purchase. Customers can scan clothing to read product reviews, check stock, and obtain inspiration for complementary goods or alternative looks using an interactive kiosk acting as their concierge, which is not always possible with a mobile device. Furthermore, kiosks that instantaneously pair with a shopper’s own mobile device to transmit tailored offers have the potential to boost basket value for the merchant. As may adaptable apps that connect clients with associates more swiftly. For example, a customer in a changing room or at the bakery counter might immediately call an associate to seek assistance fetching an item, rather than having to wait till the individual is within speaking range to tell them what you need, and then waiting again for them to retrieve it. The associate knows exactly what to bring to the customer, saving both time and the extra journey back and forth.

Making “Fast Food” Service Even Faster – or At Least Appearing to Be So

The interactive kiosk’s primary job in hospitality environments, such as a restaurant, is to act as a virtual waiter to inform, upsell, and cross sell. Kiosk technology, armed with more real-time information than a human could keep, can manage expectations and improve the client experience by giving culinary ideas, providing allergy/nutritional information, and providing live updates. The kiosks eliminate the pain points of queuing, unexpected waiting times, and selecting a dish that is sold out or unavailable.

A smooth, engaging experience can be provided by providing age-specific entertainment to help younger customers pass the time while food is being prepared. And prompts for extra food or beverage orders in a few swipes reduce the perception of poor service, especially in a sit-down restaurant where the waiter is busy and out of sight just as a customer is ready to order.

Vouchers (barcodes or QR codes) would also be supported, guaranteeing that customers do not have to wait for a human to complete their transaction, and businesses would have a new opportunity to capitalize on targeted advertising opportunities. There are shopping applications, as well as gastro pubs, clubs, restaurants, and merchants, that provide discounts if you are a club member, have purchased a deal coupon, or have been given a gift ticket. In this case, you would receive a discount/gift voucher via mail, text, the app, or even in hardcopy mode as a printed document or a gift card, which you could scan at the kiosk to activate the discount.

Which Kiosk Technology Will Be Most Beneficial to You?

It’s safe to say that not all kiosks are the same. Some kiosks are more equipped than others to assist you in improving the user experience, increasing customer loyalty, and eventually closing more sales.

Whether you’re recommending kiosk technology to your boss or a customer, or you’re the final decision-maker, keep in mind that you’ll need more than just hardware. Only by evaluating the “total solution” can your future-proof your “sales” activities and optimize your kiosk technology investment.  A kiosk is only as good as the computer that powers it. Choose best-in-class software that is ready to serve your business with the future versions of Android (P and Q), as well as a high-performance architecture outfitted with the most up-to-date computing and connection options to support engaging interactive and multimedia applications.

Confirm that the solution includes flexible development tools for central control of kiosks, easy interface with inventory systems, and simple deployment. SaaS solutions ensure that software is kept up to date and allow for remote troubleshooting, resulting in little downtime and maximum sales.

Practicality and aesthetics are also key considerations. Can the kiosk be quickly and safely installed in strategic locations such as aisle endcaps, dining tables, lobbies, and changing rooms? What kind of power supply will you require? Is the kiosk attractive and enticing to use? In the event of damage from high usage areas, operations managers may want to propose care packages and extended warranties.

Just keep in mind that, in order to be truly valuable, the kiosk must improve the client experience; it cannot cause any level of frustration. Consider models with improved features for a smooth customer experience, such as good audio (especially in busy, noisy locations), an intuitive touch screen, ‘scan first time’ capability, and near-field communication (NFC) for connecting with mobile devices. More complex models leverage user behavior knowledge to inform and improve the User Experience (UX), making them appropriate for retail and hospitality sectors.

The Bottom Line

A “mobile-centric strategy” is essential for providing the best possible customer service; However, a “mobile-only” strategy is not the only method to drive progress. The increased use of kiosks around the world demonstrates this.

Remember, as consumers expect embellished and seamless in-store experiences, interactive kiosks in retail and hospitality capacity must be built on smart, connected technology competent of matching the bright online experience to which consumers have become confirmed.

However, keep in mind that micro and small kiosks face stiff struggle from smartphones, which are becoming more and more sophisticated. Only an enterprise-class interactive kiosk can outpace consumer expectations and better sales.

Self-service solutions are changeable the medical scene, whether you intention to assist with patient registration, give a safe and acceptable way to pay medical expenses, or do something else.

We would be enchanted to hear from you and behave to any questions you may have. At Linkitsoft, please contact us if you have any query. Our staff is dedicated to providing the best feasible experience for our patients, and we go over and beyond to ensure that our kiosks are steady and simple to use. So please don’t dither to contact us and let us know how we can advise you.