Last year, REDYREF was engaged by Smart City Media for assistance with launching Kansas City International (KCI) Airport’s stunning new interactive kiosks. These kiosks rolled out across the airport in November, just in time for the start of the holiday rush.

Kansas City International Airport Wayfinding and Directory Kiosks by REDYREF Interactive 
 

The digital kiosks are available for travelers’ use throughout the KCI facility. At 75″, these are some of the largest interactive kiosks anywhere in the world and demonstrate the airport’s dedication to offering travelers the most cutting-edge technology available.

Each kiosk is identical and offers airport visitors an incredible user experience with just the touch of the screen.  Software, provided by industry leader Smart City Media, not only provides travelers with the expected options to display airport amenities and airline statuses, but also an innovative emergency system panel that includes a microphone, allowing them to call 911 directly from the kiosk in order to easily alert first responders.

Kansas City International Airport Wayfinding and Directory Kiosks by REDYREF Interactive
 

Visitors choosing to use the kiosk may also be surprised by its “lighter side” — an integrated camera meant to capture airport selfies that can be sent to the user’s phone for posting to social media or sharing via email or text.

“Being a part of the KCI directory launch was a great experience,” says Will Pymm, Managing Partner of REDYREF. “The quality of the interactive displays chosen for the kiosks makes it clear that the facility’s management has made traveler comfort and user experience a major priority .”

For more information about REDYREF’s digital kiosk solutions, contact the sales team at 1-800-628-3603, or request a quote online.

Kansas City International Airport Wayfinding and Directory Kiosks by REDYREF Interactive
 

REDYREF has proven that urban bus shelters can be not only highly functional, but beautiful as well.

KCATA Digital Bus Shelter Kiosk by REDYREF

This fall marked the debut of Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s (KCATA) new modern, digitally-enhanced bus shelters along Kansas City’s MAX bus line, with kiosks, designed and deployed by REDYREF Interactive and its partner Smart City Media.

“From the start, partnering with Smart City Media to create these interactive, ‘smart’ bus shelters for KCATA has been an incredible experience,” said Will Pymm, Managing Partner, REDYREF. “We couldn’t have been more pleased with the entire process, and are looking forward to seeing the project rolled out in its entirety.”

The new downtown Prospect Avenue MAX stations are designed to blend in with the area’s streetscape, making it easier for pedestrian traffic on sidewalks.

“We’re very excited about it,” said Richard Jarrold, senior vice president for strategic planning at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. “Twelfth and Grand pedestrian traffic is booming, we’re taking too much of the sidewalk.”

Each station features an interactive smart kiosk that gives riders real-time bus arrival information and access to a city-wide directory, as well as protection from the elements and enhanced lighting for improved safety and greater visibility.

KCATA Bus Shelter Kiosk Project

KCATA project manager Linda Clark said she wants people to know the new MAX bus kiosks will also offer information about connecting routes, as well as a web-based portal that will allow community members to advertise events.

“If this community center were having an event, the kiosk out there on 27th and Prospect would tell you about the event. All you have to do is touch the icon,” she said.

Each interactive outdoor “smart city” kiosk features 55” touch displays and is fully ruggedized to be able to withstand the wide variations in Kansas City weather. From 90+ degree heat to snow and freezing temperatures, the kiosks are built to continue operating smoothly and continuously. The digital kiosk displays also offer single- and dual-sided options, as well as additional components such as wireless capability, video cameras and all integrations needed to allow for ADA compliance.

For more information about REDYREF kiosks or digitally-enhanced transit options, visit https://redyref.com.

Miami Metrorail Rolls Out High-Tech Interactive Transit Kiosk

Miami-Dade’s Government Center lobby and second-floor transit station have rolled out the first of what’s planned to be many new high-tech interactive kiosks. The large (nearly 10’ tall!) kiosks offer a range of services, including the ability to charge cell phones, create personalized bus routes, and even take selfies that can be emailed to the user.

Each kiosk features a jumbo, dual-touchscreen monitor configuration. Visitors can choose a destination from the transit station location and calculate the most efficient route using county transportation to get there, including both buses and trains.

But what about that selfie option mentioned previously, you ask? A camera integrated into the kiosk has been configured to take a photo of the user from above, which is then superimposed on a palm tree (natch!) background by the operating system, and sent to them via email. According to Miami-Dade, email addresses are not captured and saved at this time and any such changes in the future to this policy, may they be made, will be clearly communicated.

 

NYC Subways Debuts Real-Time Transportation Information Kiosks

New York City subways are going digital with the deployment of interactive kiosks that provide travelers with real-time train and bus information, including not just arrival times, but also wayfinding maps, travel alerts and local area information. When kiosks are not actively in use, they are able to display digital content, including paid content from advertisers.

The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYC MTA) has launched the program, named “Time-and-Place,” in 42 stations across the city, and includes a countdown clock to provide live updates to passengers regarding transportation arrival times.

 

QSRs Find Interactive Kiosk Deployments Improve Customer Experience

A study by research firm Market Force Information states that 55% of today’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) consumers have used a tablet at the table or a smartphone app over the past 90 days to place an order. This is an enormous change from the previous time this poll was completed — in fact, it’s a 39% increase over 2015.  Consumers still appreciate the ability to order at the counter from an employee — just under half still prefer this option — but this number also marks a big change from two years ago, when 70% reported they would rather order the old-fashioned way.

With more QSRs adopting this technology in different formats, from mobile apps to delivery services to interactive kiosks, customers are clearly becoming more comfortable with self-service technology with this continued exposure. As consumer acceptance grows, it is likely the food service industry will continue the accelerated deployment of these types of technology into the market over the next several years.

 

Want to learn more about interactive kiosk solutions in QSR or transit environments? REDYREF has you covered. Request a quote today or call (800) 628-3603 for more information, and our experienced team will be there every step of the way to ensure your company’s unique kiosk needs and business goals are met.

RedyRef has completed the installation of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)’s first interactive wayfinding kiosk in Manatee County, Florida. The installation features the new enGAGE H-Series, a 42” modular touchscreen kiosk that was designed to help travelers find any location within the airport’s footprint.  This includes airport gates, restaurants, restrooms, baggage claim and any other services airport visitors may need.

 

 Digital Wayfinding Kiosk

 

The Sarasota project presented some unique challenges for our design team. One of the primary requirements of the solution was to ensure users did not have to search via keyword or click through multiple screens in order to find the needed information.

REDYREF's team of developers rose to the occasion, designing a deceptively simple user interface capable of effectively housing and organizing many layers of complex information. This one-screen solution features a navigation menu on the left, and a map of the airport on the right, which allows users to simply select an area on the menu with a single touch, and immediately see the chosen area highlighted on the map along with their current airport location.

The kiosk is also easy to maintain by airport employees. Said REDYREF Managing Partner, Will Pymm, “Besides offering travelers an enhanced customer experience, Sarasota’s new wayfinding kiosk was designed to be easily updated or refreshed either via smartphone or computer.  We believe this kind of functionality is essential to the success of a kiosk in a busy, at times even chaotic environment, like that found in an international airport.”

Besides its intuitive UI, the new Sarasota airport kiosk is also one of the first live deployments of the REDYREF enGAGE H-Series kiosk. This modular, freestanding enclosure combines sleek, powder-coated steel construction with an extensive range of available options including an expansive array of other hardware components and integrations. Although the H-Series comes standard with a 42″ LCD monitor, it may be built with other display sizes when required.


Considering wayfinding kiosks or digital directories for your company?

Contact REDYREF today at (800) 628-3603 today or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your interactive kiosk, wayfinding or digital visitor management program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

When we think of interactive, self-service kiosks, what first comes to mind tends to be those that involve food service and retail. This is for good reason; these types of digital kiosks are the ones in the news because they are consumer-oriented and have been at the center of controversy (see also: McDonald’s vs. the $15 minimum wage) or are on the very cutting edge of technology (especially in flagship stores like Burberry, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger).

While these consumer-facing kiosks may be sexier, there are plenty of self-service kiosks that don’t get the attention they deserve, including human resources kiosks. Sure, they are more functional than fun, but human resources kiosks work behind the scenes to help companies make their employees’ lives easier from the very start. How?

education kiosks.

Hiring and Job Application

Companies like Wal-Mart and Target have known for years that interactive human resources kiosks are a great solution to encourage job-seekers to apply for jobs.  These kiosks handle all of the intake information a paper form would, only it can now be conveniently saved to a central database.  That means that if there is no current position available in the store at which an individual applies, they can let the potential employee know of other jobs available in the area, as well as hold on to that information for future hiring purposes. This frees up store managers and HR specialists to handle other important tasks, rather than dealing with the initial intake of paper applications.

New-Hire Orientation

Is there a single person who has ever looked forward to this day?  It’s often unnecessarily long, boring and far from self-paced; possibly the least enjoyable way to start the exciting journey of a new job. And let’s face it — often, it has nothing to do with the new job itself. Interactive human resources kiosks allow employees to work through new-hire forms independently without killing trees made from piles of paper. Instead of being handed massive packets of company information, they can read through all of it on the kiosk, and choose to have a paperless version emailed to them for later reference.  Kiosks are also helpful when managing resources for orientations, especially for larger companies.  If there are 50 people starting one week, but only 5 the next, it may not make sense to allocate assign the same number of HR staff to cover it.  Self-service kiosks can take the place of those who would be more productive if left to handle other tasks.

Think interactive human resources kiosks are right for your company?

Come back next week when we’ll continue to discuss their advantages for internal use. If you’ve already decided self-service kiosks are the solution you’ve been looking for, contact RedyRef today at (800) 628-3603 or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your self-service kiosk program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

Interest in Digital License Plates is Gearing Up

Will digital license plates become the new standard with the dawn of the driverless car era? Compliance Innovations, a South Carolina start-up, thinks so, at least as it pertains to vehicle fleets, like the kind that will someday be owned by Uber and Lyft. The license plate is actually a screen, which can show plate information when the car is driving, but when parked, can be used to show advertisements or other relevant messaging that has been customized based on the vehicle’s location. It has already been approved for use in California and Florida, with Texas on the way, and at least six more states are reviewing this technology for potential future use.


Please Do Not Lick Your Fingers Before Using KFC’s New Self-Service Kiosks

Kentucky Fried Chicken is on the verge of launching a 5000 store roll-out of interactive kiosks with facial recognition across China. The kiosks feature artificial intelligence software that will allow them to predict what a customer may want to order. The deployment is coming on the heels of its successful test of the technology in Beijing. However, KFC will likely have to reckon with the fact that many customers may not want the facial impressions generated by the software stored in a database. Concerns about privacy are only becoming stronger with advances in technology, so it remains to be seen how users will react to this idea over time.


Shares of Panera Bread Company Hit Record High, Assisted by New Leaps in Self-Service Technologies

Shares of Panera Bread just hit a record high, and company executives firmly believe that success lies in the deployment of new customer-centric interactive technologies. Panera has invested heavily over the last two years in both in-store digital kiosks and in their smartphone app that helps customers place, pay for and pick up their orders easily and seamlessly. These changes also appear to be offsetting some of Panera’s labor costs, which would be especially impactful in areas with higher minimum wages, such as New York, Washington and California.

 

Think interactive kiosks and are right for your company? We’re happy to help you find out. Contact RedyRef today at (800) 628-3603 today or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your self-service kiosk program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

Meet today’s customers where they are with digital outdoor self-service kiosks by REDYREF:

  • Reduce overhead, communicate with customers or strengthen your bottom line all in one low-maintenance package.
  • Built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, snow or direct sunlight
  • Feature rugged, weatherproof stainless steel enclosures
  • Climate control included
  • Heavy-duty powder coat finish in a variety of colors stands up to the elements
  • Enhance brand image via customizable vinyl wraps
  • Available with or without cloud-based, remote-access software and support

The digital age is here to stay. Contact REDYREF and get started building your digital future today.

Talk to us!

If you have an immediate outdoor kiosk need, give our sales team a call now at 800-628-3603.

Bazooka Indoor Outdoor KioskMedia Tower Indoor/Outdoor Kiosk in Matte BlackSkyline 2.0 Indoor/Outdoor Kiosk

Demand for outdoor, interactive kiosks is on the upswing.  How do we know? That’s easy; our customers are letting us know! We probably answer a few inquiries a day here at RedyRef in regard to outdoor kiosks, from the basics of implementation to complicated matters involving kiosk security.  Whenever we start to see an idea or concept trend, we know it’s probably time to address it publicly so we’re able to help as many people as possible. So it is with that in mind that we are starting a blog series today, beginning with what you’re reading right now: our version of a 101 “basics” class. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Let’s start with cost, because this is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. The truth is that outdoor kiosks are often (but not always) more expensive than their indoor counterparts, which leaves many people initially wondering, well, “Why??” Which is understandable; they can look quite similar!

While there are many reasons for differences in cost, the most impactful is the following: If you think typical, indoor kiosks take a beating, just imagine what an outdoor kiosk has to deal with.

For example, an indoor, interactive kiosk placed in a shopping mall setting is protected by both the elements AND a security team. And malls close at night, which means 12+ hours a day they are inaccessible by the public at all. The same goes for almost any indoor kiosk, from those in office buildings to those in fast-casual restaurant environments. They just aren’t subjected to the same kind of stress or security risks.

Outdoor kiosks, on the other hand, have to withstand not just typical use, but also severe wind, rain, snow, storms, hurricanes, flooding, vandalism and attempted security breaches. As you might imagine, these can be a bit hard on a kiosk. That means they must be built to handle an entire range of circumstances typical indoor kiosks will never endure. That’s why it’s important to figure out if you really need an outdoor kiosk, or if an indoor kiosk might work just as well for your circumstances.

As a company that prides itself on return clients and their overall satisfaction, our job at RedyRef is to ensure that our customers end up with the best solution for their needs, not just the most costly one that will pad our own bottom line. So while there are many circumstances that would make an outdoor kiosk well worth the investment, that doesn’t mean they are universally the optimal choice. We are here to help you decide what will work best and create the most potential for ROI, so you’ll come back to us again in the future. However, if your situation simply begs for an outdoor kiosk deployment, we’ll be here every step of the way from design to roll out in order to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your choice.

On that note, if you are already convinced an outdoor kiosk solution may be right for your organization, join us next week when we’ll begin covering the 5 Ws of outdoor kiosk implementation: Who, What, Where, When & Why.  And if you’re still on the fence about outdoor kiosks, we’re happy to help you better understand the kinds of kiosks that are out there and which one might be best for your unique application. Contact RedyRef today at (800) 628-3603 or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

It is impossible to deny the growing popularity of interactive kiosks and the digital technologies that are playing a part in this trend, including digital signage. In fact, Zion Market Research recently published a report stating that the global self-service technology market accounted for $15.70 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $37.75 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of around 15.8% between 2016 and 2021. That’s truly exceptional growth. Today, we wanted to catch up RedyRef’s readers on some of the news we’ve come across as it relates to developments concerning the use of interactive kiosks and digital signage across several industries.

First up, the rapidly-growing use of self-service kiosks by state DMVs for driver’s license or car registration renewal. While the kiosks themselves are certainly more convenient than waiting in long DMV lines, better yet, they are being placed in areas such as grocery stores and malls, which means users can now combine errands in a much more convenient way.  Some of the states that are rolling out this technology, or already have it in place, include Georgia, North Dakota, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and California. Although there is always a learning curve when introducing a new self-service technology, most people believe that Gen X and especially Millennial users will take to this trend fast, allowing it to spread quickly over the coming years.

Next, it was recently announced that Saudi Arabian Bank has begun installing interactive kiosks with biometric technology integrations for their customers.  The use of biometrics, such as the retina and fingerprint scanners offered by RedyRef, gives users an additional level of safety and security, one that is much greater than a simple pin number or password.  Some of these technologies are already being integrated into cellular phones for an additional layer of security, so it makes sense that the use of biometrics is starting to grow for interactive kiosks, too.

Finally, Carnival Corporation (operator of multiple cruise lines, including Princess, Carnival and Holland America) is in the process of testing a form of RFID technology they hope will simplify and personalize their passengers’ experiences on their ships. The key lies in a small chip, encased in a medallion, that can be unobtrusively worn or stored in a wallet or handbag.  The chip will allow guests to unlock room doors automatically, or give them automatic entrance into different shows or entertainment venues onboard.  It can even store information about restaurant reservations, including food and drink preferences. The chip also lets Carnival more seamlessly communicate with passengers by sending personalized messages and recommendations to digital signage both in public areas and in their rooms, based on stored preferences.  What these chips will not do, however, is store sensitive information, such as room number or credit card numbers.  It remains to be seen whether customers will take to this technology or not, but it will be interesting to find out more once the results are in.

Think interactive kiosks and are right for your company? We’re happy to help you find out. Contact RedyRef today at (800) 628-3603 today or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your self-service kiosk program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

The ways in which organizations track visitors have become increasingly important over the last decade, and much of this has to do with security concerns.  Knowing who is in your facility or on your campus at any given time is a big responsibility to bear. That’s why implementing secure visitor management systems (SVMS), like RedyRef’s enGAGE VisitorCheck platform, is now often considered standard practice for many companies.

Last week, we discussed some of the ways VisitorCheck works to facilitate the flow of guests and contractors throughout the workday.  Today, we’ll go into more detail about exactly what features have been integrated into RedyRef’s secure visitor management software to ensure both efficient visitor processing, and overall building, facility and campus security no matter who comes through the doors.

Let’s start with one of the most important features of VisitorCheck, which is its ability to offer a completely secure yet streamlined experience, facilitating communication between the visitor, security staff and the individual with whom the guest will be meeting. While this may sound simple, it’s one of the most important ways to prevent identity fraud or the admittance of those who should not be granted entrance.  VisitorCheck can be integrated with photo capture capabilities, meaning that the supermajority of people will be who they say they are, especially when that photo can be both printed on a badge and transmitted across departments.

VisitorCheck also allows for other relevant identifying information to be recorded that will help ensure a greater level of security than just a paper-and-pen sign in.  Besides integrated cameras for photo capture, signature pads can record names in the visitor’s own hand and fingerprint scanners can be added for those environments where very high-security requirements may be needed that go beyond simple identification. Information such as the reason for the visit, the type of visitor they are (guest, contractor, etc.) or the type of security clearance they have may all be relevant in certain situations.

Once all of the identifying parameters have been selected and entered into the system, a custom, time-stamped badge can be immediately printed via a range of different printer options if desired. There are even time-limited badge stocks available that can be used for printing that will immediately identify expired badges in real time, so it’s easy to recognize individuals who should no longer be in the building.

Utilizing a self-service VistorCheck kiosk is also much more efficient and allows guests to be on their way faster than they would otherwise. Manual, paper and pen check-ins generally require a visitor to wait to be signed in by a receptionist or security employee, then cleared for entrance before notifying the on-location employee via phone call that their guest has arrived. VisitorCheck can transmit information about the guest’s arrival directly to whom they are meeting, eliminating the need to wait on a front desk employee to facilitate the meeting. Even if the employee is out of their office, they can still receive the message that their guest is waiting via email or SMS.

There are additional considerations that should be weighed when deciding which secure visitor management system to deploy. Come back next week when we’ll continue this discussion and learn more about the VisitorCheck platform. Meanwhile, if you’ve already decided that digital guest management is right for your company, the process does not need to be as difficult or complicated as it may first seem. The key to success is partnering with an experienced, vertically-integrated manufacturer like RedyRef. Contact us today at (800) 628-3603 today or request a quote online and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that your program meets every one of your business’ unique needs and goals.

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