What is a Kiosk?

A kiosk is a self-service computer-like device that allows people – customers or employees – to access products and services on their own. They are found in retail stores, libraries, airports, movie theaters, internet cafes, among other places where self-service applications are beneficial. Like a computer, a kiosk may provide internet access for surfing the web or using web-based applications. Unlike a computer, a kiosk typically performs a single, specific task, is designed to be used by many different people, and is often optimized for remote control and management. Some popular examples include library resource workstations, check-in terminals at airports, and self check-out lanes in grocery stores.


Why Go Kiosk?

1. Saving Time is Saving Money

Kiosks are installed in environments where business can be simplified by giving customers or employees access to self-service tools. Unlike additional support staff, kiosks provide immediate access to information, are available 24 hours a day, and don’t need to get paid overtime or take lunch breaks.

Ex: A large shipping company has a dozen warehouses around the country and employs hundreds of employees at each location. To find out each employees’ vacation days and sick leave, Human Resources would have to find the employees file and fax the information to the employee. This is expensive, inefficient, and error-prone. A simple solution would be to deploy kiosks where employees can access their own information at any time.

2. Having Access to Up to Date Information

In an environment where information is constantly changing, it is crucial to have access to the most updated information.

Ex: At the county library hundreds of books are being checked out and returned simultaneously. It is imperative that the resource database stay as automated as possible to avoid frustrating customers. A kiosk that is connected to the network would allow users to see exactly what books are on the shelf or checked out and when they will become available.

3. Providing Security

Properly locking down the computer to perform certain, designated tasks and limiting the access to network settings, especially with web-based applications, eliminates the possibility of a user conducting any “funny business.”

Ex: An internet café is very vulnerable to viruses, bugs, and system crashes, especially if users have access to settings and can download applications or software. If the computers were repurposed to act like kiosks, users would only have access to a single application (i.e. the internet) and desktops would be secure.

4. It’s Green

Do you have a bunch of old computers on hand and can’t afford to purchase new machines? Recycle them by converting them into kiosks. This saves money and the environment.
Fact: 35% of lead found in municipal waste streams come from computer electronics!


Repurposing Your Old But Useable Desktops

There is software out there that is designed to convert any computer to behave like a kiosk. Like your PC, a kiosk must have an operating system with hardware to run applications. The majority of kiosks use desktop operating systems, such as Windows 7, so it’s easy to integrate onto any PC. Kiosk software is inexpensive, especially when compared to brand new thin clients, and eases the transition for those going from a physical to virtual environment.

At the end of the day, incorporating kiosks or kiosk software may be just the ticket to a seamless and profitable business day.


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Michelle Cavanaugh is the Marketing Coordinator for triCerat Inc. Visit http://www.tricerat.com for more information.