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The Future of Touchscreens

January 11, 2013 3:20 pmLeave a Comment

 

Light CloudThe international Consumer Electronics Show (CES) typically is a chance for electronics companies to show off new products and funky gadgets that will be imminently available in the marketplace, however, you, as the consumer, also get a heads-up on new technologies and prototypes that provide all important clues as to where interactive technology is taking us.

 

Much of the buzz emanating from the annual CES is surrounding touchscreen technology in all its varying forms and guises. The past 30 years have seen touchscreens evolve considerably. We are now seeing the addition of side and rear touch interaction on phones and tablets. What we have to look forward to is the curved, flexible, bendy touch screens, even touch-screens with emerging physical buttons that disappear once you’ve finished with the keyboard. These displays roll up like newspapers and are certainly the closest thing we have to a paper-like computer.

 

Queen’s University, Canada, and Plastic Logic are both leading the development of disruptive technology and have collaborated to showcase their version of PaperTab, a flexible, fully functional interactive touchscreen, at the CES. At this point, flexible touchscreen devices are in their development stage but one can witness the benefits to existing glass displays. The new, paper-like displays still allow natural human interaction, are lighter, thinner and more robust than glass.

Paper Touch

 

Touch technology companies have been able to produce curved touch glass (Zytronic) and this has increased the areas of application and has freed designers to create with curved, multi-touch glass. The future is interactive and very much involving the touchscreen.

 

Sentios Technology specialise in interactive touchscreen self-service solutions and are waiting to talk to you about your requirements whether they are futuristic or along the traditional lines. Contact us by telephone on 0333 405 0011 or by email at sales@sentios.co.uk.

 

Posted in Hardware, Industry, Self-Service, Tablets, Touch TechnologyTagged , , , , , , , ,

Tablet Kiosks Are Rising

November 8, 2012 3:49 pmLeave a Comment

 

Tablets are storming their way into the corporate world by trading older, large kiosk counterparts for smaller, sleeker solutions. Tablet-kiosks have the advantage of being exceptionally portable and carry many benefits as an interactive, touchscreen display. Tablet technology modernises existing, traditional kiosk designs which is why more and more industries are capitalising on the latest technological developments. Industry trends are seeing a large shift in enquiries from traditional aesthetically pleasing kiosk set-ups to tablet-based designs for several reasons. Companies that embrace tablet kiosks benefit from a number of advantages. One aspect that attracts business is their modern-looking, sleek, stylish and slim design. As with desk space in office environments, floor space in retail is at a premium and any way to save square footage hugely tempting.

 

Sentios have witnessed self-serve, touch screen kiosks building in popularity as the hardware deployed in such solutions has improved. Nowadays, the public are open and willing to interact with and embrace such technology. Businesses that have a defined omni-channel strategy discover the users experience when interacting with tablets is raised and leads to increasing customer satisfaction and brand loyalty as a result.

 

Sentios expect to see a higher number of tablet kiosk deployments within the following industries:

 

1. Educational environments

 

Whether it is in schools or universities we are witnessing a large amount of roll-outs to campuses for way-finding and information purposes, libraries are installing tablet devices as modern search terminals and schools are acquiring the devices to engage students and share information in new ways. Apple’s latest update of iBooks brings a vast quantity of textbooks and other supporting literature to almost cement it as an essential application to make available for any educational institution. Add to that Amazon’s Online Bookstore and you can really see the potential tablets have in these environments.

 

2. Hotels

 

We are all aware of virtual reception solutions however hotels are now taking it to another level and deploying Internet terminals to their concierge desks to complement the service offering. Hotel residents are provided with easy, quick access to check-in, local restaurants, car hire, attractions, events and so on, which has proven to enhance the guest experience.

 

3. Catering

 

Tablet solutions are becoming ubiquitous within restaurants globally and provide another service offering for customers. Additional functions such as controlling music tracks for the table or jukebox make it fun and enticing to interact with the device. Tablets also have the added benefit of being more hygienic, due to flat surfaces and less peripherals, and a popular choice where cleanliness is of utmost importance.

 

4. Retail stores and shops

 

It is not only digital signage and digital catalogues that we are seeing in retail settings. Brands that use omni-channel strategies can enhance their success rate by deploying online tablet kiosk solutions to create an immersive experience for their customers.

 

Sentios are interested in cutting-edge technologies and innovation and as tablets become the hardware of choice for many company’s interactive touchscreen solutions we can provide an array of hardware and software to select to match those requirements.

 

Posted in Digital Signage, Hardware, Industry, Kiosks, Self-Service, Tablets, Touch TechnologyTagged , , , , , ,

The Self-Service Airport

October 30, 2012 5:21 pmLeave a Comment

 

Airlines are paving the way for airports becoming increasingly automated experiences. Most of us, especially the seasoned traveller, are used to interfacing with self-service technology (sometimes referred to as Common Use Self-Service technology or CUSS), typically in the form of touch screen kiosks. When we picture the futuristic airport we imagine passengers checking-in online (as they have done for years now), holding their boarding card electronically on a tablet or smartphone device, checking-in their own baggage and scanning their boarding passes when requested at the gate. Companies are taking steps forward now to create the most user-friendly airport terminals in the world by incorporating self-service technology systems at many points along the passenger journey. We all expect to see some form of self-service technology in an airport environment but how will this develop in the future?

 

We see that many airlines and airports around the globe are expanding their service offerings to customers, for example:

 

 - American Airlines is rolling out kiosks that direct travellers to tag their own checked bags across New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other major airports over the next two years.

- Iberia installed 22 “Quick Service Points” to provide information and assistance to passengers and to reduce queuing time.

- In Las Vegas, JetBlue Airways became the first U.S. airline to officially implement self-boarding gates, where passengers scan their own boarding pass to gain access to the plane.

- WestJet unveiled a host of new features for their customers via mobile, web and self-service kiosks including booking alterations and excess baggage payments.

- Enterprise Rent-A-Car now have self service kiosks enabling customers to bypass queues at rental counters.

- In June, Ethiopian Airlines launched self-service check-in kiosks at the country’s main airport.

 

As a customer, if speed is what you desire then the self-service machines are the way to go. This way frequent flyers that do not wish to interact with a person can check themselves in all the way from the pavement to the gate, only meeting security personnel along the way. Airline employees are available every step of the way to dedicate more time to the people who need it.

 

Some argue that deploying technology is a way for airlines to reduce staff numbers as they outsource much of the pre-boarding activity to the passenger. This however, has not been supported by a recent airline IT provider survey that found 70% of passengers want to tag their own bags.

 

There are many benefits for incorporating self-service technology into the airport experience, not only for the customer but also from a business perspective. For instance, self-service technology can:

 

-        Improve service offering to customers

-        Boost customer satisfaction

-        Reduces customer waiting times

-        Frees employees to focus on customers that require further assistance or who have questions

-        Help raise the efficiency and performance of airports and airlines

 

Please contact Sentios Technology for a more in-depth overview of our solutions or for a free consultation.

Posted in Industry, Kiosks, Self-Service, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Digital Signage: Big Screen on Campus

October 24, 2012 9:25 amLeave a Comment

Nowadays, Digital Display technology is fast growing and its impact and reach has become significant. This fantastic info-graphic from Digital Signage Today shows some interesting data points as global spending on IT in education is expected to double over the next three years.


Posted in Digital Signage, Education, Hardware, Touch TechnologyTagged , , , , , ,

The Ins and Outs of Self Service Solutions

October 8, 2012 11:10 amLeave a Comment

Interactive Self Service Solutions can be broad in design and application. Examples of Self Service systems can be found in airports for check-in, cinemas for ticket collection, shopping centres for way finding, town centres for local information, train stations for ticket ordering and retail outlets for additional customer support and digital catalogue browsing.

These solutions are typically interacted with by the user via an integrated touch screen monitor. In more advanced systems, components and peripherals such as keyboard, roller-ball mouse, webcam, microphone or a fingerprint reader may be included to provided to enable additional functionality. Depending on the complexity of the system, the solution can be housed in a bespoke or standard floor standing kiosk, a smaller wall mounted, or a terminal setup with a touch monitor or all-in-one PC unit. The second important part of any Self Service Solution is of course the ability to ‘Self Serve’ which may take on many forms according to the application. Examples of Self Service solutions include simple information provision, such as local town information or way finding, a vending solution such as ticket or product vending, or a more complex self check out system like as often found in large supermarkets.

 

In other applications, self service solutions can be found in outdoor unattended environments, accessible by customers or members of the general public for information and product vending. Ruggedised and specialist outdoor kiosk technology is used ensure that the unit is fully weather and vandal proof, yet still funny functional to provide the same high quality interactive experience for the user.

 

Self Service kiosks and terminal bring many benefits including the reduction of queues, increase customer satisfaction, and drive increased sales through digital signage and targeted advertising. Please contact Sentios Technology for further information on how interactive self service applications could help you and your business.

Posted in Hardware, Kiosks, Self-Service, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Breathalyser Kiosks Are Launched In American Bars

September 28, 2012 2:25 pm1 Comment

Sentios is always intrigued to hear of touch screen kiosk solutions that improve the lives of the people around them. So when we heard about a business entrepreneur in Utah who developed a kiosk that enables the customer to test their blood-alcohol level, we naturally wanted to share the news.

 

Jason Knott’s new, interactive touch screen kiosk provides a service that allows customers to test their own blood-alcohol limit to the thousandth decimal point to enable the customer to make a decision about driving home or getting a taxi. Knott has incorporated FDA approved breathalysers, which are used by law enforcement officers in the U.S.A. into his kiosks, and the touch-screen interface even allows the customer to easily order a taxi straight from the kiosk.  These self-service kiosks are in placed in public access areas so privacy was a key concern throughout the development stage; hence no information is stored within the kiosk.

 

This solution is a new approach to prevent drink driving and as an incentive to encourage the use of the service the kiosk will give the user a taxi discount voucher if they are found to be over the legal limit to drive.

 

By providing users with a way to accurately read their blood-alcohol level and subsequently with a safe way to get home this breathalyzer kiosk solution will benefit not only those who have been enjoying a evening out but also those whose lives could be impacted by someone drink-driving.

 

Sentios is always looking for new and innovative ways to develop interactive touch technology. For a more in-depth overview of our solutions please visit sentios.co.uk/info. Please get in touch to share any experience you’ve had with touchscreen technology.

Posted in Hardware, Kiosks, Touch TechnologyTagged , , , , , ,

Interactive Touch Raspberry Pi

August 20, 2012 11:09 amLeave a Comment

As Pi-fever grips the world, its uses and applications are becoming more diverse and pragmatic. In the world of interactive technology solutions, the Raspberry Pi also has a place. With the correct application coding, the majority of interactive user interface portals and digital signage solutions are able to run on low power processors making the Pi a respectable contender. We are hoping that future generations will prove themselves stable enough to support kiosk control software for commercial applications, thus presenting more reliability, minimal downtime, and a substantial saving on to the customer.

 

Solutions aside, we are excited about the use of Raspberry Pi with interactive touch-screens and vend peripherals in schools, colleges and universities to help IT and computer science students develop applications and interfaces as part of their studies. The low-cost unit will provide students with a small portable programming device they can keep with them, bring to workshop sessions, or take home to work on. The same unit can be used to create touchscreen and peripheral control software, and to drive user experience graphical user interface portals.

 

The Raspberry PI is a credit card sized single board computer, incorporating a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), a small hard disk and a video card. The technology was developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, originally as a way to introduce children across the world to the idea of programming.  By default, the Raspberry Pi uses Python as the educational language; however any language which will compile for ARMv6 can be used with the Raspberry Pi, so you’re not limited to using Python. It does not include a built-in hard disk but uses an SD card for booting and long-term storage.  Two models of the Raspberry Pi have been designed to date:

 

- Model A has been designed to have 256Mb RAM, one USB port and no Ethernet port

 

- Model B has 256Mb RAM, 2 USB port and an Ethernet port.

 

It is also extremely functional and easy to use. With no on/off switch it’s as easy as plug in and go and just remove it to turn it off, but it can also run of 4 AA batteries. The attraction to the Raspberry PI is the low cost, at units being sold at $25 – $35 the computer is available to a huge audience, ultimately encouraging future generations to be interested, and know how to code computer programs.

 

Sentios Technology is always looking for new and innovative ways to develop and deploy interactive solutions. Please visit sentios.co.uk/info for a full introduction, and a more in-depth overview of our systems.

 

Posted in Hardware, Industry, Software, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Mobile NFC & Contactless Payment

August 4, 2012 12:33 pmLeave a Comment

Contactless payment is set to be the next big thing, allowing shoppers to pay for goods quickly and easily with debit cards,credit cards, smart-cards and other devices using RFID technology. Near Field Communication (NFC) is an emerging tech which supports a number of innovative uses including in-store social media liking/following, transferring images and media between devices, exchanging other data such as electronic business cards, and instant wireless payment of goods by simply waving a smartphone in front of an NFC contactless receiver as part of an in-store retail solution.  Presenting a truly all-in-one solution for shoppers, it is expected that half of all mobile phone owners will use mobile NFC technology to purchase both physical and digital goods by early 2015.

 

Mobile phone contactless payment presents advantages and additional functionality over standard contactless card transactions. When using a simple credit or debit card, only an electronic purchase transaction takes place. When using NFC smartphone technology however, a smartphone could also receive information about the shop or purchase at the time of purchase. This opens up a different area of marketing for high street retailers as a new way to reach out to and communicate with customers.

 

As an early-adopter of emerging tech, Sentios Technology is able to incorporate contactless payment options into its interactive retail and vending kiosk units, thus providing a better user experience and shortening the transaction time which in its self may lead to smaller queues and higher turnover for vendors. Sentios is able to provide technical advice and consultancy on contactless payment options for a wide range of user applications.

Posted in Industry, SoftwareTagged , , , , , ,

Touch Technology Solutions and the Health Care Industry

July 18, 2012 4:55 pmLeave a Comment

 

State-of-the-art touch technology, such as the Apple iPad, is being harnessed across many Primary Care Trusts(PCT) in the UK in a bid to make several improvements for staff members, patients and as a money-saving exercise, all as part of the NHS’ efficiency drive. Areas that incorporate touch technology solutions will feel and see the positive impact the technology can bring. The following benefits have been proven after pilot roll-outs of specific solutions into PCTs:

 

- Improved customer experience

- Reduction in waiting times

- Paper usage and printing costs significantly reduced

- An added-value service to patients and customers

 

It isn’t only tablet computers that are being deployed within the healthcare industry, the adoption, and subsequent growth, of self-service kiosks are having a positive effect on people and their experiences. Currently, the interactive, self service kiosk solution has typically been invested in to improve and expand service offerings with money-saving benefits as an extra draw to those in control of the budget. Touch technology kiosk solutions aim to bring the following benefits:

 

Way-finding functionality – an example could include an interactive map with the ability to provide clear directions to lead a patient or visitor to the right department.

 

Information capture – ability to capture up to date information from the user, for example contact details.

 

Self registration and check-in – for straightforward check-in situations giving time back to the receptionist to deal with more complex registrations.

 

Information provider – for patients looking to research particular procedures or information relating to the hospital or clinic.

 

Elimination of language barriers and social exclusion – touchscreens improve communication between those speaking in different languages but also for people who are partially sighted or unable to read. Large text and icons bridge any communication issues.

 

NHS staff time management – improved resource management and focused work.

 

Information and Advertising platform – interactive digital signage is becoming more popular especially compared to traditional static signage.

 

 

Self-service kiosk solutions aren’t only located in public access areas they are also found at almost all patient bedsides, to provide telephone, television and internet access to those in hospital. Most people will now be familiar with unattended Virtual Receptionist (VR) solutions; you’ve probably seen a system in your doctor’s surgery. These are in the form of touchscreen monitors that guide a patient through the check-in process and alert the relevant member of staff of their arrival.  The VR solution can also provide a user with access to the surgery website, services, products and other relevant web information as well as personalised advertisements.

 

In summary, the inclusion of interactive touch technology within the healthcare industry is proving to be successful and is a path many are turning down. Sentios Technology specialises in interactive touch technology and are always looking for new ways and environments to deploy solutions. Please visit sentios.co.uk for a full introduction and an overview of our systems.

 

Posted in Digital Signage, Hardware, Industry, Kiosks, Queue Management, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

The History of Touch Screen Technology

June 20, 2012 2:05 pmLeave a Comment

Digital display technology is pervading across much of our lives, be it professionally at work or within our home lives. Most people are familiar with interfacing with smartphones and tablet devices, but does this mean we are heading to a place where all screens will become interactive touchscreens?

 

Before we move into the realms of “Through-Glass Touch” we must understand the roots of the technology we are embracing so strongly. Touch screen technology to some may appear to be technology of the future but you may be surprised to learn that touch screens were being discussed in the 1960s and first versions came to life in the 1970s.

 

This timeline breaks down significant milestones in the development of touch technology:

 

1965-7

It is widely considered that E. A. Johnson of the Royal Radar Establishment, UK, was the creator of the first capacitive touch screen. He published a short article in 1965 before following with a descriptive, full-length article including diagrams and photos in 1967, describing his work with capacitive touch technology.

 

1971

Doctor Sam Hurst, University of Kentucky and founder of Elographics, developed the first “touch sensor” during his time at university. The sensor was dubbed the “Elograph” and was not transparent (as you would expect modern screens to be).

 

1974

The first true resistive touch screen boasting a transparent surface was developed by Sam Hurst and Elographics.

 

1977     

Elographics, after a few years of continual development of the resistive technology, patented the invention and it still remains the most popular touch screen technology in use today.

 

1983

Hewlett Packard introduced the first home computer with integrated touch technology, the HP-150. This commercially available system used infra-red technology where a grid of beams covering the front of the monitor detected finger movements.

 

1993

Apple’s stepped into handheld products with their Newton PDA equipped handwriting recognition, which was widely accepted that it was ahead of its time.

 

1993

IBM introduced the world to the smartphone, called Simon, boasting the ability to input telephone numbers using a touch-screen.

 

1996

The PDA market expanded and Palm entered the stage with their Pilot touch screen product range.

 

2002

Microsoft could see the potential in the handheld “tablet” devices and so launched Windows XP Tablet edition. This technology didn’t really gain momentum as the hardware so expensively priced.

 

2007

Apple’s iPhone is hugely responsible for the shake-up of touchscreen technology. The iPhone was introduced to the world and it left many manufacturers playing catch-up as not only did Apple’s device have a slick user interface they were able to couple this with their App Store. This has transformed the way people engage with technology and has stimulated the advancement of touch technology.

 

2010

Apple released the iPad, their flagship “tablet” product and although it was shipped without a camera and was lacking in multi-tasking ability they still sold over 1 million units and each generation of iPad reveals continuous improvement and development.

 

With the commercialisation of touch technology, now, in 2012, it is difficult to step out of the house and not come into contact with touchscreens. They are in use seemingly everywhere and people are becoming more creative with how to apply the technology.  The technology is very popular in retail, medical, educational and heavy industries and “touch” is still gaining momentum.

 

 

Posted in Hardware, Industry, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Turning a Touch Display into an Integrated Touch Monitor

June 12, 2012 11:00 amLeave a Comment

Almost any touch screen monitor could be integrated into a given situation but touch displays specially designed to be integrated, make planning, installation and maintenance of your project much easier. Industrial, grade, integrated touch monitors are available with a huge range of configuration options because companies integrate touchscreen solutions in so many different ways. Not only is there a plethora of technical specifications to select from, including the type of touch technology you want, screen size and resolution, but there are also several options for how to mount your touch monitor in your environment. These are the most popular mounting techniques, however, the list is not exhaustive:

 

- Open Frame

- Panel Mount

- Chassis Mount

- Chassis

- Rack Mount

 

 

What are the benefits for each mounting style?

 

 

Open Frame and Chassis Mount monitors are used in the industry to integrate into kiosks with touch screen or display requirements or you would see them installed behind apertures in a wall or fascia. A typical setting for the open frame units would see them incorporated with a wooden frame, attached to a machine to act as a control mechanism for the project. Both chassis mount and open frame units are usually deployed into control mechanism environments, for example, as a wall display or desktop Point Of Sale unit.

 

 

Panel Mount monitors, where the monitor itself has a bezel, boast easy, neat installation from the front of an aperture, thus solving the problem of an untidy aperture edge, leaving a good, tidy, professional finish around the aperture edges. These units are ideal in situations where aperture edges are to be hidden.

 

 

Rack Mount devices are easily installed onto the rack front (typically 19” racks/shelves) or a slide drawer system can be used when space is at a premium.

 

 

Sentios’ touch technology solutions are exceptionally configurable. Sentios’ robust W-Range provides our customers with a range of products that makes decision-making straightforward resulting with your own bespoke design to match your requirements exactly. Modularised mechanical design of the devices creates flexible product configuration with easy maintenance in mind. Sentios’ units are developed for specialised integration and industrial applications. Whether you need a high brightness screen for low light situations or a specific ratio for your screen size we are able to offer advice and expertise to match an industrial, integrated monitor to your requirements. You can find out more by visiting the relevant Sentios Product Page or by contacting us.

 

Posted in Hardware, Kiosks, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Touch Screen Monitors in Education

May 27, 2012 10:55 amLeave a Comment

The rise of touch screen technology within the educational field has proven to enrich and improve the life of a student. Touch-screens and interactive whiteboards within a classroom setting are powerful tools for any student, however, even more so for pupils with disabilities.

 

Touchscreen monitors display graphical images that users can touch and interact with to enter commands and make software selections, where otherwise they wouldn’t be able. For instance, children without verbal communication skills are able to connect with their peers; caregivers and teachers through touch screen monitors. Not only does touch technology enable communication but also the opportunity to engage in educational assignments without the challenge of writing with a pen or typing on a keyboard. This has a direct effect on eliminating frustration and stress for both the child and teacher. Touch screens were developed within an educational context to bridge the gap between those who didn’t possess mouse or keyboard skills and the content to be learnt. It naturally follows that it is ideally suited to those who experience difficulty because of cognitive or physical disabilities.

 

A touch screen is sensitive to human touch and allows a user to interact with the computer display and software as a form of assistive technology. A series of closed questions can be asked with children able to touch a “yes,” “no” or a specific answer button on the screen. Touch screen devices become a communication enabler aiding social and academic development, plus creating opportunities that may not have presented themselves without the touch technology existing.

 

Interactive whiteboards have been established in the classroom for several years now and children are exposed to touch technology from a very early age, even before their earliest memories. With the invent of Apple’s iPad they have managed to create an entirely new category of touch PC devices which has already shown to be an important part of the PC market development.  Greater market awareness and demand has increased for touch in other PC applications and we will see increasing consumption of information and media via touch devices.

 

Already, touch screens today have a ubiquitous presence in the form of retail and information kiosks, airline and cinema e-ticket terminals, and other self-service devices in libraries, doctor surgeries and fast-food restaurants. Researchers are currently exploring ways to fully integrate touchscreens in the classroom such as building the technology into existing walls, desks and other objects. Today, existing technology comes in the form of touch monitors and interactive whiteboards of varying sizes, functions and touch technology types. Naturally, these screens have a purpose not only in an educational setting but consumer and public access areas as well.

 

Posted in Hardware, Software, Touch Technology, uncategorizedTagged , , ,

Touch Monitors and EPOS in Retail

May 20, 2012 9:13 amLeave a Comment

Throughout the 1970s, Electronic Cash Registers (ECR) became increasingly popular but, compared to today’s standards, offered limited functionality and usability. In 1974, McDonalds became an early adopter of the All In One (AIO) cash register created by William Brobeck which displayed the entire order to the customer. This was one of the first iterations of what we now know as an Electronic Point Of Sale unit (EPOS).

 

The two standard configurations for an EPOS system are to install an All-In-One Touch PC unit, or to install a dedicated PC, usually out of site under the counter, with an industrial / professional grade touchscreen monitor display. In either configuration, the EPOS terminal may have a number of auxiliary or integrated peripherals such as a customer facing display, cash drawer, barcode scanner, receipt printer,  and a chip & PIN card reader unit.

 

Typically, point of sale touch units are integrated in with a central purchasing or retail system controlling prices and transactional information. This may include some sort of end of week sale or transaction report to enable marketing and management to have a more clear view on business activity.

 

With the introduction of more modern technologies such as stable high-speed internet connections and PCOIP zero-client units, EPOS systems are available as part of a wider VDI infrastructure whereby all EPOS software is hosted and managed centrally at a data centre which presents the customer with cost saving and added security.

Some real world working examples of touch-screen EPOS units in retail would be:

 

- Restaurants & Kitchens

- Fast-food Chains

- Car Showrooms

- High-Street Store Payment Tills

- Cinemas

- Department Stores

- Convenience Stores

- Hardware Shops

- Airport Payment

- Entertainment Complex

 

Interactive touch screen EPOS units offer many advantages such as improved customer satisfaction, self-service options, counter top space saving, and the integration of many different types of hardware and back-office systems.  Modern systems are able to handle many functions such as sales, exchanges, returns, customer loyalty programmes, gift card management and in-store promotions.  In today’s modern and competitive high-street environment, retailers are looking for more customer friendly and efficient ways to manage transactional sales with the use of interactive touch screen EPOS terminals.

 

Posted in Hardware, Industry, Touch TechnologyTagged , , , , , , , , ,

Touch Screen Monitor Technology Types

April 2, 2012 3:12 pmLeave a Comment

There are, in total, nine functional touch technology types available for use in touchscreen monitor units, but the four main types in mainstream use are Capacitive, Resistive, Surface Acoustic Wave and Optical infrared. Capacitive touch has become very popular in more recent times with the introduction of smartphone and tablet devices such as the Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy s2. This technology employs piezoelectric sensors which sit in the corner of the touch screen and rely on conductivity via the users finger. The capacitive screen sensors monitor the surface of the touchscreen and detect changes in capacitance. This information is fed back to the monitor or devices logic which interprets the signals, establishes where the screen has been touched, and feeds this information to an operating system which interprets and information and acts accordingly. Unlike resistive technology, the main advantage of capacitive touch is its pin point levels of accuracy, and that it supports multi-touch gestures, again made popular with increasingly adopted phone and tablet devices.

 

Resistive touchscreen technology is very popular and can be found in a range of product types from an EPOS thermal I’m a restaurant to some of the smaller hand-held basic game consoles. A resistive touch screen monitor has two very thin membranes which sit over the main flat panel monitor screen. When an operators finger touches the screen of the monitor, the two membranes meet and an electrical connection is made. Logic in the touchscreen monitor is able to establish where on the screen the connection has been made by a matrix of sensors which are impregnated into the touch membranes. Resistive touch technology is cheaper to develop and manufacture than other technology types which presents a value benefit to the end user. One of the main disadvantages to resistive touch technology is that the touch membranes sit on top of the screen and therefore tend to wear over time. Resistive touch membranes are also less vandal-proof than some of its rival touch technologies.

 

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) touch also uses piezoelectric technology but this time tiny emitters send acoustic waves out across the surface of the touchscreen. These waves are reflected back across the screen by deflectors which sit at the edges of the touch screen monitor display. When the screen is touched by a user’s finger the resulting disruption in the sound wave is detected as part of the wave energy is absorbed. The sensors communicate the change to the monitor’s control logic which in turn feeds information to the OS. Surface acoustic wave touch technology is the popular choice for outdoor kiosks as there are no physical components to damage, unlike with resistive touch membranes. SAW interactive displays are also chosen for projects where image quality is critical because the is no visible element to interfere with the rendered image. On the down-side, SAW screens may malfunction if exposed to excessive noise of vibration.

 

The final of the four most popular touch tech types is the infra-red type of optical sensor touch. In this example, an invisible infrared  light source is emitted onto the monitor’s display. Sensors constantly monitor the X and Y axis of the surface area of the screen  waiting for a break in the light pattern. Once a break is detected, information is sent back to the touch-ready operating system, Windows 7 for example, via the monitor’s on-board control logic. Infrared touch screen technology tends to be used more for high-end and specialist applications as there is a price premium attached. As with capacitive and SAW, infrared touchscreen displays are the obvious choice where image quality is important.

 

With the ever expanding acceptance of tablet and smartphone devices in consumer markets, touch screen technology is becoming increasingly adopted in professional and commercial environments,  business and industry. Specialist manufacturers continue to design and develop rugged yet elegant touch screen monitor devices specifically for demanding environments such as high-street retail, public access information, restaurant and catering, industry and heavy use business, for example trading floors. Professional and industrial interactive Touchscreen monitor displays intended for uses such as these are designed to be robust and long lasting and are typically NEMA or IP rated to provide protection against dust, grime and water splashes. The combination or increasingly efficient touch technology types and more rugged monitor designs provides IT departments, retailers and other business owners with fast, intuitive and durable touchscreen monitor options for many demanding environments and applications.

 

Posted in Hardware, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Adoption of High-Street Internet Kiosks

March 23, 2012 5:11 pmLeave a Comment

An extensive survey set out to capture the wishes and expectations of high-street consumers has revealed that a large proportion of shoppers in the USA (more than fifty percent) seek  an in-store touch kiosk to enable them to access the store’s website. Shoppers, who are becoming increasingly more comfortable with interactive technology, often prefer to browse an outlet’s website in-store, rather than looking through a physical catalogue, because they are likely to have already used the website at home and can quickly navigate to the product the desire. The same research also revealed that shoppers are receptive to in-store electronic digital signage displays and are in some cases influenced by the products they promote. Consumer accessible touchscreen kiosks set to blur the lines between high-street retail and on-line shopping as shoppers are free to switch between the two outside of the confines of their homes.

 

The survey also found a strong correlation between the ownership of interactive smartphone or tablet devices and the desire to use in-store interactive self-service kiosks. As touch technology becomes more commonplace and consumers continue to drive increasing phone and tablet sales, it is expected that the expectation for information and internet kiosks in shop is set to increase dramatically.

 

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Customer Security at the Kiosk

March 15, 2012 2:22 pmLeave a Comment

Electronic interactive self service kiosks are helping to support consumers busy lives and the increasing requirement for quick access to information. Customer security and protection against identity fraud are paramount in a world where data flows freely. With this in mind, retailers need to be sure that consumers are able to operate information and vending kiosks in a way which protects their identity and information.

 

An example of applied kiosk security would with the printer. A customer may visit a self service kiosk terminal to check account details and perhaps print off a bill receipt. This bill receipt is likely to contain user account information. Another example might be a ticket collection point at an airport. Vended flight tickets may also contain sensitive information. In both of these examples, there is a risk of a busy customer walking away and leaving the bill receipt or plane ticket in the kiosk.

 

Given the printer example, there are a number of security measures which can be put in place. One method is the ‘retract and retrain’ feature whereby a bill receipt is not full fed outside the kiosk body, this keeping sensitive information our of view. If the receipt is not collected by the user within a set time period, the receipt is retracted back inside the kiosk housing and stored securely.

 

This is one of many examples of how technological advancements are helping kiosk manufacturers to protect user detail and information security. For more information about kiosk security or for a consultation on self service solutions, please visit the Sentios Technology website. Interactive and touch screen kiosk solutions are available for many applications including retail systems, vending, ticketing, web access, self-service, queue management and digital signage.

 

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Technology for Kiosk User Interface Analysis

March 6, 2012 12:11 pmLeave a Comment

Tobii Technology (www.tobii.com) is a world leader in eye tracking research and technology. Tobii has created a low cost portable eye-tracking system to collect data for analysis. The Tobii IS-1 for example is a fully embedded eye tracking system. This is the world’s first off the shelf eye tracking solution and can be integrated into interactive kiosk units to study the usability and of the user interface and the effectiveness of on-screen ad campaigns, or maybe a new menu system one wishes to trial.

 

Tobii says ” Tobii IS-1 represents a huge technological advancement, satisfying medium and mass-market demands for smaller size, embedded processing, lower power consumption, and scalability. Performance can be guaranteed in volume applications that require tracking to be fully automatic and to work on basically anyone without any restrictions on the user or the slightest compromise in tracking quality.” Tom Englund, president of Tobii Analysis, said “This new eye tracker combines the Tobii hallmarks of high quality, accuracy and precision with the versatility of being able to handle multiple test setups at a lower cost.”

 

The technology Tobii provides has many potential uses and applications, including: Web portal and software usability, ATM cash machines, ticket vending machines and information point kiosk terminals.

 

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Voucher Dispensing Kiosks for Retail

March 2, 2012 3:10 pmLeave a Comment

Conventionally retail, grocery and hardware customers are presented with loyalty coupons by a cashier at the end of their shopping experience. Coupons may in some cases even be printed and sent tout to customers at the end of each month. More and more retail outlets are embracing interactive kiosk technology to enable their valued customers to benefit from coupon deals as they enter the store. The standard configuration is for customers to be presented with front-of-house kiosk units with an integrated optical scanner and thermal printer unit. The customer is then able to scan their loyalty card through the scanner and receive printed offer and discount coupons from.

 

Retailers understand the importance of targeted marketing and are integrating retail in-store coupon kiosk units with back-office systems, which monitor the purchase and spend habits of individual customers. This information is collated and made available to the kiosk system, which is instructed to print discount coupons for specific products, which the customer may be interested in buying. Alternatively, printed coupons may simply be providing special offers of the day to its customers to pass on manufacturer promotions or to move certain lines of stock.

 

Several key benefits exist for retailers as coupon kiosks work on a real-time basis and offers can be created and updated to meet inventory requirements almost immediately. Additionally, electronic kiosk units present a much quicker way to get offers to customers unlike printing and sending coupons to customers by post. This more traditional method is not only more costly but also presents a lead time between running inventory analysis, designing the coupon, printing them, posting them, and the customer actually using them. The time lag between recognising high stock levels and customers purchasing those items is often untenable and can cause supply and demand planning issues for retailers. Front-of-house electronic coupon kiosk units resolve these issues and help retailers to cover the initial installation outlay very quickly.

Form the customer perspective, coupons received through the post or at point of sale are likely to be lost or forgotten about. When using the kiosk solution, coupons are at the forefront of the customers mind as they are printed and presented to the customer as the chopping experience commences.

 

When using the kiosk units, the customer experience can be enhanced and expedited with the inclusion if interactive touch screen components. This provides a familiar and intuitive interface for the customer to interact with the kiosk unit and may provide options for promoting store products and information. Coupon collection points present a significant benefit for both retailers and their customers. Increasing numbers of retailers are adopting interactive self-service solutions such as these to drive efficiency and customer satisfaction throughout their stores.

 

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Blu-ray Technology and Self Service Kiosks

February 27, 2012 2:55 pmLeave a Comment

 

The origins of Blu-Ray dates back pre-2000 as Sony collaborated with the likes of Phillips and Pioneer to develop new high capacity laser disc technology. What started as DVR Blue prototypes evolved over next six years in partnership with 20th Century Fox and TDK to produce a more robust disc solution and a pre-record video standard. Blu-ray survived a six year battle with its main competitor, the HD-DVD-9 Disc. Toshiba, the main driving force behind HD-DVD, announced in 2008 that it would cease production of its HD-DVD devices allowing Blu-ray to become the new standard in high density optical disc storage. In recent years, Blu-ray player sales have seen significant increases, despite general consumer spend  and media sales being in decline.

 

It is inevitable that eventually, solid state storage and network-streamed digital content is the future of media, but analysts predict that physical media is not set to disappear any time soon. It is therefore expected that legacy DVD media will be replaced fully by Blu-ray, and that this will become the standard universal optical format within the foreseeable future. With this, it makes sense for kiosk manufacturers to embrace Blu-ray now as the preferred format for any project or installation requiring physical optical media. Because Blu-ray read/write drives are fully backward compatible, it makes sense to absorb the slight increase in component cost to ensure that the drive, and therefore the interactive kiosk, is future-proof.

 

Blu-Ray drives are fully integratable into a flush-mounted fascia or multi-functional front panels and can be controlled as part of a self service software solution. Kiosk units may be used in conjunction with Blu-ray technology to provide output digital media for customers to take data and images away, or to allow users to insert of their own, for example to transfer photographs into the kiosk system for professional editing or printing. Such photo printing machines can be found at airports, post offices and popular high-street pharmacists.

 

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Intuitive Bill Payment Kiosks

February 15, 2012 10:08 amLeave a Comment

Utility service providers are investing in innovative new ways to service their customers and to collect revenue payments more efficiently. Aside from online internet bill management systems, service providers are turning to alternative methods of information provision and cash collections such as electronic self-service kiosk units. The implementation of interactive solutions is a proven way to improve customer satisfaction and increase profitability.

 

With the recent widespread adoption of touchscreen devices – such as smartphones, tablets and mp3 players, consumers are become more ‘tech savvy’ and comfortable operating touch screen devices with confidence. In modern times where data flows, people want quicker and more convenient access to their information and more efficient ways to manage their lives. With this in mind, utility, telephony and wireless service providers are using electronic self service kiosks to provide their customers with systems to manage and control their personal finances. These solutions enable last minute payment of bills by customers who may otherwise have had their services disconnected. Providing customers with convenient ways to settle bills also avoids interest and associated penalty charges, plus increase overall customer satisfaction as they find is easier to interact with the system. For the service provider, electronic interactive kiosk payment solutions reduce operating cost and helps to drive considerable system and back-office efficiencies. In-store interactive bill payment kiosks also deliver savings, efficiency and automation as visiting customers can bypass lengthy queues and can make payments in a true self-service environment. This in turn takes a degree of pressure away from in-store sales and customer service personnel allowing them to focus their efforts on more value-add activities.

 

Typically, an bill payment kiosk would include an chip and pin unit for credit card payments, a thermal printing device for proof of payment receipts, and in some cases, electronic kiosks may also be fitted with integrated cash receiver and change giving technology to allow cash deposits. The vast majority of kiosk devices are installed with an interactive touch screen display through which the customer can interact with the kiosks intuitive user interface. When the kiosk unit is not in use, the touchscreen display can be used as a digital signage unit to attract customers to the kiosk, to run adverts, and to deliver important information to customers about new and additional products and services provided by the utility company.

 

Posted in Hardware, Industry, Kiosks, Software, Touch Technology

Criteria to define an interactive project plan and budget

February 7, 2012 5:45 pmLeave a Comment

An important first step in any interactive kiosk project is to thoroughly understand expectations. This curial initial understanding is often overlooked and changes to project cost and scope need to be addresses part-way through the project delivery phase.

 

With this in mind, there are a number of key criteria to be established before commencement to help to define the project scope and budget. The first is to understand the primary objectives that the solution sets out to address.Next one should set out to ascertain where the kiosk units are to be geographically placed, how many units are intended for deployment, if there are any size requirements or restrictions, and who the target audience or users are likely to be.

 

The next phase addresses the more long-term expectations such as how long are the kiosk units likely to be in place and what type of special installation or technical support requirements there may be. Power, data and integration with other third party companies need to be included in to the project schedule.

 

Finally, the project team need to gain a firm understanding of hardware, software and functional requirements to then be able to design and implement the solution. It is only having answered these questions that the customer and project team are able to truly establish delivery plan and budget for the interactive kiosk rollout.

 

Posted in Digital Signage, Hardware, Industry, Kiosks, PCoIP, Queue Management, Sentios News, Software, Zero-ClientTagged , , ,

Kiosk Service Accreditation Programme

January 28, 2012 8:38 amLeave a Comment

As part of its continual drive to deliver technical service excellence, Sentios has launched a technical selection, training and accreditation programme to ensure that kiosks in need of attention are only attended to by fully trained engineers.

The main purpose of the certification process is to ensure that attending engineers are fully conversant with specific kiosk types, such as information, vending, outdoor, wall-mount, desktop, DDA and bespoke applications.

At the selection stage, engineers with relevant skills and experience are employed and invited to attend the programme. Once selected, engineers are introduced to the standard types of kiosk and their respective technical components. A thorough training course follows which focuses on component repair, servicing and compatibility.

The Sentios technical knowledge management system is an ever-growing database of kiosk specific technical data, and is used as an integral part of training to share important, relevant information and know-how. The database is also remotely available to all engineers out in field, providing quick answers to known technical issues.

If you would like to learn more about Sentios service, please visit the Kiosk Maintenance page of the website, or call 0118 328 2658 for further information.

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Interactive Kiosks for Virtual Receptions

January 27, 2012 5:05 pm2 Comments

As businesses grow and expand, it is inevitable that more help is required to manage visitors, deliveries and collections coming through the front door. It is at this point that many expanding business owners need to make the decision to hire a full-time receptionist. The convention here is a full-time employee sitting behind a desk in the reception area to meet and greet visiting people.

 

With advancements in interactive products and technology comes an alternative solution in the form of an unattended interactive touchscreen kiosk. Kiosk Manufacturers are now able to offer flexible and cost-effective alternative to a full-time resource. The main functions of a full-time receptionist are to greet visitors and to direct them to the who ever it is they are here to see. The key question is whether or not an interactive kiosk unit is able to perform the same function and the answer is, absolutely.

 

Kiosk units can be designed and configured by the manufacturer specifically for the purpose of a virtual receptionist. Typically, these units include sophisticated VR software and powerful supporting hardware components. An intuitive front end user interface connects the terminal to an existing local network, Internet or phone system.  Through this the visitor can easily locate the employee they are here to see allowing them to manage their own visit.

 

First impressions are an important part of any customer interaction. With this in mind, the manufacturer can brand kiosk units before being installed in a lobby or reception area to reflect a company’s corporate identity. The kiosk can be fitted with an integrated proximity sensor to alert it when a visitor approaches. BY the time the visitor is at the kiosk, the user interface is fired up and ready to go. Within seconds the user is able to find who they are looking for.

 

If designed and developed properly, a virtual reception can enhance the customer experience, reduce waiting times, share information, and provide a warm and informative greeting. Beyond all of this, the interactive kiosk could also be used to provide waiting visitors with access to the company website or to capture valuable contact information. This could simply be to build a database of contact details for sending out mail shots and information, or to allow customers to update their account details via an interactive portal connected securely to your company’s back office systems.

 

Other advantages to virtual reception kiosks include cost savings. The cost of a VR kiosk is only a fraction of the salary of a full time employee. Over time, savings such as these can be reinvested back into your business for growth, marketing of training and development of your other employees. Another benefit of the virtual receptionist is that it enhances brand and corporate identity. Both the software and hardware are presented as customised. The external colours and graphics of the hardware will match the branding of your company and the software solution can include a digital signage module to promote products and services, or to provide general company information to customers waiting in the lobby or reception area.

 

The functional possibilities are many, and switching to a virtual reception solution could support the ongoing growth and efficiency of your organisation.

 

Posted in Digital Signage, Hardware, Industry, Kiosks, Queue Management, Software, Touch TechnologyTagged , , ,

Touch Technology Usage and Windows 8

January 24, 2012 3:47 pmLeave a Comment

Industry experts have forecast that touch screen applications are set to make more of an impact on mainstream technology. It has been suggested by Jamie Sewell of Touch International that interactive touch products and applications will become more widely used by IT professionals as such touch technologies become more popular and users become more accustomed to touchscreen interfaces.

 

Touchscreen uses and applications have been described by Jamie as “virtually endless”. She added that “Don’t be surprised if touch panels even begin replacing your keyboards”, “we will continue to see touchscreens replacing buttons and simplifying interface systems”, as seen increasingly across many industries. Jamie Swell’s business specialises specifically in touch screen and electromagnetic interference filter technology. Hype continues to build around Microsoft’s release of Windows 8 which is expected to feature a completely new touch compatible user interface. The Windows 8 operating system will still be used with conventional input devices, but is expected to be a major leap forward for Microsoft as a first major attempt to compete with the ever-expanding touch tablet market.

 

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