In our last blog, we began discussing automation as it applies to the use of self-service kiosks. This week, we’ll go into more depth regarding the rise of automation in consumer-facing industries, and begin taking a more detailed look at the Five Ws:
So, who is using self-service kiosks? Well, it seems like almost every type of business has a use for one anymore. Most major airports, quick-serve restaurants like Wendy's and Panera, major hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton, large universities and retail titans including Target and Walmart, just to name a few. What types of digital kiosks and where they exist in the marketplace truly covers an enormous spectrum. Some of the most common include:
When it’s most useful to implement self-serve kiosks generally correlates with the number of users a business has -- which doesn’t necessarily mean kiosks are best utilized only during the busiest times. Some of the smartest applications of digital kiosks are actually in areas where there users who require help, but maybe not enough that hiring full-time employees to staff the location makes financial sense.
Why businesses are using digital kiosks is where things really get interesting. While there are a range of reasons to automate processes where it makes sense, some of the most common ones have to do with controlling costs associated with human labor. These can include benefits, absenteeism and the increasing concerns around higher, government-mandated wages -- like the $15 minimum wage recently passed in New York State.
Now that we’ve covered the five W’s, in next week’s blog, we’ll begin taking a more in-depth look at self-service kiosks are being utilized, and the benefits that can be gained both for those deploying them and end users alike. Want to know how REDYREF can help your business control costs via the use of self-service digital kiosks? Simply submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
There’s a massive labor shift on the horizon, and it goes by the name of “automation.”
What is automation? Automation (sometimes called “automatic control”) is the use of various control systems, like the digital kiosks we produce at REDYREF, to minimize or reduce human interaction. The biggest benefit of automation is that it saves labor, and can therefore reduce costs, but it is also used to increase quality outcomes by allowing for greater accuracy by reducing human error.
Most still view automation as something in the fuzzy, distant future. They can see it coming, but don’t expect the impact anytime soon. But the truth is that it’s much closer to becoming reality than many people likely realize.
Why has the conversation around automation suddenly gained steam? There are a number of reasons:
Over the next few weeks, we’ll take each of these issues and deconstruct them, while discussing the overall impact they will have on the digital kiosk and signage industry, as well as our customers.
Want to know how REDYREF can help move your business toward a greater level of automation? Simply submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
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:
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:
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.
At REDYREF, we understand that the odds of successful kiosk deployment increase greatly with proper planning. That process begins with asking the right questions in the right order:
Need help answering these questions or want to know more? Read the white paper, available at KioskMarketplace.com.
In our last blog, we talked about red flags -- things to look out for when assessing a kiosk manufacturer for a project. This week, we begin discussing the different types of kiosk companies we’ve run into in the past, or heard about from our customers: the good, the bad and the ugly.
At RedyRef, the way we view the different types of kiosk companies is by breaking it down into four parts: Kiosk Pretenders; Kiosk VARs (value-added resellers); Kiosk General Contractors; and Turn-Key Kiosk Providers.
So, let’s begin at the beginning.
Kiosk Pretenders: By far, the worst of the bunch and the ones to watch out for. They may look or even sound like a manufacturer, but they rarely have anything to do with actually making any type of product whatsoever. Generally speaking, the only thing these kiosk companies are making is money off of people who think they are getting a good deal, because at the end of the day, Kiosk Pretenders are really just marketing firms who are out to sell an idea -- often at an unrealistically low price -- to an unsuspecting buyer.
So what do the Kiosk Pretenders get out of the deal? That’s simple; money! Being a Pretender means you don’t actually manufacture anything, therefore you have no real investment; no “skin in the game,” so to speak. All they need to do is advertise to bring customers in, get them to sign a contract and then wash their hands of the entire thing. They have no control over any of the kiosk manufacturing or sourcing processes that go along with actually building a kiosk; instead, they use reseller agreements to sell what are often low-quality enclosures, at prices that are cheaper than what the general public can normally buy directly themselves.
As Pretenders, they don’t have any of the value-added reseller resources that would generally define a company as a VAR, either; in fact, most of the time, they have no real capabilities at all, other than salesmanship. In other words: no industrial designers, mechanical engineers, electronics design specialists, fabrication facilities, integration expertise or ability to design kiosk software.
Sounds like a pretty pointless type of organization to get involved with, doesn’t it?
In our next blog, we’ll talk about the next level up from Kiosk Pretenders -- Kiosk VARs. But if you can’t wait until next week to find out more, our professionals are happy to help you now with all of your kiosk design and manufacturing needs. Simply submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
Let’s talk about red flags.
A “red flag” is generally considered a symbol of warning. For instance, in racing, it means conditions are too dangerous to continue. In common parlance, a red flag is viewed as something that should not be overlooked; a harbinger of potential disaster or doom.
After one hundred years of being in business, we’ve come to the conclusion here at RedyRef that if we had a nickel for every time a customer had come to us with a kiosk manufacturing story filled with red flags, we would be able to give our products away.
Unfortunately, we don’t actually have said nickels. Fortunately, we do have these (sometimes almost-unbelievable) stories, and therefore, the knowledge, to be able to help companies who simply want to hire a reputable kiosk manufacturer that suits their needs without being taken for a ride. What we’ve found it really comes down to is due diligence -- making the time to fully research the options, and taking nothing for granted.
For instance:
If a manufacturer has unpaid suppliers?
Red flag!
The manufacturer a) is terrible with money or b) has cash flow issues. Most of the time, it’s a combination of both, with heavy emphasis on the latter. Unless the company is just starting out, inconsistent cash flow generally means a lack of customers, and a lack of customers usually means a lack of quality product and/or service.
If a manufacturer has been excessively late in the past or seems to require extended windows in order to complete projects?
Red flag!
More than once, we’ve had customers come to us who have paid all of their project costs up front, only to find themselves waiting six months to a year to receive their finished kiosks from their chosen manufacturer. If a manufacturer has a reputation for not hitting their promised delivery dates, buyer beware.
If a manufacturer requires 100% payment at project inception?
Red flag!
A common customer horror story we’ve heard concerns manufacturers taking money from one customer to buy materials for another that’s already running behind, creating a cycle that goes unbroken until they finally run out of companies who are willing to take a chance on them. In that case, the last company in will be the first one out -- of luck, that is. With no other accounts to dip into, it’s highly likely that eventually a company will not just be stuck with a late delivery, but rather, no delivery at all.
More about red flags in our next blog, as well as what to expect from a quality kiosk manufacturer; what questions to ask potential manufacturing candidates for your kiosk project; and the types (good, bad and ugly) of kiosk manufacturing resources out there.
Can’t wait for our next blog? Luckily, RedyRef can assist you today with your quality kiosk design and fabrication needs. Submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 for more information.
Last week, we discussed how to choose the right kiosk components for a project. This week, we conclude with the second stage of kiosk development and component selection: sourcing the actual components to be used in the final design, and the choices that will need to be made around these decisions.
Let’s say there are two companies -- Company X and Company Y.
Company X has worked with an engineering firm to design their latest product. Because this company does not handle fabrication and component sourcing, Company X is now basically on their own.
They will likely need to:
Once Company X has sourced the appropriate components, there are still obstacles to overcome, and questions that will need answers, including:
Company Y chooses REDYREF at the start of their kiosk project. As an end-to-end, vertically-integrated kiosk manufacturer, we provide Company Y with a single, focused resource from kiosk design through installation -- including component selection and sourcing. This allows them to focus on their business, instead of wasting days or even weeks researching and contacting different manufacturers for each kiosk requirement.
REDYREF also produces or contracts for the software for the interactive kiosk application that is being designed -- a factor equal in importance to component selection. Because we design the software ourselves, we are able to ensure that every component Company Y chooses will run on it. Essentially, we take the guesswork out of the process by helping them choose components that we know will work the way they want them to, on the operating system of their choosing, be it Linux, Windows or iOS; whether or not they include an SDK; regardless of the type of configuration.
Additionally, we’re able to verify that all selected components work/function as expected by building a working set on a test bench (also in-house) before the kiosk undergoes the final, critical stages of engineering and production.
So, which company’s process seems more appealing? We’re clearly biased, but we still think Company Y’s customer experience beats Company X’s by a mile.
From metal enclosures, to kiosk components and software, REDYREF ensures that every aspect of a kiosk’s design and production is in alignment. By keeping most processes in house and under our strict controls, we know that each individual component is up to our standards of quality and performs the way in which it was intended, saving our clients time, money and unnecessary frustration.
Want to know how we can assist your company with component selection and enclosure fabrication? Submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
The decision to design and manufacture a new kiosk for your business isn’t generally one made lightly. It’s an investment -- of time, money and resources. One that can pay incredible dividends when done right. But with all of the different ways that a kiosk can be built, it is often difficult to know what components are most important, especially at the start of a project.
As an industry leader in interactive kiosk manufacturing, RedyRef’s design and engineering team has learned, over our 100+ year history, just what aspects of component selection and sourcing are most critical, and know how to best utilize this knowledge to make the process seamless and just as importantly, painless, for our clients. We view these aspects of kiosk development as two main tasks:
Sounds simple, but the process can be one that is easier said than done if everyone isn’t on the same page, working toward a common goal.
In order to simplify the first stage of kiosk development listed above, we use a process called storyboarding -- yes, the same concept that’s often mentioned in relation to the development of Hollywood movies. But instead of laying out movie scenes, RedyRef’s designers and engineers work with our clients to chart out the experience they hope to deliver to consumers when their new kiosk goes to market. Essentially, we use this way of thinking to find out exactly what the client wants the kiosk to do in real-world situations.
Most of the time, we use a simple, bulleted format to get at the most important factors. Here is an example based on creating a new type of self-service ticket kiosk for a Major League
Baseball team:
From this storyboard we know that the following items must be included in the kiosk:
1. Enclosure with touch screen
2. Transactional software, including onscreen keyboard
3. Credit card reader
4. Signature capture pad
5. Thermal receipt printer or ticket printer
(Other Items can later be added as required, i.e. if it is decided that the machine must accept cash as well as credit cards, which will require the addition of a cash validator, as well.)
And completes step one of component selection. Stay tuned -- we’ll be explaining how to choose the best company from which to source your components in our next blog...
Want to know how RedyRef can assist your company with kiosk component selection and
enclosure fabrication? Submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
At REDYREF, we have many customers who come to us seeking design and manufacturing assistance for fully-custom kiosk enclosures -- a process that can turn out to be shockingly expensive to even the largest and most successful companies. Why? Well, the paradox is that metal kiosks are both very simple, and yet highly complex. While interactive kiosks are, at the end of the day, just another type of enclosure, and all are built to do the same basic thing -- provide access to information or deliver a product/service. And there are many specific requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to manufacture one that does its job well, including:
This dichotomy between the simple and the complex is exactly why REDYREF launched the enGAGE line of standard-platform kiosks as an affordable alternative to a fully customized build. Featuring typical kiosk design features, enGAGE is ideal as a starting point for almost any interactive application, with a range of standard options to suit most common kiosk requirements.
So what’s the cost difference between fully-custom and enGAGE standard-platform kiosks? It is often surprisingly significant. Take the following example:
Phase 1: Design
Phase 2: Engineering
Phase 3: Set-Up, Fabrication & Assembly
Phase 4: Delivery
Based on the above, it’s easy to see how choosing a standard-platform enGAGE interactive kiosk can potentially save both time and money, while speeding time to market or to product deployment at the same time.
Want to know if the enGAGE line of interactive kiosks is right for your company? Submit a request for proposal online or call (800) 628-3603 today for more information.
The process of kiosk prototyping can vary greatly depending on the material used. For instance, producing a kiosk out of wood is incredibly different than prototyping in metal. There are those who can design and engineer wooden structures in their head, then bring them to life just by visiting their local home improvement store and purchasing the right materials. This idea holds true for prototyping wooden kiosks because they don't require specialized equipment to build. Metal kiosk prototyping and design, however, is generally more complex and expensive.
Many companies outsource to China and other countries overseas to benefit from reduced labor costs. Unfortunately, the savings gained by outsourcing in this manner doesn’t necessarily add up in the end. The costs associated with having to constantly review a structure located thousands of miles away until it’s correct end up being quite high in terms of both money and time. Travel and significant time zone differences alone can add weeks to a project, slowing the potential time to market. As an American metal kiosk manufacturer with locations in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Texas and Pennsylvania, we are able to create many efficiencies for our customers that result in costs that are very much in line with those quoted by overseas vendors. Operating multiple locations grants us the flexibility and savings enjoyed by national shops, while still allowing us to act “locally.” In order words, we’re often right around the corner from our customers, making prototype revisions quick and simple, which can speed up a project significantly, allowing our clients to get new products to market much more quickly than they might otherwise.
At the same time, we able to offer our clients the opportunity to produce short runs of new kiosk products, instead of building a single prototype unit and subjecting it to multiple revisions before finally starting production. Our close proximity to our customers lets us quickly revise an entire run as needed and get the finished kiosks out the door, installed and generating revenue, all in about the same amount of time an overseas vendor may take to complete a single kiosk prototype. As expert metal kiosk designers and fabricators, REDYREF delivers superior end-to-end kiosk manufacturing services. Find out how we can help fulfill all of your company’s digital kiosk needs by requesting a quote online, or by calling us at (800) 628-3603 today.