Kiosk Solutions Aug-Sept 2018 | Page 18

outdoor kiosks
" Outdoor kiosks need to survive environmental impacts like sun , rain , snow , gales and moisture "
3 Parking The parking meter isn ’ t a new concept – it was actually invented in 1928 ! But next-gen kiosks can be used to help people to find empty spaces and to locate their vehicles afterwards .
Checking in
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Signing in quickly and securely is possible as you enter exhibition venues , business events , sports stadiums and concert arenas .
So where can it go wrong ? Put simply , outdoor kiosks have to be especially rugged — they are the ‘ special forces ’ of the kiosk world . Think Ray Mears and Bear Grylls , cast in steel and anodised aluminium .
Outdoor kiosks need to survive environmental impacts like extreme sun , rain , ice , snow , gales and moisture , as well as dust and smoke . Even positioning the kiosk correctly can make the difference between being able to see the screen in glaring sunlight and giving up .
Then there are the human onslaughts : attempts at theft , hacking and vandalism . Kiosks need to be robust and unshakeable – from their buttons to their connectivity . Get it wrong and customers will despise you . Everyone hates an outdoors kiosk that seems to promise so much – when no staff are around – only to be met with a blank or blinking screen ; in this situation customers feel cheated of the convenience and control they expected .
What ’ s the answer ? Outdoor kiosks can be a smart move , offering genuine value to customers . But these self-service units are more expensive and need careful consideration if you ’ re to maximise your return on investment .
Work closely with an experienced partner before planting any kiosks in the concrete around your premises . You ’ ll find this could save you a fortune , as well as time and effort . Issues around positioning , fixings , access for those with disabilities , CCTV , nearby lighting and power / network connectivity can make or break your project .
But here ’ s some other advice : don ’ t become so overly-consumed with the outer shell that you forget the tech inside and what it ’ s meant to do . Kiosks aren ’ t merely a standing version of your website – they can be so much more . The customer experience remains key , whether it ’ s indoors or outdoors . n
18 KIOSK solutions