The Future of Self-Service Kiosks

Ask any ten people how they feel about self-service kiosks, and you’re likely to get a range of answers.  Some of this depends on the age of the consumer -- Millennials are far more likely to have a favorable impression of them than Boomers, for instance -- but other factors are important as well, such as the type of kiosk and the environment in which it has been installed. However, while potential users’ feelings toward self-service kiosks may vary, one thing is certain: they are here to stay. This means that the real question isn’t if kiosks will play important roles in transactional and service environments; it is, instead, where and when. If recent trends continue, the truth may very well be that digital kiosks will be able to find a place in almost any industry where human interaction often hinders the process (via a combination of inefficiency or inaccuracy) more than it helps -- especially if the real costs of the human resource are, in the long run, higher than that of the machine. Also important to note is that as the market for digital kiosks broadens, often into unexpected areas, the technologies being incorporated into them are becoming increasingly high tech in order to take full advantage of the range of opportunities for their deployment. Rather than simple barcode scanners or limited touch screens, we’re now seeing biometric integrations, high-resolution displays and touchscreens with pressure-sensitive capabilities. Some of this is the result of demand for additional security during financial transactions, but it is also due to the unique needs of some kiosks, such as those dispensing expensive items or controlled substances. On the flip side, because self-service kiosks are more common than ever before, it means that pricing continues to fall, making less-complex machines more accessible to smaller companies. Small businesses may not need biometric-enabled kiosks, but they certainly stand to benefit from some of the more basic technologies available, especially as the minimum wage continues to rise. Excited to get a glimpse of what’s next for self-service kiosks?  Us, too.  We invite you to follow RedyRef over the next few weeks as we explore the future of the industry. For those who already know they want to take the plunge into high-tech kiosk deployment, RedyRef’s experts are available to assist companies of all sizes; just give us a call at (800) 628-3603 ext 525 or submit a request for proposal online and our team will be with you every step of the way.