Self Service Kiosks 5 Reasons Why They Are Growing Rapidly

I believe that most of the reasons here will be ones that people already feel. The reason for writing it though is to put it into a concise chewable expression so you can understand the nature of the trend. Self service kiosks have been a growing phenomenon around the world for the past 10 years and here’s why.

1. Much of the technological advancement of the age we live in is centered around empowering the individual.

For instance, all social media accounts are to give each person their own digital space. In essence, it makes everyone feel like they have their own website that people can visit and check out. The ever-increasing functionality and accessibility of cell phones reinforce this pattern. With each new vista, the cellphone becomes capable of utilizing the user gains control over. They have access to every map and piece of information around the world in their pocket. In essence, it increases their ability for independence. Touch screen kiosks with self check in services of course fit right in line with this trend. It gives people the self involvement that is increasingly being demanded by the public. It allows them to access the service or information without requiring someone else’s involvement. So it in essence gives more power to the individual.    

2. Many of the places that have self service kiosks, often run into problems of congestion.  (Don’t we all ???? )

Fast food joints, airports, doctors offices, large events, are all places that need to be highly efficient. All these places attract large crowds in short periods of time. Even hospitality kiosks at times for hotels. I mean try getting lunch in the middle of the day in New York City and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Each of these places needs to provide quick ways for check in or order, and then move on. Even on the other side of the equation, people enjoy it more. People like quick interactions and getting what they need at lightning speed. All these interactive kiosks have popped up and efficiency in those locations has gone up almost across the board. Airport check in has become simple and smooth. Well, for the most part. And kiosks are in large responsible for that.  

3. Touch screen kiosks are not intimidating.

  There have been many studies of people saying they were discouraged to purchase because of a salesman. The salesperson was either being too pushy, or looked intimidating, or was awkward, and buyers felt uncomfortable and pressured. Self service kiosks just stand there. Anyone who interacts with a kiosk does so willingly. They volunteer their time to purchase or receive information about products. Touch kiosks give all the power to the customer. And the customers always want to be right. Even if you have a nice salesman he will still only appeal to a certain number of people. More than that the salesperson still makes the customer dependent as well. All of these reasons as I’m sure you noticed also correlate to the first one.  

4. Kiosks don’t take off of work and show up on time.

Touch kiosks - while yes they do malfunction from time to time - are much more efficient than your average worker. They are always where they need to be, that is if you placed them where they need to be. And they don’t take breaks. Stores are always trying to create more efficient incomes revenues and cut down on costs. Kiosks are cheaper than an employee doing the same job and they don’t talk back or mess up as often. This has created an optimal situation for both the company and the customer. Which is what they call a win win.  

5. Kiosks are attractive and serve as advertising as well.

All touch screen kiosks also have digital poster capabilities as well. That being large posters that change pictures and attract crowds with eye catching advertising. So each company gets an employee that not only works harder but also acts as a large moving advertisement. People are also attracted - because the age we live in - to technologically advanced environments. They feel like they share more a store that is cutting edge. Self service kiosks have provided storefronts with a digital landscape to bring a brick and mortar platform into the digital age. It is bridging the gap for stores to provide the feel of the internet to the practicality of the physical.

Touch Screen Kiosk Implications

Ok so now I would like to address something on the side of the implications. More kiosks in stores will mean fewer jobs for humans right? While that is true, every time throughout history a machine has taken the job of a human it forces humanity to evolve. It makes humans reconsider what truly makes them human. We thought only humans could do real math. Well, that changed real quick. Every time we create something that can work better than a human we must consider again how we can make ourselves useful and competent in an ever evolving society. Just something to think about.