Customers no longer have to wait in line to buy a cupcake at a Sprinkles bakery. Instead, they use a tablet to place an order, swipe a credit card, and wait for an employee to get it. How amazing and quick!
The kiosk approach, which the cupcake business began testing at the start of the pandemic, allowed for social distancing at first. It now allows the Austin, Texas-based company to keep up with rising online orders in a labor market where fresh employees are difficult to come by and keep. Sprinkles senior vice president of operations Justin Murakami said the kiosks will be installed in all of the company’s 20 sites by early January 2022.
Retailers and restaurants are increasing their investments in robotics and other technologies to adapt to the changing times. Walgreens is automating prescription filling, while Sprinkles and Starbucks are replacing cashiers with tablets.
In other places, Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is testing robots that can flip burgers or cook chicken wings, while restaurant chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and White Castle are developing robots that can scrub shop floors and scan inventory.
Companies are feeling increased pressure, according to Molly Harnischfeger, a director of AlixPartners’ consumer-insights team, as they battle to locate people and pay higher wages. Plus, she added, customers and diners are growing more accepting of robots and other technologies as a result of high wait times and other implications of human shortages.
All about kiosk system
A digital kiosk system consists of several components, including the kiosk enclosure, software, and different components and integrations that allow the kiosk to function properly.
Kiosks are made up of “the body,” “the brain,” and “the heart,” as well as other components.
The kiosk’s body is the enclosure that holds the show and secures the inner workings.
The software is the kiosk’s brain — it’s the smartest component and the one that keeps the whole thing running.
All of the numerous components and integrations, such as card readers, electronic signature pads, printers, and bill and coin collectors, are at the heart of the kiosk. These altogether enable the kiosk to do a given function or collection of functions.
Who can use the kiosk system?
Many businesses are quickly adopting kiosk systems, and the list is continually growing. Banks, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, educational institutions, hospitals, government agencies have already deployed digital kiosks.
Functions of kiosk system
- Providing information
- Handling payments
- Ticket booking
- Ordering
- Managing visitors and guests
- Covid temperature check (considering today’s situations)
