LKS Kiosk's Self Service Payment Machine

A few years ago, when McDonald's rolled out its new "Create Your Taste" self-service ordering kiosks to 2,500 locations, it caught the attention of developers in fast-food chains, restaurants, and kiosks, and rightly so. When an industry giant makes a technological leap to enhance customer service and efficiency, it's certain that many other titans will follow suit. Since the introduction of kiosks, McDonald's estimated a 3% increase in market share and same-store sales in 2018. Despite such significant success, any delays in implementing self-service terminals are due to entrenched misconceptions or lack of understanding of the technology. Here are some common misconceptions about restaurant self-service terminal technology:

Customers may not be accustomed to using technology: Today's consumers are highly tech-savvy, valuing their time and not necessarily needing interpersonal interaction to experience excellent customer service. Touchscreen technology allows customers to order what they want and pay the way they want in record time, without queuing during lunch breaks. Orders processed at kiosks are almost foolproof, resulting in fewer errors, which equate to lower food costs. Another benefit is that research shows consumers tend to buy more when using self-service technology, as they feel no pressure or judgment for their purchases. 

Self-service technology will lead to job loss: 

On the contrary, self-service kiosks allow restaurants to maximize existing labor and reallocate labor to other areas, such as food preparation stations or table service. Remember, the design of self-service terminals is to expedite order speed and enhance customer experience, and this can only be achieved when enough staff are available to handle orders and serve customers. 

Kiosks take up valuable space: Indeed, some freestanding consoles require a fair amount of space. If space is limited, compact solutions can be utilized. 15-inch high-resolution touchscreen units take up minimal footprint and are ideal for small businesses with limited space. Kiosks can be placed on countertops or mounted on walls. 

Many self-service terminals are standalone units: 

The market is flooded with new vendors rolling out autonomous models. These modules may not communicate with your POS or other devices, posing a challenge for restaurant operators seeking seamless, simplified operations, and accurate reporting. It's crucial to look for experienced developers who can integrate cloud-based POS technology, secure payments, KDS, and self-ordering systems. Having an integrated solution provider ensures consistent and accurate data across all sales channels and greatly simplifies your life. In addition to the obvious benefits of reducing queues, improving operational efficiency, and decreasing wait times, self-service kiosks also support impressive digital product catalogs and play an indispensable role in how restaurants communicate and share information with customers.

As the retail industry continues to evolve and technology advances, self-checkout systems are becoming increasingly common. However, a new technology is leading the revolution in self-checkout: scanner technology. Now, consumers can complete the checkout process simply by scanning the barcode of items, bringing unprecedented convenience and efficiency to the retail industry.

Testing of fruit and vegetable recognition technology in self-checkout systems is underway to help customers register items without barcodes that cannot be scanned. The system uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to recognize products through a camera installed on the side of the touchscreen, displaying a selection list or even specific items in three seconds. If multiple items meet the criteria, the screen will display a short list for selection.

Traditional self-checkout systems often rely on touchscreens and manual entry of product codes, which can lead to input errors and extended checkout times. Now, with the application of scanner technology, self-checkout systems are becoming more intelligent and efficient, bringing a whole new experience to both consumers and retailers.

Application of Scanner Technology: The application of scanner technology makes self-checkout systems simpler and easier to use. Consumers only need to place the barcode of purchased items under the scanner, and the system will automatically recognize the items and add them to the shopping list. This intelligent recognition system significantly reduces the likelihood of input errors and speeds up the checkout process.

Improved Efficiency and Accuracy: Through scanner technology, the efficiency of self-checkout systems has been significantly improved. Consumers can complete the checkout process more quickly without spending time entering product codes or searching for product information. Additionally, scanner technology can improve checkout accuracy, avoiding price mismatches or calculation errors caused by input errors.

Enhanced Customer Experience: The application of scanner technology not only improves the efficiency of self-checkout systems but also enhances the customer experience. Consumers can complete the checkout process more easily without waiting or relying on store staff for assistance. This autonomy and convenience make the shopping experience more enjoyable and seamless, enhancing customer satisfaction with retailers.

Project Title: lien Self-Pay Terminal: Innovative Parking Solution

Customer Background

lien self-payment terminal machines have revolutionized parking lots. Adapting to an unattended operation model, these machines, like café robots, are able to work around the clock, accepting payments and completing transactions without employee intervention. We installed these terminals in commercial areas, highway rest areas, and parking lots near subway stations to promote contactless payment and provide fast service.

Customer Goals

lien's goal was to create a self-service experience that eliminated the need for face-to-face service and allowed customers to easily complete their parking payments. The terminals needed to have integrated printing capabilities so that customers could access their receipts immediately.

The Challenge

The self-service terminal had to provide easy ordering and payment services. At the same time, it had to ensure that the printing of receipts was fast enough to accommodate customers who were in a hurry to leave. More importantly, the terminal should blend into its environment without disturbing other customers or pedestrians.

The Solution

The terminal is equipped with a 21.5-inch widescreen display to ensure intuitive menu selection and easy payment flow. A built-in 3-inch thermal printer prints receipts in high resolution at speeds of up to 250mm/sec. For semi-outdoor areas such as parking lots, we installed vertical self-service kiosks, while wall-mounted kiosks were used in subway stations to avoid obstructing the flow of customers.

Results and Benefits

The self-service payment terminals significantly reduced labor and administrative costs and directly increased the efficiency and revenue of the parking lot. Accurate order processing and fast receipt printing shortened customer waiting time and increased overall customer satisfaction. Ergonomically designed modular terminals are easily adaptable to various environments, increasing the number of repeat customers and expanding business accessibility.

lien Self-Pay Terminal: Revolutionizing the Parking Service Experience

Customer Background and Needs

lien is committed to providing convenience and efficiency for busy modern life. Borrowing from the Korean model of unmanned cafes, lien introduced self-payment terminal machines in the parking service area. These machines introduce an unattended management model for parking lots, handling vehicle entry and exit 24/7 through fully automated operations with no human intervention at all. We have deployed these terminals in busy urban business districts, on-the-go highway rest areas, and next to fast-paced subway stations to promote a more convenient, no-touch consumer culture!

Goal and Vision

As technology advances and customer behavior changes, lien's goal is to create a parking payment system that is efficient, convenient, and requires no human intervention. The terminal was designed with the user experience in mind, with the goal of streamlining the payment process and speeding up the efficiency of vehicle flow, with the ultimate goal of allowing motorists to enjoy a fast and stress-free parking experience.

AI and data are critical tools for success In a subject familiar to data scientists

The vast amount of customer and operational data that modern technology (including POS systems, analytics stacks, security systems, etc.) can generate may be both useful and overwhelming. Any amount of data is only available when it becomes actionable information, so make sure (a) your systems can communicate with each other, (b) they are generating useful output, and (c) you are sharing data fairly and complying with regulations between your operations and partner ecosystems. That's why careful selection of software stacks and partners is an integral part of success.

Micro-markets are key to self-service success According to Phil Deckers

Director of Technology Solutions at global convenience service provider Sodexo InReach, in a post-COVID world, micro-markets are gaining ground, with data and AI playing a crucial role in optimization. AI has proven to be a crucial tool that can handle all this data and combine it with geographical, demographic, Nielsen, and IRI marketing data to gain insights, enabling scientific experimentation for product optimization and new strategies. "Data-driven decision-making" has long been a mantra in the IT world.

Retail self-service is on the rise Especially for large retailers

as other departments are asked to "fill in" kiosk needs, rather than being led by executives dedicated to kiosks, "finding someone who is focused on what you're trying to accomplish in what you sell is very difficult; it's always someone else's job. In the grocery and restaurant space, linking your self-service terminals to your brand's loyalty program is an effective way to bring reciprocal customer traffic back to your stores; however, if the relevant departments are not streamlined in this way, you will feel a headache." "Right now, you just plug them in and leave, and then you hope for the best, and sometimes it works very well. But, clearly, the future is integration with retailers, and I'll use Kroger again, [a brand with one of the most successful loyalty programs]." How do you plug in? Savvy self-service terminal operators need to know how to build relationships with the right people and departments in the retailers (or chain restaurants) they work with while striving for a simplified future.

Finding a Balance Between Self-Service and Warmth

A few days ago, I was looking at a coffee solution where you have your beans to cup, and you have your barista on-site. If my barista is going to make the same four drinks as the beans to cup, why do I have someone there? It's about doing the habitual things, it's about putting a smile on someone's face. This is where you get this balance, using your grab-and-go as a disruptor. It's a great use for expansion. Or leverage markets to expand your footprint, as you don't need everyone to come to one place, but you can do a distributed market across the whole campus.

1. Improving Service Efficiency

One of the primary benefits of self-ordering kiosks is the significant boost to a restaurant’s operational efficiency. In traditional ordering methods, servers have to interact with customers individually, which can result in communication errors or long wait times. With self-ordering kiosks, customers can place orders quickly through touch screens, QR codes, or even voice recognition, eliminating the need for manual interactions. This leads to more accurate orders and reduces the likelihood of mistakes or omissions.

Moreover, kiosks enable real-time menu updates, making it easier to introduce new dishes or notify customers of any menu changes. Customers always have access to the latest information, ensuring a seamless dining experience.

2. Reducing Labor Costs

For many restaurants, labor costs are a significant concern. Self-ordering kiosks can help reduce the need for as many staff members, especially when it comes to order-taking. With customers independently placing their orders, servers can focus on higher-value tasks, such as food delivery and providing customer service. This allows for better resource allocation and improves overall efficiency.

Additionally, kiosks often support cashless payments, which reduces the administrative burden of handling cash and minimizes errors in payment processing.

3. Enhancing the Customer Experience

Customer experience is key to a restaurant’s success, and self-ordering kiosks play a pivotal role in enhancing it. Not only do kiosks improve the speed of ordering, but they also allow customers to have more control over the process. Customers can browse detailed descriptions of dishes, view images, and even filter options based on their preferences.

Furthermore, self-ordering kiosks can support multiple languages, making it easier for international guests or those who speak different languages to navigate the menu. This feature is especially beneficial for restaurants in tourist areas or those catering to a diverse clientele.

4. Data Collection and Smart Management

Beyond order-taking, self-ordering kiosks can collect valuable customer data, such as preferences, peak dining hours, and popular dishes. Analyzing this data can provide restaurant owners with valuable insights for decision-making. For example, based on data analysis, a restaurant may adjust its menu offerings or optimize inventory management to better align with customer demand, ultimately improving both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Additionally, integrating kiosks with backend systems allows restaurant managers to monitor orders in real time, track operational performance, and assess staff productivity. This level of smart management ensures that the restaurant runs smoothly, improving both service quality and profitability.

5. Future Trends

The adoption of self-ordering kiosks is just one aspect of the broader trend toward smart technology in the restaurant industry. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect these kiosks to become even more sophisticated. For instance, AI and big data integration will enable kiosks to provide more personalized recommendations based on customer preferences and order history.

Moreover, the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could soon be incorporated into self-ordering systems. Customers might be able to interact with a fully immersive menu experience, virtually “seeing” how their dish is prepared or getting a closer look at ingredients and cooking methods.

At the same time, the restaurant industry is becoming more focused on sustainability. Self-ordering kiosks can contribute to this by reducing paper waste (such as printed menus) and helping restaurants optimize energy usage through more efficient systems.

Conclusion

Self-ordering kiosks have already proven to be a game-changer for the restaurant industry, providing numerous benefits ranging from improved service efficiency and reduced labor costs to enhanced customer experiences and smarter management. As technology advances, the functionality of these kiosks will become even more sophisticated, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth in the industry.

The future of dining is bright, and self-ordering kiosks are at the forefront of this transformation, helping restaurants stay competitive while delivering a seamless and personalized experience to customers. As the industry continues to evolve, these kiosks will remain a crucial element in shaping the future of dining.