Interactive terminals and self-service kiosks are now used in almost all sectors — from restaurants and stores to banks, clinics, and museums. Such tools help optimize operational processes, reduce the workload on staff, and make interaction with the brand more understandable for visitors. That is why interactive kiosks are gradually moving from an additional service to a basic element of modern customer infrastructure.

Before implementation, it is important not to limit the choice to design or equipment cost. It is much more important to understand in which business scenario the device will operate, what tasks it will perform, and how it will integrate into existing processes. The stability of the system and its practical value in daily operation depend on this.

Why your business needs a self-service kiosk

The first stage is defining goals. A kiosk should solve a specific task rather than simply be present in the space. Clear formulation of the goal makes it possible to choose the correct configuration, interface format, and customer interaction scenario.

One of the most common tasks is reducing queues. In fast food establishments, supermarkets, or shopping centers, terminals allow visitors to place orders and pay for purchases independently. This reduces the load on the checkout area and increases the throughput of the location.

Improving customer service also plays an important role. A touch interface allows information to be presented in a structured and visual way, helps with the selection of goods or services, and reduces the likelihood of errors during order placement. For the user, this means a clear process and a sense of control.

Another common scenario is reducing the workload on staff. In banks, service centers, or government institutions, self-service kiosk take over routine operations: service payments, registration, obtaining certificates, or indoor navigation. This allows employees to focus on more complex requests and personal consultations.

Kiosks also perform a marketing function. Interactive interfaces can offer additional products, promotional items, or alternative options without the involvement of a salesperson. Combined with digital advertising on screens, this creates additional points of influence on customer decisions without direct pressure.

Technical and software components

When choosing a self-service kiosk, it is worth evaluating not only the hardware but also the software ecosystem. It is the software for managing Digital Signage that is responsible for centralized content updates, operational stability, and the ability to scale the network.

Centralized management allows quick changes to interfaces, adaptation of content to different locations and business scenarios, and real-time monitoring of device performance. Combined with properly selected hardware, such Digital Signage solutions ensure a unified logic of customer interaction in physical space and simplify the further development of the system.

What types of interactive terminals exist

Several main types of touch-enabled terminals and self-service kiosks are available on the market, each oriented toward its own usage scenarios. Understanding the differences between them helps to choose a solution that matches the real business tasks.

1. Payment terminals

Used primarily for accepting payments. Such devices are widespread in retail, pharmacies, cafés, and service locations where speed and stability of financial transactions are important. They usually have a simple interface and a minimal set of functions focused on transaction security.

2. Information kiosks

Designed to provide reference and navigation information. Multimedia information kiosks are installed in shopping malls, airports, business centers, or museums, where visitors need to quickly find a route, a service, or additional information. They often work with interactive maps, catalogs, and multimedia content.

3. Ordering kiosks

Allow customers to independently place orders in restaurants, at gas stations, or in self-service stores. In the HoReCa sector, such solutions are closely connected with digital menus, which simplify dish selection and reduce the workload on staff.

4. Kiosks with digital menus for food service establishments

In cafés and fast food venues, digital menu boards for cafés are increasingly used and synchronized with ordering kiosks. This allows prices, promotions, and seasonal offers to be updated quickly while maintaining a unified logic of information presentation.

5. Multifunctional terminals

Combine several usage scenarios at once: payment acceptance, order placement, document issuance, or handling service requests. This format is suitable for banks, government institutions, and large service centers, where versatility and flexibility are important.

Steps to choosing the optimal terminal:

Step 1. Determine the installation location

The location directly affects the design and technical requirements of the device. For indoor use, desktop or floor-standing models are usually chosen, as they take up minimal space and fit organically into the interior. They are suitable for stores, restaurants, and customer service areas.

If the kiosk is planned for outdoor use, operating conditions must be taken into account. An anti-vandal enclosure, protection against moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations become mandatory parameters. The installation location often determines the materials, protection class, and overall cost of the equipment.

Step 2. Consider the required functionality

Before making a choice, it is worth forming in advance a list of functions that the business actually needs. Among the basic capabilities are acceptance of cashless and cash payments, code scanning, integration with accounting systems, and receipt printing.

In many scenarios, QR codes in advertising are actively used, allowing the physical space to be connected with digital channels. A kiosk can scan a code to access a menu, promotion, or personalized offer, which expands customer interaction scenarios.

It is also important to evaluate the software component. The presence of a stable media component, such as a digital signage player, makes it possible to manage visual content, update screens, and adapt information to different time-based or business scenarios.

The more functions a terminal has, the higher its cost and maintenance complexity will be. Therefore, it is reasonable to focus not only on current needs but also on future development, choosing a configuration with scalability options without excessive costs.

Step 3. Pay attention to the interface

The terminal interface directly affects whether a customer will use the device independently, without staff assistance. If the logic is unclear or there are too many actions, a person is more likely to abandon the kiosk and return to the checkout.

One of the main signs of a good interface is simplicity. A minimum number of steps, a clear screen structure, large buttons, and clear prompts. Scenarios work well when the user sees “where they are now” and how many actions remain until completion.

The second sign is intuitiveness. Section names, icons, and texts should be obvious without additional explanations. Small details also matter: readable fonts, proper contrasts, logical field order, and quick return to the previous step.

It is also worth testing the interface with real users before launch — this helps identify “blind spots” where people get confused or take too long to find the required action. During such testing, a foundation is formed for data collection and analysis of customer behavior, allowing scenarios to be improved later based on actual interaction patterns rather than assumptions.

Also pay attention to support for multiple languages. For tourist locations, this is not an option but a necessity: the fewer barriers there are, the faster a person moves from selection to payment.

Step 4. Choose reliable hardware

A self-service terminal is an investment that must operate reliably every day. If the equipment frequently “freezes,” has a weak touch sensor, or wears out quickly, repair costs and downtime cancel out the initial savings.

Check whether the screen has scratch protection and whether its brightness is suitable for the lighting conditions of the location. In venues with panoramic windows or strong artificial lighting, a weak display becomes a problem within the first weeks.

Evaluate the enclosure and operating conditions. For public spaces, durable materials, impact protection, and well-designed ventilation are important. For challenging environments, protection against dust and moisture is additionally critical.

Do not ignore warranty and service: availability of spare parts, support response, and repair timelines. Reliable equipment pays off faster because it does not cause interruptions in service and sales.

Step 5. Think about future integration

Business changes: new payment methods appear, accounting systems are updated, locations are added, or service scenarios change. It is important that the terminal can be upgraded with new modules or that the software component can be updated without replacing the entire fleet of devices.

Here, the content management system (CMS) plays a key role. It simplifies administration by allowing quick screen changes, template management, scheduling of displays, and control over content relevance across different locations.

To avoid dependence on on-site visits and USB drives, it is important to have remote content management. This is especially useful when you have multiple locations or high requirements for rapid changes—for example, during promotions, seasonal offers, or information adjustments during peak hours.

Step 6. Configure content logic and scenarios for real tasks

Even the best hardware will not deliver results if the content is chaotic or outdated. It is important to plan the rules in advance: what is shown on the main screen, how categories are structured, where promotions are placed, and what the user journey looks like from selection to confirmation.

For networks and locations with different formats, synchronization of advertising content becomes critical. It helps avoid situations where a new promotion is already launched at one venue while another still displays an old creative or previous price.

In HoReCa and retail, a separate requirement is real-time updates of prices and menus. This reduces the risk of errors, eliminates manual routine work, and allows quick responses to product availability, cost changes, or promotional rules.

When the basic logic works stably, it is possible to move on to more “intelligent” scenarios—for example, displaying personalized content for customers depending on the time of day, location, or typical requests. However, personalization must be appropriate: it should simplify choice and enhance service, not overload the interface with unnecessary offers.

Step 7. Use the Android platform as a foundation for scaling

Another important component that reveals the advantages of digital advertising is the use of the Android platform in terminals and screens. This approach makes the system flexible, easy to maintain, and ready for further development without complex technical modifications.

In modern projects, self-service kiosks are increasingly built on Android-based solutions. This allows applications to be installed easily, third-party services to be integrated, and the interface to be quickly adapted to changing business tasks. For staff and technical teams, this means simpler configuration and less dependence on highly specialized software.

A key role in such an architecture is played by the Android media player, which is responsible for stable content playback, fast interface response, and correct operation of interactive scenarios. It ensures uninterrupted screen operation even under intensive load and allows centralized management of the device network.

It is also worth noting the Android set-top box as a practical solution for expanding functionality. It makes it possible to upgrade already installed screens without fully replacing the hardware, which reduces costs and simplifies scaling. Thanks to this, digital advertising becomes not only flexible but also economically justified in the long term.

Additionally, the platform simplifies network updates and maintenance in the long-term perspective. Thanks to regular system updates, a broad application ecosystem, and compatibility with various hardware, businesses receive a stable solution that easily adapts to new content formats and interaction scenarios. This reduces dependence on a specific manufacturer, speeds up the launch of new features, and allows digital communication channels to be developed without radical changes to the existing infrastructure.

In practice, choosing a terminal or self-service kiosk is a combination of clearly defined tasks, a well-thought-out interface, reliable hardware, and a flexible technological foundation. When all these elements work together, digital solutions stop being just “screens” and turn into a full-fledged tool for service, sales, and customer communication in the physical space.

Advision is a content management system for remote control, media planning of video and audio content broadcasting, and a supply-side platform for monetising advertising time. We also implement a Wi-Fi tracking system to measure quantitative indicators of the advertising audience. We help Digital Signage owners and DOOH advertising operators earn money from advertising, automate work processes, and build a reliable media infrastructure using AdTech and MarTech software solutions.

Contact us if you want to increase your profits and implement the latest technologies to solve your problems!