Interactive Kiosks Posted by Harish Sukhwal on 8:31 PM Digg it Bookmark it Stumble it Email to friend

A kiosk used to be basically a stand or a booth where simple services were provided to the general public. Today's kiosks perform the same function, what is absent is the presence of a human being manning the kiosk. Computers have replaced him to provide certain specific and specialized services.

An interactive kiosk is one where the user gets responses to his queries almost instantaneously and gets his job done. Most computer manned kiosks are interactive kiosks. Such interactive kiosks may be either for the purpose of providing information or for completing a few specific transactions that the computer has been programmed for.

Interactive kiosks that provide information can be seen at railway stations, airports, bus terminals and the like. The latest computers that are used in such kiosks are touchscreen kiosks and are very user friendly. The interfaces of the programs fed into these kiosks are made to be very simple and user friendly so that common people face no trouble using them. Such interactive kiosks usually give information about bus, train and flight schedules; information about any delays; a facility to view where a particular bus, train or flight is using GPS systems; and several other pieces of related information.

Interactive kiosks that are used for completing transactions are put up by banks. ATM centers are prime examples of such kiosks. Customer identification is done through the use of user ids and unique PINs. Interactive kiosks that are set up by banks for use by their customers are also used for cash withdrawal. The customer can access his bank account through the kiosk and withdraw money from his account. Banks have a system of checks and balances to ensure that no fraudulent means are used to take advantage of kiosks.

The Uses of Touch Screen Technology Posted by Harish Sukhwal on 11:23 PM Digg it Bookmark it Stumble it Email to friend

Over the last few years, the use of touch screen know-how has increased dramatically to the point where is it commonplace in everybody's every day life. Listed below are some examples of how they are being used:

Public Information Displays - The primary reason behind the increase in use of touch screen displays is basically due to the ease of use they offer. People of an older generation, who possibly have had no actual experience with computers, can quickly work out how to make use of them and find the information they require basically. Public information displays come in the type of information kiosks, trade show displays, tourism displays, and lots of others.

Retail Systems - In definite environments time is an important factor in determining the efficiency and effectiveness of transactions. A touch screen process can reduce the time needed to input information and can also increase the ability of program in terms of visual communication of options. Therefore they play an important role in such areas as money registers, stool and reservation systems and order entry stations by simplifying and speeding up the information entry method.

Customer Self-Service - It is a fact that nobody likes waiting in line or queuing for things, and it is a controversy that can be overcome by using this know-how. Self-service touch screen terminals are being used to improve customer support at stores, restaurants and transportation hubs. ATM's and airline e-ticket terminals are other examples of self-service stations that often use them. Customers can complete transactions themselves; saving them time and allowing them to get on with their day.

Computer Training - Using this know-how for schooling systems can lead to increased speed of training, decreased costs, improved effectiveness and interaction and more fun for the trainee. Due to it is ease of use, these systems are not difficult for computer novices to become familiar with, therefore aiding the efficiency of training.

Industrial And Manufacturing - Within the last few years, the integration of touch screen systems in to industrial parts and product manufacturing has increased dramatically. Because of the ease of use, the speed of information input and the simplified visual communication of options, touch screens offer an unparalleled alternative to older information input systems.