The Internet of Things (IoT) has offered us plenty of new options in terms of remote monitoring of just about anything. From remote monitoring fleets of vehicles to just monitoring for smoke in our houses and water in our basements, it's all possible with the IoT. KIOSK Information Systems is ratcheting that effect up with its new CORE K-Nect system, which offers new capability in remote monitoring.
CORE K-Nect is geared toward the unattended kiosk network, and offers a variety of alerts for those needing to manage said systems. Available connectivity, application status, the performance of particular system components and more are all a part of CORE K-Nect's monitoring umbrella. Even simple things like paper refills are included.
Given that many of KIOSK's customers—as noted by KIOSK's chief technology officer Charley Newsom—are focusing on keeping systems up for 98 to 99 percent of the time, such an ambitious goal is really only possible if there's some kind of remote monitoring involved. When a system can only have about 30 seconds' downtime every hour, technicians need instant and clear updates.
That's where KIOSK's system can really shine; the company boasts a substantial Hardware Provider Layer (HPL) that uses IoT tools to alert operators to issues as they occur. That makes for faster repair times and more uptime, which keeps the system overall meeting its ambitious goals. Plus, it offers a significant advantage from requiring downtime reports from customers; it saves face, and makes the company running the kiosk look better for it.
This is a great development in IoT, and for those who want more such developments, ITEXPO—currently taking place in Fort Lauderdale's Broward County Convention Center—should be just the ticket. On Wednesday, January 27 at 2:30 pm, Telecom Reseller (News - Alert)'s Gary Audin will be leading a discussion called “State of IoT,” in which several major developments in the field will be discussed.
KIOSK's system, meanwhile, should prove a welcome addition to most any kiosk system's toolbox; not only does it better allow for ambitious uptime goals to be met while also saving face with the customer, but it also keeps a system that's offering valuable information or even potential sales up and running. Uptime isn't some abstract goal; uptime represents sales potential, even if only delivered information that impacts the chance of a sale later on down the process.
Keeping that kiosk operational may mean the difference between sales made and lost. That may sound overly dramatic, but in many cases, that's just how it is, especially given how much information gathering goes into many sales efforts these days. Tools like CORE K-Nect may well be the right tool for keeping that kiosk operational, and more fully reaping the benefits a kiosk can offer.