The use and variety of unattended self-service kiosks and terminals have been on the rise in recent years as businesses in a variety of fields realize their appeal. The popularization of these kiosks and their integrated payment systems began with self-serve, pay-at-the-pump gasoline stations and self checkouts in grocery stores. These types of kiosks allow consumers the convenience of a typical transaction, without waiting in line or having to interact with employees. This purchasing convenience enables consumers to pay for and procure goods and services at any time of the day, on any day of the year.
The market for unattended self-service delivery is increasing, and companies are looking for ways to integrate self-service technology into their business plans. The reason for this is simple: the convenience of self-service attracts customers. Plenty of people have used self-service checkout stations at a supermarket. Most people have filled their cars’ gas tanks using self-service terminals at gas stations. The number of people renting DVDs and books from in-store kiosks is increasing steadily. This convenience benefits both the customer and the merchant.
Further adding to the flexibility and appeal of these self-service kiosks are the flexible payment methods available to customers. Almost all unattended self-service kiosks will accept cash, and as these kiosks have become widespread, consumers are now able to pay using credit cards or debit cards, and even smart phones. Smart phone, debit card, and credit card payments create less need for customers to carry cash, and this flexibility of payment options is something that many customers find attractive.
Self-service kiosks offer consumers additional convenience. Customers can typically access unattended self-service kiosks twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on any day of the year. Self-service kiosks allow customers to make purchases at their own pace, without any sales pressure. When you consider the effect of these conveniences, it’s no surprise that self-service kiosks are becoming widespread.
Self-service kiosks also offer the merchants who employ them additional conveniences. Merchants have additional sales opportunities after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. At times their stores would normally be closed, their unattended self-service kiosks can serve customers. In addition, a supermarket with self-checkout terminals can host several terminals in the same space that a checkout aisle would typically occupy. Offering self-service kiosks frees up staff to focus on other tasks, like merchandising and store maintenance.
When you consider what these terminals offer to both customer and merchant, along with the simplicity of the exchange and the security and reliability of the transaction, it is no wonder we see these terminals and kiosks with increasing frequency in stores, gas stations, markets and any other places of commerce. It seems that companies are searching for more effective ways to serve their customers, and any expanding business would do well to see how it might integrate these machines into their business plan. Existing machines offer examples of how they might be implemented, but there is still plenty of room for innovation and ingenuity within the self-service market.
Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX) plays an important role in the self-service marketplace. EPX’s recent partnership with Cryptera, a world-leading provider of secure payment solutions and encrypting PIN pads, allows EPX to expand its services and brand name by processing transactions for additional self-service terminals. EPX payment processing technology can be embedded into kiosks, allowing customers and merchants to take advantage of EPX’s fast, secure, and inexpensive payment processing service. EPX’s secure payment processing and encryption programs are the right choice for merchants or kiosk equipment providers looking to enter the self-service kiosk market, or any merchant looking to upgrade their current service with reliable, secure and custom payment technologies.
Written By: Josh Moyer
Unattended Self-Service Kiosks Gain Popularity, Demand Secure Payment Processing
November 25th, 2011The use and variety of unattended self-service kiosks and terminals have been on the rise in recent years as businesses in a variety of fields realize their appeal. The popularization of these kiosks and their integrated payment systems began with self-serve, pay-at-the-pump gasoline stations and self checkouts in grocery stores. These types of kiosks allow consumers the convenience of a typical transaction, without waiting in line or having to interact with employees. This purchasing convenience enables consumers to pay for and procure goods and services at any time of the day, on any day of the year.
The market for unattended self-service delivery is increasing, and companies are looking for ways to integrate self-service technology into their business plans. The reason for this is simple: the convenience of self-service attracts customers. Plenty of people have used self-service checkout stations at a supermarket. Most people have filled their cars’ gas tanks using self-service terminals at gas stations. The number of people renting DVDs and books from in-store kiosks is increasing steadily. This convenience benefits both the customer and the merchant.
Further adding to the flexibility and appeal of these self-service kiosks are the flexible payment methods available to customers. Almost all unattended self-service kiosks will accept cash, and as these kiosks have become widespread, consumers are now able to pay using credit cards or debit cards, and even smart phones. Smart phone, debit card, and credit card payments create less need for customers to carry cash, and this flexibility of payment options is something that many customers find attractive.
Self-service kiosks offer consumers additional convenience. Customers can typically access unattended self-service kiosks twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on any day of the year. Self-service kiosks allow customers to make purchases at their own pace, without any sales pressure. When you consider the effect of these conveniences, it’s no surprise that self-service kiosks are becoming widespread.
Self-service kiosks also offer the merchants who employ them additional conveniences. Merchants have additional sales opportunities after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. At times their stores would normally be closed, their unattended self-service kiosks can serve customers. In addition, a supermarket with self-checkout terminals can host several terminals in the same space that a checkout aisle would typically occupy. Offering self-service kiosks frees up staff to focus on other tasks, like merchandising and store maintenance.
When you consider what these terminals offer to both customer and merchant, along with the simplicity of the exchange and the security and reliability of the transaction, it is no wonder we see these terminals and kiosks with increasing frequency in stores, gas stations, markets and any other places of commerce. It seems that companies are searching for more effective ways to serve their customers, and any expanding business would do well to see how it might integrate these machines into their business plan. Existing machines offer examples of how they might be implemented, but there is still plenty of room for innovation and ingenuity within the self-service market.
Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX) plays an important role in the self-service marketplace. EPX’s recent partnership with Cryptera, a world-leading provider of secure payment solutions and encrypting PIN pads, allows EPX to expand its services and brand name by processing transactions for additional self-service terminals. EPX payment processing technology can be embedded into kiosks, allowing customers and merchants to take advantage of EPX’s fast, secure, and inexpensive payment processing service. EPX’s secure payment processing and encryption programs are the right choice for merchants or kiosk equipment providers looking to enter the self-service kiosk market, or any merchant looking to upgrade their current service with reliable, secure and custom payment technologies.
Written By: Josh Moyer
Tags: credit card processing, credit card processor, debit card processing, debit card processor, Electronic Payment Exchange, encryption, end-to-end encryption, EPX, Kiosk, NCR, payment processing, payment processor, PCI compliance, self-service, tokenization, unattended, vending
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