News

Netkey releases survey results

May 23, 2002

BRANFORD, Conn. - Efficiency and cost-effectiveness are the driving factors as self-service kiosk deployers decide what software solutions to seek for their projects, according to a study released May 23 by kiosk software developer Netkey Inc.

Netkey's study, "Your Self-Service Solution: Buy or Build?" is available at the company's Web site.

Netkey evaluated more than 200 kiosk projects to develop its study. The study focuses on whether deployers should develop their own kiosk software programs or purchase a pre-packaged solution. Six key factors, core competencies and experience, cost, resources issues, market timing, risks, and future conditions, were identified as crucial to making this decision.

The survey's findings support the purchase of pre-packaged systems, such as Netkey's, over developing in-house solutions. According to the survey, buying software for a system of 250 information kiosks would cost an estimated $50,300 as opposed to $141,200 for building a system. For transactional kiosks, a 250-kiosk system would require $125,000 for pre-packaged software compared to $624,400 for developing a system in-house.

"The risks of maintaining inflexible, custom-coded self-service applications across rapidly changing business and technology environments drives the trend toward cost-effective, pre-packaged management solutions," Netkey president and chief executive officer Alex Richardson said in a news release.

The survey, however, does suggest that every project is unique and significant due diligence is required before making important decisions such as software development and implementation.

"The buy vs. build decision for developing a self-service application is not black or white, but shades of gray," the paper states. "There are various options for implementing a self-service solution, leveraging the strengths of your internal resources and the vast expertise of a reputable kiosk solution provider."