Touch screen displays use resistive touch, capacitive touch, surface acoustic wave, and infrared technology to act as an interface between service providers and end-users. Touch screen displays act as an interaction point between various service providers and their end-users and help in enhancing and simplifying user experience besides reducing labor costs for service providers.
An interactive kiosk is a network operated computer operative terminal designed to serve public with an easy access to information and applications for communication, commerce, entertainment, ticketing and education using specialized hardware and software. Emerging technology is transforming the patterns of transactions today globally. A recently published news article reveals that the advanced technology is redefining the patterns of a transaction in the retail sector in several countries. Equipped with enhanced technologies including the intelligent displays, interactive kiosk, and sensing technologies, the retail sectors in several countries are predicted to expand their reach among customers globally.
Technological advancement and evolution of the kiosk systems have resulted into modern touchscreen interface from the original keyboard and mouse interface design and perform a wide range of applications such as bill payment, ticket vending, banking activities, show directions on a map and much more. Different touchscreen technologies include resistive, capacitive, surface acoustic wave (SAW) and optical imaging. Capacitive touchscreen, which is majorly used for multi-touch screens, is expected to dominate the haptic technology market over the forecast period. North America and Europe are expected to contribute significantly to defense, automobile, and healthcare applications.
Growing competition at the retail level has resulted into newer functions for touch screen kiosks such as coin hoppers, bill acceptor, card readers and thermal printers to enhance and customize the task performance resulting into increasing demand for the interactive kiosks globally.
The use of self-service interactive kiosks with touch screens has gained tremendous popularity in many retail businesses in recent years across various products and retail services. Advancements in technologies have made this possible and the use of interactive kiosks is expected to have a shorter adoption cycle to the mass market.
Customers, many of whom are now vastly experienced in making online purchases, are said to be more comfortable using self-service kiosks than waiting in line or dealing face-to-face with in-store personnel so interactive kiosks and touchscreens appear to be the next logical step as retailers try to capture any slight competitive advantage in an eminently competitive sector.
Touch screen kiosks can be a superior alternative to hiring staff is the accuracy and efficiency they provide. When processing transactions, for example, there is always the chance that human error can creep in which can damage profitability, particularly if you own multiple retail stores. With interactive kiosks, that risk is simply eliminated.
Ultimately, touch screen kiosks can be programmed to promote specific products alongside their primary functions, making them a powerful weapon in the marketing arsenal. Touchscreens also stimulate customer’s curiosity meaning they will approach the screen simply to see what it does – combing this with advertising exposure and it’s a sure-fire way to increase sales.
