Technology is changing at breakneck speed. As fast as it does, software developers must also change their software quickly to keep up with the competition. In order to successfully “chase” the competition, software developers must find innovative ways to differentiate their software from that of their competition. Today’s touch screen directory kiosks are no different. It’s critical that touch screen displays provide consumers with a fast, easy way to locate businesses. Consumers want to do business with companies that “engage” them – that’s what gives them the reason to stay in business long-term.

How can a touch screen directory kiosk engage a consumer? There are a few ways. First, the interactive display must provide a comprehensive view of all businesses within its database. This includes not only physical addresses but contact numbers, maps, gas prices, directions, special services, corporate logos, signage, website coordinates, shopping carts, and more. Consumers looking for a service or a product will be thrilled to find it right there in front of them – they’ll see it even before they reach the checkout line!

The second way a touch screen directory kiosk should engage a consumer is by providing an easily navigated transaction menu. Here’s where a great analogy comes into play. Imagine the scene of a store with one floor, one location, one main entrance and one exit. You enter through the front door, then follow the traffic to the second floor, navigate to the checkout counters, pay with plastic, and get your merchandise. Over the course of the day, you make dozens of quick transactions and stock dozens of items – yet when you return to the counter to collect your payments, you have to search for your receipt, which has been lost, among the pages of electronic information inside your computer.

This example is just one of many in a recent survey that asked participants what they’d like to see in a digital signage system. “Searchable” was the top response, as this attribute would provide easy accessibility to all necessary information. A touch screen directory kiosk with a large touch screen monitor and keyboard is a very simple way to allow customers to access this information quickly and efficiently. Kiosks with large screens make it possible for the same information to be displayed on multiple devices. This provides the customer with more choices and a chance to see things in different perspectives. Large touch screen monitors are an ideal way to maximize the usability of any sign – it’s simply a matter of making sure customers can find their way around your store or office.

In terms of optional features, it was common to find that the most popular request was for additional inventory control options. In retail environments, it’s very common to end up with hundreds or even thousands of products, but only a few touch points. This can create a problem in terms of efficiency – even with touch screen hardware that supports multi touch point operations, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything in an efficient manner. To remedy this, it’s quite common to find a panel with two or more touch points and a function bar along the top – a simple push of which will bring up a list of everything on your shelf. If your company’s inventory control needs aren’t all that complex, then this may be an excellent addition to your signage solution.

In many cases, the most popular request for touch screen hardware is the ability to change signage display based on incoming traffic. In offices and retail settings, this can be incredibly useful for many different situations. You may find that having a sign in the window indicating which floor you’re on can save you a trip into the employee restroom if you’re dealing with the general public. You may also find that using a push of a button can allow a salesperson to identify the person in line behind you much more easily. These are just some of the ways that touch screen directory kiosks can be used to improve efficiency. In order to determine which is best for your company, it’s almost always a good idea to look at what options are available in order to make sure you choose the one that makes the most sense for your business.