Assessing Potential Kiosk Manufacturers Pt. 3

In last week’s blog, we began discussing the specific types of kiosk companies currently in the marketplace, starting with the worst of the bunch -- Kiosk Pretenders.  Today, we’re moving on up the ranks to the next type of company on our list -- Kiosk VARs. As the name states, Kiosk VARs (Value Added Resellers) make their money by adding some sort of value to the sales chain and/or kiosk manufacturing solution.  However, the type and quality of service they offer and the value the service provides can vary widely. VARs generally include:

• Industrial design firms: Design products that are to be manufactured through techniques of mass production; in this case, kiosk enclosures
• Kiosk installation and maintenance providers: Contract with kiosk manufacturers or directly with customers to install and often continue to service kiosks post installation
• Advertising agencies: Work with the customer to create marketing campaigns based on kiosks’ design and purpose
• Software providers: Create programs that run on kiosk hardware to enable it to perform the required tasks and functions
• Mechanical engineering firms: Design the internal structure of the kiosk -- the moving parts -- ensuring all components work together as needed based on the customer’s requirements

After VARs, Kiosk General Contractors are next. KGCs are in most cases a significant step up; they provide a service in the same way a VAR does, but they also act as a general contractor for the project as a whole. They are both a part of the kiosk manufacturing process, but also responsible for managing the overall process, and all of the players involved, at the same time. KGCs can be any of the firms or providers listed above, under VARs. And with that, we’ve made it to the to top of our list -- the pinnacle of kiosk company types: Turn-Key Kiosk Providers.  TKKPs have vertically integrated as many processes as possible into the manufacturing solution they offer. In this way, they are able to control most, if not all, aspects of kiosk production, from design and engineering, through fabrication and even maintenance, keeping as much as possible under one roof. RedyRef, understanding that TKKPs provide the best quality, value and service, has worked tirelessly over the last 100 years to build a kiosk company that is able to provide just this type of cost-effective, cohesive solution to our customers, with capabilities including:

• Industrial Design
• Mechanical Design
• Electrical Engineering
• Fabrication and all finishing processes, i.e. Powder Coating
• Cabinet Assembly
• Electronic Integration
• Burn-In Testing
• Packaging
• Logistics
• Shipping
• Installation
• Warranty
• After-sell Maintenance
• Software Design and Implementation

Once an analysis of the types of kiosk companies has been completed and a choice made, the process of elimination to narrow down the list of potential candidates of that type to the most promising ones should be fairly simple and fast. Unfortunately, the next step is not quite so quick and easy. In our next and final blog on this subject, we discuss which questions to ask and what kind of research should be done to ensure that the best kiosk company for the job is the one that is ultimately hired. Already done the research, asked the questions and come to the conclusion that hiring a Turn-Key Kiosk Provider is the best choice for your business?  The professionals at RedyRef are ready to assist you today with all of your kiosk design and fabrication needs. Submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 for more information.