-
Outdoor Kiosks: Beyond the DVD rental
The idea of an outdoor kiosk for most of us brings to mind DVD rentals. However, businesses across the country are finding innovative ways to bring self-service outdoors – making buying products and services easier, faster and more efficient. The anytime, anywhere architecture of an outdoor kiosk provides endless possibilities for consumers on-the-go.
Self-storage businesses, for instance, are now using kiosks to operate their storage facilities 24 hours. Customers can use the kiosks to rent storage units and purchase locks on a short- or long-term contract. In fact, Phoenix-based OpenTech Alliance reported that it collected more than $38 million in rental fees through its INSOMNIAC kiosks installed at self-storage facilities across North America. And the numbers continue to astound. OpenTech also announced that receipts for just the first half of 2010 exceeded $9 million.
Disneyland recently installed self-service stroller rental kiosks at the stroller and wheelchair rental booth. Parents who forgot their strollers at home, are travelling or ran out of space in their cars may visit the kiosks and use credit cards to rent up to five strollers for as long as six days.
Outdoor kiosks are even helping Americans go green. The city of Long Beach, Calif., provides kiosk bike rentals to expand public transportation options. Not only are the bicycles eco-friendly, the rental kiosks are solar powered. Long Beach intends to provide 500 bicycles divided between more than 50 bike kiosks throughout the downtown area. California State University at Long Beach is also coming along for the ride and will ultimately provide up to 60 bikes at six kiosks campus-wide.
It's clear that both the general public and businesses are embracing the flexibility of the kiosk. With outdoor kiosks, businesses are able to maximize their sales by offering products and services at anytime without the need for staff while still providing quality customer service. From DVDs to strollers to eco-friendly bikes, self-service is taking hold in new ways everyday and continues to evolve.
Related Content
Features
News
Blogs
User Comments
