KIOSK CAPABILITIES This section of the course contains the following: Introduction to Kiosk Capabilities Online vs Offline Kiosks - Which is Best? List of Kiosk Capabilities

INTRODUCTION In order to design a successful project, you should be at least familiar with the technology of the kiosk industry, understand what a kiosk can and can’t do, and what it does well. This insight will assist you in designing a successful project. ONLINE vs OFFLINE: WHICH IS BEST? You will need to determine what type of kiosk you want to deploy: an Internet (browser-based) kiosk, a non-browser based kiosk, or a combination of both. The kiosk type is dictated by the following criteria: the target audience of the kiosk existing artwork and/or documents your "global strategy" of deployment (1 or 1000) the content database (live, fixed, or both) Internet Kiosks (Browser Based) Internet (browser-based) kiosks are an extremely popular notion since you can: leverage your existing web site perform transactions similar to your "forms" on your site update all kiosks in-the-field by simply updating your server However, just because you have a web site doesn't mean you have a successful kiosk unless your web site fulfills a majority the requirements discussed throughout this course. More often than not, your web site was not designed for kiosk deployment, and contains unwanted variables. The details of these are discussed later in the course. You should also be aware that you can deploy an Internet kiosk without being online by having the browser "surf the hard drive" and not the 'net. In other words, you can have a mirror image of your web site on the hard drive of the kiosk, and never connect to the Internet - and no one would know the difference. In order for this type of Internet kiosk to work successfully , the web site cannot employ any remote functionality (like searching a database on your server). Local Multimedia Kiosks (Non-Browser Based) The other type of kiosk is a non-Internet kiosk. - or more accurately stated - a non-browser kiosk. These types of kiosks can be extremely spectacular and are usually much more effective if excitement and/or image is an important component of your design. The local multimedia kiosk can perform functions that an Internet kiosk can not, including: playing "large" digital media files (videos, sound) displaying cool transitions and effects execute scenes very quickly appear more "touchable" The possible drawback of a local multimedia kiosk is the lack of a "live connection" and the features and functionality that goes along with the connection, and update issues. You should be aware that a local multimedia kiosk can still use the Internet for a variety of features. Just because you're not using a browser doesn't mean you can download update information, transmit transaction information, and/or send email "live". All of these things are possible with a non-browser based kiosk! WHAT KIOSKS DO / DO WELL / DO POORLY Ask yourself "What do I want my kiosk to do for me?", and then narrow down the task list to fit within the "Get In / Get Out" criteria. Avoid making the Omnikiosk - a kiosk that does everything for every situation. You will not only break the rules of information overload, but your application will become confusing and/or overwhelming. Below is a fairly decent list of what kiosks can do: (Note: kiosks can be a combination of the following) Information Disbursement Tourism, Product, Building, Real Estate What It Does Well: Picture worth 1000 words High impact "TV-like" experience What It Does Poorly: Updates: can be expensive May cause information overload Perform a Transaction Pay-Per-View, Pay-Per-Print, Product Ordering, Coupon Dispensing What It Does Well: Makes Money What It Does Poorly: Cash in kiosk = vandal target May introduce real-time processing issues May introduce money back on delivery failure issues Collection Data / Survey Lead Generation, Lead Qualification, Survey Execution, Feedback Collection What It Does Well: Off-loads menial task Instant database collection What It Does Poorly: Touch type keyboards have limits Time consuming Non-Internet (or "Local Multimedia") What It Does Well: Very "sexy" (no offense!) Fast, fun, sky is the limit graphics Reliable What It Does Poorly: "Terrible" for live / dynamic data Remote transfer issues Internet-Based What It Does Well: Great for live / dynamic data Update issue solved Live email / server processing (forms) What It Does Poorly: Watch out for boring!!! Non-touchable Information overload Generation gap Costly connection