Interactive kiosk

Kiosk systems are interactive computer systems that are in the public space or semi-public locations, such as in loading zones used. In contrast to mobile computing devices they have been issued a fixed location. They provide users with information. Some Also providing the ability to contract negotiations or on the financial statements. Kiosk systems are self-service terminals. Through their use, staff can be saved.

To be distinguished from the kiosk systems are computer systems that are also used in the public and provide access to the thematically unlimited world of internet. These are referred to as Internet terminals or as surfing or multimedia stations.

Areas of application

Kiosk systems usually offer access only to those applications with which the stand / holder is willing to distribute information. They offer information on magazines, newspapers, companies, timetables or historic buildings. They are found in the normal public or in closed public, but anonymous, for example at trade shows.

The first kiosk systems were as POI systems (POI: Point of Interest and Point of Information ): referred or POS Systems (Point of Sale or Point of Service POS). They put the user at airports or train stations information that driving or sold tickets and gave the user a high level of self-service.

If one summarizes the kiosk system - wide concept, also ATMs at the kiosks can be counted.

User groups

The use of the systems can be anonymous, that is, without identification of personnel, take place. Some systems, however, see the entry of an identifier before (user ID, password, employee number, customer number, and others) and are then able to offer a personalized information service.

There are countless applications for closed user groups (CUG - Closed User Groups) on the market, such as for personnel time recording as a time clock.

Data output via kiosk systems exist in corporate areas that usually do not have computer workstations, particularly in workshops and in the open. Next they are also available in areas that can only be accessed by persons with special permission, ie in areas where the identification is carried out on club cards, membership cards, loyalty cards or the like.

Restriction of the use of width

The concepts of use of kiosk systems provide limited user interfaces. There is only access to the programs that are required. If web browser are used, they will be configured so that there is a limited use width. One of these measures achieved increased operational reliability and stability in continuous operation.

In a simple kiosk system, the hypertext system provides only a small number of branching possibilities and a limited amount of callable pages. Is a reduced in depth and complexity of the hierarchical system.

Operating concepts

The operating concept of a kiosk system may provide for the use of standing or sitting. What is each appropriate results from the target population and the optimal length of stay. For information systems in the community being accessibility is provided. So you must be available for wheelchair users in the same way as for persons without restrictions.

Kiosk systems are available to users often around the clock. Under such circumstances, it can not accurately predict which groups of users will be set and what level of knowledge in the application of computing resources they bring. Kiosk terminals should therefore have an easily accessible, intuitively understandable and easy to use interface.

While the users want an easy verstehbares operating concept, it may on the other hand, device, location and content providers give that thus promise of a bad operating concept a longer residence time on the unit and increased advertising value.

Reasons to use

One of the biggest advantages of kiosk systems to other information services is that the service is no staff at the place must have and that the systems can also be used by normal working hours away. In addition, products that are to be presented must not be physically present.

With kiosks can be novel concepts for the information transfer realized. An example are systems in the sales areas of retail stores. They provide the customer the opportunity to become self- informed about the products offered for sale. The procedure may look like this: The customer bears the product for which he is interested in, the kiosk system; where the EAN number is read by a scanner. All information can then be displayed, was not enough for the adhesive label on the place. Borne by the customer, for example, a bottle of wine to the kiosk system, the system can indicate the optimal maturity for consumption and storage capacity, to the ideal drinking temperature, and it can be also answers the question of what food the wine is.

Information can be offered at locations where the provider has a rule about no local presence, so-called third locations. For example, a concert organizers set up in a point of sale for tickets is a device that can be queried concert dates. With such a cooperation will benefit the local office, because for the customers additional reasons arise to visit their locations, and the concert organizers benefited because he gets his information offered to an interested audience.

There's kiosks, which can be supported by advertising. All the better it with these systems manage to create effective advertising recognition effects, the more money is available to increase with elaborate and costly functions the efficiency for customers.

Social acceptance

Because of cultural differences, the social acceptance of kiosk systems in the different countries looks different. The spread and acceptance in the Anglo-Saxon countries much more advanced than in the German-speaking countries. In public libraries kiosk systems are not only for automatic search and to check in and available, but include with free or chargeable unrestricted Internet access to the established image. In the German-speaking countries, the spread of kiosk systems, however, is still in its infancy.