Find the perfect airport self-service check-in kiosk

Some of the biggest names in the software business are already on board with airport self-service kiosks and even dedicate entire departments to their development. These companies offer full service packages, from design and set up, all the way to continuing operation and support.

I recommend: Contact IBM's travel and transportation division to talk to one of its specialists. IBM is hard at work for Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. See Hewlett Packard's HP Kiosk Solutions in action with an online demo.

Catch the customer's eye and keep their attention with sleek and intuitive airport kiosk design

Good airport check-in kiosks help customers get through check-in quickly and free employees up for other tasks. Poorly designed kiosks leave customers and employees frustrated and running behind schedule. Look to the experts who, after years of trial and error, know what works for customers and what will leave them holding the bag.

I recommend: Kiosk Information Systems is an industry leader in new and innovative design and allows you to get a quote directly from its website. Design conscious Electronic Art also gives you an online quote for its streamlined systems. Forrester Group offers a full guide to optimizing design for an airport kiosk after studying existing kiosks. This guide addresses hardware and software issues

Ensure airport kiosk software isn't hard on your customers

Sleek design will give you a pretty package. However, if your software doesn't do the job, your airport kiosks won't be of much service to anyone. Make sure your software is well designed, logical and customer intuitive. Take advantage of businesses that offer remote monitoring and support to keep your kiosks up and running.

I recommend: Talk to a software representative at Phoenix Kiosk and check out its interactive gallery. Buy products from airport kiosk experts, Dataprobe, for reliable remote kiosk monitoring and support.