Dicoll Ltd Kiosk Solutions

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Dicoll kiosks in Retail Applications

The demands for interactivity in and around the retail environment and the requirements for access to more and more services online have resulted in the increase use of Dicoll touch screen solutions to deliver online shopping, transactional facilities, interactive way-finding and product catalogues via kiosk based technology.

 Dicoll kiosks have become the ideal solution to deliver store information, internet access, way-finding, online services, queue busting and crowd control functions, saving retail centers and local authorities both time and manpower.

Dicoll touch screen Information kiosks have become and integral part of the many services offered by shopping centres, precincts, retail stores, local authorities, and tourist information boards providing an efficient and cost effective way to interact with customers and visitors. Dicoll kiosks are often utilised to direct consumers to stores, products and amenities, convey specific messages, relay information, raise advertising revenue and allow public access to the internet.

Dicoll’s interactive kiosks are ideal for use as retail kiosks with solutions ranging from simple point of information or internet access kiosks, up to fully customisable transactional kiosks; designed to incorporate a many peripherals including chip & pin, coin mechanisms, note validators, colour printers, biometric readers and many other options.

Transactional kiosks such as the Bravo or the Apollo kiosk utilise modular designs allowing them to provide users with complete E-payment revenue solution kiosks, incorporating secure collection of note and coin tender, and if required a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer. If it's queue busting kiosks or ticketing kiosk solutions that you require, then the Bravo or the Apollo kiosk can provide multifunctional Internet, Information and ticketing kiosk solutions all of which can accommodate a multitude of kiosk printer types, including Boca ticket printers and A4 colour laser printers offering the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking kiosks and check in/out kiosk solutions.

Dicoll have a full range of kiosk solutions allowing the client to choose a best fit product for their environment and target audience. Most of our kiosk solutions are DDA compliant and usable by wheelchairs and children. Some of our kiosks can be adapted to have special keyboards to assist the visually impaired whilst other kiosks can include chip & pin units for payment solutions. Other options include 12mm toughened glass touch screens for use in harsh environments, hearing loops and additional repeater and advertising screens.

For further information or to visit our showroom and factory in Reading, Berkshire please call us on 01189 885522 or visit our website at www.dicoll.co.uk

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New 23" Information Kiosk

A new flexible 23" LCD touch screen, wheel chair accessible kiosk which will deliver both visual impact and exceptional build quality. Whether you want users to surf-the-net, or simply run bespoke software, this 23" LCD Information Kiosk can be configured and adapted as required. Optional extras include thermal printers, WIFI, and Barcode Reader.

A small footprint makes this unit is ideal in situations where floor space is limited. This 23" Kiosk can be customised with a range of peripherals to ensure a best-fit solution for your organisation. Should you require something completely bespoke, Dicoll also offer a full solution design service. The 23" Information Kiosk is manufactured from powder coated mild steel and extruded aluminium in a modular design using the latest technology and manufacturing techniques. The kiosks can be painted to the colour of choice and can accommodate a number of extra peripherals including receipt printers. About Dicoll Dicoll have been supplying interactive kiosks and touch screens for almost 10 years having now deployed thousands of Information kiosks, Internet Kiosks, interactive kiosks and Wall Mount Kiosks across the UK, Europe and Worldwide. Dicoll are one of a select few companies that actually control the manufacture and assembly process of their kiosks in its own offices in Reading, Berkshire, UK. We use our own work force and are intent on sourcing as many of our components as possible from local UK based companies, further supporting the local economy and insuring a close relationship between us and our supply chain. This allows us greater control over both manufacturing standards and timescales. Dicoll are very proud of the fact that any client or customer, at any time, can visit our offices in Berkshire to view the status of their kiosk or touch screen order and have a personal interaction with the build process. This kind of client supplier interactivity is now a rare proposition. For further information call us on 01189 885522 or visit our website at www.dicoll.co.uk

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Hot Desking Kiosks from Dicoll

Hot desking, or location independent working, are phrases used to describe a new set of working practices. When hot desking solutions are deployed employees are no longer constrained to a fixed desk or working environment, they are in fact allocated work space according to their specific needs on a day to day basis.

Dicoll kiosks have become the ideal solution through which to manage hot desking applications and assign independent working protocols through the use of contact-less card readers, biometrics and interactive touch screen technology, dramatically improving efficiency and ensuring that every team member is maximising his or her potential.

Dicoll have been supplying touch screen information kiosks and touch screen solutions for over 10 years having now deployed thousands of touch screen information kiosks, internet kiosks and wall mount kiosks across theUK,Europeand Worldwide.

Dicoll’s range of kiosks are ideal for use in the corporate environment, with all of our kiosks being fully customisable and brandable through the use of vinyl coverings, frosted logos and LED illumination.

When implementing a kiosk solution it is important to identify its application and its purpose. The kiosk represents an integral part of the entire solution but just as importantly, consideration needs to be given to the software application that will run on the kiosk. Ensuring a good combination of suitable kiosk and usable software will go a long way to making the kiosk solution both effective and popular and will ensure prolonged, consistent use.

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Dicoll Launch new 32" Multi-touch Table

A combination of both form and function, this full HD 1920x1080 32” multi-touch table will bring visual impact and a new level of touch screen computing to any situation. Using Windows 7 and touch gestures this multi-touch table will truly amaze and inspire its users. The integral Intel i5 PC will ensure fast, smooth and efficient use of software programmes, video applications and games. Put simply, it is a powerful all in one multi-touch solution. Multi-touch technology, originally pioneered by Apple through its iPhones, is now everywhere in our modern world. Dicoll’s 32” multi-touch table brings this experience to a new, larger and more accessible level through its new multi-touch solution.

Designed to be large enough to have fun yet small enough not to need an entire room. Manufactured in-house from mild steel you can be confident that whatever the application this kiosk is up to the challenges of a high-use public environment. The 32” table can be customised with a range of peripherals to ensure a best fit solution for your organisation. Combined with the latest multi-touch touch screen technology, colour of choice and customer specific branding, the Multi-touch table offers a truly stunning and unique high profile solution.

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Kiosks Bring Healthcare to Africa

In America, there's one doctor for every 390 people, but regions in sub-Saharan Africa have one doctor for every 50,000 people, a fact that makes it difficult for Africans to receive health care. Many people from rural areas of countries such as Tanzania or Kenya travel for an entire day and spend up to two days' income for medical advice. Kiosks however, are helping, according to a story in the Huffinton Post. With help from Professor Khanjan Mehta, director of the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) Program at Pennsylvania State University, a group of students designed Mashavu Networked Healthcare Solutions a self-sustaining telemedicine system, based on kiosks that use computer and smart phone technology, as well as ruggedized biomedical devices. The kiosks assess patients' vitals, including weight, body temperature, lung capacity, pulse rate, blood pressure and medical history. That info is transmitted through a cell-phone link to a secure website, accessible to participating medical professionals. These professionals, including physicians and nurses, read the patients' information and reply to the kiosk operator with personalized recommendations in 20 minutes The first group of students traveled to Kenya to implement the plan in May 2009. Since then, students have been going there annually to help expand the system. In July 2011, the students launched a one-year continuous pilot test in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Office (UNIDO) and the Children Youth Empowerment Centre (CYEC), in Nyeri, Kenya. Stats from the study show that Kenyans are willing to travel to and pay for time at a kiosk. Other surveys have shown one-third of the patients who visited the kiosks did so simply to learn about their health.

If you would like any further information on intelligent kiosk solutions, please call 01189 885522 or email [email protected]

www.dicoll.co.uk 

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British Film Institute Choose Dicoll Apollo Kiosk

The British Film Institute have chosen the Dicoll Apollo Kiosk to service their requirements for unmanned ticketing solutions.  The Apollo is a new distinctive range of LED illuminated Kiosks combining all the versatility to interact with a whole host of information resources through its 17" capacitive touch screen. Add on a vandal resistant IP65 sealed keyboard & tracker ball and you have an Internet access Kiosk that can operate via wireless LAN or static point.  If your customer requires a transactional kiosk then the Apollo comes into its own. The modular design allows you to provide customers with complete E-payment revenue solution, incorporating secure collection of note and coin tender, and if required a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer.  If it's queue busting or ticketing solutions you require. Then the Apollo can accommodate a multitude of printer types, including Boca and A4 offering you the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking and check in/out facilities. Manufactured in the UK to stringent quality control utilising powder coated mild steel, the Apollo is a robust Kiosk fully up to the challenges of today's high-use public environments. The Kiosks swept profile and LED illumination is a seamless combination of form and function, and ensures the Apollo is aesthetically suited to any contemporary environment. For further information on any of our intelligent kiosk solutions, please call 01189 885522 or email [email protected]

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Dicoll continue to supply kiosks into Job Centres

Dicoll continue to supply information kiosks into Job Centres across the country. The Apollo kiosk is proving to be a successful solution in this market due to it's eye catching aesthetics, robust build quality and impressive versatility.  

The Apollo is a new distinctive range of LED illuminated Kiosks combining all the versatility to interact with a whole host of information resources through its 17" capacitive touch screen. Add on a vandal resistant IP65 sealed keyboard & tracker ball and you have an Internet access Kiosk that can operate via wireless LAN or

static point. 

If your customer requires a transactional kiosk then the Apollo comes into its own. The modular design allows you to provide customers with complete E-payment revenue solution, incorporating secure collection of note and coin tender, and if required a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer. 

If it's queue busting or ticketing solutions you require then the Apollo can accommodate a multitude of printer types, including Boca and A4 offering you the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking and check in/out facilities.

Manufactured in the UK to stringent quality control utilising powder coated mild steel, the Apollo is a robust Kiosk fully up to the challenges of today's high-use public environments.

The Kiosk's swept profile and LED illumination is a seamless combination of form and function, and ensures the Apollo is aesthetically suited to any contemporary environment.

For more information on any of our range of intelligent kiosk solutions please contact sales on 01189 885522 or email [email protected] 

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National Oceanography Centre choose Dicoll Multi-touch Kiosk

The National Oceanography Centre has chosen the Dicoll 32" Multi-touch kiosk to front a new interactive project.  Dicoll can now offer their 32” large format kiosk with 6 and 32 point Multi-touch touch screen options. The integration of the very latest in touch screen multi-touch technology means that we can supply our first standalone multi-touch ready large format touch screen kiosk. A Seamless combination of both form and function, this 32” Multi-touch ready kiosk will bring visual impact to any situation. Successful in applications ranging from customer orientation to e-learning, this popular design will give your customers the ability to independently find the information that they need through the use of intuitive interactive multi-touch applications. This striking unit is ideal in situations where floor space is limited. Designed and manufactured in-house from toughened glass and stainless steel you can be confident that whatever the application, this kiosk is up to the challenges of a high-use public environment. The Multi-touch 32” Glass Kiosk can also be customised with a range of peripherals to ensure a best fit solution for your organisation. For information on our full range of intelligent kiosk solutions please visit www.dicoll.co.uk or call 01189 885522

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Dicoll roll out new Ellipse Kiosks as part of a government project to provide web access in Malta

Dicoll roll out new Ellipse Kiosks as part of a government project to provide web access in Malta  The Dicoll Ellipse Kiosk is a new range of free standing sleek slim kiosks designed to fit easily and comfortably into any in-door location.

The Ellipse kiosk offers a multi-functional solution allowing the integration of additional peripherals thus offering maximum flexibility and versatility. A durable, easy access kiosk ideal for most commercial environments including Retail, Public Sector, Healthcare and Leisure. The Ellipse kiosk has its own distinctive look combining functionality and versatility to interact with a whole host of information resources through its 19" capacitive touch screen. Add on a vandal resistant IP65 sealed keyboard & tracker ball and you have an Internet access Kiosk that can operate via wireless LAN or static point. If you require a transactional kiosk then the Ellipse comes into its own. The modular design allows for the provision of complete E-payment revenue solutions, incorporating a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer. If its queue busting or ticketing solutions you require then the Ellipse can accommodate a barcode reader and thermal receipt printer offering the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking and check in/out facilities. For more information on any of our range of intelligent kiosk solutions please call 01189 885522 or email [email protected] www.dicoll.co.uk

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Chester Zoo Choose Dicoll Glass Kiosk

Chester Zoo have chosen the Dicoll Glass Kiosk to compliment their new entrance system. The Glass Kiosk was chosen for it's aesthetic as well as possessing the required flexibility and touchscreen functionality to fulfill their requirements. 

A seamless combination of both form and function, the Glass Kiosk will bring visual impact to any situation. Successful in applications ranging from customer orientation to elearning, this popular design will give your customers the ability to independently find the information that they need through interactive touchscreen systems.

With a footprint of under 0.25 meters squared, this striking unit is ideal in situations where floor space is limited. Designed and manufactured in-house from toughened glass and stainless steel you can be confident that whatever the application, this Kiosk is up to the challenges of a high-use public environment. 

Dicoll Kiosks are also designed to be wheelchair friendly in keeping with DDA guidelines. The Glass Point of Information Kiosk can be customised with a range of peripherals to ensure a best-fit solution for your organisation. 

Should you require something completely bespoke, Dicoll also offer a full solution design service.

Benefits:

· Improve accessibility

· Modernise your operating environment

· Improve the customer service experience

Applications:

· e-learning

· Customer orientation

· Multi-media presentations

· Product/service information 

For further information please call 01189 885522 or email [email protected]

www.dicoll.co.uk 

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Dicoll Launch New Ellipse Kiosk Into The Retail Market

Dicoll have introduced the all new Ellipse Kiosk with prices starting from just £2,250 (excl VAT and Delivery). The Ellipse is a sleek and slim new kiosk, designed to fit easily and comfortably into any indoor location, utilising the very latest in bright energy saving LED display technology.

The Ellipse Kiosk offers a multi-functional solution allowing the integration of additional peripherals, offering the user maximum flexibility and versatility. This durable kiosk is ideal for commercial environments including Retail, Public Sector, and Healthcare. The Ellipse, with its iconic curved design, seamlessly combines functionality and adaptability to interact with a whole host of information resources through its 19" capacitive touch screen. Add on a vandal resistant IP65 sealed keyboard & tracker ball and you have an Internet Kiosk that can operate via wireless LAN or static point. If you require a transactional kiosk then the Ellipse comes into its own. The modular design allows for the provision of complete E-payment revenue solutions, incorporating a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer. If its queue busting or ticketing solutions you require then the Ellipse can accommodate a barcode reader and thermal receipt printer offering the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking and check in/out facilities. Manufactured in the UK under stringent quality controls, utilising powder coated mild steel; the Ellipse is a robust Kiosk fully up to the challenges of today's high-use public environments. The perfect combination of form and function, the Ellipse’s swept profile and small foot print ensures that it is aesthetically suited to any contemporary environment. For more information on our full kiosk range please visit www.dicoll.co.uk

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Museums continue to incorporate touchscreen technology

Museums need to ensure that they convey information to their audience as accurately and efficiently as possible. The information also needs to be communicated in a way that both educates and develops audience interest.

Over many years, both paid and free to enter tourist attractions, especially the major city museums have continuously seen an increasing number of visitors through their exhibitions.

  Ensuring the visitor experience is enhanced as much as possible is still an ongoing process. It has become apparent through the experience that Dicoll have, that interactive museum kiosks have helped museums to provide a more enjoyable learning experience which in turn has helped to provide the museum with better value for money for their visitors.

Over the years, Dicoll has discovered that the most informative way of delivering information is through touchscreen LCD and touch screen kiosk technology. This hands-on interactive format can be utilised to deliver a multitude of useful, educational, informative and usable information through a single interactive information touch screen kiosk solution.

Kiosk technology allows museums to communicate with visitors via multiple applications whilst combining audio and video playback through interactive kiosk terminals, delivering key information in an exciting and informative way that is accessible to children and adults alike.

Interactive touch screen kiosks within museums offer a way of improving the visitor experience by delivering greater interactive information about a particular exhibit or exhibition. The kiosks could, for example, show textual information about a specific subject, as well as looped videos and changing images to further enhance visitor understanding of the exhibit.

If you would like information on any of our range of intelligent Touchscreen solutions, please contact Dicoll on 01189 885522 or email [email protected]

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Winmate LCD and Touchscreen Solutions from Dicoll

LCD, LED and touch screen solutions

Touch screen LCD have been used for many years to interact with customers and visitors in order to convey specific messages, relay information and allow the public access to the internet. Touch screen technology has improved dramatically in recent years with the introduction of larger touch screens, more powerful PC technology and greater accuracy within the touch screen itself.

Dicoll are a UK distributor of Winmate LCD and touch screen solutions. Winmate can supply an extensive range of LCD, LED and touch screen monitors to suit every possible application. The Benefit of using Winmate touch screen enabled LCD and LED screens is that there is an every growing selection of mounting types and styles; from the incredibly robust metal cased Chassis Mount LCD, to the ever popular and extremely versatile Open Frame monitors.

But which mounting type is right for you?

The Winmate Chassis LCD, LED and touch screen solution comes in a sleek metal housing, giving it a robust, stylish and custom designed look. Interactivity can be easily achieved by choosing from a range of integrated touch screen technologies.

Winmate’s Open-Frame LCD and touch screen solutions come with an extremely versatile open chassis that can be used for special mounting applications such as Kiosk enclosures and integrated interactive information points. A full range of touch screen technologies are available, including Resistive, Capacitive and Surface Acoustic Wave.

Panel Mount LCD, LED and touch screens are used where there is a space consideration and/or a flush mounting LCD or LED solution is required. The Winmate panel mount is simply slotted into a recess from the front, with its 10mm aluminium bezel providing a stylish flush finish.

The IP65 range is a panel-mounted LCD, LED and touch screen solution, designed to be tough and rugged. These Winmate displays are IP65-rated from the front and are ideal for use in harsh, wet and dusty environments.

LED Technology

With environmental consciousness becoming more and more of a global issue, applications are beginning to focus on LED backlight technology as an alternative to the traditional CCFL backlight displays. The LED (Light Emitting Diode) is an energy-conserving, long-life, low-polluting, highly-efficient product, and is quickly becoming the answer to the question of future lighting management.

Winmate High Brightness LED

High Brightness LCD solutions have always been a flawed concept. Requiring an excessive amount of power and generating a great deal of heat, they have always resulted in high running costs and a short life span. This has all changed however with the introduction of LED backlit solutions. LED’s are renowned for being far more economical than regular LCD and even more importantly they generate a lot less heat.

If you require a High Brightness touch screen enabled solution for light areas, shop windows or even outdoor use, and you are concerned about power consumption, picture quality, versatility and durability, then you need a Winmate High Brightness LED display.

For more information on any of the range of Winmate products please call Dicoll on 01189 885522 or email [email protected]

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Dicoll Kiosk Software Solutions

Dicoll have partnered with leading Kiosk Software providers to provide a one stop shop for your Touchscreen Kiosk requirements. From secure browsers to full bespoke web and software solutions, we can provide a complete package fully integrated with our intelligent and reliable kiosk hardware.

When looking at a kiosk solution consideration needs to be given to the kiosk software application that will run on the kiosk. Ensuring a good combination of suitable kiosk and usable kiosk software will go a long way to making the kiosk solution usable and enjoyable for as many audiences as possible.

Kiosk software, in most cases, needs to be tailored to each kiosk solution. Whilst there are a number of “off the shelf” solutions available on the market today, it is vital that time is spent understanding what the kiosk is designed to do, what it is intended to offer the customer and how the kiosk will communicate with any back office software. Dicoll have worked with a number of specialist companies over the years all of which have differing skills and specialties in relation to kiosk software and kiosk software applications.

Software considerations

Do I need a Secure Web Browser Solution?

This type of software locks down the PC and secures any public access Windows PC, kiosk, terminal and self-service station. Secure browser software restricts user access to the operating system, the desktop, programs and folders based on your settings. You can also limit Internet access to certain web sites or activate the content filter to block objectionable or illegal websites. Some software comes with different browser skins, virtual keyboards for touch screens and payment functionality.

Will I need User Access & System Security Management Software

Used to secure computers as soon as it boots up against any user manipulation and ensures a maintenance-free operation of your computers 24/7. Some software locks down the computer by creating a secured user account with limited user access rights. Users are prevented from accessing the operating system. You can restrict user access to certain drives, folders, programs and URLs. System-critical keyboard combinations are blocked and a software watchdog monitors your computers.

Should I have customizable browsers, start pages and virtual keyboard skins

Some software can be integrated into the kiosk browser and is capable of displaying content such as Web pages, images (.gif, .jpg, .png, and .bmp), videos, Flash and PDF files, etc. Often software comes with a variety of different browser skins, start pages and virtual keyboards which are customizable. You can add and delete buttons, disable the URL address bar and the task bar and restrict internet access to certain internet addresses (URLs).

Do I want Integrated Billing Functionality & Internet Content Filter Solutions

Consider the option of charging customers for using your kiosks and for surfing the internet. The software can support different credit card gateways and payment devices such as credit card readers and cash acceptors. Many kiosk software solutions provide an integrated Internet content filter that enables you to block unwanted web content such as objectionable and illegal websites. This feature includes automatic updates and can be scaled based on your individual settings

Does the software have support for touch screens, secondary monitors, proximity detectors & other peripheral devices?

Ensure the software solution allows you to utilize many different devices which enhance the functionality of your public PCs and kiosks. An integrated virtual keyboard could support touch screens; different on-screen keyboard skins are available. Some software also supports web cams, certain proximity detectors, secondary monitors and provides for printer monitoring.

Should I look at remote maintenance: Central management and monitoring?

Consider software which allows you to monitor, manage, and configure all your remote kiosks through an account on a server. Other options provide all the features you need to manage your remote machines: Remote desktop/VNC, file transfer, alert system (email/SMS), reporting, log files / log file data filtering, software and hardware inventory, hardware monitoring, screenshot functionality, folder synchronization, map functionality to locate clients (Bing und Google Maps), job functionality (execute scripts, run executable, file upload), editing and download of configuration, auditing / user management, virtual folders for client management, etc

What about bespoke software

Where all else fails with off the shelf software then it is worth considering a bespoke kiosk software solution. Some solutions are built from scratch to customer specific requirements and combine all the features and specifications deemed necessary for a unique solution. Another option is to take and existing off the shelf piece of software and look at adapt to your specific needs.

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Kiosk Applications: Transactional Kiosks

Nowadays almost everybody shops online in one way or another, whether it is for groceries and leisure items such and CDs and DVDs or the booking of tickets for concerts and tourist attractions. This has lead to a massive rise in demand for public access to services online and has resulted in the use of touch screen solutions to deliver online shopping, transactional and ticketing facilities and product catalogues via kiosk based technology.

Kiosks have become the ideal solution to deliver product information, booking services, ticketing, queue busting and crowd control functions, saving retail centres, local authorities and tourism hotspots both time and manpower. Dicoll have been supplying touch screen information kiosks and touch screen solutions for over 10 years having now deployed thousands of touch screen information kiosks, touch screen internet access kiosks and touch screen wall mount kiosks across the UK, Europe and Worldwide. Touch screen Information kiosks have become and integral part of the services offered by shopping centres, precincts, retail stores, local authorities, attractions and tourist information boards providing an efficient and cost effective way to interact with customers and visitors. These kiosks are utilised to direct consumers to stores, products and amenities, convey specific messages, allow them to browse and purchase from entire product catalogues, relay information, raise advertising revenue and allow public access to the internet.

Touch screen information kiosk technology has improved dramatically in recent years with the introduction of more powerful PC technology and the greater accuracy within the touch screen itself.

Dicoll’s interactive kiosks are ideal for use as transactional kiosks as they are designed to incorporate a multidue of peripherals including chip & pin, coin mechanisms, note validatiors, colour printers, biometric readers and many other options. Transactional kiosks such as the Bravo or the Apollo kiosk utilise modular designs allowing them to provide users with complete E-payment revenue solution kiosks, incorporating secure collection of note and coin tender, and if required a Chip & Pin reader and receipt printer. If it's queue busting kiosks or ticketing kiosk solutions that you require, then the Bravo or the Apollo kiosk can provide multifunctional Internet, Information and ticketing kiosk solutions all of which can accommodate a multitude of kiosk printer types, including Boca ticket printers and A4 colour laser printers offering the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking kiosks and check in/out kiosk solutions.

When considering a kiosk solution it is important to identify its application and its target audience. The kiosk represents an integral part of the entire solution but just as importantly, consideration needs to be given to the software application that will run on the kiosk. Ensuring a good combination of suitable kiosk and usable software will go a long way to making the kiosk solution both effective and popular and will ensure prolonged use. Location – The location of any kiosk is key to its usage and overall success. Some kiosks are designed for high footfall sites; others are designed to grab people’s attention, whilst some may be less customer facing but offer backend payment functionality. Whichever the case it is important that studies are undertaken to ensure that the location of the kiosk fits with the target audience and expected usage patterns. Software – The software, in most cases, needs to be tailored to each kiosk solution. Whilst there are a number of “off the shelf” solutions available in the market today, it is vital that time is spent understanding exactly what the kiosk is required to do, what it is intended to offer the customer and how the kiosk will communicate with any back office software. Dicoll have worked with a number of specialist companies over the years, all of which have differing skill sets and specialties in relation to kiosk software and kiosk software applications.

Audience – The audience can also dictate the kind of kiosk chosen. For example many kiosks may look sleek but are in fact too tall to be used by wheelchair users and young children. Other kiosks may be very thin in their design but are unable to take kiosk peripherals such as coin mechanisms, note validators and printers. Finally some audiences will require tough kiosks to ensure they cannot be damaged or broken if being used in harsh environments such as prisons. Dicoll's ability to build touch screen Interactive kiosks in the UK allows full client interactivity and has ensured a long and successful business lifespan. Whilst Dicoll has continued to grow over the years it does, by comparison, remain a relatively small business enterprise. Despite this Dicoll have secured significant business deals with large corporate organisations such as O2, Vodafone, Toyota and Deloittes for the supply of volumes of kiosks made, in each case, in the UK to the end user’s specific requirements It is without doubt that our ability to build in the UK, our ability to adjust to client requirements and their ability to have a hands on approach throughout the build process which has given all of our clients a great sense of control and ultimately a product which fits their needs. Dicoll have a full range of kiosk solutions allowing the client to choose a best fit product for their environment and target audience. Most of our kiosk solutions are DDA compliant and suitable for wheelchair users and children. Our kiosks can also be adapted to have special keyboards to assist the visually impaired, 12mm toughened glass touch screens for use in harsh environments, hearing loops and additional repeater and advertising screens. For further information or to visit our showroom and factory in Reading, Berkshire please call us on 01189 885522 or visit our website at www.dicoll.co.uk

To keep up to date with all the latest news from Dicoll Ltd please follow us on twitter @dicoll_kiosks

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Hotel Kiosks

The demands for interactivity within hotels and the requirements for access to more and more services online have resulted in the use of touch screen solutions to deliver check in services, interactive way-finding, internet access and information on local travel, tourist hotspots and amenities via kiosk based technology.

Kiosks have also become the ideal solution to deliver ticketing and queue busting functions, improving the customer experience and offering the hotel a significant saving in both time and resources.

Dicoll have been supplying touch screen information kiosks and touch screen solutions for over 10 years having now deployed thousands of touch screen kiosks, touch screen internet access kiosks and touch screen wall mount kiosks across the UK, Europe and Worldwide.

Dicoll recently supplied Yotel with a bespoke kiosk solution designed specifically to satisfy guest’s check in and check out requirements at their new hotels. Our bespoke approach allowed Yotel to design a custom fit kiosk utilising state of the art technology designed to ensure ease of use and convenience for guests when visiting their hotels.

Yotel provide the ideal solution to early morning flights and long scheduled transfers, as well as unexpected flight delays and cancellations. The cabins will be bookable via onsite kiosks for just a few hours enabling delayed and transfer passengers to relax in privacy in front of a movie or to enjoy a refreshing shower with their favorite music playing. In addition, passengers leaving on early morning flights can stay the night before to catch some valuable extra hours of sleep, safe in the knowledge that they are just a casual stroll away from their departure point. For additional simplicity, Yotel cabins can be booked in advance online.

Dicoll’s interactive kiosks are ideal for use as hotel kiosks with solutions ranging from simple point of information or internet access kiosks, up to fully customisable transactional kiosks; designed to incorporate a multidue of peripherals including chip & pin, ticket and receipt printers, coin mechanisms, note validatiors, biometrics and much more. We also possess the facilities and the expertise to integrate any new or bespoke peripheral that you require for your application.

Transactional kiosks such as the Bravo kiosk or the Apollo kiosk utilise modular designs allowing them to provide users with complete E-payment revenue solution kiosks, incorporating secure collection of note and coin tender, and if required a Chip & Pin reader. If it's queue busting kiosks or ticketing kiosk solutions you require, then the Bravo kiosk or the Apollo kiosk can provide multifunctional internet, information and ticketing kiosk solutions all of which can accommodate a multitude of kiosk printer types, including Boca ticket printers and A4 colour laser printers offering the ability to provide a full range of unattended booking kiosks and check in/out kiosk solutions.

Dicoll have a full range of kiosk solutions allowing the client to choose a best fit solution for their environment and target audience. Most of our kiosks are DDA compliant and suitable for wheelchair users and children. Our kiosks can also be adapted to have special keyboards to assist the visually impaired. Other options include 12mm toughened glass touch screens for use in harsh environments, hearing loops and additional repeater and advertising screens.

To ensure quality across all our products Dicoll are one of a select few companies that actually control the manufacture and assembly process of their touch screen information kiosks in its own offices in the UK. We use our own work force and are intent on sourcing as many of our components as possible from local UK based companies, further supporting the local economy and insuring a close relationship between us and our supply chain. This allows us greater control over both manufacturing standards and timescales.

For further information or to visit our showroom and factory in Reading Berkshire please call us on 01189 885522 or visit our website at www.dicoll.co.uk To keep up to date with all the latest news from Dicoll Ltd please follow us on twitter @dicoll_kiosks

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Hands on, the multi-touch kiosk revolution

Multi-Touch technology has been receiving a huge amount of attention recently with the emergence of Multi-touch phones, MP3 players and interactive tablets, all of which offer the user a unique opportunity to interact with touch screens in a manner that is both innovative and intuitive. But what exactly is it and how can markets such as retail and gaming use it to revitalise their existing kiosk solutions?

Multi-touch technology allows one or more users to use multiple finger touches simultaneously. For anyone that owns or has used an Ipad or equivilant Touchscreen tablet, this has meant a massive leap in functionality across the board, from playing digital instruments such as the excellent Synth Station app, to pinch resizing pictures, intuitively browsing the web and playing incredible games with up to 4 players touching the screen at once. When compared to current touchscreen technology which only allows one touch at a time, multi-touch is a revelation and opens up a whole world of new applications and interactive possibilities.

The potential for Multi-touch applications is limitless, with particular interest coming from the gaming industry and retail. Why limit kiosk gaming to an individual player when a group of friends can gather around a large screen and interact simultaneously? Why show your customers a basic image of your product when you can offer them the ability to explore and interact with it via the very latest in touchscreen technology? Multi-touch gives you the power to provide a more engrossing user experience whether promoting a product, providing a gaming solution, offering way-finding services or even presenting a virtual tour or point of information.

Touch and Go

With larger multi-touch screens only just coming to the market, the kiosk industry is playing catch up. 5 years ago when I first got into the industry every kiosk that was sold had a bold "Touch Here" sticker, and was often accompanied for the first couple of weeks by a member of staff inviting people to use the touchscreen facilities. Now however, multi-touch technology is so prevelant in everyday life that not only do people instinctively touch any screen that they see is a public environment, but they also expect to be able to pinch, rotate and use all of the features that they find on their phones and MP3 players.

2011 will clearly be a big year for multi-touch kiosks, with major corporate brands such as Vodafone already getting in on the action by installing the cumbersome Microsoft Touch Table across many of its stores. Now, while the Microsoft solution is incredibly good and with its increased functionality is light years ahead of the game, it is a large bit of kit, and an expensive one too. Here is where I see the potential for Kiosk manufacturers and software developers to win some serious business. Almost all kiosk requirements require far less functionality than the Microsoft Multi-touch table has to offer. All they really need is a reliable and accurate Multi-touch touchscreen, an attractive and attention grabbing housing and a PC powerful enough to support the more intensive graphics that software houses will be looking to throw at such an exciting new project.

An internet search will throw up a whole world of grey marketing and links to youtube videos from expo's, however surprisingly very few seem to have made the leap of faith from concept to product. Understandably many manufacturers will not develop a product until they have a genuine requirement, often not until they have actually sold the unit, so as to fund any development costs and reduce risk. I can see a great opportunity here though for anyone who is brave enough to lead the way, after all the concept has already been proved, we all know and love the technology already. If you build it, they will come.

Leading the way

Dicoll have solidified their place at the forefront of the interactive touchscreen marketplace with the integration of intelligent Multi-touch technology, upgrading their existing 32” kiosk to suit the demands of the i-generation

What Dicoll are offering is a sub £8,000 Multi-touch ready solution incorporating a 32” Multi-touch touchscreen (sourced from successful US integrators PQ labs) along with a high spec PC into an elegant Glass and Stainless Steel Kiosk design. The kiosk itself seems incredibly robust, which is a must when considering a multi-touch application, yet it also has the LED illuminated glass and logo that offer up a corporate feel making it perfect for installations in reception areas, shopping centres and the retail environment.

Dicoll have integrated multi-touch technology within its latest 32” kiosk to provide a true multi-touch ready kiosk with the ability to recognise up to 32 touch points. The system operates within Windows 7 and will need application specific software to make the most of the multi-touch functions available A call to arms (or at least fingers)

The success or failure of the Multi-touch revolution rests in the hands of software companies and developers now. The applications are already out there, high street retailers are suffering against online trade, as is the gaming industry. People are past one touch touchscreens and they are beginning to feel clunky and old hat when compared with the intuitive feel of a multi-touch application. I don't know anyone that doesn't own a multi-touch touchscreen of some variety, as even my technophobe mum has mastered the art of the ipod. Fortune will surely favour those that are brave enough to bring these kiosk applications to market. I guess we will just have to wait and see who will follow Dicoll Ltd and make the move from concept to product

If you would like any further information on our intelligent multi-touch kiosk solutions then please visit www.dicoll.co.uk or call 01189 885522

Keep up to date with the latest news from Dicoll ltd by following @dicoll_kiosks on twitter