Creating Kiosks That Work as Hard as Your Receptionist

What do doctors’ offices, banks, hotels, corporate offices, and museums all have in common? It’s not that they’re all decorated with art or plants. And it’s not that they’re all buildings – that’d be too easy. It’s that they all have lobbies.

And what do all lobbies need to succeed today? Kiosks. 

Kiosks for check-in. Kiosks for making purchases. Kiosks for wayfinding. 

Self-service kiosks are a growing expectation in today’s customer-facing operations. Not only do they streamline processes but also reduce wait times, improve customer experiences, and enhance staff efficiency. In short, they transform a lobby from a waiting space into a welcoming space.

The Power of First Impressions

It can be easy to dismiss the impact a single piece of equipment can have on a business, but consider these statistics: 

•     • In a study of hotel lobbies, visual elements accounted for 98.2% of the perceptual evaluation factors when selecting destinations. 
•     • 84% of U.S. consumers now prefer self-service kiosks, with 66% of them choosing these options over traditional staffed checkouts. 
•     • Studies have shown that the initial perception of a business, often formed within seconds of entering a lobby, can significantly influence customer trust and decision-making.

Visually, kiosks offer an opportunity to extend your brand and create a cohesive look that resonates with visitors. Sleek, modern kiosk housings signal professionalism and attention to detail. Their position in your lobby ensures they are one of the first points of contact a visitor sees.

Conversely, poorly made kiosks can undermine the very experience you’re trying to curate. Mismatched aesthetics and decaying hardware give visitors a sense of apathy before they even interact with staff. Enter thoughts of, “If this is how you treat your equipment, how will you treat me as a guest?”

As market competition rises, so does the value of first impressions and guest experiences. Think of a kiosk as a front-line brand ambassador – one that sets the tone for the rest of the customer journey. 
 

Equipment that Equates to Efficiencies

Beyond aesthetics, kiosks act as versatile, operational workhorses appreciated for the convenience and speed they provide. 

Take the check-in process at a medical office, for example. A patient enters the office and is greeted by a high-quality digital kiosk that allows them to check in, provide personal details, and sign necessary forms. Instead of waiting to meet with a receptionist to perform such tasks, the patient completes them quickly and independently. 

For the medical office, this translates to lower wait times, as multiple patients can check in simultaneously on multiple kiosks. Cost savings are introduced as these technologies handle much of the work once required of staff. And existing staff are now free to perform other duties that either contribute to a positive guest experience or are functionally required (e.g., answering questions, addressing special needs, taking phone calls, etc.).

The use cases for self-service kiosks are also virtually unlimited. Movie and museumgoers can use them to purchase tickets. Corporate offices can use them to deploy visitor management solutions. Transportation hubs can use them to issue tickets and bag tags. Malls can use them to provide digital directions. 

Chances are you’ve used a self-service kiosk to skip a line, make a payment, or check in at a lobby at least once before.

Custom, Contemporary, & Completely Yours

When considering a housing or mounting solution for your kiosks, know that all solutions are not created equal. 

Many bill themselves as “versatile”, claiming availability in a handful of color options and compatibility with multiple tablet types. On paper, this sounds great! But here’s what this means in reality:

Mounting compatibility with multiple tablet types often leads to a looser and less secure fit. Color options are usually limited to black, silver, and, if you’re lucky, a few shades of gray. They’re readily available as they are likely mass-produced and made with low-quality materials. And it’s even more likely that these solutions cannot be further customized with graphics or logos. 

At Pedestal PRO, we take the time to craft a solution that works for you. A solution that matches your lobby design, brand aesthetics, device of choice, and interface – down to the color, angle, and finish. Using USA-sourced materials and labor, you can be confident that our kiosk products are robust, reliable, and reflective of your organization’s values.

Let us custom-build your kiosk setup to match your exact needs. Get inspired and start designing your next “first impression maker” here.