KioskCom Europe 2006

EUROPE FALLS BEHIND USA AND ASIA PACIFIC IN TAKE UP OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

KioskCom Europe 2006 will demonstrate how businesses can transform the cost of sale and improve customer service through the use of self-service kiosk technology

Date: In order to have competitive advantage, there is a growing need for businesses across every sector to reduce costs. Whilst American and Asian companies are embracing new self-service kiosk technology to boost revenue, improve customer service and support new channels to market, their European counterparts appear reluctant to get on board.

In the US, the market for kiosk technology is set to grow 39 per cent in 2006 compared to only 15 per cent in Europe. In the UK, kiosks are starting to make an appearance; cinemas, for example, increasingly offer self-service ticket systems for those who have already paid online or via the telephone, using the machine to validate identity. Yet, many European businesses are still failing to adopt the self-service technologies, such as self-service food ordering devices, that are increasingly standard across the US and Asia Pacific. 

This years launch event for the UK and Europe, KioskCom Europe 2006, is designed to demonstrate the value of point-of-service, point-of-information and point-of-sale self-service solutions. A combined Expo, strategic conference and kiosk test drive area, will provide education on how to deploy, manage and maintain these new, fast growing channels and services.

Phil Hunter (pictured), Managing Director of KioskCom Europe 2006, explains, The UK may be a nation of queuers; but in an increasingly demanding consumer society, perhaps no longer a nation of happy queuers. It is hard to measure the cost of lost sales and disgruntled customers who fail to return but every consumer-based organisation recognises the problem associated with poor customer throughput. Furthermore, given the switch to Chip & PIN technology, the sales assistants role has, in many cases, been reduced to little more than supervising the consumer transaction.

The reasons for self-service technology adoption are evident: self-service technology saves money, reduces costs and improves customer service, he adds. The adoption may well be slow but, if tackled appropriately, will be sure. And, once in place, self-service offers organisations extraordinary opportunities to transform the process of direct consumer interaction.

Kioskcom Europe draws upon a 10 year history of successful events in the USA. The two-day event, 8-9 November at Londons Olympia, will bring together industry professionals to discuss how European companies can take advantage of self-service kiosk technology to increase profitability, create long-term revenue generating opportunities, and increase customer loyalty.

Hunter concludes, If the consumer especially the queue loving British consumer is to be encouraged to self-serve, organisations need to take a long term training stance towards encouraging adoption. It may go against the national grain but self-service is a global trend; failing to follow suit will fundamentally constrain competitive position.

For more information on the event and to register for tickets, visit: www.kioskcomeurope.co.uk.