In today’s competitive business landscape, customer engagement has become a critical factor. Engaging with customers not only helps build brand loyalty but also provides valuable insights for businesses to improve their products and services. One way for businesses to engage with customers is through devices like kiosks and tablets.
Introduction to Kiosks and Tablets
Kiosks and tablets are both popular options for businesses looking to enhance customer engagement.
Kiosks
Kiosks are standalone devices that are typically placed in public areas, such as retail stores, airports, and hotels. They provide customers with access to information, product catalogs, and even allow them to place orders or make reservations.
Tablets
Tablets are portable devices that can be used by both customers and employees. They offer similar functionalities as kiosks but with the added advantage of mobility. Interestingly, tablets can also run some of the same software as kiosks.
For example, a leading mobile device management (MDM) platform explains that businesses can run an Android tablet in kiosk mode.
The most rudimentary way to do this is through Android’s app pinning feature. In a nutshell, this locks down a device to a single app, preventing other uses. Though this may be fine for a business owner with a single tablet used as a POS terminal, but it’s not sufficient for organizations with multiple devices that need comprehensive functionality, including security.
For more robust functionality, you need a dedicated kiosk mode from an MDM provider.
Pros and Cons of Using Kiosks
Kiosks provide a centralized platform for customers to access information and interact with businesses. This reduces the need for human intervention, resulting in cost savings for businesses. Dedicated kiosks are ideal for self-service functions in high-traffic areas or for use cases requiring more durability and enhanced customer engagement.
However, there are also drawbacks to using kiosks. They can be expensive to implement, requiring upfront investment in hardware and software. Furthermore, kiosks may not be suitable for businesses that have limited physical space or want to provide a more personalized touch to their customer engagement efforts.
Places where kiosks work well are:
- Self-serve eateries
- Hotel lobbies
- Airports
- Train stations
- Stadiums
Pros and Cons of Using Tablets
Tablets are especially useful for businesses that require mobility, such as restaurants, where waitstaff can take orders directly at the table. Moreover, tablets are relatively affordable compared to kiosks, making them a viable option for small businesses. However, tablets can be misplaced or damaged more easily than kiosks.
Places where tablets work well are:
- Restaurants
- Hotel rooms
- Doctor’s office
- Libraries
- Museums
Picking the right MDM Solution
Whether your organization is rolling out tablets, kiosks, or both, you need the right mobile device management software to gain multiple advantages, including enhanced customer engagement. Let’s look at some advantages of matching your devices with the right MDM software.
- Customization: The right software will allow you to tailor the customer experience for better branding and customer engagement.
- Security: You need secure software to prevent a privacy nightmare for your organization.
- Remote app control: Find an MDM that allows you to manage your apps thoroughly from a remote location.
- Scalability: If your organization is growing rapidly, you need an MDM that helps with deployment and provisioning.
By leveraging self-service technology such as kiosks and tablets, businesses can enhance customer engagement and provide a seamless experience. Both kiosks and tablets offer unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two depends on your organization’s needs and goals.
