Kiosk touch screen display hardware is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses that wish to offer customers what they want at the point of check out. Rather than having people wait in long queues to pay for their products, kiosk displays allow customers to simply make a purchase by pointing their finger at the product they wish to buy and allowing the seller to process the sale on their behalf. This allows for both higher productivity and faster checkout times. However, Kiosk kiosks are not without their problems. If you’re looking to buy a kiosk, below are some of the things you should look out for.
Touch screen displays which have been designed for kiosks must have been specifically made for this purpose. This means that the display unit itself needs to be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear which is inherent in using a kiosk. As such, look for a screen technology which has been developed specifically with kiosks in mind – display units which are built using high performance EOL, i-PELL technology or silver oxide display technology will be ideal.
You should also ensure that your kiosk is compatible with the operating system used by your store. There are many different OS that businesses can choose from, and not all systems are created equally. Many kiosks operate better under Windows OS, for example, and others work well under Linux. It’s worth checking out various systems and seeing which one you feel most comfortable using. Also consider that certain OS have higher requirements for the server software which runs on the kiosk – if you’re considering using Linux on your kiosk, check to see whether your computer can run it.
The screen technology on offer in Kiosk display hardware is highly competitive. So you should spend some time comparing different models to find out who has the best fit for your needs. Some vendors can offer a wider range of options, so it’s worthwhile researching a range of options before deciding which one to opt for. For example, Dell has a number of models which work well with both Windows and Linux. If you’re interested in a laptop-style kiosk, HP has several different models, as well as offering dedicated models for businesses.
Before actually purchasing your kiosk display unit, it’s worth finding out whether you need to install any software on the unit. Certain screen technologies don’t require any software to be installed on the system in order to function – touch screen displays, for example, can be directly touched by the user. However, there are some kiosks which require installation of certain plugins. You should check with your vendor whether they will cover the cost of any software you want to install.
A touch screen display can offer a number of different advantages, however installing additional hardware may increase the running cost of your kiosk display. This means that if your display needs are minimal you may be able to upgrade to a cheaper model without incurring any additional costs. Before making your final decision, you should decide whether or not installing additional hardware is practical for your budget. Fortunately, many vendors have been upgrading existing models, so this shouldn’t be too difficult a decision to make.
Another major consideration for choosing a touch screen display is what you’ll be using your kiosk for. There are several different screen sizes available, so you’ll want to choose a unit that’s convenient for your use. Your kiosk will probably be used to provide customers with information, so it’s ideal if the display is large enough to show all of the relevant information at once. If your kiosk will be used for customer self service, or to access the cashier, you’ll need to find a smaller, more convenient screen display that still allows you to easily access all of the relevant information.
One of the most common types of kiosk touch screen displays is a flip type interface. These units are relatively simple to use, and come in a variety of sizes, styles, and price ranges. These units are typically used for indoor kiosks, because they’re less susceptible to damage. The flip interface tends to require less maintenance, and it’s fairly easy to install. However, if you plan to have your kiosk in a more outdoor setting, or you expect frequent access by customers, you may want to consider a touch pad interface unit, which offers a great deal of versatility but requires less maintenance.