Hyper-focused on Collaboration and Core Values, Scooter’s Coffee® Unveils New Omaha Headquarters
Editors Note: Yet another definition of kiosk, this time the coffee kiosks of Scooter’s. Coffee kiosks have been around forever as coffee is the one item that everybody knows and uses. Scooters is a franchise model and approaching 600 stores in 28 states. Drive Thru Restaurants are very deeply embedded in the automobile-drive American culture and the market numbers substantiate that statement. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion-a-year, recession-resistant industry, and Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation. We’re guessing Nebraskans drink a lot of coffee…
Press Release — OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 3, 2022 – Scooter’s Coffee, one of the fastest-growing franchise networks of specialty coffee drive-thru stores in the nation, has relocated its Omaha, Neb., headquarters to enhance collaboration and innovation as its franchise network approaches 1,000 stores by 2024.
Click for full size — Drive Thru Coffee Kiosk
The headquarters is located on the fourth floor of 11808 Miracle Hills Drive, a centrally located building that will provide easy and efficient access for employees, franchisees and visitors. The newly remodeled space includes 101,004 square feet to accommodate the organization’s unprecedented growth by providing a modern, collaborative environment. The building features open workspaces that align windows to invite warmth and natural light. In addition, large conference and collaboration rooms are encompassed by glass and strategically located in the middle of the building to promote team building. The space was modeled after the company’s entrepreneurial spirit, family-feel and Core Values.
“As Scooter’s Coffee continues its commitment to intentional growth, it’s critical to keep our Core Values of Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage at the heart of what we do,” said Mikala Friedrich, Vice President of Human Resources at Scooter’s Coffee. “Collaboration, connections and our working relationships form a foundation of trust that inspires our employees to thrive, innovate and propel Scooter’s Coffee forward.”
During the pandemic, Scooter’s Coffee’s speed-focused, drive-thru kiosk franchise model resonated with new and loyal customers, resulting in unprecedented growth of the brand. This growth resulted in the need to provide additional support for franchisees across the country. The new headquarters will house several core departments, including operations, marketing, human resources, finance, IT and legal. There will be flexibility and technology for both in-person and remote employees to come together in large groups and spark ideas in a cross-functional work setting.
The new space, outfitted with Scooter’s Coffee colors and vivid imagery, also supports training and onboarding for franchisees, allowing for immediate immersion to the brand positioning, There’s Just Something About Scooter’s Coffee.™ “From the moment you step into our new headquarters, you are greeted by images of our Core Values and rich history, store locations and smiling baristas, in addition to ripe coffee cherries and the farmers who harvest them.
Click for full size – Drive Thru Coffee Kiosk
These images tell our story and keep us focused on what matters most – our customers. There is love in every cup of Scooter’s Coffee served, and we want all of our employees to feel loved and recognized as well,” said Friedrich.
As a company founded in Omaha almost 25 years ago, Scooter’s Coffee is excited to continue to grow and prosper in the community that first fell in love with the company’s signature Caramelicious® coffee. Scooter’s Coffee’s former headquarters on Sapp Brothers Drive will remain in operation to support Harvest Roasting®, Scooter’s Coffee’s affiliated internal roasting and packing operations located there.
About Scooter’s Coffee
Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In more than two decades of business, the key to Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company’s four core values, which are Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees, is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers.
Scooter’s Coffee is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase nationwide, approaching 600 stores in 28 states. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion-a-year, recession-resistant industry, and Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation.
For more information, visit https://scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee, or ownascooters.com, or call 877-494-7004.
Media Contact:
Kristen Crawford
Media Liaison for Scooter’s Coffee [email protected]
The COVID-19 pandemic created many bumps in global supply chains. Discover the strategies implemented by Olea to keep customers happy and help smooth out the unwanted bumps.
Although it’s been a few years since COVID-19 first appeared, supply chain issues still plague many industries. Kiosks are no exception. Manufacturers don’t always have the parts on hand to complete orders. Suppliers struggle with shipping delays. As a result, longer lead times have become the norm for many companies.
Who do supply chain problems affect? Pretty much everyone. Let’s explore a few statistics:
• Reports reveal that 75% of companies said supply chain issues negatively impacted their businesses.
• Nearly 60% of consumers in the US have been unable to secure a product because of supply shortages.
At Olea, we know the importance of fulfilling orders accurately and on time. And while many people may have anticipated we would underperform like many other businesses, we continue to take pride in the track record we’ve managed, and we deliver top-of-the-line products to our customers as promised.
Here are our tried-and-true strategies for building and maintaining a solid supply chain:
1. Partner Relationships Are Top Priority
Lasting relationships with vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, and our customers are critical. Olea takes pride in maintaining close connections with these partners. We keep all communication open and honest, ensuring everyone stays in the loop when it comes to changes in the supply chain. These relationships provide insight into:
Product roadmap updates
End-of-life updates
Current lead times
Future forecasts
While some companies switch vendors constantly, we work closely with ours. We have a long history with many of our partners. They trust us, and we appreciate them. These symbiotic relationships give us the upper hand when navigating around and overcoming any unforeseen supply chain obstacles.
2. New Processes Replace Legacy Systems
Staying ahead of the supply chain requires agility and innovation. Visibility is a must. Instead of relying on old-school legacy systems, we replaced them with new processes. Here are some examples:
• COP System: Short for customer-owned property, our COP system enables Olea to let customers store their machines at our facility. We build, finish, and hold the products in our warehouse, ready for shipping with just 24 hours’ notice. This allows groups to buy in larger volumes so they’re getting a better price too. Our unique COP system reduces lead times and lets customers react faster to their own client needs—a win-win!
• Improved Data Management: While vendors stock a lot of basic popular products, anything with custom variations needs more lead time. Our goal is to shorten these waits. We monitor our order window to ensure we always have some in their production window, some in transit, and some on our production line. Putting some components on our shelves helps us capitalize on reduced lead times and quicker shipping, regardless of the supply chain.
Forecasts Can Make or Break You
Sure, no one can truly predict the future. But it is possible to forecast what will likely happen. At Olea, we implemented a 6-month rolling forecast of sales. The results let us respond proactively to the latest kiosk trends and customer demand.
Some examples include:
• Ordering up-and-coming peripherals with enough lead time
• Maintaining close dialogue with customers to plan for large orders
• Buying large quantities of the same components to push us to the front of the supply chain
Forecasting helps us better manage the supply chain, but we’ll do this along with our customers. Olea takes forecasting seriously. We always cross-check our findings before acting.
There are scenarios where we may submit a blanket PO for certain peripherals and there are other instances where we may ask our customers to, but we’re in this together.
In some cases, we keep more components on hand—it really depends on the project, component, and timing. But there’s comfort in knowing we have warehouse space to ensure our shelves stay full. And having the most sought-after products in stock lets us overdeliver to our customers.
Risk Management Is Essential
Maintaining a solid supply chain is a very delicate process. Empty shelves increase lead times and create unhappy customers. But stockpiling can also cost a company if those products never find a buyer. Risk management is a must.
At Olea, we believe communication with vendors is key. We have regular conversations to know what the supply chain looks like behind the scenes. Supply chain shortages have eased a bit in recent months. But some products still have extended lead times—in some cases up to 20 weeks! Examples include power supplies, certain peripherals, and anything used in electric vehicles.
We weigh every risk carefully. For example, if an established customer wants a component with a lengthy wait, we’ll let them know. And if we are confident they will place the order, we’ll go ahead and buy it. Our commitment to 8-week lead times hasn’t wavered.
Staying Ahead of the Supply Chain at Every Step
The pandemic fueled the need for self-service kiosks. Consumers now desire fast, simple, contactless ways to transact, and businesses must find a way to deliver. At Olea, this shift means ensuring we always stay in front of supply chain issues. Regardless of obstacles, our dedicated team always finds a way to reduce lead times and deliver superior products to every customer. Want to learn more about how Olea avoids long lead times and maintains a solid supply chain? Connect with us online for a consultation with one of our self-service kiosk experts.
Editors Note: With all the media attention on McDonald’s Kiosks, it would be easy to think kiosks all come in 32 inches or 46 or 55 inches. The fact is that only Mcdonald’s comes like that. You can see Samsung and LG in the introduction of self-order kiosk stay in the 20-inch range. And it is much easier to manage accessibility and customer focus with a “small” or medium-sized screen. In our estimation 32″ is a large screen and where large screens begin. For that matter, most of us prefer a standard mobile phone and not a super large tablet.
Tablet kiosks are an ideal solution for many businesses and organizations because they offer similar functionality to traditional, large-scale kiosks at a much lower price point. These kiosks can be placed in smaller areas, deliver a more user-friendly experience, and are easier to maintain over the life of a project.
Larger legacy kiosks, with screen sizes ranging from 21 inches to up to 32 inches and beyond, can often be replaced with smaller tablet-based kiosk solutions with screen sizes ranging from 10 to 14 inches. When the lower price of tablet-based kiosks is paired with the resulting self-service impacts, including shorter lines and greater throughput, the ROI is significant. Not to mention improved customer satisfaction.
Accordingly, many industries and businesses, both large and small, are seeing the benefits of tablet kiosks for self-service.
“Self-service in health care is huge right now. We are helping hospitals, urgent care and doctor’s offices with patient registration and check-in to reduce wait times,” said Alan Mischler, CEO/President of Kiosk Group, Inc. located in Frederick, Maryland. Tablet kiosks are a great fit for this type of project because check-in can be presented as a series of easy-to-follow steps that work well on a smaller screen, Mischler noted.
Kiosk Group tablet kiosk
“We’re also seeing a trend in what is known as the SLED marketplace (i.e. State, Local and Education) – think DMVs, social services and government assistance offices, and schools. As one example, we recently worked with one state to reduce wait times at their social services offices and DMVs. After deploying our kiosks, wait times went from roughly 2 hours on average to less than 20 minutes,” said Mischler, noting that locations were able to fit more of the small, tablet-based kiosks into existing areas than they would have been able to with a larger legacy kiosk solution.
“The advantage of small is that you can fit more units into a smaller space. Instead of one large kiosk, you could have three small ones, increasing traffic and throughput. All of that and the outlay is less. It’s all about what will work within the budget and the space. Quite often, a tablet is the right one.” said Pete Thompson, the VP of Sales for North America at imageHOLDERS Ltd. This is on top of a far greater number of implementation choices, such as hanging on a wall. User experience is key for a successful kiosk deployment. Most self-service interfaces are best presented as a series of simplified, discrete steps that make it easy for a visitor to focus on what’s being requested, which works well with a smaller tablet-based interface. “
Paradoxically, larger screens are often an invitation to a design team to try to fit too much onto a single screen, which can then confuse visitors,” said Becca Rice, Director of Software Development at Kiosk Group.
Tablets like the iPad, Samsung Galaxy, or Microsoft Surface Pro also feature some of the fastest and most responsive touchscreens available on the market and benefit from the familiarity that visitors often already have with these devices. “This all can add up to a smoother visitor experience at the kiosk”, said Rice.
Thompson added the smaller form factor delivers an added privacy aspect, especially helpful for applications such as voting or other applications where visitors might be entering private data.
Then there are the peripheral and camera applications, which can both extend a kiosk’s functionality in significant ways.
“Tablets today can integrate with any number of peripherals with USB and Bluetooth connections. Some can even handle NFC. Tablets also come with front and rear cameras built right in,” Thompson said.
Medical Check-In Facial
Camera applications can go beyond taking a simple photo, Thompson said, citing examples including a new member joining a gym where built-in biometric scanning can use facial recognition for authentication. A tablet’s rear camera can scan documents, driver’s licenses or passports, among other things. Thompson spoke of a European deployment that assesses damage done to luggage for claim purposes. “You can place your bag under the kiosk and take photos and upload them for a claim for damage to your luggage.”
Mischler noted that one of Kiosk Group’s best-selling tablet kiosk models incorporates a barcode scanner as well as a card reader for payment processing. “Tablet kiosks have really evolved in terms of functionality,” said Mischler. “The sky is really the limit in terms of what we can do with these devices.”
Finally, tablet kiosks are easy to maintain over time. “Our kiosks are designed to be modular,” said Mischler. “That means if you need to shift to a new tablet after a few years or add a new peripheral, your existing kiosk can be easily updated without starting from scratch and having to buy a whole new kiosk.“
“This ability to reuse existing components means less waste – both in financial and environmental terms,” Mischler noted. To go along with the smaller form factor, tablet-based kiosks have lower power requirements than larger legacy solutions.
Tablet manufacturers have embraced the use of their tablets as kiosks by building out the necessary infrastructure to support these use cases. Examples of this include robust support of mobile device management (MDM) solutions that streamline deploying and managing tablets in the field and built-in battery management options that extend battery life for devices that are plugged in 24-7 like most kiosks.
“Thinking through what’s required to manage a project over time can mean the difference between success and failure of a project. Tablet manufacturers have recognized this and have really stepped up to the plate to support using these devices as kiosks,” said Rice. All in all, the potential advantages of tablet kiosks – from a lower price point than legacy kiosk solutions to improvements in visitor experience and the ability to maintain and update kiosks over time – is formidable. “We see the markets for tablet kiosks only expanding over time,” said Mischler. “As more businesses and organizations become aware of the advantages, we’ll continue to see new use cases and further adoption of these smaller kiosks.”
A View from Pyramid – US and International
Pyramid is seeing clients Implement their Flex 21.5” screen which is their most popular and versatile for various use cases. Because of its smaller footprint, it can be used on the front counter in place of a traditional POS, on a pedestal in the lobby, or wall mount. With its 21.5” screen size it’s just enough for customer engagement while allowing the merchant to highlight it products.
Also the Pyramid hand-held ruggedized tablet (10.1” screen) being used as a mobile POS for line busting and outdoor applications rather than a self-service kiosk. See attached Pyramid Ruggedized Tablet 8-3-22-compressed
There are still many use cases that can benefit from the larger 27” & 32” screen size kiosks. Because of their size, they can attract customers from afar, can be used as a marketing/advertisement screen, and allow for that full immersive customer engagement. These larger-sized units can come in single-sided or double-sided and on Pedestal or wall mount applications.
We would encourage all customers to review with their Kiosk subject matter experts what they are looking to achieve in their operation and based on the various factors they will be able to identify the best solution for their customer journey.
Medical Check-In Example by faytech AG (Pyramid)
Medical Check-In with Facial Recognition
Check out the latest production run of 13.3″ visitor self-registration machine kiosks as they went through final QC inspection before shipment for use in hospitals throughout the United States. These 200 pieces are currently on the water and will arrive soon!
These units have an optically bonded 13.3″ Full HD touchscreen with 10-finger multi-touch functionality, and include temperature sensors, facial recognition cameras, license, and ID scanners, as well as badge printers and have passed the most rigorous testing developed in tandem with our partners and customers in the US.
Another Point of View by Lilitab one of the major providers of iPad kiosks
Full-sized kiosks excel in situations that require larger displays and complicated inputs and outputs such as airport check-in and outdoor deployments. However, their large size and high cost constrain them to high volume, transactional use cases that are guaranteed to generate revenue directly for the deployer. But what of all the other opportunities for self-service, those interstitial moments that could benefit from assistance but do not generate enough direct revenue or have high enough throughput to justify thousands of dollars per kiosk?
For more on iPad kiosks in this segment you should take a look at the Shake Shack iteration. We include a video from Bloomberg showing the ordering process.
Enter the tablet kiosk.
The strength of tablet kiosks lies in their compact size, low cost to deploy and flexibility. These core features take them out of the realm or a pure kiosk and enable them to serve as handy devices for all kinds of uses that traditional, full-sized kiosks are unable to perform due to their cost and size. At Lilitab we are seeing entirely new use cases for self-service that go well beyond what a traditional kiosk can support.
Wherever your staff is struggling with customer service it’s likely a tablet kiosk can assist; check-in, disclosure-signing, grab-and-go, and customer feedback are just a few examples of kiosks Lilitab has deployed over the last decade. These new use cases work quietly in the background, streamlining operations, saving money and improving the customer experience for the deployer while taking a much smaller bite out of their capital and operations budget. This in turn enables new uses that hadn’t been possible before;
want to enable your guests to order a drink with the tap of an RFID wristband? No Problem!
Want to improve your patient satisfaction scores by giving them more control over their room environment and food service? Done!
Need to have the flexibility of customer-facing self-service one moment and in-hand use to bust that line the next? Of course!
None of these scenarios would justify the cost of a traditional kiosk, but they are all examples of real-world deployments Lilitab has had the joy to be part of. We see this effect continuing as self-service finds its way deeper into all aspects of our daily lives; they can do so much more than ordering at Mcdonald’s.
Adam Aronson — CEO Lilitab Tablet Kiosks
Panera Bread
Panera Bread announced Tuesday 11/8 an urban development plan featuring two new smaller café formats that lean into off-premises dining, including Panera To-Go: a 1,000-square-foot pickup-only store with no seating, which will open its second location in the next few weeks in New York City after a successful launch in Chicago.
The second store format is entirely new, will be 40% smaller than the average Panera café at 2,000 square feet and will be designed toward to go-customers with dedicated shelves for rapid pickup, a digital menu, tracking screen technology with detailed order statuses, and very limited seating.
These New York City stores — one in Union Square and one inside the Hearst building at Columbus Circle — will be the first of Panera’s exploration of urban markets with smaller real estate and a more expedited rush lunch hour culture. Full writeup on NRN
Meanwhile Panera has opened a couple of stores with new AI ordering. Nice story from Business Insider (11/11/2022) on a user test of the Greece, NY store and included lots of pictures. Surprisingly no audio? The final opinion by the writer?
Post on KI — In the analyst call from November 2022 Shake Shack management noted that given the results so far, they plan on expanding self-order kiosks to fully 100% of their restaurants. In 2023, the fast-casual anticipates 65–70 total openings, about 40 of which will be corporate-run. Noted on QSRmagazine. Shareholder Letter explains it all. Worth noting Shake Shack originally contemplated going “cashless”, but decided not to. See related post below.
Biometrics in Tablet Kiosks?
You wouldn’t know it by looking at it (thanks to Olea engineering) but the CLEAR kiosk is an example of a “tablet kiosk” albeit in this case, the Microsoft Surface. CLEAR is the expedited screening program that allows you to cut in line at the TSA security checkpoint. They have extended functionality now into Age Verification as well as allowing fast easy check in to hotels, offices, events, and more without waiting in lines or pulling out an ID. Hertz uses them for customers.
Not easy with a dual 55 monster. Ticketing for Carnival Cruise lines and others is a big deal. Printing badges at ISE? Here is a good example of mobile kiosk from Kiosk Embedded Systems. The screen is 15.6″ which is two steps below the normative past 19 inch (22 is defacto “small screen” these days).
Writeup: Mobile Kiosk – portable, cost-efficient shipping, easy set up at any location, can be transported in a flight case, six-on-one Europalette. Function is to print tickets & badges, integrate face recognition, and scan access control for pre-reservations at entry points
Antimicrobial Covid “Temperature Kiosks”
A few years back (and still going) are the “Temperature Kiosks”. Typically these use Android-based all-in-one tablets with a german-made IR sensor (designed for microwaves originally). These are low cost and have a dedicated purpose, though many of them have been repurposed. Typically used by employees at entrances to the plant but also by visitors.
One example is the Olea temperature kiosk (thousands sold) is good example. From Dental Office — “The temperature-sensing kiosk has become an indispensable tool to easily, quickly, and accurately measure patients’ and staff’s temperatures. Of all the equipment I’ve had to acquire and add to the office in preparation of reopening, the temperature-sensing kiosk has been my best investment.” You can find their complete line at their Temperature Screening Kiosks page.
Business Case
There are pro’s and cons to tablets, iPads and micro AIOs
CPU – Often a very inexpensive CPU such as Raspberry Pi4 is all you need. The problem lately with those has been availability. The CEO recently stated that situation is now improving.
Tablet kiosks are generally a couple of thousand dollars cheaper than a fully engineered enclosure, but that results in a smaller profit margin for manufacturers.
Tablet computer costs are invariably compared to a cheap Chinese tablet price on Amazon.
There are very very few tablets manufactured or assembled in the US and that can raise Made In America situations.
Tablets as generally used are generally consumer grade, not commercial. A year from now a new model with a different OS kernel has to be expected.
In today’s digital world where self-service is common, there is a need to provide different industries with products that address Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Multiple industries need a safe and secure way to ensure KYC compliance at their kiosks. Popular airport kiosks used for expedited security line access and border crossings are just two examples of document readers and biometric scanners being used in self-service. Other industries such as gaming, hospitality, and age-restricted retail also need a solution for automated KYC.
Thales’s line of document readers and their proprietary software can read and compare identification documents against an expansive and up-to-date worldwide library of government-issued ID templates. Their readers take multiple high-resolution images of ID documents like passports and ID cards and check the image for embedded security features against the issuer’s template to authenticate the document. When used in combination with ID authentication and identity-verification software, integrators can go a step further and ping supported ID issuer databases to confirm the legitimacy of the document.
About UCP
Specializing in unattended hardware, UCP is a value-added distributor and PCI P2PE Validated Key Injection Facility with a large portfolio of products from top-tier payment terminal manufacturers. Our customers are kiosk manufacturers, transportation solution providers, parking solution providers, automated retail solution providers, hospitality solution providers, along with many more innovators in the self-service kiosk industry. We take a consultative approach with our clients to help them navigate the complicated landscape of devices designed for self-service. We help you connect the dots between your kiosk software and data processing platforms for credit card payment, and now ID authentication and validation. Contact us to learn more! www.ucp-inc.com
Video
Example Biometric Device CS500f — The Thales Cogent CS500f is an intuitive multi-finger scanner. It’s a compact and FBI-certified 10-print device suitable for all applications in need of 4-slaps and rolled acquisition. The main applications are for eID document issuing, border control, and criminal identification.
COVID changed the way we shop. E-commerce now accounts for 37 percent of retail sales, up from 27 percent pre-pandemic. Any rumors of brick-and-mortar retail’s demise are premature, however. Last year, the growth rate of brick-and-mortar retail outstripped that of online shopping, growing beyond pre-pandemic levels. Shopper behaviors indicate that people can shop for just about anything online, but given the choice, they don’t always want to.
22Miles Digital Wayfinding
That should be a relief to brick-and-mortar operators, but it’s no guarantee of future success. The great strength of in-person shopping is experience, while e-commerce shines at convenience. Some of the biggest companies in the world – Apple, Meta, Google, Amazon and more – are working to close the online experience gap. If the dream of the metaverse is fully realized, e-commerce vendors will be able to offer communal shopping experiences that rival the real world.
To counter, brick-and-mortar retailers need to counter by increasing the convenience of in-person shopping while maintaining and enhancing their in-store customer experience. There’s no better tool to help retailers achieve this goal than digital signage. Let’s explore the top five visual communications applications for staying competitive in the digital shopping age.
Advertising and Promotions
Digital signage offers a dynamic, efficient and engaging way to reach customers, offering many advantages over both traditional print and web advertising. Motion graphics like animations, videos and slideshows make digital signage activations significantly more eye-catching and translate to more year-over-year ROI. And, because the content can be refreshed at will, screens deliver more long-term value and versatility than stagnant signs. Digital displays can be effectively customized by location and designed for interactivity, carrying relevance and power to convert sales that rivals online ads.
A long-cited barrier to entry for digital signage has always been content management. This is a hurdle that has come crashing down in recent years: today’s best CMS solutions do a lot of the design work for the user, making it attainable for more retailers to create, distribute, analyze and refresh content. Retailers can add their branding – logos, colors and fonts – to the system for rapid creation and deployment of unified, professional looking content throughout their stores and across locations.
Many CMS providers make campaigns more effective with one-click interactive elements: in minutes, retailers can create promotions that allow customers to schedule an appointment with an associate, instantly download an offer to their mobile phones, or order an item directly from the sign. Retailers of any size – from individual stores to nationwide brands – can leverage modern digital signage to drive conversions and align with current goals.
Interactive Experiences
In-person retail has always had an experiential advantage over e-commerce due to both its social nature and the opportunity to explore products in-person before purchasing. Online retailers are investing heavily in technology to blunt this edge. Already, furniture and apparel companies are leveraging 3D models and AR apps to allow customers to visualize online products on their own bodies or in their own homes. They’re also pouring billions into metaverse features that will allow customers to take online shopping trips together in the future.
Two can play at this game. Brick-and-mortar retailers can create immersive, interactive in-store experiences that are far more compelling that anything on a mobile phone screen. A large-scale videowall or wrap-around video projection feature always commands attention. Now, in customer experience centers, innovative retailers can create personalized, interactive experiences that close high-end sales. Using touch, gestures, mobile or a control kiosk, customers can navigate virtual worlds on a massive scale, surrounded by imagery of the product, solution or space they’re envisioning. At the same time, they can continue to receive the personal, human support and advice of skilled sales associates. This is the future of luxury in the retail experience.
Wayfinding
While continuing to innovate on experience, retailers must also close the convenience gap. Digital wayfinding is one of the most effective ways to make shopping in-person feel as easy as online. A digital in-store directory can help customers navigate departments and find what they’re looking for quickly – even after a reorganization.
For shopping malls and multi-use destinations, digital wayfinding can help users navigate complex destinations with confidence, with 3D maps and personalized turn-by-turn directions that can be instantly downloaded onto the user’s phone. Wayfinding kiosks and signs can also share a digital backend with advertising and promotions systems, and sync with events or sales calendars. By connecting the system to existing inventory database APIs, retailers can allow users to instantly verify whether an item is in stock and where it’s located – or order it for in-store pickup if it’s currently sold out. These digital maps and integrations can be automatically updated in real-time for accurate information and a frustration-free shopping experience.
Back-of-House
The human touch is a massive asset of brick-and-mortar retailers—which makes it incredibly important to invest in the workplace experience of retail employees. The same unified content backend that drives the customer experience can also be leveraged to inform and unite retail staff. Retailers can send important employee communications through back-of-house screens, kiosks, or mobile apps to keep associates informed on the go.
By integrating digital signs with business intelligence tools like BI360, teams can monitor KPIs and adjust their tactics to ensure they meet their goals. In retail applications requiring a high degree of employee expertise and guidance to close sales, associates can use digital signage to schedule meetings and reserve room – even sending invitations to colleagues directly from the sign. A visual communications system is an essential tool to help sales teams offer up-to-the-moment customer guidance and work together to meet location goals.
Analytics
One of the main reasons for e-commerce’s exponential growth is the online retailer’s ability to leverage analytics to learn about their customers. Following a digital breadcrumb trail, e-commerce businesses can understand how customers navigate their site, how much time they spend evaluating their purchases, what content is driving the most clicks and sales, and more. Interactive digital signage gives brick-and-mortar stores the same edge.
Using a modern CMS, every click throughout a digital signage network can be recorded and analyzed to learn about customer behavior. Retailers can use their signage analytics to understand what customers are searching for, what locations are seeing the most traffic, which ads are the most engaging, and more. This information can help them iterate their content approach for ads and promotions; optimize store layouts by examining movement patterns; and plan activations by identifying their busiest times and locations. Digital signage can help retailers build their strategy for tomorrow even as it improves customer experience today.
Digital signage is an invaluable tool for making brick-and-mortar shopping compelling in the age of the multiverse, and in-person retailers must remain vigilant and innovative to compete with advancing e-commerce experiences. Ultimately, with the right content management system and strategic approach, digital experiences are a rising tide that can lift both brick and mortar and online sales.
Video
Here is 22miles video on digital wayfinding. And here is their YouTube channel with a ton of videos
Samsung EV Charging Stations from IoTecha & Samsung
Not surprising to see Samsung hooking up with Iotecha for EV charging stations. And several Samsung partners have signed up as well.
Synopsis – What you need to know
Big market for large format outdoor displays and Samsung. You can see dual sided 55s being used in Volta/Peerless-AV.
IoTecha’s Level 2 AC Charger is the most advanced level 2 EVSE on the market. This EVSE provides up to 19.2kW of charging power at 80A. It supports ISO 15118 High-Level Communications with the EV as well as OCPP 1.6+ to implement both Plug and Charge and Smart Charging over a variety of connectivity options (LAN, Wi-Fi, LTE, etc). This charger has an extensive track record of successful interoperability with many electric vehicle manufacturers and charge point operators.
Level 2 charging typically uses 240v power and (typically) around 16 to 30 Amps to get the job done. With this method, a Tesla Model 3 can be charged from empty to full in 6 to 8 hours. The time variation reflects differences between chargers and the electrical interfaces that can be used for Level 2 chargers. To use Level 2 charging at home, you will have to spend some money! This can vary from a modest outlay (say, $200) to significantly more (say, $2000), depending on the type of charger you decide to purchase. The two key types of Level 2 chargers are ‘hardwired’ and ‘plug-in’.
Someone like Electrify America starts at 150kW (ultra fast DC) and now offers 350 kW Hyper Charging.
Hyper is 20 miles per minute of charging (350 kw). Ultra is 9 miles a minute (150 kW).
By contrast Iotecha is 1.2 miles per minute of charging
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and IoTecha Corp. announce a strategic collaboration to introduce a new range of electric vehicle charging stations that combine Samsung’s best-of breed display and signage solutions with IoTecha’s industry-leading EV charging technology. The resulting platform is expected to open up new driver and customer experiences for a wide range of commercial customers, including retail and hospitality, and enable innovative business models and revenue streams for digital signage and EV charging network providers.
Samsung and IoTecha have created a comprehensive EV charging kiosk solution featuring Samsung’s OH series touch screens and IoTecha’s Level 2 charging components. The integration of hardware and software addresses key challenges affecting deployment of both EV charging and digital signage infrastructure, from cost and complexity of equipment, installation, and operation, to remote monitoring, management, and maintenance.
Click for full size – Samsung iotecha ev charging stations
Click for full size image – Samsung iotecha ev charging stations
“We believe that together, Samsung and IoTecha provide a cost-effective platform delivering fast and smart EV charging service and integrated in kiosks that bring visually dynamic interfaces with services, including Iotecha’s IoT.ON™ and Samsung’s MagicInfo with programmatic advertising,” said Kim Sarubbi, VP of Media at IoTecha Corp., and speaker at the upcoming Samsung VX event. “IoTecha’s proven track record, built on standards with proven capabilities, combined with Samsung’s technologies, is believed to be the solution infrastructure providers and end customers need to accelerate their electrification goals and differentiate their charging and digital signage offer as EV adoption accelerates.”
IoTecha provides hardware, software and cloud services for turnkey installation of a fully customizable EV charging infrastructure. IoTecha’s level 2 chargers deliver fast charging (up to 19.2kW at 80A), offer versatile and reliable networking options, and implement standard-based and interoperable high-level communications. Built-in support for IEC/ISO 15118 and OCPP 1.6 enables advanced driver experiences and innovative services such as Plug and Charge, Smart Charging and bi-directional power flow. Native connectivity to IoTecha’s IoT.ON™ Cloud and Edge services allows customers to reduce the total cost of ownership of their charging infrastructure. Installations can be remotely monitored, configured, and updated resulting in reduced maintenance costs and improved customer service. IoTecha’s topology-aware energy management allows the creation of highly customized optimization algorithms to meet the operational needs of site hosts and facility managers while minimizing electricity costs.
“We believe that Samsung and IoTecha’s business models and technologies combine perfectly to rapidly bring to market a brand new, visual, engaging and optimized EV charging experience,” said Chris Mertens, Vice President of US Sales, Samsung Display Division. “Samsung and IoTecha are looking forward to delivering highly customized services and content that meet and exceed customer requirements and unlocking new revenue streams for both site hosts and service providers.”
Complete kiosks can be highly customizable for white label branding to match retail, hospitality, business, and other commercial area deployments that feature printed decals or wraps. Each unit supports Plug and Charge services and interactive displays for programmatic advertising, customer information, service offers, personalized messages, and more.
Samsung
Units can be fitted with Samsung’s OH series ultra-thin 1080p (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 display screens for reliable performance in any environment. UL-verified Magic Protection Glass screens offer LED-backlit LCD display that are IK10-rated against impact and IP56-rated for extreme weather exposure. Anti-glare technology and brightness levels greater than 3,500nits provide crisp visibility with sensor-driven automated brightness reduction for efficiency. An integrated power box and four internal fans assure optimized electronics performance, supported by Samsung’s MagicINFO Player S6 and TIZEN operating system can be embedded for optimized display performance and accurate content management. For more information, please visit https://www.samsung.com/us/business/displays.
IoTecha
IoTecha’s IoT.ON™ platform aims to accelerate the electric vehicle revolution by providing an integrated platform consisting of software, hardware and cloud components for the smart charging infrastructure and power grid integration of electric vehicles of all kinds. IoTecha customers are energy and power companies, charge point operators, and manufacturers of both Electric Vehicles and EV charging stations. IoTecha products include V2G and HomePlug Protocol Analyzer, Combined Charging System on Module (and custom modules), EV charging stations and IoT.ON™ Cloud-based services. For more information, please visit https://www.iotecha.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
SiteKiosk secures and manages thousands of machines for a myriad of functionality in kiosk and self-service markets worldwide. Fortune 500 companies like Hilton Hotels, BMW, and Citibank come to mind. The protection of machines in public locations has been the company’s focus from the start as outlined in a website slider: “SiteKiosk is the easy-to-use all-in-one kiosk solution for displays, tablets and terminals in public access areas as well as business networks. Protect, manage and realize your project on just one platform for kiosk clients with Windows and/or Android operating systems.”
With the release of the new product named SiteKiosk.Online, the company made a big step into the field of content creation and management for kiosks, public computers as well as any interactive display powered by Windows or Android. The new product is an All-in-One kiosk and digital signage software that allows administrators to work on all aspects of their kiosks and digital signage deployment including the protection of devices and the publishing of multi-media campaigns using the newly integrated CMS.
Kiosks and public computers. Nobody has anywhere near the number of licenses for kiosk software deployed than Sitekiosk, by a factor of 5X. Besides its browser lockdown and other security features the management and monitoring features are critical not only for large nationwide deployments but projects of any size.
Interactive Displays. SiteKiosk’s Cloud-based management console also provides a content management solution to create engaging interactive user interfaces and multi-media content that can be published to remote POS devices, displays, and other devices.
Securely Robust
Sitekiosk has been tested and chosen by many large international companies including well-known banks. IT rests a little easier knowing that. Some examples of banks and financial institutions that trust and use Sitekiosk to protect their online banking devices and displays: BMW Financial Services, Ahold Financial Services, FIRSTBANK Virgin Islands, National Bank of Austria, City National Bank, National Bank of Denmark, HypoVereinsbank, Bank of Oklahoma, Norris Bank, Commerzbank AG, Deutsche Postbank AG, Dresdner Bank AG, A/S HansaBanka, Aargauer Kantonalbank, CAIXA GALICIA, Aruba Bank N.V., Berner Kantonalbank, Danmarks Nationalbank, Foroya Banki and Santander.
Summary in Brief
Free 30 day trial is easy to get. No credit card required.
If you want powerful, easy-to-use kiosk software with integrated CMS you can have it.
You can configure a range of self-service kiosks and interactive displays, all at the same time. One size rarely fits all and being able to manage conditional properties and variations is a huge time saver.
Historically a platform with APIs, hooks, and object model, it still has all of those but has added higher-level applications and templates
Custom-developed solutions are available like a QSR ordering app
Sitekiosk has numerous Sitekiosk Case Studies as well as tutorial videos. There are 12 different tutorials including start from scratch digital signage — A digital signage project, completely without template is easily implemented in a few steps!
Peachtree Corners, GA – July 20, 2022 – 22Miles, a global leader in visual communications and interactive experiences, today launches the latest iteration of its Content Manager software. Content Manager V7 enables users to design, control and deploy content for videowalls, digital signage, kiosks, wayfinding and mobile devices – all from an upgraded unified portal. The new version is equipped with new features that make digital content distribution fast, easy and secure for systems at any scale.
“For V7, we wanted to make the content creation process faster and easier, while also building out the robust control and management capabilities large-scale deployment demand. Our new AI and ‘pick-and-click’ design features make it incredibly simple to create powerful visual experiences,” said Tomer Mann, chief revenue officer for 22Miles. “Integrators and system owners can design and push dynamic, customized content out to hundreds of screens faster than ever before.”
Enhanced Content Support
Content Manager V7 offers new rapid third-party API integration features. Users can input the URL for any API into the template design page, and the platform’s built-in AI will auto-populate the data and content retrieved from the API into the template. Office365, Google Calendar, and PowerBi integrations are natively included, and users can add their own APIs with little or no scripting required. 22Miles offers API scripting and filtering support services if necessary.
Content Manager V7 also allows users to add dynamic, interactive features like widgets and behavioral calls to actions – such as the ability to reserve a space, check in, or cancel a reservation – with a simple “drag-and-drop” or button selection. These one-click widget customization options include the proprietary 22Miles Carry2Mobile solution, a free upgrade available to all 22Miles customers. Carry2Mobile duplicates sign content as an HTML5 page on the viewer’s mobile device via a QR code scan. This enables the audience to take promotions, directions, event schedules and more with them after they walk away from a kiosk or sign.
AI-Assisted Rapid Content Development
Content Manager V7 debuts the new 22Miles Smart Template Center. Here, users can browse over 1,000 templates in categories including interactive experiences for digital signage, information boards and space utilization, including room booking or hot desking. New AI features auto-populate all template previews with customers’ own logos, branding, and content, allowing them to visualize real-world use cases. As users select “favorite” templates, the Smart Template Center’s recommendation engine suggests additional options. Each favorite is automatically added to a folder for fast retrieval and use.
Content Management and Control for Enterprise Users
Content Manager V7 also grants users complete control over their visual communications ecosystem. Users can visualize and edit content schedules in the new playlist-style graphic interface and see the current content status for any device in the new remote live viewer. Corporate accounts can also lock features, content and zones, with hierarchical account privileges for regional and site-level control. To simplify maintenance, V7 features new integrated remote digital signage player control, allowing system owners to use their mobile phone as a touchscreen controller for any physical player.
“Over the past 18 months we’ve worked to make Content Manager V7 scalable for any project size and suitable for any device,” said Joey Zhou, founder and lead solution architect for 22Miles. “We thought about everything our customers need and what the future of the market demands: simplicity, flexibility, value and control. The result is the most powerful and intuitive visual communications content editor in the world.”
Content Manager V7 is now available for visual communications deployments of any scale, with education sector and enterprise site-level pricing options. To learn more, book a demo or request a quote, Click here to contact us.
About 22Miles
22Miles is a global leader in experiential 3D wayfinding and digital signage SaaS solutions that allow for highly customizable, easy-to-use, and simple-to-scale content creation, management, and deployment to projects across fast-growing industries such as transportation, hospitality, retail, healthcare, higher education, enterprise, entertainment, and more. With thousands of global deployments across some of the world’s best-known brands, strategic partnerships with industry-leading technology companies, and an expansize library of API integrations, 22Miles offers the most comprehensive platform for digital signage and wayfinding technology on the market.
22Miles is headquartered in Peachtree Corners in Atlanta, Georgia
Nice example of eliminating queue time for citizens looking to apply for different state services. They get the paperwork at home and fill it out, then they visit the local office and upload their completed documents.
There are literally 100s of these units deployed. Worth noting too these are iPad based kiosks
Under its multi-year contract award for providing modern self-serve kiosks to the State of Tennessee, Kiosk Group will deliver another 56 kiosks to seventeen more Department of Human Services facilities. With over 290 kiosks delivered to 113 locations state-wide, Kiosk Group’s Liberty and Standalone kiosks dramatically reduce wait times from several hours to minutes thereby saving customers and the state time and money. Reach out to our Sales team and visit our website to learn how we can partner together to help your clients today!
In Brief
Two displays
Scans and uploads 8×11 docs
Users get paperwork in mail, fill out and then scan
Registering for different services
Kiosk Group, Inc. is a privately-held, Maryland-based company that many leading companies, organizations, and government agencies trust and rely upon for interactive kiosks.
30+ years
experience designing interactive kiosks
4,000+
successful kiosk hardware projects
1 million+
Kiosk Pro software downloads
Backed by experience
With over 30 years in designing interactive kiosks, we know what works. We’ve developed both hardware and software for hundreds of interpretive exhibits, transactional kiosks, sales exhibits, and training programs.
Partnering with us on your next kiosk deployment means you benefit from working with some of the most experienced people in the kiosk industry.
We focus on creating long-term client relationships, so you can feel confident that if you have questions about our kiosks or experience a problem with your order, we’ll do everything we can to help.
The U.S. Access Board, an independent federal agency that issues accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , and other laws, is providing a technical assistance document to assist in the design and construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
The ADA covers entities including state and local governments (Title II) and places of public accommodation and commercial facilities (Title III). Under the ADA, the Access Board issues minimum scoping and technical requirements. Other federal agencies with enforcement responsibility under the ADA, such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), adopt enforceable standards that must provide at least the same level of accessibility as the guidelines issued by the Access Board. Additional requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA regulations issued by DOJ and ADA regulations issued by DOT may be applicable, such as requirements for nondiscrimination in services, programs, and activities. For more information, visit the Access Board’s About the ADA page.
The ABA requires that buildings or facilities that were designed, built, or altered with federal dollars or leased by federal agencies be accessible. The ABA covers a wide range of facilities, including U.S. post offices, Veterans Affairs medical facilities, national parks, Social Security Administration offices, federal office buildings, U.S. courthouses, and federal prisons. It also applies to certain non-government facilities constructed with federal funds, such as funds made available under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. For more information, visit the Access Board’s About the ABA page.
The ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards include many requirements applicable to electric vehicle charging stations, among which are provisions regarding access to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements, as well as specific requirements for operable parts and accessible routes. Even absent a specific reference to EV charging stations in the ADA and ABA Standards, regulated entities must still ensure that they are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Some EV chargers also have user interfaces and payment systems that would be considered information and communication technology (ICT). Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires individuals with disabilities have access to and use of ICT provided by the Federal government. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use ICT. Federal agencies must ensure that any ICT that is part of an EV charger is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities to the extent it does not pose an “undue burden.”
In this technical assistance document, the Access Board uses the terms “must” or “required” with reference to the applicable ADA, ABA, and Section 508 Standards with which entities must comply. The words “should” or “recommends” refer to additional recommendations for accessible EV charging stations. Recommendations are not legally binding on any regulated entity but are provided as technical assistance to help regulated entities design and install EV charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
Types of EV Charging Stations that Must Be Accessible
Entities subject to the ADA or ABA must provide EV charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
Some examples of EV charging stations that may be covered under the ADA or ABA include those installed at:
State or local government offices
Public parks
Municipal building parking lots
Street parking and the public right-of-way
Residential housing facilities provided by a state or local government
Public EV charging stations provided by a private entity
Fleet charging stations used by the federal government
Commercial fleet charging stations available to corporate clients
Rest stops along the Interstate Highway System
Definitions
AC Level 2: A charger that uses a 240-volt alternating-current (AC) electrical circuit to deliver electricity to the EV.
Charger: A device with one or more charging ports and connectors for charging EVs. A charger is also called electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or EV charger.
Charging Network: A collection of chargers located on one or more property(ies) that are connected via digital communications to manage the facilitation of payment, the facilitation of electrical charging, and any related data requests.
Charging Network Provider: The entity that operates the digital communication network that remotely manages the chargers. Charging Network Providers may also serve as Charging Station Operators and/or manufacture chargers.
Charging Port: The system within a charger that charges one (1) EV. A charging port may have multiple connectors, but it can only provide power to charge one EV through one connector at a time.
Charging Station: One or more EV chargers at a common location. A large site can have multiple charging stations, such as in various parking lots and parking garages.
Charging Station Operator: The entity that operates and maintains the chargers and supporting equipment and facilities at one or more charging stations. This is sometimes called a Charge Point Operator (CPO). In some cases, the Charging Station Operator and the Charging Network Provider are the same entity.
Combined Charging System (CCS): A standard connector interface that allows direct current fast chargers to connect to, communicate with, and charge EVs.
Connector: The device that attaches EVs to charging ports to transfer electricity. Multiple connectors and connector types (such as J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla, and CCS) can be available on one charging port, but only one vehicle will charge at a time. Connectors are sometimes called plugs.
Contactless Payment Methods: A secure method for consumers to purchase services using a debit, credit, smartcard, or another payment device by using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and near-field communication (NFC).
Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC): A charger that uses a 3-phase, 480-volt alternating-current (AC) electrical circuit to enable rapid charging through delivering a direct-current (DC) electricity to the EV.
Electric Vehicle (EV): An automotive vehicle that is either partially or fully powered by electricity.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE): See definition of a charger.
Open Charge Point Protocol: An open-source communication protocol that governs the communication between chargers and the charging networks that remotely manage the chargers.
Open Charge Point Interface: An open-source communication protocol that governs the communication between multiple charging networks, other communication networks, and software applications to provide information and services for EV drivers.
Plug and Charge: A method of initiating charging, whereby EV charging customers plug a connector into their vehicle and their identity is authenticated, a charging session initiates, and a payment is transacted automatically, without any other customer actions required at the point of use.
Site: A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.
Vehicle Charging Inlet: The inlet on a vehicle that a connector is plugged into. Also referred to as a charging port, or charging door.
Vehicle Charging Space: A space to park a vehicle for charging. A vehicle charging space can be a marked parking space, or an unmarked area adjacent to an EV charger.
The following image shows one charging station with two chargers. There are a total of three charging ports capable of charging three vehicles concurrently and four connectors.
Differences Between Charging Spaces and Parking Spaces
Although EV chargers are often installed in parking lots, there are some significant differences in use that warrant EV charging spaces be treated differently from parking spaces.
EV charging requires drivers with disabilities to exit their vehicle, traverse to the charger, and carry the connector back to their vehicle charging inlet (which may be on the opposite side of where they enter/exit their EV). Since EV’s do not have a standard location for the vehicle charging inlet, maneuverability around the entire EV is needed. Also, as DCFC cables get heavier and shorter to achieve faster charging, EV’s need to be parked in a way that aligns the vehicle charging inlet with the charger, which could conflict with the orientation needed for a driver with a disability to use the access aisle.
By contrast, a driver with a disability can use an accessible parking space as long as the vehicle is oriented with the access aisle; a person with a disability could either pull-in or back-in to the parking spot to get the access aisle on the appropriate side. The additional space provided by an access aisle is needed only by the person with a disability (who may be either a driver or passenger) and additional space on the opposite side of the vehicle is usually not needed.
Because of this fundamental difference in use, this document differentiates between parking and EV charging, and primarily focuses on the needs of an EV driver with a disability. The needs of passengers with disabilities are not addressed in this document because it is presumed passengers with disabilities could enter or exit the vehicle at a nearby accessible parking space or passenger loading zone.
Existing Requirements that Apply to EV Charging Stations
Various accessibility standards may apply to EV charging stations, including:
Under the ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards, EV charging stations must comply with the technical requirements for floor and ground surfaces (§302), clear floor or ground space (§305), reach ranges (§308), operable parts (§309), accessible routes (§402), and other provisions when needed, such as some of the provisions in parking (§502), signs (§703), and fare machines (§707). See 36 C.F.R. §1191.1 .
EV chargers developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies must also comply with the revised Section 508 Standards. See 36 C.F.R. §1194.1 , App. A and C . This includes that the user interface (UI) be accessible. EV chargers which do not incorporate a display screen would not be required to be speech-output enabled, but are still ICT and would have accessibility requirements if they are any more complicated than just plugging it in.
EV charger with Display Screen. Speech Output enabled is required under Section 508EV charger without a display screen, showing a lighted indicator. In addition to the color, charging progress might be indicated by the number of LEDs illuminated. Section 508 requires auditory or tactile indication in addition to visual cues.
Accessible EV Chargers
Unlike gas stations where an attendant may be available to assist with refueling vehicles, EV charging stations are often unattended. Thus, it is important that EV charging stations be sufficiently accessible to allow independent use by drivers with disabilities, including people who have limited or no hand dexterity, limb differences, or upper extremity amputations and use adaptive driving controls.
Two aspects of accessibility need to be considered:
Accessible mobility features
A reasonable number of EV chargers must have physical access for people who use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and canes. Accessible mobility features primarily concern the size of the vehicle charging space, providing access aisles, how and where the chargers are installed, and the physical operability of the charger. Also see: Number of accessible chargers
Accessible communication features
All EV chargers should have accessible communication features and operable parts. This enables EV chargers to be used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, little people, and other people with disabilities who do not need accessible mobility features (like access aisles) to use an EV charger.
All EV chargers containing ICT that are developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government must comply with the Section 508 Standards and have accessible ICT, including accessible hardware, software, and operable parts.
Accessible Mobility Features
EV chargers designed to serve people who use mobility devices must be located on an accessible route and should provide:
a vehicle charging space at least 11 feet wide and 20 feet long
adjoining access aisle at least 5 feet wide
clear floor or ground space at the same level as the vehicle charging space and positioned for an unobstructed side reach
accessible operable parts, including on the charger and connector
These mobility features allow sufficient space for a person who uses a mobility device to exit and maneuver around the vehicle, retrieve the EV connector, and plug the connector into the electric vehicle charging inlet. Since EVs do not have a uniform vehicle charging inlet location, a larger vehicle charging space is needed to maneuver around all sides of the electric vehicle.
Accessible Routes
EV chargers with accessible mobility features must be connected to an accessible route (§206.2.2; §402). The technical requirements for accessible routes can be found in Chapter 4 of the ADA and ABA standards as well as in the Access Board’s technical guides on accessible routes , including walking surfaces (§403), curb ramps (§406), and ramps (§405).
Electric Vehicle Charging Space and Access Aisle
EV charging spaces with mobility features should provide a vehicle space with a minimum width of at least 132 inches (11 feet) and a minimum length of at least 240 inches (20 feet). Adjacent to the vehicle charging space should be an access aisle that is at least 60 inches (5 feet) wide and the full length of the vehicle charging space. A vehicle charging space at least 11 feet wide and 20 feet long would provide sufficient space to maneuver around an electric car, but larger vehicle charging spaces may be needed for electric trucks.
Where vehicle charging spaces are marked, access aisles should also be marked to discourage parking in them. State or local codes may have specific requirements for marking and signing access aisles (e.g., access aisle markings in blue or “no parking in access aisle” signs). The width of the vehicle charging spaces and access aisles is measured to the centerline of markings, but it can include the full width of lines where there is no adjacent vehicle space or access aisle.
One access aisle may be shared by two vehicle charging spaces, or a charging space and a parking space, but overlap of the aisle should be limited to 60 inches (5 feet). The exception in §502.2 that leads to two 8-foot accessible parking spaces sharing an 8-foot access aisle should not be used for vehicle charging spaces because there would be insufficient space to access the vehicle charging inlets on the opposite side of the access aisle.
Access aisles should not be blocked or obscured by curbs, wheel stops, bollards, or charging cable slack. Floor or ground surfaces of vehicle charging spaces and access aisles should comply with §302 and not have changes in level or slopes that exceed 1:48. For more information, please consult the Access Board’s guide on floor and ground surfaces and guide on parking spaces .
Access Aisle Relation to EV Charger
The access aisle must be connected by an accessible route to the clear floor or ground space at the EV charger.
When charging cables are short, the charger should be positioned so that the operable parts and clear floor or ground space are on the same side as the access aisle. This configuration allows for placement of bollards to protect chargers without obstructing clear floor or ground space.
EV chargers with long charging cables have more flexibility regarding placement. With long charging cables, chargers can be placed at the center of the vehicle space or access aisle, or between vehicle spaces, if ample room is available for maneuvering around and between bollards. For more information, please consult sections Clear Floor or Ground Space and Example Charging Scenarios of this technical assistance document.
Alignment of Charger with Location of Vehicle Charging Inlets
The placement of the vehicle charging inlet varies across make and model of EVs. This variety can create challenges to designing an EV charging space with accessible mobility features that can meet the needs of all types of EVs since the vehicle charging inlet needs to align closely to the charger, especially for DCFC with short charging cables. Generally, a person with a disability driving an EV will need the access aisle positioned on the driver’s side.
Examples of Vehicle Charging Inlet Locations
Make
Model
Charging Inlet Location
Tesla
S, 3, X, Y
Driver side rear
Chevrolet
Bolt EV
Driver side front
Ford
Mustang Mach-E
Driver side front
Ford
E-transit
Front
Nissan
Leaf
Front
Audi
E-Tron
Driver side front
Volkswagen
ID .4
Passenger side rear
Porsche
Taycan
Passenger side front, driver side front
Hyundai
Kona
Front
Hyundai
Ionic
Driver side front
Toyota
Prius plug-in
Passenger side rear
Honda
Clarity plug-in
Driver side front
Ford
Fusion energi
Driver side front
Toyota
RAV4 prime
Passenger side rear
Chrysler
Pacifica hybrid
Driver side front
When designing a charging station to serve multiple types of EV’s with various vehicle charging inlet locations, it is recommended to provide more mobility accessible vehicle charging spaces with a variety of access aisle locations and charger configurations.
Example Charging Scenarios
The scenarios below indicate how a vehicle’s orientation changes depending on the location of the vehicle charging inlet. This is particularly important for DCFCs with short and heavy charging cables. AC Level 2 and some DCFCs that have sufficiently long and light cables may not have this issue.
Figure B1:
B1 depicts an ideal scenario with the most common EV charging inlet location, which is on the driver side rear. When the vehicle is backed into the vehicle charging space, the driver side door is aligned with the access aisle and the vehicle charging inlet is close to the EV charger. The EV charger is located at the same level as the charging space and access aisle by depressing the curb to the same level as the asphalt. The EV charger has been rotated so that the clear floor or ground space is on the same side as the access aisle and not obstructed by bollards. Bollards are used instead of wheel stops to provide ample maneuverability around the vehicle.
Figure B2:
B2 depicts a vehicle backed into a charging space, but the vehicle’s charging inlet is located on either the rear or passenger side rear. While the access aisle is still aligned with the driver side door, the vehicle now needs to be spaced at least 36 inches (3 feet) away from the bollards in order for mobility device users to pass between the vehicle and bollards and reach a charging inlet located on the opposite side of the vehicle.
Figure F1:
F1 depicts a vehicle pulled forward into the EV charging space. The access aisle is now on the passenger side, but the vehicle charging inlet located on the passenger side front aligns closely with the EV charger. A mobility device user would need 5 feet of space on the driver’s side to exit the vehicle, and at least 3 feet of space to travel around the rear of the vehicle and to the EV charger. This may require the EV to partially overlap the access aisle. A vehicle charging space at least 11 feet wide and 20 feet long would provide sufficient space to maneuver around an electric car. Large electric SUVs and trucks may need larger vehicle charging spaces.
Figure F2:
F2 depicts a similar scenario of a vehicle pulled forward into the vehicle charging space, but the vehicle charging inlets are either on the front or driver side front, which requires passing between the EV and bollards.
Charging may not be achievable if cables are too short in scenarios F2 and B2. A better solution is to design the adjacent vehicle charging space to also have accessible mobility features. With two mobility accessible vehicle charging spaces sharing a common access aisle, a variety of charging inlet locations can be served. Longer charging cables should also be provided.
Charging stations designed to serve specific vehicles with consistent and known vehicle charging inlet locations should provide access aisles on the driver side and ensure the vehicle charging inlets align closely with the EV charger.
Clear Floor or Ground Space
To provide accessibility for people who use mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and canes, EV chargers must provide a clear floor or ground space complying with §305 and be located on an accessible route. Clear floor or ground spaces must meet requirements for ground and floor surfaces, including criteria for firmness, stability, and slip resistance. They must be free of changes in level and not sloped more than 1:48. Grass, curbs, wheel stops, and bollards may not be located within the clear floor or ground space.
Clear floor or ground space at chargers must be a minimum of 30 inches by 48 inches. Additional space may be required where the clear floor or ground space is confined on three sides and obstructed for more than half the depth (e.g., bollards, curbs, etc.).
While both a forward approach and parallel approach are permitted under the ADA and ABA Standards, it is recommended that the clear floor or ground space be positioned for a parallel approach to the charger and centered on the operable part. If there are multiple operable parts, the clear floor or ground space should be centered on the EV charger.
EV chargers are highly recommended to be installed at the same level as the vehicle charging space and access aisle so that the clear floor or ground space can be placed as close as possible to the EV charger. This design ensures people who use mobility devices can readily access chargers.
IMPORTANT: Do not do this!
Avoid installing accessible EV chargers on top of or behind curbs. Where chargers are installed on or behind curbs, people using wheelchairs have very limited access to approaching and using them. Depending on users’ ability, reaching the operable parts may be difficult if not impossible.
If EV chargers must be installed on a curb, such as at on-street parking, place them as close to the edge of the face of the curb as possible and no farther than 10 inches away from the face of the curb.
Alternatively, the EV charger and a clear floor or ground space can be placed up on the curb or sidewalk, but this design should only be used at existing curbs when it is technically infeasible to lower the curb or sidewalk. The front of the charger should not face the street or curb, and charging cables should be sufficiently long and light enough to allow mobility device users to travel back down the curb ramp and reach their vehicle charging inlet. Reaching some vehicle charging inlets may only be achievable with long charging cables, and DCFCs may be limited to charging only vehicles that have charging inlets that can be reached from the sidewalk. (Also see: On-Street EV Charging Stations Design)
When possible, providing additional clear floor or ground space for a forward approach and turning space is recommended. Aligning the EV charger with the access aisle takes advantage of existing clear floor or ground space.
Operable Parts within Reach Range
At a charging station, a reasonable number of EV chargers must comply with §205 Operable Parts , including technical requirements for clear floor or ground space ( §305), reach ranges& (§308), and| operation ( §309). We recommend EV chargers be designed with parts that are operable by the widest range of users with disabilities, including people with limited or no hand dexterity, limb differences, or upper extremity amputations.
Operable parts on EV chargers include, but are not limited to, the connector, card readers, electronic user interfaces, and switches and buttons, including the emergency start/stop button.
Unobstructed side reach
All operable parts should meet the requirements for an unobstructed side reach (§308.3.1 ) and be no higher than 48 inches above the clear floor or ground space and no farther than 10 inches away. The exception for fuel dispensers should not be used (See: fuel dispensers). Placing operable parts higher than the 15 inch minimum is recommended.
The operable portion must be within an accessible reach range, but non-operable portions can be located outside of reach ranges. For example, a display screen that does not require user touch input, or has buttons located within reach range, can be located above 48 inches. Similarly a card reader that can be activated below 48 inches with a portion of the card reader above 48 inches would still be operable. The operable portion of the connector, particularly the release button and handle, should be below 48 inches. A connector with no release button that can be used without reaching above 48 inches would also be within reach range.
Connectors
Connectors must meet the requirements for operable parts (§309), including operation with one hand and no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and no more than five (5) pounds of force to operate.
Connectors generally have a release button that needs to be pressed to connect/disconnect the connector from the vehicle charging inlet. Simultaneously grasping the connector and pressing a release button can be challenging for people with limited hand dexterity. Connectors that are a consistent diameter and very smooth are also challenging because they require grasping, especially when cables and connectors are heavy.
One way to informally test if an element is sufficiently accessible for a person with limited hand dexterity is to try operation of the element with a closed fist. Connector designs that have a handle with a release button on the inside, similar to a fuel dispenser, can be more accessible because a person can often place a closed fist inside of the handle and simultaneously pull on the connector and press the release button. The addition of straps and loops may also help a user carry the connector because it could be looped onto the user’s wrist or arm, or even hung on the user’s mobility device, to free both hands up to maneuver a mobility device (e.g. push a wheelchair, keep both hands on a walker etc.).
Future connector designs that are more accessible are encouraged. Until more accessible connectors are available, some chargers may be limited to using connectors that require pressing a release button with the thumb.
Manufacturers have developed automatic connection devices, which improve accessibility of EV charging because they eliminate the need to physically manipulate the connector. When possible, consider installing automatic connection devices, especially at fleet charging stations.
Charging Cables
The ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards require operable parts to be operable with no more than 5 pounds of force and to not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
Light weight charging cables (AC Level 2, and some DCFCs) should be of sufficient length to charge a vehicle with various charging inlet locations.
As thicker and heavier charging cables are used to achieve faster charging speeds, it becomes more difficult for people who use mobility devices to lift the cable and carry it back and forth to their vehicle charging inlet. Heavier and shorter DCFC cables should be able to charge a vehicle positioned at least 60 inches (5 feet) away and be installed so that users can access the vehicle charging inlet, access aisle, and charger.
Charging cables cannot block or obstruct accessible routes when stored or when connected to vehicles. Cable management systems can be provided to prevent cable slack from accumulating on the ground and potentially offset the weight of heavier DCFC cables, but cable management systems must be kept in good condition to maintain the accessibility of the chargers. Overhead cable management systems may also be able to help with cable weight and operation, but the systems and cables must not become protruding objects.
There are many promising solutions to the issue of heavy charging cables, including the use of cable management systems, automatic connection devices, and wireless charging, which could greatly improve accessibility. In the interim, however, the benefits of fast charging provide greater user convenience and should be available at accessible EV charging stations, even if the issue of charging cable weight has not been addressed. Persons with disabilities should still have access to DCFCs and not be restricted to AC Level 2 chargers. Future innovations may address the issue of charging cable weight and should be used when available to achieve accessible operation.
Accessible Communication Features
Accessible communication features enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with vision impairments (but who drive), little people, and other people with disabilities who might not need accessible mobility features (like access aisles) to use an EV charger.
All EV chargers should have accessible communication features and operable parts. All EV chargers that are procured or maintained by a federal agency must comply with the Section 508 Standards because they are Information Communication Technology (ICT). See 36 C.F.R. §1194.1 , App. A & C.
Although the ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards have technical requirements for ATM and fare machines (§707), and two-way communication systems (§708) that could be informative, only the Section 508 requirements are referenced in this section of the document because they are similar, but more detailed.
Although a number of provisions are specific to the accessibility needs of people who are blind and low vision and who cannot drive a vehicle, the provisions are still applicable to EV chargers purchased or used by federal agencies. Entities concerned only with ADA requirements may have a limited need for certain accessible communication features (e.g. braille instructions, tactilely discernible features, speech output, audio descriptions) on an EV charger, however some of these features may benefit all users. For example, speech output may be helpful if there is glare on the display screen, and elements that are tactilely discernible are easier to find in the dark. By universally designing EV chargers with the needs of people with disabilities in mind, a better user experience can be provided for all.
EV Charger User Interface
Many EV chargers have an electronic user interface (UI) and are similar to smart parking meters or fare vending machines. Section 508 includes technical requirements for operable parts and reach ranges that were previously addressed. Section 508 also has technical requirements for hardware that include:
Display Screens:
Visible from a point located 40 inches above the clear floor or ground space (§408.2)
Avoid bright rapid flashing (more than 3 flashes per second) (§408.3)
At least one mode with text characters in sans serif font, adjustable text size or minimum character height of 3/16 inch (§402.4)
Speech Output Enabled: There must be an option for display screens to provide speech output that is capable of full and independent use by individuals with vision impairments.
Speech output must provide all information displayed on-screen, including information necessary to verify the interaction and transaction with the EV Charger.
Speech output must be coordinated with information displayed on the display screen.
Speech output must allow for pausing and repeating.
Braille instructions provided for initiating the speech-output mode (402.2)
Volume controls (402.3) must be provided for the speech output.
Input Controls
Labels on keys and for visual controls must have high contrast (§407.2)
Controls must be tactically discernible.
When alphabetical keys are provided, they must use a QWERTY layout.
Where a numeric keypad is provided, it must use a standard layout ( §407.3)
If keys repeat, there must be at least a 2 second delay before a key repeat (§407.4)
If a timed response is required, the user must be alerted visually and by sound (or touch), and given the opportunity to indicate more time is needed (§407.5)
Keys or Cards
If the EV Charger requires the user to have a NFC key-chain card or other physical token, and that key/card requires a particular orientation for its use, then the key/card must provide a tactically discernible orientation.
Audible signals or cues must not be the only single means of conveying information, indicating an action, or prompting response. For example, an audible warning tone needs to be paired with a visual indicator.
Color must not be the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, or prompting response. Color can be used to convey meaning but needs to be supplemented with other visual means of conveying information such as the use of position, or different markings or shapes.
Visual status indicators, like the status of EV charging, should also be discernible by sound (or touch) (§409).
Registration and payment card readers should be compatible with contactless payment systems, tactically discernible, and provide visual and audible feedback. Tactile discernability can be achieved by slightly raising the contactless system reader, providing tactile labels, or by providing card readers capable of both inserting/swiping a card and contactless payment. Visual and audible feedback can be achieved with lights or display screens, and sounds or audio recordings.
Customer service/help
Charging station operators should provide customer service, help support, or other mechanisms to report outages, malfunctions, obstructed EV chargers, and other issues. Technical requirements for two-way voice communication can be found in Section 508 ( §412 ), and effective communication is addressed in DOJ ADA regulations. Multilingual access may also be required.
Chargers can provide signs or labels with phone numbers/TTY, text message support, or help features integrated into the user interface. Multiple means of communicating audibly and visually should be provided.
If two-way voice communication is integrated into the EV charger, §412 of Section 508 requires:
Volume gain controls
Effective means for coupling with hearing aids.
This can be a handset conforming to ANSI/IEEE C63.19-2011 or TIA-1083-B.
For IP-based networks, this can be achieved by conforming with ITU-T Recommendation G.722.2 or IETF RFC 6716
Audio jacks are the most common approach.
Any caller ID feature must be both visible and audible
Support for bi-directional text communication, TTY functionality, or compatibility with legacy TTY systems.
Websites and Mobile Applications
Many EV charging stations have websites and mobile applications used to locate charging stations, pay for electricity, start/stop charging, and send notifications to users. These websites and mobile applications must conform to industry standards for digital accessibility. The Department of Justice has guidance on web accessibility and the ADA . Section 508 requires websites and mobile applications to be accessible and incorporates by reference the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ( WCAG 2.0 ).
Connectivity
Charging Networks should utilize the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and provide information on accessibility in addition to the connector type, output power, availability, repair status, etc. Specific information on accessibility is more helpful than a generic designation of “accessible”. Specific information could include:
Accessible Mobility features
Access aisle left side
Access aisle right side
Long charging cable (capable of reaching a vehicle charging inlet regardless of vehicle orientation)
accessible connector (operable by people with limited hand dexterity)
automatic connection device
wireless charging
Accessible Communication features
accessible user interface (section 508)
contactless payment
“Plug and Charge” compatible
Providing pictures of accessible EV charging stations and chargers is also encouraged.
The Access Board welcomes collaboration with the Open Charge Alliance to develop protocols for information on accessibility.
EV Charging Station Location within a Site
An EV charging station must connect to an accessible route that leads to an accessible entrance of the building or facilities on the same site. Additionally, the accessible EV chargers should be on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance relative to other chargers at the same charging station.
EV charging stations in parking garages must provide an accessible route that connects to the accessible pedestrian entrance of the parking garage. Additionally, a minimum vertical clearance of 98 inches should be maintained throughout the vehicular route to the accessible vehicle charging space and access aisle.
Sites with EV charging stations as the primary purpose should include accessible routes that connect to any amenities on the site and, if provided, a sidewalk in the public right-of-way.
Multiple EV Charging Station Locations within a Site
Some large sites may have multiple EV charging station locations, and an accessible route should be provided at each location, similar to multiple parking facilities on a site .
Adding EV Charging Stations to Existing Parking Lots
EV charging stations added to existing sites must comply with the ADA and ABA requirements for alterations and additions. In alterations, compliance with the ADA and ABA standards is required to the maximum extent feasible (§202.3). For more information, please consult the Access Board’s guide on alterations and additions .
When EV charging stations are added to an existing site, they must connect to an accessible route and a reasonable number of EV chargers must comply with §309 and have a clear floor or ground space and operable parts within reach range. Also see: Number of accessible chargers
Converting accessible parking spaces to EV charging spaces is not recommended, especially when use will be restricted to electrical vehicle charging only. The ADA and ABA standards prohibit an alteration that decreases accessibility below the requirements for new construction (§202.3.1). If an existing accessible parking space is converted to an EV charging space, the minimum number of accessible parking spaces required by table 208.2 must be recalculated based on the total number of parking spaces provided, and accessible parking spaces may need to be added elsewhere.
Key considerations when adding EV chargers with accessible mobility features to existing parking facilities:
Can the chargers be connected by a compliant accessible route to the accessible entrance of the building or facility?
Is the slope and cross slope of the vehicle charging space less than 1:48? Can the floor or ground surface be altered to achieve slopes less than 1:48?
Is there sufficient space for an 11-foot-wide, 20-foot-long vehicle space and 5-foot-wide access aisle?
Can the chargers be placed at the same level as the vehicle charging space? Will existing curbs and landscaping need to be removed or altered to place chargers at the same level as the vehicle charging space?
Can a clear floor or ground space positioned for a parallel approach with an unobstructed side reach be provided?
Is the clear floor or ground space firm, stable, and slip resistant?
If EV chargers must be mounted on a curb, are operable parts of the chargers still within an unobstructed side reach and no farther than 10 inches and no higher than 48 inches above the clear floor or ground space?
What existing site constraints are there, and would locating chargers elsewhere on the site make them more accessible?
EV Charging Stations at Residential Facilities
Shared or common use EV chargers located at residential facilities provided by a state or local government must be accessible.
EV chargers that are designated to specific residential units should provide the appropriate accessibility features. When residential facilities designate parking spaces to each residential unit, the parking space for the mobility accessible unit must be an accessible parking space (§208.2.3.1). Similarly, a charger provided for a mobility accessible residential unit should have an electric vehicle charging space with accessible mobility features. A charger provided for a communication accessible residential unit should have an electric vehicle charger with accessible communication features. Upon request, additional chargers may need to be made mobility and/or communication accessible.
EV chargers installed at privately-owned residential housing are not subject to the ADA. However, privately-owned multifamily housing may be subject to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and may be required to be accessible. For more information, contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing Accessibility First at 1-888-341-7781 or [email protected].
EV Charging Stations in the Public Right-of-Way
EV chargers installed in the public right-of-way have unique design challenges due to existing sidewalks and infrastructure that may make installing chargers at the same level as the vehicle charging space technically infeasible.
On-Street EV Charging Stations Design
EV chargers installed on the sidewalk for on-street parallel parking should locate chargers with mobility features at the end of the block, or at the closest curb ramp. Section R309 of the proposed Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines provides design requirements for accessible on-street parking spaces, which can be used to design accessible charging spaces.
Chargers can be placed on narrow sidewalks but should be oriented facing the sidewalk and not the street in order to ensure there is adequate clear floor or ground space in front of the charger to allow for a person with a disability to approach and operate the charger. Chargers should not be placed within the middle 50% of the sidewalk adjacent to the on-street parallel parking space because this design would obstruct entry to and exit from the vehicle.
It may be challenging to bring the charging cable out to the street to connect to a vehicle with a charging inlet located on the street side, so use of chargers at on-street parallel parking may be limited to charging electric vehicles with charging inlets located on the same side as the sidewalk. Providing chargers on both sides of one-way streets is a more accessible option.
On-street parking with wide sidewalks complying with § R309.2.1 have 5-foot access aisles at street level. EV chargers can be provided at the ends of the space or along the side up on the sidewalk. Clear floor or ground space at EV chargers, access aisles, and accessible routes must not be obstructed by bollards, curbs, trees, grass, garbage cans, etc. Accessible routes must not be blocked when cables are connected to vehicles.
Fleet Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Fleet vehicles are cars owned by an organization (business, nonprofit group, or government agency). Under the ABA, fleet EV charging stations at facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds for charging organizations’ vehicles must be accessible.
Fleet EV charging stations that serve various businesses are considered a place of public accommodation or commercial facility and must comply with the ADA Standards. Examples include a vehicle manufacturer that installs charging stations to serve its corporate fleet customers.
Employee Use of EV Chargers
Under §203.9 of the ADA Standards, entities subject to Title II or Title III of the ADA may be eligible for an exception for EV charging stations provided at a commercial facility for charging fleet vehicles under the employee work area exception if charging stations are used only by employees for charging company/fleet vehicles. However, it is recommended that at least one EV charger have accessible mobility features to accommodate employees with disabilities because the employer may be required to provide an accessible EV charger if requested by an employee as a reasonable accommodation.
If charging stations are provided for employees to charge their personal vehicles, the employee work area exception would not apply and EV charging stations must be accessible.
EV chargers provided for specific employees to charge their personal vehicles should provide accessibility as needed.
Pull-Through EV Charging Stations Design
As EV charging gets faster and more EVs become capable of towing, EV charging stations may be designed for pull-through or drive-up access, similar to gas stations. Pull-through EV charging stations do not need to mark or stripe vehicle charging spaces, but they should provide at least sixteen (16) feet of width for vehicle charging spaces. Charging cables should be able to connect to a vehicle positioned five (5) feet away.
Chargers with accessible mobility features must have a clear floor or ground space and operable parts within reach range (i.e., less than 48 inches above the ground). Bollards aligned with the sides of EV chargers provide protection without obstructing use. Designing all pull-through EV chargers with accessible mobility features is encouraged and can be achieved by avoiding installation on curbs. If installation on curbs is required, it is recommended to create a cutout in the curb that allows the clear floor or ground space to be placed closer to the charger. Also see: Are EV charging stations considered fuel dispensers and eligible for the reach range exception #2 in 308.3?
The use of automatic connection devices is encouraged at fleet charging stations, especially when chargers serve a specific vehicle make and model. If/when very short charging times are achieved, it may be unnecessary to exit the vehicle for charging.
Other Considerations
Lighting
The use of lighting can be an effective way to indicate where an EV charging station is located within a site. Lighting can also be an effective way to indicate which chargers are accessible, which are in use, in which are not working. Lighting also helps with the operation of the charger, including plugging the connector into the vehicle charging inlet at night.
Shelters
The use of shelters to protect EV charging stations and their users from the elements (rain, snow/ice, and extreme sun/heat) is also recommended. Snow and ice can be difficult, if not impossible, for a mobility device user to traverse over. Plowed snow should not obstruct access to and use of the EV charger. Black charging cables in the extreme sun/heat can also burn people with limited sensation. Shelter supports, such as columns and pylons, should not be installed in or obstruct vehicle charging spaces or access aisles, and must not be installed in or obstruct clear floor or ground space and accessible routes.
Innovation
Innovations in automatic connection devices and wireless or inductive EV charging can greatly improve accessibility. This could simplify the charging process, including the potential to eliminate the need to access and operate the charger. If/when very short charging times are achieved, it may be unnecessary to exit the vehicle for charging.
Number of Accessible Chargers
The ADA and ABA Guidelines do not specifically address how many chargers must be accessible at an EV charging station. Under the ADA Standards, when a facility or element does not have specific scoping requirements, access to a “reasonable number” is required under the general prohibitions against discrimination in the Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations for Title II and Title III entities. For more information, please contact the DOJ Office of Civil Rights at 1-800-514-0301 or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY).
This “reasonable number” must be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, and where appropriate technical requirements for elements and spaces are provided in the ADA Standards, a reasonable number must meet those technical requirements.
The Access Board will be issuing a Notice of Proposed Rule Making that will solicit comments from the public on the minimum number of chargers that must be accessible at EV charging stations. Several approaches are possible, including:
a minimum number based on the table in 208.2 for accessible parking spaces
aligning with the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) that requires 5%
a “use last” approach where a higher percentage have accessible mobility features, but are not reserved or restricted to people with disabled parking placards/license plates. See more on the “use last” approach
a hybrid approach of use last and reserved
Issues concerning signage at accessible EV charging spaces include use of the ISA and how to indicate if accessible charging spaces should be reserved for use only by people with disabilities, or available for use by people without disabilities when all other chargers are being used.
In the interim, several states have already issued accessibility requirements for EV charging stations. If a state or local code requires a minimum number of chargers be accessible, at least that minimum number must be provided.
Signs displaying the ISA are not recommended at accessible EV charging spaces at this time, unless required by a state or local code.
The Access Board recommends designing at least two EV charging spaces with accessible mobility features, and providing accessible communication features and operable parts at all EV chargers.
This can be achieved with the following example EV charging station designs:
“Use Last” Approach to EV chargers with accessible mobility features
Traditionally, accessible parking spaces are identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) and reserved for use only by a person with a disability placard or license plate. Use of the ISA at EV charging spaces causes confusion about whether people without a disability placard can use accessible EV charging spaces. Since EV charging stations usually have only a few chargers, reserving a charging space only for use by a person with a disability placard may result in underutilized chargers.
The “use last” model would require more EV charging spaces be designed with accessible mobility features, but would not require that the charging spaces be reserved exclusively for people with disability placards. People without disability placards could use accessible EV charging spaces when all others are occupied, resulting in greater use of available chargers. This would allow mobility device users to have more options to find a charging space with the ideal design for their EV, and alternative charging spaces to use if a charger is broken or obscured. Having alternatives is extremely important, especially if the next accessible charging station is very far away.
A “use last” sign would indicate an EV charging space is accessible, but also direct people to use this space only when other charging spaces are occupied or accessibility features are needed.
At the time of this guidance, neither Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) nor any other code-setting organization has a standard for “use last” signs, but the Access Board has designed several examples.
Self-service retail solutions have been gaining popularity for years, and COVID-19 rapidly accelerated the widespread adoption of contactless technology. Now, consumers expect self-service options everywhere they shop — from checking out at the grocery store to placing an order at a furniture outlet.
According to the 2021 State of Self-Checkout Experiences report from Retail Today, 60 percent of the 1,000 respondents said they opt for a self-service kiosk rather than a cashier whenever possible. The demand for convenience and increased safety isn’t likely to wane, so retailers must find ways to meet this demand, or risk losing customers to competing brands that do offer self-service.
Samsung Kiosk helps brands institute a self-service checkout option quickly, easily and affordably. The sleek, all-in-one solution features an interactive retail display, speaker, printer, scanner, payment processor and more — and it’s suitable for businesses of any size. Here’s how Samsung Kiosk can help your retail business boost revenue, increase operating margins and enhance the customer journey.
1. Improve the customer experience
Consumers want convenience, consistency and safety in a self-service solution. Contactless technology like Samsung Kiosk ensures a simple shopping experience where customers can browse, order and pay in one location. There’s no need to wait for a sales attendant to answer questions or help with checkout. Your Kiosk gives customers the help they need whenever they need it.
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Kiosks can also help customers ensure accuracy when placing special orders. Rather than trying to communicate their needs to a sales representative, customers can use the Kiosk to place the order themselves, minimizing the potential for frustration caused by miscommunication during the transaction.
2. Increase upsell opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of self-service kiosks is the ability to upsell. New or busy employees may forget to mention upsell offerings, causing your business to lose out on easy profits. Kiosks, however, let customers see every available option, which they can explore without rush or judgment.
In a cosmetics store, for instance, operators can promote limited-time offers on the Kiosk’s home screen, or suggest add-ons and product samples. Kiosks can also be programmed to allow other kinds of purchases, such as gift cards and memberships, and to encourage enrollment in your loyalty program.
3. Flexible design and sleek aesthetic
For a lot of brands, store design is a signature part of the brand aesthetic. Samsung Kiosk’s variety of mounting options gives retailers the flexibility to install it wherever is most ideal for their specific needs. The self-service display can be installed on any countertop or table without any additional construction.
If you opt for the floor stand, it can be positioned and moved anywhere in your store. Your Kiosk can also be wall-mounted to maximize space savings, and its neutral grey-white tone fits in with any existing aesthetic. Plus, the built-in printer and Wi-Fi system eliminate the need for added, clunky hardware.
4. Easy installation
Traditional kiosk solutions are often associated with prohibitive lead time caused by complex, costly installations. Samsung Kiosk cuts that all out by arriving ready to use straight out of the box, including the payment and printing features, so retailers can deploy the Kiosk in minutes — no custom configuration or assembly required. For increased payment flexibility, Samsung Kiosk works seamlessly with a variety of PIN pads approved by financial institutions.
With such ease of use and a more accessible price point, Kiosk opens the door for smaller retailers to join the self-service revolution. Increased adoption of this technology ultimately promotes safety and convenience for everyone.
5. Remote device management with MagicINFO
In the fast-paced retail industry, it’s critical that operators are able to control their kiosks and turn them on or off at a moment’s notice. Samsung’s proprietary remote management system, MagicINFO, empowers retailers to manage their devices and diagnose issues from any web-enabled device, anywhere in the world.
There’s no need for external device management software or hardware. With MagicINFO, managers can access display information, check the status of peripheral devices and resolve errors quickly.
6. Durable and shatter-resistant
In high-traffic retail areas, anything can happen: slips, falls, runaway carts, rambunctious kids, the list goes on. To further protect customers — and your investment — Samsung Kiosk comes with a shatter-resistant film that prevents its 24-inch screen from breaking into shards. The UL-certified antimicrobial coating also prevents the screen from being tarnished by oxygen and sulfur in the air, maintaining crystal-clear picture quality throughout the device’s lifespan.
Given that consumer demand for convenience and safety will have long-lasting effects on the retail industry, self service kiosks are a smart way for retailers to stay in tune with their customers’ needs. With its simple setup, durable hardware and robust content management capabilities, Samsung Kiosk is an affordable solution that retailers can install quickly and easily to help increase profits, enhance the customer journey and prepare for the future in this increasingly competitive space.
Samsung Kiosk meets the impact demands of high-traffic retail environments while providing a safe, secure and engaging customer journey. See how these other innovative retail displays can help your business boost profits and streamline operations. Or learn how to unify an omnichannel marketing strategy from the storefront to point of sale in this webinar.
Davina van Buren
Davina van Buren is a freelance B2B technology writer who specializes in travel, restaurants and hospitality, retail, food tech and cleantech. A former television reporter and consumer magazine editor, she’s found her home in the B2B world, which satiates and excites her entrepreneurial spirit. Davina is currently pursuing an Executive MBA in Online Marketing.
They made it official. We are scheduled to do an interview with the Google lead and will cover both kiosks and digital signage as two separate verticals. Several digital signage companies listed (DOOH) but no wayfinding or kiosk partners. Surprised me they used the word kiosk to certain degree. It’s noteworthing that Samsung has used Tizen and its media player in transactional configuration now. Matter of time for Brightsign. For more information or to submit questions for our interviews email [email protected]
Hope all is well! Following up to let you know that today Google announced new changes to Chrome OS that will help drive revenue growth and amplify customer experiences for businesses across industries who operate kiosks. As businesses utilize kiosks and digital signage as two ways to provide better access to information and deliver faster transactions, we are excited to reveal:
A Kiosk & Signage Upgrade license for an end-to-end integrated solution for kiosks and digital signage: whether they’re deploying menu boards, check-in kiosks, digital signs, or anything in between, IT admins can reduce maintenance through automatic updates, ensure system security by blocking executables (Chrome OS has never had a reported ransomware attack or virus), monitor and manage devices remotely, and deploy validated kiosk solutions.
Partnership with 9 verified kiosk and digital signage partners
The ability to deploy the kiosk solutions on your existing hardware by first using Chrome OS Flex (currently in early access), a version of Chrome OS that can be installed on existing Windows and Mac hardware.
The Google lead who leads product management for Chrome OS commercial experiences is available to be interviewed on:
Details behind the new Chrome OS capabilities an specific use cases across industries
Notes higher problem incidence using Windows to just display content
Conclusions — Chrome OS doesn’t do it all, yet. We still need to use Windows for 6-output devices, or similar edge use-cases, but, the recently launched Chrome OS Flex is now delivering a significant ability to enable these PC devices to run a fully verified Chrome OS environment, and migrate completely away from Windows. By installing Chrome OS Flex onto older PC or Mac devices, we are also able to extend the life of older networks significantly, and remove the additional overheads associated with Windows into the bargain.
Google Release
Here’s your sign. Customers and employees want to be delighted, and delivering those experiences is key. You may be wondering how to create these premium experiences, and you may have even tried to no avail in the past. Deploying kiosks and digital signage are two ways to help users with information, transactions, and more, but the route to delight hasn’t been so straightforward. Many solutions create more IT overhead, increase security risks, and are prone to instability.
Chrome OS alleviates these problems with an end-to-end solution for kiosks and digital signage. Whether you’re deploying menu boards, check-in kiosks, or anything in between, we’ve got your back – and the platform for it. With Chrome OS, you can:
Reduce maintenance with a modern, reliable operating system
Ensure system and data security with zero reported ransomware attacks
Monitor, control, and manage devices remotely
Deploy validated kiosk & signage solutions
And to further lead you toward modern experiences, we’re announcing some new tools:
Kiosk & Signage Upgrade, an affordable kiosk and signage management license for Chrome OS devices
New Chrome OS Flex certified devices great for kiosk & signage
A new Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution track for kiosk & signage
Introducing Kiosk & Signage Upgrade: Everything you need to remotely manage your devices
To guide you through the trials and tribulations of device management, we’re pleased to announce Kiosk & Signage Upgrade, a management license which – you guessed it – has everything your business needs to manage kiosk and signage devices running Chrome OS. Kiosk & Signage Upgrade will start at $25 per year, per device, and offer:
Comprehensive Security: Prevent data theft and attacks by remotely disabling or wiping devices that have been lost or stolen. Place devices in persistent enrollment, ensuring they are always enrolled in management, even if factory reset.
Simple Remote Management: Simplify management of your organization’s device fleet with the easy-to-use, cloud-based Google Admin Console. Easily configure devices to boot directly into a kiosk or signage app, setup device policies, and access fleet insights.
Scalable Device Monitoring and Controls: Monitor the health and status of Chrome OS devices and get useful device reports to ensure devices are running smoothly. Remotely take screenshots, control, and monitor devices to quickly resolve issues and guarantee stability through Chrome Remote Desktop.
IT admin support: Contact Google for Chrome OS troubleshooting assistance with 24/7 support.
Kiosk & Signage Upgrade will be rolling out soon and will be available to order directly from Google or through our partners.
Install Chrome OS Flex on purpose-built devices or deploy new Chrome OS devices
We get it, you may have already invested in devices to delight your users, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. You can install Chrome OS Flex on purpose-built kiosk & signage devices or install on devices you’ve already deployed to get the benefits of Chrome OS. It’s easy to deploy and we’re actively certifying devices that meet the needs of kiosk and digital signage. We also have a variety of Chromeboxes, Chromebases, and Chromebooks great for kiosk & signage. Check out our device selectors to help you choose the best Chrome OS device for your use case or try Chrome OS Flex early access today.
Announcing 9 Google validated solutions to help you find your way
Providing a great experience isn’t just about the operating system running your kiosks and signage. It also requires content management services that make it easy to display valuable content across all of your devices. To ensure customers have access to solutions that are optimized for Chrome OS devices, we’re thrilled to announce the Kiosk and Digital Signage solution track and 9 new Chrome Enterprise Recommended solutions, including Arreya, Appspace, Comeen, MeldCX, Signagelive, StratosMedia, Trison, UPshow, and WAND Digital. These solution providers have worked directly with Google to ensure their content management services meet the high technical bar set by Google’s partner engineers, extending their product’s functionality, quality and security on Chrome OS.
We were looking for a digital signage platform to communicate updates to employees across our offices. Chrome OS and Comeen Play were a natural choice. Our IT department has been able to easily deploy and remotely manage this integrated solution, and our corporate communication team has been able to display updates to employees on more than 550 screens worldwide.Alan Riou
International Digital Communications Manager, Veolia
Get started today with an end to end solution for your kiosks and digital signage
When you invest in Chrome OS, you don’t just get an operating system, you get an end-to-end solution. Chrome OS delivers a fully-integrated kiosk and digital signage solution with a wide range of devices, validated Chrome Enterprise Recommended partners, and remote management capabilities that are sure to delight customers and employees alike.
Cloud-based Restaurant Solutions — What’s Growing and What’s Not
Note — new resources section quick service restaurants trends added below which includes companies like Gloria Food and Tillster. – original post from explorekeyser
Editors Note: additional data on restaurants from Toast — They recently came out with their Q3 Trends Report and Industry Survey. Toast is the largest POS installation according to a recent market report by Restaurant Owner.
The quick service restaurant industry is one of the most competitive industries existing today. In fact, a quick search on Google shows that there are over 1.8 billion results for “quick service restaurants.” Despite the intensely competitive landscape, several fast food restaurants have been key players for decades and managed to stay on top.
Think of McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, or Subway. At the same time, there are also several quick service restaurant chains that are growing in popularity and challenging the established QSRs for market share. So, which QSRs are growing the most, and what competitors are sneaking up to grab one of the top spots? The pandemic forced the QSR industry to adapt to a lot of change, so which strategies helped them stay on top during a difficult time? In this article, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most successful chains and the biggest quick service restaurant trends. In doing so, we’ll get a better idea of what sets these QSRs apart from the rest.
QSR Chains That Get The Highest Sales
quick service restaurant trends
According to a report by the QSR magazine, there are several quick service restaurant chains that bring in high sales. They include:
1. McDonald’s
There’s no denying that McDonald’s is still the king of the fast food industry. The company has been in business for over 60 years and is not only the quick service restaurant with the highest sales, but its annual sale revenue is more than twice the amount of the number two earner, Starbucks. McDonald’s generates a staggering $40 billion in sales each year and remains unshaken by the soaring inflation. https://kioskindustry.org//mcdonalds-news-watch/
Starbucks is another fast casual restaurant chain that needs no introduction. The coffee chain has been in business for over 40 years and has over 30,000 locations worldwide. It has been growing rapidly in recent years, recording annual sales of $13 billion.
Subway is the third quick service restaurant on our list, with annual sales of $10.8 billion. The sandwich chain has been in business for over 50 years and has over 44,000 locations worldwide.
Burger King is the restaurant chain with the fourth-highest sales. The burger chain has grown rapidly in recent years, bringing in over $10 billion in revenue.
Taco Bell is another quick service restaurant that has grown steadily. The Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain has over $9.8 billion in annual sales and currently has over 7,000 locations worldwide.
Wendy’s is another American household name that has been around for over 40 years and has the sixth-highest sales. The hamburger chain has over 6,000 locations worldwide and brings in annual sales of $9.3 billion.
Chick-fil-A is a 70-year-old restaurant chain that specializes in chicken sandwiches. The chain has over 2,000 locations worldwide and generates annual sales of $9 billion. Chick-fil-A is rapidly continuing to open more locations in the US and abroad.
8. Dunkin’
Dunkin’ is the quick service restaurant with the seventh-highest sales. The coffee and donut chain has been in business for over 70 years and has over 11,000 locations worldwide. Dunkin’ generates annual sales of $8.7 billion.
Which Quick Service Restaurants Are Growing The Most?
While the top earners are all doing well, there are several hugely popular chains that are gaining a lot of traction. Here are some of the quick service restaurants that are experiencing the highest growth:
1. Chipotle
Chipotle has specialized in Mexican-style food for over 25 years and has over 2,500 locations worldwide. Chipotle generates annual sales of $7.5 billion and is growing rapidly. In fact, the chain recorded a 24.7% increase in sales in 2021.
2. Sonic
Sonic is a quick service restaurant chain that serves burgers, fries, and shakes. The chain has been in business for over 60 years and has over 3,700 locations worldwide. Sonic generates annual sales of over $5 billion and is growing moderately, with plans to open more locations in the coming years.
3. Little Caesars
Little Caesars pizza chain has been in business for over 50 years and has over 4,000 locations worldwide. Little Caesars generates annual sales of $3.94 billion and is growing rapidly, opening more and more locations.
4. Arby’s
The famous sandwich chain known as Arby’s has had a successful 50 years in the fast food chain business. With over 3,400 locations worldwide, Arby’s generates annual sales of $3.8 billion and is also growing moderately, with plans to open more locations.
5. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is a quick service restaurant chain that serves up ice cream and fast food. The chain has been in business for over 75 years and has over 4,500 locations worldwide. Dairy Queen generates annual sales of $3.7 billion and is growing steadily.
6. Panda Express
Panda Express serves Chinese-style food. The chain has been in business for over 35 years and has over 2,000 locations worldwide. Panda Express generates annual sales of $2.9 billion and is growing rapidly, with plans to open new locations in 2022 and 2023.
7. Whataburger
Whataburger is a quick service restaurant chain that serves, you guessed it, burgers. The chain has been in business for over 70 years and has over 800 locations worldwide. Whataburger generates annual sales of $2.6 billion and is growing rapidly, with plans to expand to Atlanta with eight new locations in 2022 and 2023.
As you can see, several quick service restaurant chains are growing, and many of them are not too far behind some of the top earners. We’ll be keeping an eye on how the quick service landscape changes in the years to come.
Quick Service Restaurant Industry Trends of Successful Chains
For every restaurant on the list we just named, there are a million reasons why people flock to their locations and decide to invest in their food. Many of these restaurants first gained traction decades ago and have had years of experience learning what their customers like. While each one has a different success story, there are a few factors that these quick service restaurants have in common:
Offer digital ordering options: Quick service restaurants that offer digital ordering options are more successful than those that don’t. Many customers prefer to order online or through an app, and they don’t want to have to wait in line.
Have efficient operations: In an industry where the name of the game is literally quick service, the most successful restaurants have to have more efficient operations. Customers want their food to be made quickly and correctly, and they don’t want to have to wait a long time for their food.
Have a strong brand: If a restaurant has a strong brand concept and imagery, it’s easier to market your brand to the public. Customers want to patronize quick service restaurants that they know and trust, and they are more likely to return to a quick service restaurant that is easily recognizable and they remember visiting before.
Invest in expansion: The quick service restaurant industry constantly changes and evolves. And the quick service restaurants that are growing the most are the ones that are investing in expansion. They’re opening new locations, introducing new menu items, and offering new services.
They’re consistent: Chains that find a way to maintain the traction they’ve already built are the ones that are the most consistent. They offer the same quality food and service, no matter which location you visit.
They’re modern: There’s a reason why most fast food restaurants you go to today feel so much more modernized than they were even ten years ago. Even though this industry is considered casual dining, people are still interested in going to a space that feels fresh and updated, which is why many QSRs offer digital ordering, self-service kiosks, takeout and food delivery services, and other modern amenities.
What Can Other Chains Learn from Top Quick Service Restaurant Industry Trends?
If you are a QSR looking to increase your revenue and compete with the top earners of the quick service restaurant market, the best thing you can do is look to those who have paved the way. What can you learn from the above quick service restaurant industry trends? Here are our takeaway lessons:
Offer simple menus with easy-to-prepare items for customers looking for convenience.
Don’t be afraid to expand your restaurant business. Invest in branching out to new locations.
You need to be consistent to be successful, so offer the same quality of food and service at all locations.
Develop a strong brand identity. This means having a recognizable logo, consistent branding, and a strong marketing strategy.
Be customer-focused. Offer excellent customer service and look for ways to improve the customer experience.
Modernize your business. Offer digital ordering, speed, and efficiency. Invest in well-trained staff, update your in-store design, invest in effective systems and processes, and put quality control measures in place.
Digital Signage Can Help QSRs Modernize
One of the best ways for QSRs to modernize is by investing in digital signage. Digital signage (such as digital menu boards, self-service kiosks, and drive thru menu boards) can help quick service restaurants in a variety of different ways, including:
Improving customer service: Digital signage can be used to provide customers with the most accurate and updated menu, including information about the ingredients and even allergens. It can also be used to up-sell customers on additional items or services.
Saving time and money: Digital signage can automate ordering, payment, and other processes. It can help quick service restaurants save time and money by reducing labor costs and reducing customer wait times.
Improving branding: Digital signage can display a quick service restaurant’s logo, brand colors, and other branding elements across all signage displays, helping quick service restaurants create a more recognizable and consistent brand.
Generating more revenue: Digital signage can be used to up-sell customers on additional items or services, helping QSRs increase revenue and profits.
Want to Implement Quick Service Restaurant Industry Trends? Take the Next Steps
Digital signage is a great way implement some quick service restaurant trends. If you’re looking for a way to improve your quick service restaurant, Keyser can help. We are a leading provider of digital signage solutions. Contact Keyser today to set up digital signage in your business.
Quick Service Restaurant Trends Resources
For small independent restaurants there is Gloria Food(by Oracle). Gloria Food focus is primarily on taking orders online – delivery, pickup, table reservations and dine-in orders. The system is not designed for self-ordering kiosks. This would require different order and data management flows and technology, and developing this is not our priority now. If you’d like less contact between your waiters and food clients at the restaurant, you can enable the dine-in feature. See:
Tillster — Tillster is a company that specializes in providing digital ordering and engagement solutions for restaurants and foodservice providers. They offer a range of services and technologies to help restaurants enhance their online and mobile ordering capabilities, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations. Tillster does have integrated self-order restaurant kiosk available as option.
One of our members is ELATEC and RFID Reader for Kiosks, Self-Service, Employees and Warehousing is their business, and has been for 34 years. We’ve used and quoted their readers hundreds of times (figure $150 or less). Chris Corsbie is our member representative and we want to introduce their product line (albeit somewhat condensed for pure kiosks).
He’s sent a couple of pieces of collateral including the obligatory brochure but also an informative whitepaper and a case study. And with all the attention these days on EV charging (and the massive funding behind it with NEVI e.g.) Chris put together a very helpful Six Questions To Ask when it comes to RFID readers and EV Charging. Those resources are listed/provided below
We also have been monitoring a wristband integration project by Olea Kiosks and turns out they just released a video showing the final engineered units, with a RFID reader integrated on the side.
RFID readers are mounted many different ways. Entering a building you will likely find them on the wall. There are many protocols and over the years companies have done their best to promote their favorite. The DOD uses CAC (Common Access Card). But then RFID readers were engineered for multi-protocol and the brand of RFID reader became less and less critical.
The history of RFID is fascinating too. Goes back to the Cold War.
60+ Transponder Protocols along with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
110 Countries
Strong partnership with HID
ELATEC has remotely programmable readers, eliminating touch labor costs
ELATEC is a world leader in RFID readers for user authentication and access control. We have a 34-year track record. Our global HQ is in Germany, and our HQ for the Americas is in Florida.
We’ve been in the US for @8 years, initially primarily in secure printing, and for the past four years, successfully penetrating most of our numerous “new” market verticals.
Target markets are the kiosk/vending/dispensing/automated locker market
Our RFID readers for kiosk applications are ideal in “closed environments” where RFID badges (or mobile credentials) are used by staff or members. (How RFID works)
ELATEC RFID readers offer some real advantages over competitor readers.
Brochures, Whitepaper and Case Study for RFID
Note that we compress fairly aggressively so sometimes there is some loss of fidelity.
The protocols are called the air-interface protocols, and there are many “standards” for such protocols, depending on the type of RFID system used. Here are a few of the most common air-interface protocol standards ratified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO):
ISO 14443: This high-frequency (HF) standard is designed to have a short read range and include encryption, since it was created for proximity cards. What that means is that it was created for secure payments.
ISO 15693: This HF standard was developed for vicinity cards. It has no encryption and a longer read range than ISO 14443-based systems. It is used in many access-control systems, but has also been employed for inventory management and other applications.
ISO 18000-3: This HF standard, developed for item management, has never really caught on. Most companies simply use ISO 15693 for item management.
Near Field Communication: While not an official ISO standard, NFC is based on ISO 14443 and adds some additional capabilities, such as the ability of a reader to emulate a tag. NFC will also incorporate ISO 15693 over time, so you will be able to use an NFC-enabled phone to enter a building.
ISO 18000-6C: This ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) standard is based on the EPC Gen 3 air-interface protocol. Although there is an ISO 1800-6A and an ISO 1800-6B, it is ISO 18000-6C that is widely used for passive UHF systems.
ISO 24730: This protocol governs the communication of active RFID transponders operating at 2.45 GHz, and is used in real-time location systems.
There are other standard and proprietary air-interface protocols, but these are the main ones currently being used.
But where did this technology come from? And when was it created?
A recent article on the BBC website discusses the Cold War spy technology we all use today.
RFID – the technology on which Near Field Communication (NFC) is also based – is thought to have been created during WWII. One of the forerunners for this technology was the revolutionary electrical musical instrument developed by Leon Theremin. The instrument could be played without physical touch due to waves generated by the instrument being at a static frequency. The concept of this invention led to the creation of Theremin’s Thing following the second World War.
In 1945, a group of boys from the Young Pioneer Organisation of the Soviet Union presented a hand-carved ceremonial seal of the USA to the US ambassador, Harriman. Within the seal was an antenna activated by radio waves that were directed at the US embassy by the Soviets. This served as a microphone and broadcast private conversations back. The ambassador’s security staff would have checked the seal, also known as ‘The Thing’, for electronic bugs and other spy equipment, however without batteries or wires, nothing was picked up and therefore the seal was placed in Harriman’s study. This location was prime for listening into private conversations for the following seven years.
In the 1970s, RFID tags were used to monitor railway carriages. Today, RFID tags are used by many organisations such as the NHS and big retail chains across the world to track assets, manage stock or control quality processes. Due to the technological advancements these tags can be used to track almost anything, thanks to the simple idea created by Theremin decades before.
RFID was, however, officially invented in 1983 by Charles Walton when he filed the first patent with the word ‘RFID’. NFC started making the headlines in 2002 and has since then continued to develop.
New functionality offered by 22Miles. For more information you can always email [email protected] or sign up for demo below.
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22Miles created Carry2Mobile™ as a solution that empowers end users to consume and engage with content on the go, from the convenience of their mobile phone. Carry2Mobile™ uses HTML5 technology to seamlessly transition the user experience from a digital sign to a mobile device’s web browser.
Stream promotional content, call-to-action buttons, and other elements to the user, then easily view back-end analytics.
With a simple QR code scan, instantly deliver a dynamic, on-the-go experience via HTML5 technology from any digital signage screen to any user’s mobile device. Any orientation or resolution such as landscape, portrait, and video wall solutions are supported.
Ideal for:
Promotional content
Call to action buttons
Tickets, reservations, other actionable items
Carry2Mobile is complimentary for 22Miles Digital Signage Customers
CNN ran an article on “Nobody likes self-checkout”. It made some good points albeit short on any backfill data to support. It hinged on study by an academic and built a negative narrative around that. Covering it ss the only way to make our own balanced viewpoint more balanced. The premise “nobody likes” is a tell of sorts. Most people prefer self-service when you run the numbers. CNN editors are driven by serving up semi-incendiary newsbites to specific audience segments and in the self-service industry we have had to deal with the usual anti-automation, “replaces workers”, and a long list of other complaints, for a very long time. Andrew Puzder with Carl Jrs. and CKE was particularly active. Automation is scary sometimes to many people. As one of our members said, “most things come about as cost cutting when you get down to it”.
Perhaps we could add is that young writers for publications should consider, that without providing a somewhat balanced review, they are mot likely doomed to be replaced by AI content generators…
There are advantages and disadvantages to anything but convenience tends to be a winner. People stopped going to banks for cash (mostly) when ATMs came out for example. It was more convenient. Some people despise mobile phones, but our guess mobile usage is only going to increase, generally because it more convenient as well more times than not.
Click to Contact Olea
Our prediction is more types of self-checkout will be used. Product labeling and packaging will continue to improve. Problem areas like produce will be solved with new scanning systems and AI engines. [Meanwhile my Luddite wife avoids the cashier lanes, unless her favorite cashier is working and she has chance to socialize with her. ]
For more information email [email protected] — Any of our Gold sponsors can help when it comes to self-checkout technology.
Audio can be irritating — maybe but for the disabled customer the lack of audio can result in very poor outcomes with the “helpful” staff. Imagine you are disabled and getting assistance with the cash back function. That requires trust.
Survey says “67% experienced a failure” at SCO lanes — That is from Raydiant (see below). A relatively new company out of digital signage and just got some funding. Their website is a pitch deck for funding. Here is their kiosk page.
Disadvantages for stores listed are expensive to install, often break down and lead to customers purchasing fewer items. They incure higher losses and more shoplifting at self-checkout. — not sure where all that data comes from but other sources such as Oliver POS, Capgemini, NCR say otherwise.
According to Civic Science’s recent U.S. survey, 46% of respondents aged 18-34 prefer using self-service over service with a cashier. Likewise, the NCR states that the main reason customers like self-checkout is the convenience.
Self-Checkout is still growing. 29% of transactions at food retailers were processed through self-checkout, up from 23% the year prior, according to the latest data from food industry association FMI. — this is a data stat from FMI on supermarkets for sure.
Why is an unloved technology still proliferating? — Not sure that premise is true. Having multiple ways to checkout for multiple circumstances, while raising number of transactions and lowering cost, seems clear to us. It isn’t generally a one solution fits all given the supermarket shoppers. Aldi and others have developed a focus on those customers wanting quick and fast. They don’t deal with the slow and problematic. A bit unfair but surely optimized.
The writer calls out CheckRobot as first installed at several Kroger Stores — the real pioneer in the space was Optimal Robotics. In 2001 they hit the 5000 units mark at Kroger. No wonder that Fujitsu bought them in 2004.
2004 — IHL’s market study also reported that shipments of self-checkout systems will grow by about 95 percent in 2004, with the market exceeding $1.3 billion in 2005. Greg Buzek, president of IHL, estimates that 95 percent of the supermarket chains in North America will have some degree of self-checkout by 2006. “Self-checkout is an absolute necessity, as supermarkets face pressure from Wal-Mart,” Buzek said. “It allows them to shift employees to higher-profit areas of the store, and it gives them a competitive advantage.”
Although self-checkout counters eliminated some of the tasks of traditional cashiers, they still needed to be staffed and created a need for higher wage IT jobs, he said. Self-checkout, Andrews added, “delivers none of what it promises.” — — The intent was not to reduce employees. Hybrid checkouts are complex and of course come with support and maintenance. NCR has an entire building in Bentonville just for self-checkout support staff. Even “just walk out” stores have people, just not in the usual roles and places.
Despite all of these “shortcomings”, self-checkout is only expanding.
FOMO (fear of missing out) and the “arms race” drives stores — there is some basis in that but self-checkout was slated to be installed of 95% of stores in 2004 according to IHL Group, who is a smart research firm. We are checking Buzek for comments.
Picture of Typical Unit
click for full size — walmart self-checkout
Excerpt
New York (CNN Business)”Unexpected item in the bagging area.”
“Please place item in the bag.”
“Please wait for assistance.”
If you’ve encountered these irritating alerts at the self-checkout machine, you’re not alone. According to a survey last year of 1,000 shoppers, 67% said they’d experienced a failure at the self-checkout lane. Errors at the kiosks are so common that they have even spawned dozens of memes and TikTok videos.
“We’re in 2022. One would expect the self-checkout experience to be flawless. We’re not there at all,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia who has researched self-checkout.
Customers aren’t the only ones frustrated with the self-checkout experience. Stores have challenges with it, too.
Comments
It is a typical article about technology in mainstream press. It has one view and every piece of data supports that view. In this case the view is self-checkout is negative, it is put in only because companies are greedy and it ignores the balanced realities of the technology. And this fits the narrative that a negative story gets 10x the clicks of a positive or balanced story. I was interviewed for more than 20 minutes by this author and not a single bit of my discussion made the article. Among other things, retail is short 4 million workers but customers still want the best prices and the fastest way to checkout. Self-Checkout allows retailers to put their workers where they are most valuable. They save cost on the per transaction basis, but it frees labor for being in the aisles to help, trying to make sure shelves are stocked, and making sure prepared meals that consumers want are prepared.
Next, regarding the security features. Those are there and so heightened because unfortunately there is a segment of the population bent on stealing from stores or feel entitled to steal from the stores. So there are scales for weights, cameras for protection. Home Depot decided to remove their security options to streamline the process. And it has been wonderful for the honest consumers…no system to bark at you. Very quick, very efficient. The problem was, however, that their losses from theft doubled…increased by over $1b in losses so they have to enhance security in other areas.
The reality is that there are good things and bad things about self-checkout. One can argue either side. The truth of the matter is that the old way of staffed checkouts is not coming back and the use of self-checkout is going to continue to grow. There simply are not enough people willing to work the stores. It was clear that the academic originally quoted had a negative view of self-checkout…so the entire article was about building that narrative with no concern for balance or realities among consumer desires and retailer’s realities.
It was interesting how they spoke about these things coming about because the cost cutting measures vs. it being something cool for the customer. I think most things come about as cost cutting when you get down to it. Or if it is customer experience then its done for other reasons. Sort of like Santa Claus in the mall or ice skating etc… Done as a draw to get people in the door to spend money. Clearly a self-checkout kiosk does not fall into that category.
I am intrigued though on how to make it a better experience. I’ve found that I’m getting much better at the Fujitsu units at my local grocery store. I’m pretty proficient with them and choose to use it whenever I have only a few items. It gets me on my way much quicker. But how to make it fun or pleasurable and not like pumping gas. That is a thought.
Self-checkout can be a pain point for shoppers buying produce. More than three in 10 shoppers steer clear of fresh produce when using self-checkout, the Food Industry Association noted in a recent report.
Instead of having to remember the four-digit item code or search through the menu of products to find it, companies like Extenda Retail, KanduAI and Toshiba are looking to make the process simpler and faster with produce recognition solutions. Arigi of Kroger said during NRF that produce recognition software is of keen interest to the grocery chain as it looks to further innovate in self-checkout.
KanduAI, a technology company started in 2018 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, uses deep learning and artificial intelligence to recognize fruits and vegetables and provide a short list of possibilities to consumers. Shoppers can select if the item is organic or not.
Self-service checkout usage has dramatically increased. 36% saw a major increase in usage while 23% saw a minor increase.
Most expect their usage to increase in the upcoming 12 months. 34% expect a major increase while 18% expect a minor increase
Self-Service checkouts have failed for many consumers. 67% have had one fail when using it.
Bad experiences are why consumers choose not to use self-service checkouts. 25% said they would choose not to because they’ve had bad experiences while 21% said in the past they were slower.
Most believe self-service checkouts are faster than waiting in line. 85% believe strongly that they are typically faster.
Consumers would prefer to use their smartphone to checkout and pay. 65% strongly agree that their usage would increase if this option was available.
Consumers worry about the cleanliness of self-service options. 65% strongly agree with this concern.
Consumers prefer self-checkouts over store associates if given an option. 60% of consumers prefer them.
Part 1: Self-Service Checkout Usage
Any location manager evaluating the self-service checkout kiosks must ask: do customers actually use these kiosks? To what degree do they prefer self-checkout over having a cashier scan and bag their items?
Our data suggests that customers utilize self-checkout frequently, and that usage of self-service kiosks may continue to increase.
Consumers are using self-service checkouts a lot, and usage has dramatically increased.
Our findings suggest that almost half of the shopping population use self-checkout exclusively. When asked how often they use a self-service checkout kiosk when it is available, 48.7% of respondents said “basically all the time”.
30.6% of respondents said that they use self-service checkout kiosks “some of the time”. These respondents could adjust their checkout habits based on the length of cashier lines, the nature of the items they are purchasing, or other personal preferences. These shoppers embody the need to have both self-checkout kiosks and live cashiers in a store.
Only 3% of respondents said they “don’t use [self-checkout] and don’t want to”. These findings show that having self-checkout options is not a competitive advantage, but a competitive requirement.
Updated Regulatory Information for Kiosks, POS and EV Charging – June 2022
The big news is that the U.S. Access Board has announced its next session which include EV Charging Stations, Kiosks and POS. Not quite sure of the difference between information transaction machines and kiosks but we will find out. For more updates and information contact [email protected]
It’s also very important (cannot be overstressed) that not only manufacturers but users need to comment.
Once it is closed for comments you cannot insert a single word. During the comment phase all comments are taken, recorded and considered.
For POS we think reach may be addressed as well as Audio
It is worth noting too that ANSI has taken a strong interest in EV Charging. The Kiosk Association is an Associate Partner sponsor of the ANSI Electric Vehicles Standards Panel and is signed up to participate on working group
In Brief
July 21 — The U.S. Access Board has released Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, a technical assistance document that reviews existing requirements and new recommendations for making electric vehicle (EV) charging stations accessible. This technical assistance will aid in the development of a national network of EV charging stations that is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
US Access Board Session EV Charging — EV Charging Stations. According to the Agenda, the Access Board will be issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in September 2022 to set standards for accessible EV charging stations with the intent that the DOJ will eventually incorporate those guidelines in the current ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The rulemaking responds to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s allocation of $7.5 billion to construct a national network of 500,000 EV charging stations nationwide.
US Access Board Session Transaction Machines — Fixed Self-service Transaction Machines. With the proliferation of self-service machines at public accommodations in the past few years, it is no surprise that the Access Board will be working on standards for accessible self-service kiosks, information transaction machines, and point-of-sale devices. The Agenda states that an NPRM will be issued in August 2022. It is very important for manufacturers of these machines, as well as the businesses that use them (e.g. retailers, rental car companies, lodging facilities, health care providers, banks, parking facilities, restaurants) to file comments on the Access Board’s forthcoming proposed guidelines because, once finalized, they are not likely to change in DOJ’s rulemaking process to make them enforceable standards.
Maryland Launches Assistive Technology Loan Program — Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. Assistive technology allows individuals with disabilities to carry out activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.), participate in the workforce, communicate, learn, and enjoy recreational activities.
Comments by Seyfarth — While the rulemaking process can take years, we predict the DOJ will work hard to get all of these new standards finalized before the end of the Biden Administration because a regime change will most certainly halt all regulatory activity, yet again.
DOJ Goes All in on ADA is a Nondelegable Duty — In the Statement of Interest, the DOJ goes all in on the ADA being a nondelegable duty. That the ADA is a nondelegable duty should not surprise readers of this blog because we previously discussed that here, and I return to the concept frequently.
Canada CSA Group — we submitted technology considerations for next CSA session.
Canada ADA groups — three groups in Canada have applied to join ADA Committee
EV charging stations will need to comply with ADA and Section 504 requirements and be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or other assistive equipment. Key considerations include safety and ease of use. Specifically, designs for EV charging stations must ensure adequate space for exiting and entering the vehicle, unobstructed access to the EV charging stations, free movement around the EV charging stations and connection point on the vehicle, and clear paths and close proximity to any building entrances.
NEVI funds can be used to retrofit existing non-ADA compliant stations to ADA compliant
Revenue from retrofitted or new chargers (advertising?) will be deducted from funding received. The State DOT will likely have input on partnerships.
Title 3 will apply no doubt
40% to disadvantage communities (underserved, underbanked)
Useful links for State DOT — For example, FHWA’s guide, Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decisionmaking, provides examples of public engagement best practices and illustrates how meaningful public engagement entails more than simply holding public events, but also incorporating public comments and feedback into decisionmaking. Additional suggested resources include:
• Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decisionmaking (FHWA) – Public Involvement
Techniques – Publications – Public Involvement – Planning – FHWA (dot.gov)
• Virtual Public Involvement (FHWA) – EDC-6: Virtual Public Involvement | Federal Highway
Administration (dot.gov)
• How to Engage Low-Literacy and Limited-English-Proficiency Populations in Transportation
Decision Making (FHWA) – Low Limited – Publications – Planning – FHWA (dot.gov)
• Every Place Counts Leadership Academy Transportation Toolkit (FHWA) – Every Place Counts
Leadership Academy (transportation.gov)
From National Restaurant Association — The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is expected to mark up the revised American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) next week, possibly by July 13. Restaurant operators will have a hard and costly time trying to comply with a number of alarming provisions included in the ADPPA as it’s now worded.
The Association has expressed concerns about specific areas of the bill, including:
Carveouts in the federal preemption – The Association is concerned that there are far too many carveouts for state-level privacy laws, consumer protection laws, and laws that govern both employee and biometric data, among others. These carveouts essentially nullify the bill’s preemption provision and would require national restaurant businesses to complying with both federal and state laws.
Inclusion of private right of action – The Association is concerned that the language allowing civil action in federal court would enable trial lawyers to embroil operators in unwarranted, never-ending litigation. These actions do not improve consumer protection but do often penalize the operations targeted.
Loyalty programs – The bill includes language intended to preserve consumer loyalty programs, but the Association feels the provision would inhibit consumers’ and restaurants’ ability to voluntarily establish loyalty relationships. These types of programs are essential to the business model of many restaurants, and the Association hopes the bill can be amended to reflect state data privacy laws that have already been shown to work.
Service providers and third-party requirements – Restaurants are often a first point of collection for consumer data, however they should not be held liable for potential data privacy violations committed by their downstream business partners. The Association would like to see the service provide and third-party requirements strengthened so that no consumers are left unprotected when their personal data is handled by any business, regardless of where they live.
Small data exemption – The bill includes a threshold for small business data exemption; however, the current definition will still place significant burdens on small business restaurants. The Association would like to see the requirements amended so that they will work for the smallest restaurant operators.
Covered entity definition – Under the current bill, the covered entity definition would mean that restaurants with common branding all become liable for one operator’s infractions. The Association would like to see the bill take into consideration the industry’s unique franchise structure when defining covered entities.
HIPAA — HHS issues penalties to 11 healthcare organizations for records access violations. The latest batch of penalties brings the total number of financial penalties imposed under the HIPAA Right of Access enforcement initiative up to 38, according to a July 15 press release from HHS.
ISVPay and Unattended Card Payments (UCP) deliver omnichannel payments for self-service kiosk businesses
Background Overview
ISVPay UCP payment kiosk Partnership
The general synopsis of this partnership is that ISVPay provides FirstData and TSYS backed merchant accounts, they are a billing channel for solutions we recommend often during our consultations and they are very talented at aggregating small ticket transactions to save kiosk operators a ton on interchange fees (editor note: there are small and large use cases where this has been shown). For kiosk operators who are the merchant of record for their kiosks, they can create new terminals under their account on their own through ISVPay’s portal, which is what I mean when I say ISVPay greases the wheels for kiosk solution providers to get kiosks deployed quickly. Operators can basically self-launch payment on their kiosks. They don’t have to wait for a bunch of paperwork to be processed to go live at a new site.
Press Release
ALPHARETTA,GA (PRWEB) JUNE 24, 2022
Alpharetta, GA – ISVPay, a leading payment platform for ISVs has partnered with UCP, a Las Vegas Based hardware distributor and value-added reseller, to provide a full-service unattended payment solution. Consumers are paying with credit cards and mobile wallets at parking meters, vending machines, car washes, and laundromats. As consumers become more comfortable with new technology, they expect payment options that align with their individual purchasing preferences.
Self-service technologies with unattended payments have become increasingly popular, largely because of the ease of convenience to the consumer’s purchasing experience. Most kiosk manufactures, ISVs and VARs are required to manage multiple vendors in order to provide a complete solution. Through this partnership, ISVPay will deliver a full-service unattended payment solution.
Businesses who deploy self-service payment option will have a single provider through ISVPay for reporting, service, support, and billing.
“We are excited about this partnership and the significant momentum that this will bring to the self-service industry. Unattended Card Payments specialized approach to hardware and product solutioning coupled with ISVPay’s self-service platform will deliver a reliable self-service option to the unattended industry”. – Sarah Adams, SVP of Partner Development at ISVPay.
Unattended Card Payments specialized approach to hardware and product solutioning coupled with ISVPay’s self-service platform will deliver a reliable self-service option to the unattended industry, says, Sarah Adams, SVP of Partner Development at ISVPay.
“After hearing about ISVPay’s flexible platform and learning they are aligned with payment solution providers we often recommend, collaborating with ISVPay made a lot of sense. The self-service portal to their platform really greases the wheels for kiosk solution providers to get machines deployed fast, but also gives operators a whole new way to look at the performance of their kiosk estate.” – Rob Chilcoat, North American President at UCP.
About UCP
Specializing in unattended hardware, UCP is a value-added distributor and P2PE Validated Key Injection Facility for top tier terminal manufacturers like Ingenico, Verifone, ID Tech, PAX and others. Our customers are kiosk manufacturers, transportation solution providers, parking solution providers, automated retail solution providers, quick service restaurant solution providers, automated toll booth solution providers, along with many more innovators in the self-service kiosk space. We take a consultative approach with our customers – the EMV payment space is a complicated landscape which can be hard to navigate. We help you connect the dots between your kiosk software and payment processing.
Most kiosk manufactures, ISVs and VARs are required to manage multiple vendors in order to provide a complete solution. Through this partnership, ISVPay will deliver a full-service unattended payment solution. Businesses who deploy self-service payment option will have a single provider through ISVPay for reporting, service, support, and billing.
Contacts:
Marketing: Alex Pineda, Sales and Marketing Associate, [email protected]
Partnership: David Chilcoat, Business Development Manager, [email protected]
About ISVPay
ISVPay specializes in Unattended payments and offers the benefit of convenient, contactless transactions in verticals where unattended payments are making an impact. We focus on making our clients successful by uniting the best expertise and payment infrastructure available in the industry, combined with a unique rewards model not comparable to anything else. We take the complexity out of payments and allow software companies to do what they do best…develop software.
Contacts:
Marketing, Mirna Dzindo, Director of Marketing [email protected]
Partnership: Sarah Adams, SVP of Partner Development [email protected]
Come to NRA booth 6576 in Chicago and see super-economical self-order station for restaurant
Acquire Digital Restaurant Software
Additional solutions by Acquire
Improve quick-service restaurant efficiencies with ordering software to place orders on the go. Easily synchronize content to menu displays for a complete digital experience. Website link
Acquire’s digital toolset tailored for restaurant applications includes ordering kiosks, menu boards, and kitchen and pick-up displays. Improve the ordering process, increase sales, and lower overhead with the Acquire suite of QSR applications.
Acquire’s Quick-Serve platform was designed to provide an interactive ordering experience on a pre-built branded templated or custom user-interface.
Intelligent user flow with built-in payment options guides users through an interactive menu with upsell opportunities based upon user selections and demographic information
Connection to your inventory management or payment API/SDK to automatically update inventory and pricing
Reduce human error and labor costs while increasing revenue and data collection
To complement our digital ordering systems, Acquire offers a wide range of digital menu options for overhead counter, outdoor and window, and drive-thru signage.
Includes a custom interface built around your branding
Easily display pricing, promotions, and advertising
Remotely update pricing and content from anywhere in the world
Dynamic and moving content to increase sales
To complete the solution, Acquire’s queuing display application communicates seamlessly from the ordering kiosks to the kitchen team, and can be shown on a front-of-house or menu display.
Notify customers when their order is ready
Process food orders quickly and efficiently
Integrate to your existing EPOS system
Manage and Update
Remotely update content and pricing at the local or national level
Generate product listings and promotions for self-service kiosks
Automatically update product pricing
Easily remove out-of-stock items on kiosks or displays
Collect usage and product data
Track shoppers with built-in facial recognition to track age, gender, and ethnicity
More News By AcquireDigital
Acquire Digital has partnered with Flyin’ High Signs and Gable to deploy an innovative Digital Directory and Wayfinder kiosk program for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Las Vegas, NV, September 2021 –Acquire Digital has announced the sponsorship of a digital wayfinding and directory solution for the upcoming Groceryshop tradeshow. Acquire Digital’s industry leading interactive wayfinding and indoor navigation platform will be used to help the attendees navigate the show, explore events, and find other important show content. The custom mapping software will be available on large format interactive kiosks and within the Groceryshop mobile application and website.
Come to NRA booth 6576 in Chicago and see super-economical self-order station for restaurant
Acquire Digital Restaurant Software
AIO Restaurant Self-Order at NRA Booth
Improve quick-service restaurant efficiencies with ordering software to place orders on the go. Easily synchronize content to menu displays for a complete digital experience. Website link
Self-service and digital ordering is the way of the future for quick-service restaurants. As the QSR industry transforms before our eyes, customers are looking for contactless ways to place orders through ordering kiosks and interactive menus.
Acquire’s digital toolset tailored for restaurant applications includes ordering kiosks, menu boards, and kitchen and pick-up displays. Improve the ordering process, increase sales, and lower overhead with the Acquire suite of QSR applications.
Acquire’s Quick-Serve platform was designed to provide an interactive ordering experience on a pre-built branded templated or custom user-interface.
Intelligent user flow with built-in payment options guides users through an interactive menu with upsell opportunities based upon user selections and demographic information
Connection to your inventory management or payment API/SDK to automatically update inventory and pricing
Reduce human error and labor costs while increasing revenue and data collection
To complement our digital ordering systems, Acquire offers a wide range of digital menu options for overhead counter, outdoor and window, and drive-thru signage.
Includes a custom interface built around your branding
Easily display pricing, promotions, and advertising
Remotely update pricing and content from anywhere in the world
Dynamic and moving content to increase sales
To complete the solution, Acquire’s queuing display application communicates seamlessly from the ordering kiosks to the kitchen team, and can be shown on a front-of-house or menu display.
Notify customers when their order is ready
Process food orders quickly and efficiently
Integrate to your existing EPOS system
Manage and Update
Remotely update content and pricing at the local or national level
Easily remove out-of-stock items on kiosks or displays
Collect usage and product data
Track shoppers with built-in facial recognition to track age, gender, and ethnicity
Touch Monitor Touch AIO by Insight Touch
Insight Touch Technology is located at the San Francisco Bay Area in California. We supply Touch AIO Computers and Touch Monitors to North American customers. We specialize in 10-point PCAP touch technology in sizes ranging from 7″ to 65″, commercial or industrial grade.
Our factory was established in 2008, located in China, with nearly 15 years of experience in the production of touch products, passed ISO9001 and ISO14001 certification.
In addition to standard touch products, we also welcome requests for customized touch products. We could tailor our touch products to fit our customer’s specific requirement, for instance high brightness, IP 65 waterproofing, built-in camera, different computer spec, etc.
We have the perfect combination of high quality, reasonable price, rapid response and 5-star customer service to the US market.
Digital Signage Solution Trade Show – InfoComm 2022 Notes
Here is our summary page for InfoComm. We wish we were going but… Exhibits are June 8-10 and its the LVCC. Probably the biggest non-exhibiting exhibitor at InfoComm 2022 is 22Miles. Hard to miss right there at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the massive LED fine pitch signage.
Click for full size and scan — NEC Partners Mobile App
22Miles — 22Miles will have their solution and content examples showcased at – NEC/Sharp, Philips, Crestron, Brightsign, Mimo Tablets, and Peerless-AV. Every digital display, interactive wayfinding, LEDs at the halls and Tesla Vegas Loop, plus the 10,000 SQ FT LED wall is powered by 22Miles. Plus 22Miles created mobile app for NEC for their preferred tech partners and AVIXA and others are listed in it — see the IC22 22Miles Roadmap on AVNetwork
AVIXA — AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. We are official media sponsor and contribute content of our members to the AVIXA Xchange website.
Peerless-AV — here is a full list of what Peerless-AV will have there. SEAMLESS dvLED Video Walls, Outdoor Rated TVs & Displays, Kiosks and Digital Menu Boards, Interactive Display Mounts and More *(Training Sessions)
Click for full size — LVCC Digital Signage by 22Miles
Member Speaking Sessions
Rob Meiner of Peerless-AV — Wednesday, June 08, 2022 MT28 Manufacturers’ Training W303/W304 — EVENT LINK As dvLED panel displays are becoming more affordable and more widely available, Integrators are becoming creative with how they market, sell and design their small and large-scale projects. Thus, offering their customers, who may have felt dvLED was beyond their reach, the ability to offer standard or Bespoke mount system options that are well within their means. Learn how a Peerless-AV Certified SEAMLESS Installation mount system and provider assures that the mounting system is not only well-designed and manufactured to quality standards, but that it also is installed correctly, professionally and safely.
While the past couple of years have been tumultuous to say the least, the evolution of technology has been incredible. We’ve entered the golden age of visual communications, and our team has been hard at work to deliver on integrators’ every demand to best serve their businesses, employees, and customers. Visual communications have gotten more flexible, effective, and easier to deploy. Solutions including digital signage, wayfinding, and space management are taking hold, from venues and hotels to universities and corporate campuses, and they’re getting better with age.
“For InfoComm 2022, we’re thrilled to show off everything we’ve worked to master—and there’s so much to share that we’ll be all over the place.” —Tomer Mann, CRO at 22Miles
For InfoComm 2022, we’re thrilled to show off everything we’ve worked to master—and there’s so much to share that we’ll be all over the place. As the content software solution for the Las Vegas Convention Center’s video wall solutions, wayfinding, space management, and more—attendees will be using 22Miles systems to explore the entire show. You’ll be fully immersed in what 22Miles can do from the moment you walk in the door, greeted by massive displays powered by our content management software. You can find our technology everywhere—from the Tesla loop to booths on the show floor—using our interactive wayfinding on the official LVCC app.
In partnership with leading hardware brands, including Mimo Tablets (N2223), Crestron (W603), Brightsign (N735), Peerless-AV (N2831), Sharp/NEC (N2305), Philips (N2021), and more—22Miles will be present in several booths across the show floor. Swing by to learn and see how the integrated visual communication, 3D wayfinding, Carry2Mobile, room booking, and directory experiences can take your business to the next level.
InfoComm 2022 Spotlights the Latest Conferencing and Collaboration Solutions and Trends
FAIRFAX, VA – May 12, 2022 – InfoComm 2022 on June 4-10 (exhibits June 8-10) at the Las Vegas Convention Center will explore the conferencing and collaboration solutions that power remote and hybrid work styles, learning environments, and more. The show will feature more than 25 sessions and nearly 200 exhibitors focused on the products and solutions needed to deliver seamless conferencing and collaboration experiences.
“The future of the corporate workplace is top of mind this year as companies experience the impacts of returning to the office after two years with a remote workforce,” said Annette Sandler, Director of Live Content U.S./Canada, AVIXA. “For InfoComm 2022, we’ve assembled top technologists, engineers, designers, and end users to share what solutions are working for them and what changes are needed to move conferencing and collaboration forward.”
Engaging with Industry Experts
On Tues., June 7, the session “Conference Room Refresh to Support Hybrid Work” will address how legacy video conference environments don’t adequately support hybrid meetings since they were built for a time when video calls were room to room. Andy Howard of Howard & Associates, Nia Celestin from DTEN, and Irwin Lazar of Metrigy will discuss the variety of technologies and design methodologies that can improve the meeting experience for both the in-room participants and remote participants.
The session “Why Meeting Equity is the Lifeblood of the Hybrid Workplace” will explore how office, home, and mobile environments all play a role in creating inclusive meetings, in addition to factors such as language, height, hearing disabilities, and more. Today’s leaders are focused on navigating the territory of hybrid work and searching for ways to create a positive, productive workplace and a sense of belonging for employees. This session will examine the innovative and clever use of technologies in delivering an inclusive and immersive meeting experience with the overall goal of meeting equity. Join this session on Wed., June 8, featuring Mansour Brek of X2O Media, John Burnett from Pexip, Rony Sebok from Crestron, Derrick Kelly from AVI-SPL, and Stijn Henderickx from Barco.
On Thurs., June 9, the session “Voice of the End-Users – Envisioning Successful Hybrid Solutions” will address how we are living in a time with an abundance of tech innovation and tools that enable new ways to connect. However, many of us are still working in conference rooms where we can’t connect, and meetings are viewed as a waste of time. In this session, Kay Sargent from HOK, Monique Rezaei from Microsoft, and Casey Carlson from Deloitte will discuss the need to embrace these new tech tools to enhance and support meaningful human interaction.
For the full schedule of conferencing and collaboration sessions, visit www.infocommshow.org/CC. In addition, the Technology Innovation Stage (booth W2247) will host free presentations Wednesday through Friday, spotlighting conferencing and collaboration solutions in addition to other critical pro AV solutions.
On the Trade Show Floor and Beyond
On the InfoComm 2022 trade show floor, nearly 200 exhibitors will showcase conferencing and collaboration solutions, from meeting room booking hardware and software, and team collaboration apps, to video conferencing hardware and software. In addition, Sharath Abraham, Digital Workplace Consultant for Accenture, will lead 90-minute show floor tours of conferencing collaboration solutions on Wed., June 8 at 2 p.m. and Thurs., June 9 at 10 a.m.
InfoComm 2022 will also host a tour of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where attendees will experience the university’s hybrid learning classroom solution, RebelFlex. This solution allows instructors to teach a face-to-face class simultaneously with remote students. The tour will also explore the Flora Dungan Humanities building’s 254-seat theater/classroom featuring a Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience and a 4K Barco cinema laser projection system. Frank Alaimo, CTS-I, DMC-E-4K, Senior AV Systems Specialist at UNLV, will lead two tours: Tues., June 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For ongoing conversations and news about InfoComm 2022, sign up for the AVIXA Xchange, a unique community for the AV industry designed to connect thought leaders, industry-leading solution providers, and innovative manufacturers with AV solution seekers.
InfoComm 2022 is sponsored by Presenting Show Partner Samsung, Strategic Show Partners Blackmagic Design and Crestron, and Supporting Show Partner extertis|ALMO.
AVIXA is committed to the health and safety of exhibitors, attendees, partners, and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All InfoComm 2022 participants must provide proof of full vaccination or a COVID-19 negative PCR or rapid antigen test. Digital or physical documentation will be accepted. AVIXA will follow the CDC mask recommendations for InfoComm based on the latest data using the Know the COVID-19 Community Levels resource tool to determine low, medium, and high levels. The AVIXA team will continue to monitor recommendations from local health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and communicate any updates to health and safety protocols to show participants. For the most up-to-date information on health and safety, visit www.infocommshow.org/health.
About InfoComm
InfoComm is the largest technology exhibition and conference in North America focused on the pro AV industry. The exhibition is produced by the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), and currently ranks as the 28th largest trade show in the United States by Trade Show Executive. In addition, AVIXA and its partners produce a global portfolio of trade shows and conferences, including InfoComm China, Beijing; InfoComm India; InfoComm Southeast Asia; Integrate; and Integrated Systems Europe.
About AVIXA
AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 20,000 enterprise and individual members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit avixa.org.
The month of February was an exciting time for KioWare as we saw not one, not two, but THREE new versions of our kiosk lockdown and management software! Whether you are an existing KioWare customer or are just interested in learning more, you can find more information about those releases below:
Learn More »
KioWare Server 5.0
The newest version of KioWare Server is a total rewrite of KioWare’s kiosk management software. KioWare Server 5.0 offers many new and updated features including:
KioWare locks down your Chrome Operating System into a secure kiosk. It works with Chrome’s existing kiosk mode and adds features like pop-up window control, session management, and more.
KioTouch, a revolutionary, touchless interface solution for self-service kiosks, empowering users to access your kiosk without health risk. KioWare OS is KioWare Kiosk System Software integrated into the firmware of a single board computer for space-saving flexibility with uncompromised power. Learn More »
Digital Menu Boards – How Much They Cost and What About Installation?
In this article we’ll look at two of the major considerations for digital menu board. First what are the costs and second, lessons from installation case study for major restaurant chain. For installation case study we have the McDonald’s Drive Thru Menu Board case study.
Digital menu boards are taking the restaurant world by storm, and for good reason. In the digital age, companies are striving to reach out to their customer base with digital content and provide better service. And it’s not just restaurant owners who want more digital signage, customers prefer it too. 74% of customers in restaurants say that an effective menu display is their top priority. If you’ve seen the steady increase in restaurants upgrading their menus and want in on the excitement, but have some reservations about cost of digital menu boards, this blog post is here to address your concerns.
Digital Menu Boards: What are they and what’s the deal with the cost?
Restaurants use both outdoor and indoor digital menu boards to display menu items to customers. But the advantages of digital menu boards are so much more extensive than simply displaying menu items. They can be a tool to enhance your restaurant menu by implementing marketing strategies and targeted messaging, providing a dynamic and positive experience for customers, displaying various types of digital media, and more.
But even with all the documented benefits of digital menu boards in restaurants, you might still feel unfamiliar with the technology and have doubts about whether the investment will be worth it. You probably have questions like, will you eventually experience buyer’s remorse? Our answer is a firm no. Keep reading for the full breakdown of the true bottomline cost of digital menu boards.
You get what you pay for
Pricing for digital menu boards is the way it is for a good reason. You’re not just paying for a new menu, you’re paying for all the long-term benefits, dynamic features, and support from Keyser. For example:
Let’s say you are a coffee shop utilizing free digital signage software on a TV, instead of purchasing a digital menu board. Of course, there’s an appeal to this business hack, especially if you’re a new shop trying to minimize costs where you can. While this option can be a useful alternative that works for some businesses when they’re just starting out, we don’t recommend it as a long-term signage solution. That’s because at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. A DIY digital menu board is only as good as you can hack it, and when you’re using it around the clock, you’ll definitely run into glitches and other technical issues that delay restaurant service.
That’s not to say that digital menu boards never have technical issues. But if you invest in digital signs from Keyser, those issues are much less frequent and you get round the clock tech support. You also get a high-quality product that is built for restaurant use, unlike a TV or computer. You get what you pay for with digital menu boards, so the bottomline cost includes the value of having it done right.
But that’s only one example. The same concept applies to traditional signage, or static menu boards. Except in that case, the disparity between the benefits are even more glaring. If you compare digital signage to traditional signage, there are a host of both immediate and long-term benefits to investing in digital menu boards. One obvious advantage is the convenience of not having to reprint a new sign every time the menu changes. Static menu boards don’t allow much opportunity for targeted messaging or any dynamic features, whereas digital menus have advanced digital signage software that come with templates, a media player, a content management system, add-on features, and more. Even though you would pay less for a traditional menu, you’d be missing out on all the opportunities for growth that digital menu boards provide.
High ROI
Since digital menu boards have grown in popularity, it’s presented the opportunity to collect substantial data to see how much digital signage can actually benefit a business financially and deliver a return on investments. And researchers have found a lot of evidence to support a positive conclusion in favor of digital menu boards. Here are a few ways that digital menu boards give restaurants ROI:
Sales – Customers tend to consider digital content on restaurant menus when making purchases and believe it influences their decisions making. Digital menu boards open more opportunities to up-sell customers and actually increase rates of up-selling.
Promotion – Digital menu boards allow you to promo daily specials, seasonal food items, new menu items, nutritional information, etc. In fact, almost 30% of customers find digital menu boards influential while making purchasing decisions. Also, promo is much easier with digital signage than it is with a traditional menu because the CMS allows you to make instant changes to the digital content you display. No more waiting to reprint a sign after adding a new menu item.
Improved customer experience – A convenient and quick service restaurant experience for customers encourages them to come back for more, and there’s reason to believe that digital restaurant menus play an important role in creating those positive customer experiences. One example is the shorter perceived wait times that customers experience when digital displays are present. Especially if restaurants are utilizing the media player to display TV, graphics, or other digital content, customers that have entertainment while waiting in line tend associate your restaurant with shorter wait times.
Faster service – Digital menu boards don’t only influence perceived wait times, they also actually help your restaurant provide faster service. Whether you’re a fast food restaurant or not, an easy to read, accessible menu board allows customers to make decisions faster, decreasing wait times for those in line.
Smarter marketing – Once you invest in a digital menu board, there are so many possibilities for targeted messaging. Many restaurants implement features that use content to target customers who tend to come in at certain times of day, target based on region, or even target customers while they’re placing an order.
The Benefits Outweigh the Cost
Depending on how much you’re used to spending on your business, a digital menu board might seem like a lot of money, or it might not. For some, investing in a game-changing product like a digital menu board is a no-brainer, but we recognize that not everyone is in the same boat. But the bottomline is that the benefits of investing in a digital menu board far outweigh the initial price and it is a more cost-effective product than traditional menus. You may feel like you’re dropping the big bucks when you decide to purchase one for your restaurant, but digital menu boards more than earn back the money you spend on them.
Back in 2018, it was big industry news when McDonald’s installed thousands of brand new digital menu boards. For a nearly two-year period, Keyser was heavily involved in the Outdoor Menu Board Installation Project as an integral part of installing more than 5,500 McDonald’s digital menu boards.
We’re confident in saying that the installation of drive-thru menus is something we’re good at. We’re good at it because we had the ability to perfect and refine our process by doing thousands of installations for the most enduring and successful fast-food chain in the US. Keep reading for the full details on how we did it, our process, and what we learned throughout this project.
Integrated Digital Display Systems: The Outdoor Menu Board Project
Keyser was hired as an integrator for McDonald’s ODMB (Outdoor Menu Board) Project deployed nationwide starting in March of 2018. Over a 23 month time period our team internally coordinated the entire installation process, where we installed menu boards in 2,807 drive thru lanes. Our peak install month was in March of 2019 when we installed new signage at 126 stores. Our installations covered a lot of ground geographically, with store locations in over 850 different municipalities, nationwide.
Scope of Work
Site surveys – We sent technicians to client locations to take photos, notes, and make estimations for materials needed.
Equipment ordering – Developed an effective schedule for orders and deliveries to facilitate a smooth installment.
Construction permit acquisition – Traced the permit acquisitions process efficiently and obtained over 1,500 permits.
Contract Onboarding – Chose trained installation partners to work with around the country, supervised their onboarding process, and provided ongoing support.
Scheduling – Developed a master project schedule with real-time updates. Ensured any project delays were resolved.
Site owner communication/coordination – Established reliable and consistent communication with job site owners.
Completion reports – Had strict completion report protocols. Required photos from contractors throughout each step of installation process to make sure it was correct.
Post-install quality checks – Answered questions and addressed any issues that arose during or after the installation process. Keyser has a team available to address any concerns of site owners after installation.
Boots on the Ground – Keyser’s installation managers were onsite to train and supervise new crews. We also found that unannounced, random visits to job locations insured adherence to our strict quality standards.
Why Did McDonald’s Restaurants Upgrade to Outdoor Digital Menu boards?
McDonald’s is a leader of it’s industry, so it’s no surprise that it consistently implements new technology that will improve their services. That’s how they ended up installing thousands of outdoor digital menu boards, which are perfect for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) that need to add efficiencies to their customer service. The advancements in digital signage technology have resulted in signage that vastly improves customer experience and delivers a high ROI in fast food restaurants.
Digital signage software offers more flexibility and customization options in digital content displays. The ability to display menu items with a design that fits a restaurant’s brand is a huge step up from the limited customization options of traditional signage.
Content management systems give businesses the power to easily and quickly update McDonald’s digital menu items based on inventory, changed pricing, new promotions, etc
Digital signage is an ideal choice for companies with energy sustainability in mind. New digital signage technology is designed to use power more efficiently than traditional signage because they’re built to run for an extended period of time on minimal power. The technology makes it that easy to be environmentally conscious and save on energy bills.
Digital signage software allows businesses to daypart menu displays and promotions. Restaurants can implement targeted messaging in real-time based on who’s coming in at what time of day and automate the menu items that should be displayed at those times.
Interactivity is also a major appeal for outdoor digital menu boards, much like self-order kiosks, which have also been widely implemented by McDonald’s restaurants as well.
What was our takeaway?
You don’t just come away from a massive project like this without any growth, and that was especially true in our case. The value of these installations was immeasurable for Keyser as a digital signage company. Here’s what we learned:
Experience is everything, and the McDonald’s digital menu installation project only strengthened our previous 25 years of experience in the digital signage industry. Keyser was able to perfect and refine our process by doing thousands of installations as we worked with all kinds of on-site managers, contractors, etc. We gained an increased knowledge, know-how, and familiarity of the digital signage industry, a type of value that only experience can buy.
The McDonald’s installation project also solidified a high standard of services for Keyser. We’d be lying if we said Keyser didn’t already maintain high standards, but working on these installations helped to further confirm and refine those standards. That’s the value of working with a major fast food chain that needs top tier digital signage installations.
We learned that McDonald’s digital menu rollout was the beginning of a more widespread shift in the digital signage industry, which means that the experience and expertise we acquired would be much needed in the coming years. That lesson has held true since, and Keyser is ready to continue as an expert in the digital signage industry as it advances forward.
Checkout Kiosk Deployments for Grab-and-Go Markets Increase 235%
Guests opt for a self-service option for 92% of retail transactions. The touchless component for this is provided by KioTouch. For more information on this solution contact [email protected]
DENVER, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Impulsify, Inc. reports a 235% increase in deployments of their ShopPoP: Check-Out Kiosk in 2021. The hotel retail software company attributes the significant gain in self-service technology to the labor crisis in hospitality that has many hoteliers seeking ways to reduce traffic at the front desk.
With the grab-and-go retail revenue of hotels showing a 40% rise from 2020 to 2021, as measured by Impulsify POS retail solutions, the demand for packaged food and beverage has become a consequential burden for front desk teams. Many hoteliers have turned to Impulsify to add a self-service kiosk to the store to alleviate the need for guests to stand and wait in the check in line to purchase water, snacks, and quick meals from the store.
Impulsify Touchless Kiosk
“Hospitality is a resilient industry for sure, but these front desk associates are exhausted!” empathizes Janine Williams, CEO of Impulsify. “We have select-service hotels ringing hundreds of transactions per month and full-service ringing 2-3 thousand! This means guests wait in line for check ins, phone calls, service issues while trying to just buy a bottle of water.”
ShopPoP was launched in 2017 as an upgrade to Impulsify’s award-winning front desk POS solution, ImpulsePoint: Retail Management Solution. The SaaS software solution automates inventory, retail transactions, and product performance tracking. For two years, the self-service kiosk was a quick, yet highly beneficial, fix for busy airport hotels and high occupancy hotels to offload some of the traffic a successful retail store creates in a hotel lobby.
However, in 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, self-service became a lobby essential across the industry as restaurants closed, breakfast went away, and guests became hesitant to have strangers behind plexiglass touch their food and beverage purchases.
Labor Shortage Mitigation for Hotels
Now, as hospitality recovers amidst an unprecedented labor shortage further complicated by wage inflation, savvy hotel owners are actively seeking technology solutions that automate operations and reduce the need for additional labor that is hard and expensive to maintain.
“If you can reduce 500-1000 retail transactions per month from hitting the front desk, your team will thank you, and so will the line of guests waiting to check in while your associate stops to look up the price of a 2-pack of Tylenol… that matters,” says Williams.
The ability to purchase in-store at a self-service kiosk rather than wait in line at the front desk is a clear preference as 92% of retail transactions have moved to the kiosk when the option was made available, according to 2021 retail transactions.
“The owners and management companies who invest there win on multiple levels: increased revenue, reduced burden on tired front desk teams, and a better guest experience,” asserts Williams. ShopPoP: Touchless launched at HITEC 2021 this year allowing a guest to scan a QR code on the kiosk screen and complete the transaction using their phone to eliminate contact with the tablet surface.
About Impulsify (www.impulsifyinc.com) Impulsify provides self-service retail technology, design services, and business intelligence to maximize incremental revenue opportunities in commercial real estate common areas like hotel lobbies, co-working spaces, and multi-family residential complexes. Impulsify technology and design solutions completely automate retail deployment and management to increase profitability and minimize operational impact of unattended retail stores for non-retail businesses.
Terrific article by Olea Kiosks laying out what to consider on self-service kiosk pricing – but first here are some notes we might add
There are informational and transactional kiosks — generally the more complex, the more you can determine an ROI
Bill payment and other currency options — those tend to serve the underserved. People who go into a local government office to pay alimony or utility bill payment for example. Ticketing kiosks for Greyhound support cash. Paper and plastic have pretty clear demarcation lines.
Touchscreens began as 17″ 5:4 formats (also 15s and 19s) but once 22 hit more of them are 16:9 and many are quite large
It used to be the three main cost components for a kiosk was the enclosure, the display/touchscreen and the PC.
Figure 30% over 3 years for extended service and warranty — and yes, it is worth every penny
Onto the article
Want to deploy a self-service kiosk but are curious about the cost? This pricing guide breaks down what to expect.
After deciding to integrate a kiosk program, organizations want to know how much it will cost. To the outsider, this may seem like a simple question. However, there are a lot of factors that go into figuring out the total price.
Kiosks are not a one-size-fits-all product. Companies can pick and choose from various models, customizations, and services. It’s very similar to purchasing a car. Base models come with a standard price tag, but adding any extras—like premium seating, upgraded trim, or a better sound system—will raise the cost considerably. But why do you pay for these added accessories? Much of it depends on the position you want to establish for yourself in the marketplace.
This same philosophy applies to self-service kiosks. Currently, the typical lifecycle of a kiosk is 5-7 years before replacement, however, it really depends on what features and functionality you offer as well as how the technology might be changing the way you do business. What features are must-haves for both you and your target audience? Ideally, a kiosk should:
Match your brand image
Streamline processes, ideally for both the user and the operation
Elevate the user experience
Fit into the environment seamlessly
Be aesthetically pleasing
After careful examination, it’s easy to see that not every company will have the exact same wants or needs. Nor will every business benefit from the same self-service kiosk manufacturer.
This guide is designed to educate you on what to expect when comparing kiosk pricing and how to pick which services suit your organization the best.
Universal Kiosk Designs
At Olea, we have several standard or universal designs to choose from. Each kiosk is built on the foundation of fine details and expert craftsmanship, combined with technologically advanced features to enhance the user experience.
Olea Universal Designs are cost-effective for projects with no time or budget for a custom design. They are built with modular components to allow for solution lifecycle management. We have deployed hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of some of these designs, so we can scale rapidly for production and field deployment.
Many of these standard designs have been modified for a variety of use cases. Because of that, it makes them a great option for large-scale projects that just don’t have the budget for a completely custom solution.
Custom Kiosk Add-Ons and Cost
A kiosk can become anything you imagine. Literally. There are so many customization options available that make it possible to design something truly unique to make your business stand out from the competition.
Some enhancements cost more than others. Why? They require more time and overhead to develop. There might be more components involved, premium materials, or additional testing required. Here are some of the hardware modifications customers ask about:
Cooling Systems
All kiosks need a cooling system, whether designated for indoor or outdoor use. Types may include an AC unit, fans, or other peripherals designed to maintain a set temperature and withstand the elements.
Some organizations require both indoor and outdoor units simply due to the nature of the facility. For example, a resort in Las Vegas or the Florida coast could benefit from having indoor food and beverage and ticketing kiosks, but they might also want to allow guests to order food and beverage poolside. If the pool is outdoors, they’ll need units that can withstand the temperature fluctuation and if the pool is indoors, they’ll need units that can withstand the humidity and possible splashing that might be experienced in an indoor pool environment. The more complex the cooling system and enclosure, the higher the cost. You can find even more specific information about outdoor kiosk costs and considerations, click here.
Processors
All self-service kiosks come equipped with some kind of computer processor. The cost depends on the type of system, size, and capabilities. Going with a lower-cost version may save you money initially, but will you eventually want or need to upgrade to a newer processor? This is something to consider when you are specifying your kiosks.
Consider not only the lifecycle of the hardware but what new capabilities you anticipate the software will require in the future. In fact, the processor required is highly dependent on the software you will be using.
Touchscreen Monitors
The size, shape, and functionality of the monitor play into the cost. Larger, more modern monitors cost more than smaller, simplified versions. Sizes vary greatly—from 15″ to 55″. Custom sizes and enhancements will increase the price.
In addition, monitors that will be placed outdoors require different lighting capabilities to ensure users can see the screen clearly on both sunny and cloudy days. These units will also require additional considerations as it relates to the kiosk enclosure to protect the monitor against the elements.
Printers
Not all kiosks need a printer, it really depends on what you want the unit to do. And there are different types and sizes of printers that can be used depending on what you need to print. Consider your primary usage and current customer behavior to determine which type is right for your company.
Shape and Size
Enclosure upgrades also affect the total price. Similar to a custom home, some sizes, curves, and angles cost more to build. Machines alone can’t make many of the intricate design requests. For example, rounded corners are more time-consuming to make than basic 90-degree angles. These shapes require labor-intensive hand processing, welding, and grinding. While curves and smooth edges can be more aesthetically pleasing, they do add cost to the unit. Also, consider how mobile you want the kiosk to be. In several instances, clients needed to move kiosks around in the field due to traffic being greater or less than anticipated at certain locations. If relocations are necessary, they might require kits from Olea, engineering support, or other support to ensure the relocation is clean.
Other add-ons or design inputs that will increase the total price:
Enclosure materials
Upgraded hardware security features like doors, locks, and brackets
Network connection requirements and security features
UV-C sanitizing solutions
Cameras and requirements for lights
Speakers
Payment devices
Custom device mounts
How the Services You Need Affect the Cost
The price doesn’t stop at just the kiosk itself. While additional specific services add to the cost, they also add value. With decades of experience working with large volume customers, Olea has learned a great deal about the typical challenges experienced deploying self-service kiosks, and, as a result, it can incorporate these value-added services.
For many organizations, these services are necessary, regardless of who performs them. But you have to decide if it’s in your organization’s best interest to bring these items in-house or if you want to focus on your core business and have your kiosk provider extend their intricate knowledge and also provide these services. Here are some examples:
Ongoing Design and Engineering
Making any changes to the enclosure or hardware system requires an engineering team to design and manage for lifecycle and potential retrofits. In addition to managing UL and other regulatory requirements, hardware and design changes need to be documented so there is a record of all versions deployed to account for network and technology upgrades.
You don’t deploy kiosks in a bubble. There are constant changes with credit card processing requirements, security updates for software and hardware, printers, and hardware that goes end-of-life. You have to be able to account for these things in your succession plan.
Most mid-size companies don’t have an in-house department to handle these needs, nor do they want to establish one. They would rather focus on their core business. Choosing an all-in-one kiosk provider that is capable of design and engineering ensures the same team is always there to troubleshoot and update your units. While providing these services increases the cost to some extent, managing this up-front is typically more cost-effective than managing it after the fact. It’s the pay-now or pay-later scenario and when you defer those costs, it typically ends up costing you more.
For example, let’s say you chose the lowest cost scanning device, but when you deploy it, guests frequently have to make multiple attempts to scan and it ends up increasing guest time at the kiosk. This results in a less-than-satisfactory experience. At that point, not only have your sacrificed customer satisfaction and loyalty, which have hard and soft costs, but you may also need to retrofit the units with a better quality scanning device. It’s far easier and more cost-effective to deploy the right equipment initially.
In-House Manufacturing
While using contract manufacturing might make sense for some organizations, it really depends on the total statement of work because it can create challenges for managing end-of-life or technology upgrades.
For organizations that have a steady requirement of kiosks, version documentation is critical to ensure long-term operation and that all kiosks can be retrofitted should the need arise.
Recent supply chain issues have resulted in many organizations wanting to have their manufacturing completed in the United States. This brings significant benefits in managing lead times and logistics. Olea manufactures and assembles all of its products at its facilities in Los Angeles, CA.
Dedicated Customer Experience Team
At Olea, customers with a steady requirement for kiosks are provided a dedicated team of project managers that enable additional value-added services. A dedicated customer experience (CX) team member will guide you through the kiosk process, from design to installation and beyond. We have found that providing this kind of resource ensures that both Olea and customer responsibilities are on time and on track.
From time to time, our customers are presented with new opportunities to expand their business. This dedicated CX team member also enables Olea to manage special requests and the potential for change orders in the dynamic world that we know today. If your business model has a need for flexibility and agility, this is something to consider.
Supply Chain Management
Olea has long-standing relationships with device manufacturers from printers, PCs, monitors, cameras, etc. because we’ve been doing this for decades.
Hardware doesn’t last forever. Manufacturers continually introduce new printers, monitors, processors, and motherboards. What may work today might not serve you well tomorrow. Upgrading this equipment and figuring out compatibility can take time.
Olea maintains a robust hardware library because we work with a variety of industries and high-volume clients. Because of our relationships, our team has access to new products and technology and continuously vets these devices to ensure a high-quality product to reduce field failures. While this might add some cost for those buying kiosks, many customers rely on Olea’s knowledge and relationships to manage this over having their own dedicated resources.
Warranty, Support, and Field Services
Warranty, field support, and maintenance are other cost considerations. Because kiosks are first-line sales for many organizations (theaters, amusement parks, stadiums, etc.), 24/7 support is critical for the revenue stream. Many of these customers will also purchase spares, extended warranties, and support to ensure little to no impact on their business. Warranty and support can be customized to fit your business model.
While some larger companies have the capability to handle this on their own, most mid-size businesses would rather let a professional do it for them.
Regulatory Services
Depending on your industry, your kiosks may need to meet specific regulatory requirements. Ensuring UL or ADA compliance is complex.
For some customers, Olea maintains the UL mark on their behalf. As hardware items are upgraded over time, Olea works with UL to maintain and update the UL documentation and track all variations in the field.
Integration Services
The Olea integration team assembles the various configurations while maintaining quality standards and cycling products according to the master schedule to meet all client orders in the system. This also allows the integration team to receive updates from Engineering and provide feedback and /or suggestions to engineering for design improvement.
Quality Assurance
While all product goes through QA, customized inspection and quality routines can be added to meet specific client needs. For some clients, this includes software installation and testing routines performed collectively with the client.
Outbound Logistics
Shipping direct to the site is a benefit not all manufacturers will provide. Olea is able to provide customized shipping routines along with custom packaging and labeling. In addition to providing serial tracking, Olea can also provide storage of finished goods and ship direct. For some organizations, this provides tremendous value as it eliminates costly additional transportation, helps improve time to deployment, and reduces environmental impact.
How Much Does an Olea Indoor Kiosk Cost?
After reading this far, you probably still want a more tangible idea of how much an indoor kiosk from Olea costs. A reasonable ballpark estimate is anywhere between $2500 to $13K, depending on the types and numbers of peripherals used.
Remember that not every company has the same kiosk requirements. You might not need all the bells and whistles and service requirements. The right self-service solution should complement your organization and your business model. We will wholeheartedly admit that if you’re looking for the lowest cost provider, we are probably not the right partner for you. If you’re looking for a high-quality, consultative manufacturing partner, then we should talk.
A Kiosk to Meet the Needs of Your Organization
Olea makes high-quality, durable, and aesthetically-pleasing kiosks for all industries. Our clients are sophisticated and know what they want from a self-service solution. They also understand they don’t want to allocate resources to manage them. As an all-in-one kiosk manufacturer, we take care of all the on-site and behind-the-scenes work so you can focus on growing your core business. Ready to learn more? Contact us to discuss self-service kiosk pricing with our experts.
Latest news from DN talks about new rollout for K2 kiosks at Dave and Busters is case study (routine eblast from KMC). This deployment was originally pushed back in October of 2019. We are guessing given the pandemic there haven’t been a lot of deployments since March 2020. We will check the local D&B here in Denver but Colorado basically just opened retail March 1, 2022.
dave and busters kiosk original screen
In Brief
Recycled news but with pandemic ending more relevant
The highpoint of the K2s might be the option for AudioNav accessibility options
Has the usual ugly non-CAT certified POS wart appendage
It’s a version of their McDonalds-type kiosk. Even has the Zivelo-type sidebars
The original kiosk design was by Frank Mayer who did a nice job on the kiosks (actually a better design)
The software was originally by St. Clair Interactive and Doug Peter. Blast from the past.
The old generation was on XP which was discontinued. That likely drove D&B to re-engineer their kiosks.
Next-gen Beetle is our guess for PC
Here is the original DN blog — note the 404 Not Found errors on the “full rollout” and the K2 kiosks
Diebold only has one kiosk listed on its site and it is the K2. For “kiosk” search results they return results like the Beetle A1050 15″ AIO for POS so essentially no real kiosks. Diebold (and Wincor) generally win and have won few and far between self-service kiosk projects. Their bread and butter is in retail systems, ATMs and financial banks. Wincor did do one of the earlier USPS kiosk deployments with IBM (back when IBM still did kiosks).
dave and buster stock performance — March 2020 pandemic onset is obvious – click for full size
Business data
DN 2019 entry page lists D&B with 134 stores in 39 states
This case study lists D&B with 144 stores in 40 states (1/31/2021 data)
The K-TWO Kiosk from Diebold Nixdorf is the perfect tool in your omnichannel arsenal. This kiosk allows you to add a digital element to your QSR or business, along with more options for customer personalization. Merge the physical and the digital with this Reddot Award Winning kiosk that empowers customers through choice, frictionless interaction, and an enhanced experience.
Onsite Review
We visited our local D&B. Interesting they kept the old FMA cash kiosk, added a phone charger station. Nice accessibility touch.
A man in a NASA t-shirt stands next to a Dave and Busters kiosk at a game center. The screen displays options to buy or recharge a power card and check balance, all illuminated by colorful neon lights, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
A Dave & Busters kiosk offers a convenient phone charging station adorned with Low Battery? signage and the Lyte logo. Starting at just $1.00, it’s strategically placed amidst the arcade machines in a dimly lit area, ensuring your device stays powered while you enjoy nonstop fun.
A Dave and Busters kiosk with a blue and orange design displays This Kiosk is Cash Only on its screen. In the background, visible arcade games and the dimly lit environment create a fun, lively atmosphere.
An arcade scene with a Dave and Busters kiosk for power cards displaying a menu. The ceiling features a POWER UP sign, while various arcade games buzz in the background as a few people stroll around.
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today’s consumers want convenience and Verizon continues to look at new and innovative ways to meet them when, where and how they want to be met. After the past two years, people have become familiar with a hybrid retail model known as buy online pickup in store (BOPIS) but now Verizon is making it even easier to do business with by adding buy online pickup in locker (BOPIL) as an option with Express Pickup Lockers. Verizon has offered in-store pickup for years and more recently introduced curbside pickup along with same-day delivery. Now Express Pickup Lockers are being rolled out at locations across the country ensuring seamless, efficient transactions, with increased customer satisfaction, and in select locations 24 hour access to their purchases.
2024 update – See the new iterations by Zhilai for USPS, Sam’s Club and those orange hubs we think
“Time is precious, which is why we want to give our customers options that work for their busy lives,” said Kelley Kurtzman, Senior Vice President of Consumer Field Sales at Verizon. “Our lockers are a new and innovative way Verizon is bridging the gap between traditional retail and e-commerce, giving our customers more ways than ever to get what they need and get on with their day.”
Verizon has installed secure lockers at 250 retail locations across the US, with more being added each month. In select locations lockers are installed in areas where customers can pick up their purchases outside of normal Verizon store hours – even overnight. Customers can select the Express Pickup Locker option (where available) when purchasing items online at www.verizon.com or through the MyVerizon App.
Choices when it comes to the retail experience are here to stay. Verizon today released findings of a new survey of U.S. residents on their seasonal cleaning and shopping behaviors. The survey found that more than two in five (42%) Americans used curbside pickup at a retailer. One in three Americans used grocery delivery (33%) and virtual appointments (33%). And almost one in five (17%) used a locker site to pick up their purchase.
And interest in lockers is only continuing to grow. In fact, the survey showed:
Three in four (75%) Americans would pick up their purchase at a secure locker rather than having to go into a store or wait for an online shipment if retailers provided this option
More than half (55%) would use this service to avoid lines and crowds, 48% would use it to do so on their own schedules after hours and 45% simply to save time
About two in five would use a locker to avoid having to wait for shipping times and get the merchandise they need quickly (40%) or to relieve concerns of packages being stolen from outside their home by “porch pirates” (38%).
Of course, Verizon’s full-service stores have retail specialists ready to help customers with all of their needs. For customers who prefer to buy online, but don’t want to wait for products to ship, Verizon offers Express Pickup options including in-store, curbside, doorside and locker pickup at select retail locations across the country. Available Express Pickup options are provided on the MyVerizon app and when completing online orders at www.verizon.com
Verizon Communications Inc. ((NYSE, NASDAQ:) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $133.6 billion in 2021. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.
During the midst of the pandemic, we started on a journey to build an innovative “Phygital” Locker solution for our Verizon Retail stores. The pandemic didn’t slow the V team down one bit. One year ago, we brought the first Locker to life in our Greyhawk store in Omaha, NE. Since that looonng night (What kind of challenges could you have when removing a section of the store front to install a Locker solution?), we have deployed hundreds, with many more planned for 2022.
For a little “behind the scenes” on the technology driving this solution, we built a custom embedded controller and rugged touchscreen that enables the Verizon designed solution to integrate with our mobile POS and digital solutions. This enables a seamless experience not only for customers, but also for our retail employees as they pick and pack orders. Reps are able to use their mobile POS tablet to select a locker to place the order and it opens for them to place the bag and close the door, then the customer is notified their order is ready to be picked up.
Sidebar
UPS Lockers
UPS Lockers Access Point
Key Points:
A UPS Access Point® is a third-party retail location that offers UPS package drop-off or delivery services
Customers can choose any UPS Access Point® for their delivery location. For example, you could enter the address of an Access Point location as your address at checkout
USPS will hold a customer’s package for five business days
Full article on kioware.com – with thousands of licenses deployed KioWare is one of the top lockdown browser aka Kiosk Mode kiosk software packages. For more information email [email protected]
lockdown browser kioware
In Brief
Android 11 Now Supported
Remote Monitoring Communication enhancements
Migration from older versions enhanced support
The usual requisite clean up this and that.
Lockdown Browser KioWare for Android Version 4.1 Released
2/25/2022
YORK, Pa. — A new version update of KioWare for Anrdoid has been released. Version 4.1 for Android is now available with many improvements that work toward the company’s goal of constantly improving user experience.
Improved Location Services
The location services have been upgraded to use high-accuracy device location for more precise triangulation.
Manual Migration from Older Versions of KioWare for Android
Manual migration backups on updates have been enabled for any version of KioWare for Android 3.24 or earlier.
Upgraded Communication with KioWare Server 5.0
Implemented improved communication and integration between KioWare Server 5.0 and KioWare for Android.
Upgraded App to Support Android 11
KioWare for Android now supports the new Android 11 operating system.
Added Migration Backup Assistance
Migrations from version are now being backed up by a settings file to prevent the loss of user settings when updating KioWare for Android.
Various Bug Fixes and Updates
Among the major updates to KioWare for Android 4.1 comes other routine maintenance updates and addressing bugs reported in the previous version of KioWare for Android.
Analytical Design Solutions, Inc. dba KioWare has been in business since 1991 providing IT consulting to businesses of all sizes, is located in York, Pennsylvania, and is a worldwide market leader in self-service kiosk and purposed device markets. KioWare is kiosk system software that kiosk applications are built on and is used in over 14,000 projects in over 140 countries with project deployments that range from a handful to many thousands of kiosks.
It was coming we all knew and here is some news on the LG Kiosk for restaurants. Will be launched first in the Korean home market and later in Europe and North America, likely by the end of the year. This unit is being shown all over the world right now (ISE in Barcelona example given). Here is our local information on the show and you can also visit the NRA portal page. LG will be attending the show in Chicago and for assistance with arranging a meeting with LG at the show email [email protected]
LG opted for 27″ touchscreen (Samsung is 24 for reference)
Companies like Appetize and Elo tend to offer the 22 inch
Energy efficient
Windows IoT
You can see the LG and Samsung at our booth at NRA (6576). We thought it was notable that Samsung went the Linux route. And the driving idea is the biggest item in any future capital budgets will be digital signs with the followup conversation of “what about kiosks?” question. McDonalds has 5 different suppliers and we wonder if they might be persuaded to aggregate those somewhat.
The kiosk will have a 27-inch touchscreen, which is larger than the average kiosk touchscreens size of between 22 and 24 inches, according to LG Electronics.
The global kiosk market — which includes kiosks for self-ordering, ticketing and financial services — is forecast to grow 93 percent from $17.6 billion in 2020 to $34.0 billion in 2027, according to a Korea International Trade Association report released last April.
The report said that the self-ordering kiosk system market will grow faster than others, with an average annual growth rate of 12.2 percent.
The LG Kiosk, reports Invidis, will be launched first in the Korean home market and later in Europe and North America, likely by the end of the year. The all-in-one unit has a 27″ touchscreen, and supports ordering and payments via a card reader, QR/bar code scanner and receipt printer. There are options for NFC and voice-driven navigation, as well. The unit runs on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, not LG WebOS, the operating system used for LG smart displays.
The product does not look wildly different from the Samsung kiosk, but there are distinctions. The big one is that OS. Samsung’s kiosk runs on its proprietary, Linux-derived Tizen OS, while LG is on the much more widely-used Windows. The screen is also larger, 27 inches versus Samsung’s 24-inch version.
LG Electronics introduces LG Kiosk, a new self-ordering kiosk to be launched first in its Korean home market and by the end of the year in Europe and North America. The all-in-one kiosk concept of the LG Kiosk (model name: 27KC3J) is equipped with a 27″ touchscreen as well as an order and payment function. Particularly important to LG is the 27″ InCell touchscreen, which is larger than the industry-standard 22/24″ displays. According to LG, the large screen should not only enable a better user experience, but also “make the use more fun and cool”.
The LG touch screen is based on Advanced In-Cell Touch (AIT) technology, where the touch sensor is embedded in the LCD cell. This technology allows for a better tactile feel, higher response times and, unlike touch overlays, a thin and light construction. Production is also more resource-efficient – LG received the Green Technology certification for reducing energy consumption for the manufacturing process of the AIT displays.
Lg Kiosk supports various payment methods by equipping it with an IC/MST card reader, receipt printer, QR/barcode scanner, etc. If required, customers can also choose additional functions such as NFC payment or a keyboard for voice menu navigation. Experience has shown that this is the challenge for kiosk systems, as market-specific payment modules certified by tax authorities are necessary in Europe and North America.
Successful Kiosk Deployment is all about Location, Location, Location
Where you physically place your kiosks within your facility is probably one of the most important steps in the process of deploying kiosks. Regardless of how attractive or perfect your kiosk solution is, if you place the kiosks out of site, you will struggle with user adoption.
What Does Success Look Like?
Airports have been deploying kiosks longer than just about anyone. Initially, when you went into an airport there was a small bank of kiosks off to the side of the main ticketing area. Customers would be ushered over to the kiosks by greeters with the goal of getting passengers to use the kiosks. Now several generations in, the Airports and the Airlines themselves have gotten much smarter with placement. Today, when you walk into an airport, the banks of kiosks are placed in front of the service counters typically, in a pattern that still allows passengers to see the counter should they need it, or to drop bags.
Knowledge comes with experience and we’ve learned the most strategic locations for kiosk placement:
Front and Center—in front of the current service area
Next to the current service area or box office
On the Counter
Sides of the room
Front and Center
With thousands of successful kiosk deployments, the best way to gain user adoption is to place the kiosks Front and Center, so users see them immediately upon entering the facility.
If it’s a newly designed facility, it’s been designed to place the kiosks front and center.
The primary purpose of self-service kiosks is convenience, but if the kiosk isn’t placed in a convenient location, you defeat the purpose.
Next to Current Service Area or Box Office
If the kiosks can’t be placed directly in front of the current service area, hopefully they can be placed immediately next to it or on the counter in current service area. In this case, think about ‘aiming’ the kiosk towards the path the user will travel from. This might mean placing the kiosk at a 30 or 40 degree angle away from the wall to point towards an entry door.
On the Counter
If you place the kiosks on the counter of the current service area, users will see them as they’ve been trained to go to this area first. It might mean allocating much more of this service area to kiosks, but that makes sense given the preference is for people to self-serve.
Sides of the Room
In some cases, there just isn’t another option so the kiosks have to be placed along the side of the room or to the left or right of the counters. If this is the case, it is recommended that more be done to promote the kiosks in that space. Maybe you add overhead LCD screens that promote the presence and availability of the kiosks.
Alcoves that the kiosks sit within that have overhead signage are not only attractive, but they also turn the kiosks into a destination unto itself. Stanchions and lines on the floor that create queues for the kiosks also signal that the kiosks are available and intended for the many, not the few. Again, the goal is to ensure that when a user enters the area, they look for the registration desk or box office and if the kiosks cannot be seen immediately before that desk, users will likely miss the kiosk all together.
User Flow and Visibility
Self-service kiosks should be placed in a physical path or location that interrupts the guest flow. This kind of physical interruption is what is necessary to change the behavior from going to the box office or registration desk to the kiosk.
Here’s an example to demonstrate this point. If your favorite restaurant has a shortage of parking spaces and requires 20 minutes to look for parking, you are probably going to leave and find a more convenient option, no matter how much you may love the food. After a few instances of parking lot frustration, you probably will stop even considering that restaurant as an option. The same can be true of kiosks. If a kiosk is placed in an out-of-the-way location or consistently has long lines, then consumers will naturally look for a more convenient option—the traditional registration desk or box office. You want to ensure that your kiosk deployment reduces focus on the registration desk or the box office and provides a more convenient option.
What About Power and Data?
Once organizations have decided to go down the path of deploying kiosks, they often assume that it’s easiest to place the kiosks where they currently have power and data. While placing a kiosk close to an exit, entrance, or outlet may seem obvious, it’s better to take a step back and determine how a kiosk can serve your customer best at each considered location.
Unfortunately, in many cases that means the kiosks would be off to the side and not in the normal physical path. And that would mean the user has to go looking for it.
If you’re making the investment in kiosks, you will likely also need to make the investment in routing power and data in new locations to create the best user experience and the one that will ensure a high degree of usage.
Quantity of Kiosks
When initiating a new kiosk deployment, it is important to gather as much data as possible on current users of your services and to develop projections of estimated potential users of the new kiosk systems.
You will want to consider the highest traffic times to ensure that your deployment improves the overall user experience. Have an understanding of volumes throughout the day to ensure you avoid large and inconvenient ques throughout your facility as you select locations for the kiosks.
It also helps to leverage multiple kiosks to provide users an intuitive understanding of where to go and to drive user adoption. When someone sees multiple kiosks positioned together, they will understand that the facility is wanting to drive users to the kiosks. In some cases, it may also make sense to distribute the kiosks in a few different places throughout the facility. Some facilities have found that making a group of kiosks available just inside the parking garage provides some relief from the main check-in area.
Kiosk Spacing
For all users, ease of access is necessary. Users in a wheelchair or those with mobility issues will need ample room to access the kiosk without being hindered by another kiosk immediately next to it. Space is always at a premium so consider placing the kiosks back-to-back. Kiosk spacing is an important consideration for those that may be processing information where privacy is important. For example, with healthcare check-in kiosks, patients will appreciate the kiosks being a little further apart or having privacy walls or frosted glass to ensure that their health information is protected.
In bus terminals or airports, users will need a little extra space to allow for maneuvering with luggage and in retail environments, users may have shopping carts or baskets that will require space.
While there are several factors that will improve the success of your kiosk deployment, the first consideration is location. The best way to ensure your kiosk deployment provides maximum benefit to your organization is to work with an experienced kiosk vendor who can recommend the best options. If you’d like to discuss your kiosk options, contact us now.
February 2022 Denver – The kiosk association is continuing to serve as an official media partner for the Infocomm tradeshow June 8-10 in Las Vegas. InfoComm 2022 is the once-a-year opportunity to see the latest audiovisual technology, learn the skills that will advance your career, and grow your professional network. We first became a media sponsor in 2021.
“The members of the kiosk association are much more diverse than just kiosks. Digital signage technology both hardware and software are integral to their complex business opportunities”, says Craig Keefner, manager for the association. InfoComm, ISE and now DSE are the new “must-be involved” list for our sponsors with strong digital signage and digital display technology.
There will be many more members “embedded” in the booths. That could be 22Miles software in the CISCO booth e.g.
For more information and a free exhibits-only registration contact [email protected]
ABOUT INFOCOMM
InfoComm is the most comprehensive event for audiovisual solutions that enable integrated experiences, with products for audio, conferencing and collaboration, digital signage, content, production and streaming, video capture and production, control, and live events.
InfoComm 2022 Registration is Officially Open for Las Vegas June 4-10
FAIRFAX, VA – Feb. 10, 2022 – InfoComm 2022, produced by AVIXA, will return to Las Vegas June 4-10, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Registration is officially open at www.infocommshow.org.
“We are ecstatic to bring InfoComm back to the always exciting city of Las Vegas,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, CEO of AVIXA. “InfoComm is the home for commerce and connections for the pro AV industry – one week, one place where you can accomplish so much to push your business and career forward.”
InfoComm will take place in the North Hall and newly constructed West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The West Hall is a $1 billion expansion to the LVCC providing an additional 1.4 million square feet of new space and featuring the largest digital display experience in a convention center in the U.S. The Las Vegas Convention Center Loop system is also new for InfoComm 2022. The three-station underground transportation system developed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company shuttles convention attendees throughout the 200-acre campus in all-electric Tesla vehicles.
InfoComm 2022 will explore the largest, fastest growing, and most critical pro AV solutions that drive this $257.7 billion industry. The trade show floor and education program will spotlight conferencing and collaboration; content, production, and streaming; digital signage, learning technologies, live events, audio, and much more.
The education program kicks off with technical training three-day courses and CTS, CTS-I and CTS-D Prep on June 4-6. The show’s 12 education tracks and manufacturer’s training will take place on June 7-10.
In addition, on June 7 and 8, AVIXA and the Digital Signage Federation will host the D=SIGN digital signage conference to examine the solutions, innovations, and big ideas around digital signage.
InfoComm attendees can also find valuable insights at the Technology Innovation Stage on the show floor June 8-10. These free sessions will feature New Technology Lightning Rounds highlighting new products, industry trend forecasts, and more.
During the week of the show, Integrated Experience Tours will be hosted around Las Vegas spots where attendees can see stunning AV deployments in the real world and hear from the creators behind them. The tour of the University of Las Vegas will take attendees through the renovation of the Flora Dungan Humanities building which features a Dolby Atmos theater. At the Illuminarium, attendees will be treated to an immersive experience powered by 4K interactive projection, 360° audio, in-floor vibrations, and scent systems. Another tour will take place at the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which features a 10,000-square foot video wall, overhead directional digital signage, and interactive 3D wayfinders.
InfoComm 2022 will host many AVIXA council events including the Women’s Council Breakfast, Technology Managers Forum, Live Events Forum, and All-Council Luncheon. In addition, the Young AV Professionals Council and Diversity Council will host sessions on the Technology Innovation Stage.
“It’s been four years since we’ve hosted InfoComm in Las Vegas and we look forward to returning this June,” said Rochelle Richardson, CEM, Senior Vice President of Expositions and Events, AVIXA. “The AV community is going to be treated to new sights – from the brand-new West Hall at the convention center to exciting new AV tours around the city. Las Vegas offers state-of-the-art venues, exceptional culinary and hospitality experiences, and is an electric place for business professionals to gather, network, and collaborate – an ideal meeting place for the AV industry with health and safety as a priority.”
To learn more about InfoComm 2022 and register to attend, visit www.infocommshow.org
InfoComm 2022 is sponsored by Strategic Show Partners Blackmagic Design and Crestron.
AVIXA is committed to the health and safety of exhibitors, attendees, partners, and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. InfoComm 2022 will require all participants to be vaccinated and wear masks indoors at the LVCC and on shuttle buses. The AVIXA team will continue to monitor recommendations from local health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and communicate any updates to health and safety protocols to show participants. For the most up-to-date information on health and safety, visit www.infocommshow.org/health.
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About InfoComm
InfoComm is the largest technology exhibition and conference in North America focused on the pro AV industry. The exhibition is produced by the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), and currently ranks as the 28th largest trade show in the United States by Trade Show Executive. In addition, AVIXA and its partners produce a global portfolio of trade shows and conferences, including InfoComm China, Beijing; InfoComm India; InfoComm Southeast Asia; Integrate; Integrated Systems Europe; and Integrated Systems Russia.
About AVIXA AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 20,000 enterprise and individual members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit avixa.org.
Pyramid Computer has received the Good Design Award for its new Polytouch® NANOself-checkout terminal. The GDA has been awarded by the Chicago Athenaeum since 1950 and is one of the most prestigious awards for industrial and product design. From Pyramid.
For more information email [email protected] and we can arrange intro.
To be eligible for one of the coveted trophies, a product must deliver:
world-class innovation
concept
design
function
utility
material
form and aesthetic appeal.
We succeeded in this with the NANO, and the enthusiasm was correspondingly great when the news arrived from Chicago, just in time for Christmas. For the competition of the year 2021, several thousand participants from over 55 countries submitted their designs – and Pyramid is one of the prize winners with the NANO!
Self-checkout kiosk Pyramid
The NANO is the successor to a terminal that we created exclusively for the assortment and store concept of the food retailer Edeka. The interest that the Edeka solution generated in the retail industry was the signal for us to develop the next generation of kiosks for the SCO. Although the NANO contains all the benefits of the Edeka terminal, it is much more than just an update.
The first challenge for our design team in making the NANO was to transfer the advantages of the highly specialized Edeka terminal into a solution that already covers the typical use cases of self-checkout for several retail segments in the basic configuration. In addition, the new terminal had to be easily adaptable to special application scenarios. And indeed, the NANO performs just as well at self-checkout in food retailing as it does in DIY stores or furniture stores. Its mix’n’match concept gives operators the option of cost-effective conversion and retrofitting of the mounting system and peripheral modules if their floor layout, product range, or payment offerings change. The NANO is thus the successful further development of a closed system that precisely meets a requirement profile into an open system that can be used in various retail segments for self-checkout.
The second challenge for the NANO arose from our requirement to develop a terminal for both the self-checkout of the present and the future. Existing technologies are changing at breathtaking speed and new ones are emerging at ever shorter intervals. Therefore, a SCO terminal of today has to be prepared for the technologies of tomorrow. Future-proofing is an advantage for operators andconsumers. Operators can expect a higher return on investment and consumers benefit because they can enjoy future developments without having to say goodbye to the terminal they are familiar with and switch to another: The LED light that guides self-checkout at NANO today may, in an already very near future, be swapped for an image sensor that takes high-resolution pictures of items for a machine-vision solution in the back office. An AI-powered process will recognize the items in a fraction of a second, without the customer having to spend any more time searching for and scanning the barcodes on the packaging, or even manually recording the name or code number of the item.
Against this background, the NANO, with its openness to developments of the next generation and the one after that, is also a successful example in terms of future-proofing. The technological future-proofing of the NANO is made clear in the futuristic look, which can already be found in the mood boards, where the terminal is still reminiscent of a spaceship.
The third challenge we gave our design team concerned the appearance of the new terminal: Like all Polytouch® kiosk solutions, it should catch the consumer’s attention on the surface and invite him to self-service. Nothing about it should give the impression that self-checkout could be cumbersome, complicated or time-consuming. The declared aim was to use the visual design of the NANO to dispel any reservations against self-service and to present it to customers as the best solution for payment. To solve this task, the design team gave the Nano a clear design language through chamfering. The arrangement of all components and peripheral modules in a vertical line also contributes to this. Both visual features give the terminal a sublime aura that makes it a landmark visible from afar in the colorful and small-scale item world of retail. The vertical line of peripheral modules from the scanner at the base to the printer below the screen corresponds to the checkout sequence and guides the customer through the process in a virtually self-explanatory manner. That’s why the SCO with the NANO is allowed to say: Scan! Pay! Be thrilled!
The award-winning NANO was created entirely in-house at the Pyramid Design Studio, which, together with the Innovation Hub, forms the company’s own development center for new technologies, designs and products. In just four months, a production-ready terminal was created whose technical and visual layout combine in an almost ideal way to create one of the most advanced self-checkout solutions on the market.
The Good Design Award is the second major international award Pyramid has won for its kiosk terminals in just 2 years. In 2020, the POLYTOUCH® FLEX received the European Design Award. Both honors show that we are way ahead in product design and play in the top league worldwide. In a few days, a NANO will make the journey to Chicago to present itself to visitors from all over the world at the Museum Of Architecture and Design. The Nano will also be featured in the illustrated book (Good Design Yearbook) that the museum is publishing about the 2021 award winners. Thanks to Jan Altes (product management), Tobias Bandel (product design), Peter Engler (CAD design) and Anthony Hunkler (product design) for your great teamwork!
In-person payment, once the biggest challenge for kiosk applications, is now a plug-and-play addition for Stripe, one of the industry’s most respected payment solution providers.
payment kiosk stripe intuiface
Intuiface is excited to announce a no-code integration for Stripe-mediated payments on self-service kiosks. This integration, the first of its kind for Stripe, means businesses can now expect rapid, low-cost onboarding of payment solutions for any in-store point-of-sale deployment.
You’re probably already aware of Stripe, the most pervasive payment processor for e-business on the market, used by everyone from Amazon to Shopify. Stripe is branching out, targeting in-person payments at the point of sale using something called Stripe Terminal. Terminal combines an SDK, cloud-hosted infrastructure, and certified card readers.
Intuiface is the first to offer no-code integration for Stripe Terminal, making it easy and inexpensive to create self-service kiosks with Stripe-facilitated payment support. Our approach combines in-app integrations plus Intuiface’s own cloud services to mediate the complicated dance that is secure payment processing.
Why is this a big deal? The payment stack for check-out in the physical world has added complexity vs. online retail thanks to the complicated interplay of hardware, processes, and both public and private data. To solve this, expensive development efforts were required to create kiosk applications that juggle integrations between third-party POS applications, payment card readers, and payment gateways. The effort was long and expensive; the results were fragile in the face of change.
Intuiface’s no-code integration with Stripe Terminal brings the simplicity of online transactions to the physical world. Intuiface-based POS applications can use an out-of-the-box integration with the Stripe SDK to create a real-time connection with Stripe card readers – like the Wise POS E – and the rest of Stripe’s payments infrastructure for everything from initiating a payment request to reporting results of the payment process. This integration is available on all Intuiface-supported operating systems, including Windows, Android, and the Tizen-based Samsung Kiosk, ensuring businesses can choose the platform and form factor that best suits their business. And since all communication is conducted through Stripe APIs, Intuiface-based applications are exempt from the burden of PCI and similar compliance requirements.
In support of the native integration is Intuiface’s cloud-hosted Stripe Integration Server. This server, running on Amazon’s ISO27001-certified AWS Lambda, is used to manage the device-independent aspects of a transaction such as a retailer’s Stripe account keys. Intuiface customers who wish to incorporate Stripe Terminal in their kiosk applications will pay a license fee for Integration Server access; the device-level integration is free to use, regardless of how many kiosks are deployed.
Stripe Terminal is currently available in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Intuiface’s Stripe support is currently available through a managed rollout program, meaning select accounts are given access to the solution. Please get in touch if you’re interested in taking a look.
How Biometric Technology is Used in Self-Service Kiosks
Businesses are making the switch from traditional forms of security to biometric technology. Learn how to leverage biometrics through self-service kiosks.
Because of the growth in document fraud and identity theft, terrorism and cybercrime, we’re seeing an increase in the number of requests for biometric security solutions. While a biometric-based kiosk can serve several purposes, two primary uses include identity verification and advanced security functionality.
What Is Biometric Technology?
Biometric technology is a way of identifying an individual through unique characteristics including physiological or behavioral patterns. Various Biometric technologies offer enhanced security levels by confirming that the authorized individual is physically present for processing to gain access.
Security is currently a major concern everywhere in the world, especially as new emerging fraudulent threats grow even more complex. Common concerns regarding those threats are access cards, employees’ identity cards, password protection, personal identification numbers (PINs), passports, all of which often can be forgotten, lost, disclosed, or changed. Once a concept unique to science fiction, biometrics has taken a prominent position in daily life during the past decade. It has evolved to the point that it’s rare to go through a day without interacting with some type of biometric technology—from checking out the weather to unlocking your phone.
Biometric technology uses something that is a part of the user—rather than a PIN or password—to grant quick and secure access, whether to an online service or a physical building.
For example, when your smartphone or online banking app uses Touch ID or facial recognition to give you access, you’ve encountered biometric technology. According to biometrics researchers, characteristics like ear shape, how a person walks or sits, veins in the hand, and even body odor can contribute to biometrics.
Systems implementing biometric technology follow three basic steps:
Record physical or behavioral characteristics combined with the individual’s name or identification number.
Store the selected data after converting them into a line of code or graph.
At the moment of log-in, the system compares the characteristics to existing records to either deny or grant access.
What Are the Different Types of Biometrics?
There are two types of biometrics:
Physiological Measurements
Morphological identifiers—for example, fingerprints, hand shape, finger, vein pattern, eye (iris and retina) and facial shape
Biological identifiers—including DNA, blood, saliva, or urine
Behavioral Measurements
Voice recognition
Signature dynamics (pressure exerted, speed of pen, inclination)
Keystroke dynamics
The way we use objects
Gait
Gestures
Physiological measurements are generally more stable throughout the life of an individual and therefore have greater benefit. Those measurements that are subject to stress, like behaviors, are more likely to deliver less reliable results.
Why Biometrics are Used
Biometric systems are useful wherever identification and authentication are critical.
The most typical uses of biometric technology include the following:
Personal Identification (citizen, resident, voter identification)
Border, Travel, Migration Control (passenger identification)
Healthcare and Subsidies (patient identification)
Physical and Logical Access (employee, contractor identification)
Law Enforcement (criminal suspect identification)
Commercial Use (customer identification)
Business Applications Using Biometrics Technology and Self-Service Kiosks
Biometric Healthcare Kiosk
Even with all the traditional solutions available today, security and access control continue to challenge businesses from all industries. Utilizing cutting-edge biometric technology has shown to be an effective way to ensure a higher level of access control. Because biometrics are very difficult, if not impossible, to replicate, using a self-service kiosk that implements biometric technology can significantly enhance security while offering convenience to users.
Here are some ways businesses are using biometrics through self-service kiosks and other applications:
Airport Security and Border Control
Airports and borders worldwide have been using biometrics for years to grant access. Fingerprints have been used for several years to verify passengers’ identities. However, more recently, some travelers have had an opportunity to use facial recognition technology to experience a faster, contactless check-in process at self-service kiosks. CLEAR, a well-known identity verification service seen in major airports, has deployed these custom self-service kiosks equipped with biometric devices to provide a touchless airport experience. These one-of-a-kind kiosks are manufactured by Olea Kiosks.
In addition, Delta Airlines recently launched the U.S.’s first biometric terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta and its partner airlines deployed rapid, real-time passenger screening using facial recognition biometrics. After the identity verification at the self-service kiosk, travelers can drop bags at the check-in counters and proceed to the TSA checkpoints.
Banking
To deliver a more seamless experience for customers, banks are beginning to leverage facial recognition biometrics for ATMs. The technology provides an additional layer of security, using facial feature identification to authenticate that the card owner is indeed the person using the card at the ATM. As more customers are concerned about identity theft, financial institutions are implementing biometric technology to combat fraud, boost security during transactions, and deliver more convenience.
Building Access
From the workplace to the home, biometric technology enables superior access control. Unlike biometric identifiers in facial and iris scanning, access cards, keys, and PINs can be lost or stolen. By leveraging biometric technology, building owners can achieve greater security while giving users a frictionless entry experience.
Healthcare
As patient misidentification has been a persistent challenge for healthcare facilities, biometric technology has emerged as a reliable method of identification that is convenient for the patient. There is no need to carry a physical identification card when biometrics can reveal all the information necessary to identify patients accurately. In addition, using biometric technology with self-service kiosks in clinics and other facilities can expedite check-ins and ensure safety and security throughout the patient experience.
Smart Ticketing
Biometric technology has the potential to replace tickets for events, public transportation, autonomous cars, and more. Businesses like public transport systems and stadiums are integrating biometrics through smart ticketing and smart ID cards because it is easier for users and provides more accurate identification. It also solves the problems of ticket fraud and theft. With biometrics, ticketing becomes automatic, increasing efficiency and eliminating long lines. The “ticket” is always with the person, so they can’t lose it—it’s part of who they are.
What’s the Future of Biometrics?
Biometric kiosks can help speed and secure a wide range of identification and ID control applications, in public agencies and private businesses alike. Beyond the additional use of biometrics for identification by law enforcement agencies, and for building access and security, the future will probably see biometric kiosks offer more secure commercial transactions based on identifying users at the point-of-sale. As technologies continue to advance, it seems likely that more biometric identification measures will soon be included in all interface hardware and applications in daily commerce.
Because we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance the user experience, we will need to continue to leverage biometrics through self-service kiosks to enhance security and access control. Eliminating security threats and breaches will help businesses protect customers and increase safety and security throughout the customer experience.
Olea has extensive experience incorporating various types of biometrics tools into self-service kiosks and would be happy to help. If you’d like to discuss a self-service application using biometrics, contact us now.
Editors Note: Face biometrics would include facial recognition as well as facial analysis (two different animals)
Editors Note — Same technology sans Lidar being used in the Nourish + Bloom Autonomous Grocery. See article on Automated Retail
Touchless Checkout News
LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BUSINESS WIRE) – UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has partnered with KIOSK Information Systems (KIOSK) to create a highly innovative self-service Retail AI Vision Checkout platform. The edge compute infrastructure provides consumers with autonomous 24 X 7 operational store access. The touchless checkout solution includes both voice and gesture-based UI checkout interaction alternatives, combined with flexible payment options (QR code-based payments, app wallets, contactless cards, or cash). The solution will be demonstrated in KIOSK’s booth, #5919, and featured as part of the NRF Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Integration & Personalization Tour.
UST is essentially targeting micro markets, convenience stores, coffee shops and cafeterias with UST Vision Checkout. It’s exceptionally timely and relevant to retailers and their customer base due to our current operating constraints
Keith Pickens, Retail Domain Leader and General Manager – Retail, UST
Subhodip Bandyopadhyay, General Manager- Emerging Technology Solutions, UST, commented “Vision Checkout is part of our overall portfolio of Frictionless Solutions; we know one size does not fit all, hence we are the first to introduce HYBRID Autonomous Store where part of the store is fully autonomous, and part of the store (large assortment) is handled through UST Vision Checkout. The benefit we bring with this technology is the capability to efficiently build a store chain database of vision checkout, which can then be deployed to multiple locations simultaneously. The Vision Checkout solution is an out-of-the-box platform. The store’s SKU listings are trained using UST Product Box. Edge-tuned AI engines can detect objects with less than three second transaction times. It provides customers a simple, intelligent, and autonomous self-checkout experience utilizing cutting edge technologies including touchless UI on a reliable digital kiosk. By implementing UST Vision Checkout, customers can experience positive ROI from day one.”
UST Vision Checkout is built in partnership with Intel and hosted in Microsoft Azure Cloud.
Since early 2020, retailers have been sorting through new ways to conduct business during a relentless global pandemic. KIOSK President Kim Kenney added, “As North America’s leader in custom self-service innovation, we’re proud to be a key partner in this effort to bring a truly re-imagined customer self-checkout experience to market. This platform merges UST’s advanced AI vision checkout software with the Intel® Movidius™ Vision Processing Units hardware technology. With KIOSK’s expertise in custom design and IoT remote monitoring of field performance capability, the solution truly marries the best of technology to provide a reliable and scalable solution with compelling and differentiated ways to meet today’s consumer challenges.”
About KIOSK:KIOSK helps organizations digitally transform by enabling automation with self-service solutions to improve the customer experience, while increasing operational and cost efficiencies. With over 27 years of experience and 250,000+ kiosks deployed, KIOSK is the trusted partner of Top 100 Retailers and Fortune 500 clients; delivering proven expertise in design engineering and manufacturing, application development, integration, and comprehensive support services. We offer an innovative portfolio of kiosk solutions along with managed services and IoT capabilities to ensure a seamless user experience. Learn more at kiosk.com, 800.509.5471.
About UST: For more than 22 years, UST has worked side by side with the world’s best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. We identify their core challenges and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life through our agile approach. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients’ organizations-delivering measurable value and lasting change across industries and worldwide. Together, with over 28,000 employees in 25 countries, we build for boundless impact-touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at ust.com.
Pyramid is seeing clients Implement their 
Full-sized kiosks excel in situations that require larger displays and complicated inputs and outputs such as airport check-in and outdoor deployments. However, their large size and high cost constrain them to high volume, transactional use cases that are guaranteed to generate revenue directly for the deployer. But what of all the other opportunities for self-service, those interstitial moments that could benefit from assistance but do not generate enough direct revenue or have high enough throughput to justify thousands of dollars per kiosk?
Post on KI 
You wouldn’t know it by looking at it (thanks to 
Not easy with a dual 55 monster. Ticketing for Carnival Cruise lines and others is a big deal. Printing badges at ISE? 
![Examples of use last signage. The first sign says accessible EV charging [EV charging logo] use last. The 2nd sign says [EV charging logo], accessible EV charging use last. The 3rd sign says designed for disability access use last. The 4th sign says use last design for accessibility. All signs are blue and white.](https://www.access-board.gov/images/tad/ev/ev-figure-50.png)
Digital signage is an ideal choice for companies with energy sustainability in mind. New digital signage technology is designed to use power more efficiently than traditional signage because they’re built to run for an extended period of time on minimal power. The technology makes it that easy to be environmentally conscious and save on energy bills.
