Consumer acceptance of self-service devices is skyrocketing, and along with that acceptance is a deployment boom. According to “Kiosks and Interactive Technology,” Summit Research Inc.’s most recent report, the installed base of kiosks in North America will approach one million units by 2008. Central to the success of many of these units will be none other than the lowly printer.
Although the quality of printers has improved dramatically over the past few years, printers remain one of the primary reasons for kiosk downtime. The problem is often as simple as a paper jam or empty paper roll, and the remedy simple and swift. Regardless, any downtime, no matter how brief, resonates poorly with the customer and taints her perception not only of the device, but of the business that deployed it.
The good news is, by paying more attention to printer requirements early in the design phase, individuals charged with procuring self-service devices for their company, and certainly kiosk manufacturers themselves, can eliminate or at least greatly reduce printer-related problems, which translates into more uptime, happier customers and fewer maintenance costs.
To help you better understand the range and complexity of kiosk printers and their importance in the success of your project, we’ve produced this guide. Among other topics, you’ll find information about the types of printers available, the need for a strong maintenance program, outside factors that can affect printer performance, and when in the planning stage to consider the printer.
A word of thanks
Self-Service World and KioskMarketplace would like to thank Practical Automation, a Milford, Connecticut-based manufacturer of printers, for sponsoring this guide. The company’s generosity brings this guide to you at no cost.
