Nowadays, businesses use custom kiosks to improve customer interaction and effective service delivery.
This article will focus on the benefits of custom kiosks, their key features, and the industries benefiting from their integration.
What is a Custom Kiosk?
A kiosk is a self-service machine designed to serve the unique functions of your business.
Unlike the usual kiosks with fixed features and capabilities, a custom kiosk is built to your unique requirements.
This means it can feature hardware, software, and functionalities that meet your company’s objectives.
From touchscreen info stations at the mall to the self-checkout kiosks at a grocery store, custom kiosks help provide efficient and user-friendly service delivery.
Benefits of Custom Kiosks
Below are some of the benefits you will enjoy from implementing custom kiosks.
Increased Efficiency in Service Delivery
One of the many benefits of kiosks is better service delivery.
Kiosks include an interactive front-end interface that enables customers to make purchases, check-in for appointments, or even obtain information without requiring assistance from any personnel.
It saves customers a whole lot of time and reduces the workload of your employees, freeing your staff to engage in more complex activities.
You can place a customized kiosk in the middle of a busy airport, allowing travelers to check in, print boarding passes, and even select their seats without long lines and delays. This will accelerate your operations by reducing congestion.
Branding and Visibility
A custom kiosk also extends branding and visibility for your business.
Since these are custom devices, everything on the kiosk, from color to UI, can be chosen to represent your brand identity.
This kind of consistency will reinforce your brand identity in the minds of your customers.
These special kiosks can offer product searches in a retail store while running promotional videos or ads for specific marketing campaigns.
Different Functionalities for Specific Needs
Another positive benefit a custom kiosk offers is varying functionalities. You can choose the functions that fit into your kiosks because they are designed according to your wants.
For example, a payment processing system may be included in a custom kiosk for a retail store, or an information directory may be added for a shopping mall.
These kiosks can also be used by hospitals and health facilities to simplify patient check-in. These machines allow patients to book appointments, update personal information, and buy services.
More Customer Engagement and Satisfaction
Sometimes, custom kiosks can make a big difference in increasing customer interaction and satisfaction.
Due to intuitive and interactive designs, customers will have greater autonomy while buying goods and services, thus leading to higher satisfaction and increased loyalty.
A hotel might install customized kiosks in the lobby where guests can self check-in, choose room preferences, and even have the convenience of ordering food instead of waiting in line at the front desk.
Flexibility of Design and Location
Another great benefit of custom kiosks is that they offer a lot of flexibility in design and placement.
Since custom kiosks are made for a particular need, they can be built to fit nearly any space. This includes small corners of a store or large, open mall areas.
Custom kiosks can be used for buying tickets, finding out about rides, or even interactive games.
Key Features of Custom Kiosks
Here are some of the key features that guarantee optimal service delivery from custom kiosks.
Interactive Design & Software
Unlike traditional kiosks with limited functionality, a kiosk customized to your specifications can include advanced software features that allow an interactive customer experience.
Touchscreen interfaces, responsive menus, and user-friendly navigation are ways a custom kiosk can facilitate good user interaction.
Users can browse the menu through a touchscreen, personalized kiosk that allows customers to choose their dishes, make amendments, or pay for services.
The software could be developed further to suggest upselling options, recommend popular items, or even store previous orders for repeat customers.
Advanced Technologies Integration
Another feature of custom kiosks that enhances functionality and user experience is high-end technology.
Custom kiosks can have modern features, from facial recognition to modern mobile payment systems.
For instance, casinos could have kiosks with biometric authentication that enable players to log into accounts, redeem rewards, or even play games directly.
Such advanced technology will increase security and amplify the customer experience.
Custom Component Integration
Another impressive feature of these kiosks is the integration of customized components.
Whatever the business may want, be it a particular printer, scanner, or payment terminal, it is easily integrated into the kiosks.
Banks may also need kiosks integrated with a cash dispenser, card reader, and document scanner to process customer transactions.
Once assembled into the kiosk, the bank can offer a range of services from one single machine, offering more convenience and higher operational efficiency.
Highly Secure
Security features are installed in custom kiosks to protect sensitive information and transactions.
These devices encrypt transmitted data and provide secure access controls for the safety and privacy of businesses and customers.
Custom kiosks also include privacy features. These kiosks use security login procedures, data encryption, and payment gateways to keep the patient information private.
Such features instill more trust in customers and allow your entity to keep up with regulations such as HIPAA.
Multifunctional Capabilities
Custom kiosks can be used for several tasks, making them very multifunctional. This saves space and generally reduces the overall cost. Custom kiosks also provide comprehensive services to customers.
For instance, a retail mall may use one kiosk as an information directory, a wayfinding tool, and a digital advertisement vehicle.
With a single machine, one can locate stores, access current promotions, and even sign up for loyalty programs.
This multitasking capability enhances customer experience and provides more value for the business.
Quality of Build and Materials
Custom kiosks are also made of great materials and components to withstand day-to-day use. These kiosks tend to last due to the strength and durability of their casings.
For instance, an outdoor kiosk should withstand rain, heat, and humidity.
With materials resistant to such weather conditions, the kiosk will run smoothly without always requiring maintenance or repairs.
Design Process of Custom Kiosks
Below is a list of the main factors that go into the design process of a custom kiosk.
Idea and Preliminary Planning
Custom kiosk design generally begins with the conceptualization and planning process, whereby a business chooses the device that will best suit its needs and objectives.
This involves deciding based on its functions, location, and how it will fit your company’s overall branding and customer service strategies.
For instance, a hotel may wish to introduce a customized kiosk so that the checking-in process of their guests is enhanced. The hotel will collaborate with a kiosk designer to identify its requirements.
After the concept is prepared, detailed engineering and technical specifications will follow. This begins the planning of the hardware, software, and other kiosk components.
For example, hotels will need integrated booking software. The integrated kiosk will have interfaces and protocols that ensure its compatibility with the technical specifications.
During the planning phase, you can also select the hardware materials and other components..
Detailed Renderings
Once the engineering is complete and the technical specifications have been written, custom kiosk manufacturers can start developing detailed renderings of the machine.
These renderings will show you how the finished product will look and work.
This is a crucial stage because you can make amendments to the custom kiosk design or modifications before starting the manufacturing process.
A business may go over the renderings for a custom kiosk and approve it if it meets their needs.
They can also request edits before going into fabrication. Edits can be as simple as resizing or moving a part of the model.
Manufacturing and Installation
This is the last stage of the custom kiosk design process, which involves fabricating and installing the custom kiosk.
The manufacturer will fabricate the kiosk using the approved design and specifications. Once they assemble the kiosk, they will test it to show that all systems work.
They will then install the kiosk where it is supposed to be situated and integrate it with whatever systems you require, such as payment processing or inventory management software.
This implementation phase is very suitable for training staff members who will take over the kiosk’s maintenance.
The bank would connect the kiosks to its network and brief its employees on how to guide customers using the machine.
Once all these are in full swing, the kiosks can provide services to customers.
Common Industries Where Custom Kiosks Are Implemented
Retail Stores
One of the industries that use custom kiosks is retail. Some services offered by these devices include self-checkouts, product information, and loyalty programs.
Custom kiosks give comfort and efficiency to customers while shopping, thus helping retailers improve their sales.
Hospitals
Hospitals also use custom kiosks with great advantages. Kiosks automate check-in, payment, and information distribution.
In a hospital, integrated kiosks reduce wait times and increase the accuracy of capturing patient information. This frees up medical staff to attend to patients’ care.
Hotels
Many hotels today use customized kiosks to handle guest services. Hotels can use the kiosks for check-in purposes, room selection, providing key cards, and facilitating orders for room service.
In this way, it will be easy and effective for guests to seek services, thus enhancing the experience.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks also utilize customized kiosks to print out tickets or give out ride information or maps.
Kiosks improve the orderliness of crowds as the visitors access the information they require while experiencing an interactive display.
Placing customized kiosks at strategic positions provides quicker services to visitors. This also boosts customer experience.
Restaurants
Restaurant kiosks help customers with self-ordering, making payments, and giving them nutrition information.
Such kiosks allow customers to place orders at their comfort, thereby reducing the queues and increasing order accuracy.
Custom kiosks may also drive operational speeds during peak hours to help fast-food chains maintain efficiency.
Banks
Banks can provide customers with kiosk-based self-services such as deposits, withdrawals, and inquiries about account status.
Such kiosks take the crowd away from branches while freeing up staff to do more complicated work.
Airports
Kiosks installed in airports can be commonly used for check-ins, printing of boarding passes, and baggage drop-off.
Such devices enable people to travel hassle-free while minimizing queues.
Casinos
Casinos implement kiosks to manage player accounts and tickets for games. It creates the ultimate gaming experience by offering self-service options. With these, customers can get services rapidly.
Malls
A custom kiosk in a shopping mall can offer information directories, wayfinding services, and promotions.
They help shoppers find any particular stores or highlight various in-mall promotions. This enhances the shopping experience.
Corporate Offices
The custom kiosk is used by corporate offices to manage visitor check-ins, employee self-service, and dissemination of information. This organizes visitor flow while providing needed information effectively. Kiosks also provide an easy means for employees to book meeting rooms or raise requests.
Why Choose a Custom Kiosk Solution?
Personalized Customer Experience
Personalized customer experience is one of the major reasons for going for a customized kiosk solution.
You can have the kiosk tailored according to your specific requirements. This will improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Unique to Your Business Needs
Another reason to invest in a customized kiosk solution is your unique business needs. While off-the-shelf kiosks provide generic functionality, custom kiosks meet your particular goals.
This allows you to choose every feature, component, and design aspect to suit your enterprise’s objectives.
Conclusion
Custom kiosks will help increase customer service and boost your brand visibility. Their versatility helps them answer the demands of various industries.
For more assistance in choosing the right custom kiosk solution, reach out to us at BestKiosk for more information. Contact us now for a free quote.
