How Kiosk Software Helps Define the New Normal Against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about dramatic changes in industries across the globe. Wearing face masks and observing social distancing are the new norms. Consumers now opt for establishments where they don’t have to engage in face-to-face contact where possible. These have brought to the forefront the importance of developing interactive kiosk software.

Some argue that we may be living in the biggest economic downswing since the Great Depression. But this is not evident from the activities happening at self-service equipment manufacturers. The pandemic has unleashed a demand for safety products against the deadly virus. Self-service and kiosk software have huge roles to play in curbing the contagion. They are the “brain” that controls all the essential functions of the latest hardware and equipment systems. These are the ones installed in strategic areas where human-to-human transmission of the virus is most likely to occur. 

Businesses have introduced devices that dispense liquid sanitisers and packaged safety equipment. Some have launched touchless transaction technologies. Others are marketing cloud-based digital signage and devices with sensors that can take temperatures and flag those in need of additional screening. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best kiosk software solutions used by businesses today. 

Bespoke Vending Machines

The push-button panels on vending machines can spread the coronavirus. They are now replaced by new systems that work remotely. Users can choose their desired products from a distance of 1-2 cm from the surface of the selection panel. 

Touchless Medical Kiosks

These provide a safe way to dispense personal protection equipment (PPE) at work. The machines don’t have peripheral components like bill validators or credit card readers. Hence there is no physical contact, except for retrieving the PPEs. 

The kiosk software that powers these machines also features live Vendor Management Systems (VMS) and instant telemetry. These ensure reduced human interactions and long restock cycles. They provide operators with the ability to stock medical equipment and manage pricing remotely. The kiosks can also have custom graphics for branding purposes. 

Temperature Check Kiosks

The COVID-19 pandemic created the fastest demand for temperature detection. In response, kiosk software and hardware manufacturers teamed up with biometric technology providers. They developed platforms that allow people to have their temperatures taken fast. Majority of these platforms include infrared sensors combined with facial recognition cameras.'

UV-C Disinfecting Kiosks

As the name implies, it’s a sanitation solution that uses UV-C to sterilise the screen and peripherals after every patient’s use of the kiosk. UV-C deactivates the DNA of viruses to prevent them from multiplying. It’s a germicidal light so it does it without the use of chemicals or antibiotics. 

When a person walks away from the kiosk, it disinfects itself automatically. The system uses a continuous bath of UV-C on all touch surfaces, killing 99% of pathogens. Sensors detect when the kiosk is in use and when the person steps away, prompting it to start a 30-second disinfection cycle. This leaves the screen and surrounding kiosk equipment sanitised for the next user. 

Queue Management and People Counting Kiosk

This is a digital signage solution that allows retailers to track footfall. It also addresses government-imposed social distancing measures. 

The kiosk provides input on the number of people entering and leaving a building. It also features a queue management system that informs and engages customers at the same time. The digital signage provides staff and customers with clear information about building capacity. It alerts them whether it’s safe or not to enter. Also, the information can be broadcast via audio or a traffic light system to ensure complete inclusivity. 

The kiosk software processes the information using people counting cameras installed at entrances. Owners of establishments can also install cameras in other parts of their building. They can use the cameras to determine the number of customers then feed the information to a digital signage to show expected wait times. 

Prospective users can integrate this solution into a venue’s automatic doors so they open and close based on capacity. This means there’s no need for staff to manage queues. 

Self-checkout Kiosk for Supermarkets

This touchless machine-learning solution eliminates the need for consumers to enter product codes. Instead of using a touchscreen, the system automatically recognises different types of products. It allows existing retailer hardware to ‘learn’ how to recognise new products via visual recognition and adaptive continuous weighing. The kiosk runs on an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that provides real-time product updates with as high as 99% accuracy in detection. 

This innovative solution offers the following benefits to supermarket and grocery retailers: 

• Easy to use - The kiosk only requires a USB camera and the framework is downloadable through an API. 

• No need for data collection - The kiosk software uses data gathered and generated at the store level. 

• No infrastructure costs - Retailers can use their own machines to train their AI models. 

• Accurate and secure - Retailers can reduce errors, losses, and checkout-time at the point of sale. They are also able to improve the checkout experience of customers 

Mobile-Enabled Interactive Directory 

This kiosk addresses concerns about social distancing. Visitors can scan the information on a dynamic display to their mobile phones. This keeps pace with the fast-messaging changes in any area at a safe distance. The touchless suite of solutions includes the following: 

• Contactless visitor management  

• Contactless messaging boards and retail solutions  

• Shift management for production facilities 

• Social distancing workspace schedule boards 

• Camera-based density analytics for social distance monitoring 

• Live video remote monitoring of lobbies and other open spaces 

 
These are some of the COVID-19 prevention technologies designed to dispense safety products and allow establishments to sanitise self-service equipment. While the pandemic brought incalculable damage to the global economy, it also created a preference for self-service solutions. 

Nobody can foresee the future, but kiosk industry leaders believe that consumer awareness of health risks will stay ingrained in peoples’ minds well beyond the current crisis. Most of them concur that COVID-19 will boost the adoption of contactless payments and mobile commerce. 

Ki Digital Signage Software

This is our very own cloud-based tool that allows users to remotely manage the content on multiple displays or kiosks. It is highly scalable so you can integrate it into new or existing kiosks that work with a digital signage. 

This plug-and-play solution supports any screen size and display orientation. Hence, it makes it easy to create important messages, alerts, or instructions. This makes it a versatile tool for various industries (i.e. healthcare and hospitality) where touchless interaction is a must. 

Our premium Ki apps range from news feeds, product directories, communication, among others. Some of the apps are even available in multilingual format. 

If you wish to know about the different Kiosk Software options available to your business, please feel free to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to assist as we altogether battle the coronavirus pandemic.

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